Egress Window Installation on Long Island
Code-Compliant Basement Egress Windows Installed in One Day
- Designed for safe emergency escape and inspection approval
- Serving Nassau & Suffolk County homeowners
- Trusted Long Island egress window specialists
Book a FREE Consultation & Save $500
Installing an egress window is an important safety and code upgrade you can make to a Long Island home, especially if your basement is used as living space or a bedroom. Local building codes require a proper emergency escape, and getting it wrong can lead to failed inspections, safety risks, or costly rework.
At Egress of Long Island, we specialize in code-compliant egress window installation built to the Residential Code of New York State, while accounting for local soil, drainage, and water table conditions. Our process is straightforward, inspection-ready, and typically completed in just one day.
Why Proper Egress Windows Are Required for Long Island Homes
Life-Saving Emergency Exits
Basement fires and emergencies can trap occupants without proper escape routes. Professionally installed egress windows provide:
A safe escape path during fires or other emergencies
Access points for first responders to enter the home
A second way out of the basement for your family
Easy-to-operate openings for fast evacuation
Legal Basement Living Space Requirements
Converting a basement into legal living space requires code-compliant egress windows:
Required for finished basements and basement bedrooms
Mandatory for legal rental or living spaces
Protects resale value by avoiding non-compliant renovations
Increased Home Value, Light, and Livability
Beyond safety and compliance, egress windows improve the overall livability of your home:
Natural light brightens dark basement spaces
Fresh air ventilation improves indoor air quality
Improved interior and exterior appearance
Egress Window Code Requirements on Long Island
Egress window installations on Long Island must comply with the Residential Code of New York State (the 2025 RCNYS, Section R319, based on the 2024 International Residential Code), along with local enforcement by town, village, or city building departments. While the code sets baseline requirements, proper installation, window well design, and drainage are critical for passing inspection.
Residential Code of New York State (Section R319) Egress Window Requirements
These four minimums come from Section R319 of the Residential Code of New York State, Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings, and all our installations meet or exceed them:
Minimum opening area
5.7 square feet (5.0 square feet for grade-floor or below-grade openings)
Minimum opening height
24 inches
Minimum opening width
20 inches
Maximum sill height from floor
44 inches
These minimums apply to basement bedrooms and other habitable basement spaces.
For a full breakdown of how these requirements apply to different window types, and how to check whether your existing windows already qualify, see our complete guide to what makes a window an egress window.
Window Well and Escape Clearance Requirements
Proper window wells are essential for below-grade installations:
Minimum horizontal area
9 square feet with minimum 36-inch projection
Window projection clearance
Must allow full window opening
Ladder requirement
For wells deeper than 44 inches
Drainage provision
Required to prevent water accumulation
Proper drainage is especially critical on Long Island due to soil composition and seasonal water table conditions.
Our Professional Installation Process
01. Comprehensive Consultation & Design
Our process begins with understanding your specific needs:
- In-home assessment by our licensed team
- Customized design solutions for your specific home and basement
- Location optimization for maximum light, safety, and convenience
- Guidance on what your town requires (permits and engineered drawings are arranged by the homeowner)
Clear, transparent quote with no hidden costs
02. Machine Excavation & Foundation Cutting
Our specialized teams safely create the opening:
- Machine excavation with restoration of the disturbed area
- Saw-cut foundation opening using diamond-blade equipment
- Structural integrity maintenance with proper reinforcement
- Careful work around existing utility lines
03. Window & Well Installation
Materials we install:
- Egress America European tilt-and-turn windows sized to meet code
- Boman Kemp galvanized steel window wells anchored to the foundation
- Below-grade waterproofing and drainage, including a stone base and a 50-gallon NDS Flo-Well storm water leaching system
- Restoration of the disturbed area
04. Exterior Restoration & Cleanup
What we finish before we leave:
- Restoration of the disturbed area around the installation
- Compacted backfill around the new window well
- Boman Kemp steel cover with polycarbonate top, included
- Broom-finished cleanup when we leave
- Interior rough finish and molding available as an add-on
Expertise & Experience
Why homeowners choose us:
- Installations across Long Island
- Installers with 20 years of experience
- Basement egress excavation expertise specific to Long Island soil conditions
- Working knowledge of Long Island town and village building requirements
Materials & Craftsmanship
What we install:
Egress America European tilt-and-turn egress windows
Boman Kemp galvanized steel window wells anchored to the foundation
50-gallon NDS Flo-Well storm water leaching system with every package
Our Egress Window
1
Egress America Tilt-and-Turn Windows
Sized for your opening:
Egress America Tilt-and-Turn Windows
● European tilt-and-turn design that swings fully open for escape ● Tilts in at the top for everyday fresh air ● Left or right hinge to fit your room ● Disappearing screen that stays out of the way
Window Sizes
● Standard 32 x 42 inch size ● Other sizes available ● Sized to meet net clear opening requirements ● We measure and confirm fit during your free consultation
2
Window Well Options
Choose the window well that fits your home and budget:
Boman Kemp Galvanized Steel Window Wells
● Included in our standard package, starting at around $6,000 ● Galvanized steel built for Long Island weather ● Anchored to the foundation ● Ladder where required and steel cover with polycarbonate top included
Cambridge ArmorTec Block Window Wells
● Complete package with a Cambridge ArmorTec segmental block well, starting at around $8,500 ● Everything in our standard package except the cover, which is priced on request ● Ladder or steps where required ● Wells up to 40 inches deep, add $1,000 per extra 12 inches
Drainage With Every Package
● Drainage stone base ● 50-gallon NDS Flo-Well storm water leaching system ● Not tied into footing drains, sump, or existing piping ● Below-grade waterproofing and sealant at the foundation opening
Steel Safety Grate and Cover Included
● Boman Kemp steel safety grate, rated for up to 600 pounds of snow load (not foot traffic) ● Clear polycarbonate cover lets light through ● Included with the standard steel well package ● Covers for Cambridge block wells priced on request
3
What’s Included With Your Well
Your standard package includes the ladder where required and a steel cover.
