Basement Windows & Egress Windows in Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Basement Pros has finished basements across Overland Park for over a decade, and we add egress windows the right way when a bedroom needs one. We saw-cut the foundation, frame the opening with a proper header, and install a well sized to code, with a ladder or steps when it is deep.
Every well gets a gravel base tied into drainage and a cover that keeps out rain and animals but still opens from inside. We pull the Overland Park permit and schedule the inspection, so your new bedroom is legal and ready when you sell.
Overland Park Basement Pros provides basement windows and egress window installation to surrounding Overland Park, Kansas cities including Fairway, Kansas City, Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Olathe, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, Shawnee, and Westwood.
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Basement Egress Window Types
Casement Egress Windows
A casement window is hinged on one side and cranks outward like a door. When it opens, the whole sash swings clear of the frame, so nearly the full window becomes the escape opening. That makes casements the most common egress choice for basement bedrooms.
Because so much of the frame opens, a casement can meet code with a smaller foundation cut than other styles. The sash swings out into the well, so we size the well wide enough for the window to open all the way and still leave room to climb out.
Sliding Egress Windows
A sliding window has a sash that glides sideways along a track. Only one half of the window opens, so a slider has to be wider than a casement to give the same escape opening. It works well in basements with wide, short wall space.
Sliders don’t swing into the well, which makes them a good fit when the well has to stay compact. We check the open half of every slider against the egress minimums before ordering, because many standard sliders are too small to qualify once you measure the actual opening.
Egress Doors & Walkout Exits
If your yard slopes away from the house, a walkout door can serve as your basement’s egress. A door gives the easiest exit, lets in the most light, and makes it simple to move furniture in and out without using the main stairs.
On flatter lots, we can build a below-grade stairwell with concrete walls, steps, and a drain at the bottom. It costs more than a window because of the extra digging and structural work, but it makes sense for a guest suite or any basement that needs its own entrance.
Basement Window Enlargement
Many Overland Park homes have small basement windows that are too short or too narrow to count as egress. Instead of cutting a brand new opening, we can enlarge the existing one, which often means less digging and keeps the window where it already makes sense in the room.
We saw-cut the concrete below and around the old window, frame the larger opening, and set the new egress window in place. Outside, we dig and install a properly sized well. The result is a code-compliant escape route and a lot more daylight in the room.
Egress Window Wells & Installation
Cutting the Foundation Opening
e start by digging outside the wall where the well will go, then mark the opening and check for any wiring, plumbing, or ductwork nearby. A diamond saw cuts the concrete cleanly and squarely, which keeps the rest of the foundation strong instead of cracking it with a hammer.
Once the section is out, we frame the opening with a header or lintel to carry the weight above, then seal and flash it so water stays out. This is structural work, so it requires a permit in Overland Park, and we pull it before any cutting starts.
Egress Window Wells
The well is the lined space outside the window that holds back soil and gives you room to climb out. Galvanized steel wells are the most common and affordable option. Composite wells cost more but come in stone or textured looks that blend into your landscaping.
Size matters more than style. The well has to be big enough for an adult to stand in with the window fully open, so we match it to the window, not the other way around. Each well is anchored to the foundation and backfilled so it stays put for years.
Window Well Ladders & Steps
When a well is deep, a person standing at the bottom can’t climb out without help. The building code requires a permanent ladder or built-in steps in wells deeper than 44 inches, and we include one whenever the depth calls for it.
Some wells have steps molded right into the wall, while others use a ladder fastened to the side. Either way, it has to work without tools and can’t block the window from opening. We set it so a child or older adult could use it in the dark.
Egress Window FAQs
The price depends on how big the window is, how deep the well needs to be, and how much digging and landscape repair the job takes. A walkout door costs more than a window. We look at the wall and yard first, then give you a written quote for your specific opening.
Yes. Any basement room used for sleeping needs an emergency escape opening, either an egress window or an exterior door. Without one, the room can’t legally be called a bedroom, which affects both safety and how your home is valued and listed when you sell.
Yes. Cutting into your foundation is structural work, and Overland Park requires a permit and inspection. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection for you, so the finished bedroom is documented as legal when it’s time to sell.
Most egress windows take a few days from digging to final cleanup, depending on the wall, the soil, and the weather. Inspection timing can add a little more. We schedule the work so the opening is never left exposed overnight without protection.
Usually, yes. We enlarge the existing opening by saw-cutting the concrete, frame it to carry the load above, and install a code-sized window and well. Reusing the current location often means less digging and a quicker job.