Egress Ladders
● Boman Kemp ladder installed where code requires it ● Required for wells deeper than 44 inches
Window Well Covers
● Steel cover with polycarbonate top included with the standard package ● Cambridge block well covers priced on request ● Replacement and custom covers coming soon ● Helps keep leaves, snow, and debris out of the well
Transform Your Basement with an Egress Window You’ll Love
Get code-compliant egress window installation for your Long Island home, done in about a day. Book your free consultation today.
Egress Window Installation Costs
Investment in Safety and Value
Standard egress window package
Starts at around $6,000
Cambridge ArmorTec block well package
Starts at around $8,500
Factors affecting cost
Excavation depth, soil conditions, window selection, well type, optional interior rough finish
Return on investment
A full basement conversion to living area recovers about 71% of its cost (NAR 2025 Remodeling Impact Report)
Financing Options
Make your egress window installation affordable:
Long-term financing options with low monthly payments
Special offers for multiple window installations
Senior and military discounts available
The Installation Timeline
What to Expect
- Initial consultation to contract: 1-3 days
- Permits and engineered drawings: arranged by the homeowner, timing set by your town
- Scheduled installation date: Scheduled once your permit is in hand; we install year-round, weather permitting.
- Installation completion: 1 day per window in most cases
- Final inspection: Timing depends on your town
Frequently Asked Questions
Can egress windows be installed in any basement?
In most cases, yes. Our team evaluates factors like foundation type, soil conditions, existing utility lines, and water table levels to determine the optimal installation approach. Even in challenging situations, our experienced team can usually find a compliant solution.
How long does the entire installation process take?
Most installations typically take only 1 day per egress window. So that means we get to work in the early morning and you have a bright, airy environment later that day.
Who handles the permit?
The homeowner arranges the building permit and any engineered drawings. We explain what your town requires and schedule the install once the permit is in hand.
Will egress window installation cause water problems in my basement?
A properly installed egress window is built to handle water. We waterproof and seal the foundation opening below grade, set a drainage stone base, and add a 50-gallon NDS Flo-Well storm water leaching system that isn’t tied into your footing drains, sump, or existing piping. No installer can promise you’ll never see water, but every step is designed to move water away from your basement.
How much natural light will an egress window add to my basement?
The amount of light varies based on window size, orientation, and well design, but most homeowners notice a big difference. A full-size egress window lets in far more natural light than a small standard basement window.
Are egress windows secure against break-ins?
Yes. Our Egress America tilt-and-turn windows close and lock like a standard window. Code requires the window and any well cover to open from inside without tools or keys, and we install to that requirement.
How do egress windows affect home resale value?
According to the NAR 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, a full basement conversion to living area recovers about 71% of its cost. An egress window is one of the requirements for a legal basement bedroom, which matters when you sell.
Can egress windows be installed during winter months?
Yes. We install year-round. Weather can shift the schedule.
Ready to Transform Your Basement?
Get it done right and up to code when it comes to egress window installation. Contact Egress of Long Island today for a complimentary consultation and detailed quote.
Call (631) 353-6060 now or complete our online form to schedule your free, no-obligation assessment.
Our installation teams serve homeowners throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties with code-compliant egress window solutions tailored to your specific home and needs.
View our project gallery to see examples of our professional installations across Long Island.