How Much Value Does An Egress Window Add

Imagine that you are in your home after a long day at the office and you cannot escape the family for some peace. What do you do? Where in your home can you escape? If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you have a basement, you immediately realize, that it might be time to convert the basement space into something more functional and user-friendly.

If you are considering turning your basement into a more livable space, you need to add an egress window. Egress windows are windows large enough to use in case of an emergency. How much value does an egress window add? It depends on the location but adding this window makes it an extra room so about an average of $20,000.

Egress windows are required if you convert the basement space into a bedroom or a finished basement so, not only does the egress window add value to your home, it ensures proper safety codes are followed.

Let’s take a look below at how this works for the homeowner.

Inside view of a basement egress window

What Are The Benefits

The benefits of adding an egress window to your basement are substantial. Not only does it allow you to market the basement space as a basement bedroom, finished office, or play space, but it also allows you to legally market these spaces. Like anything else, adding an egress window will add value to the home, however, the location of your home determines how much the value will be. The average cost of installation for an egress window could run you about $6,000. Consider, that as an investment, because marketing your home as having an extra bedroom could add an extra $20,000 on average to the value of the home.

Some added benefits to installing an egress window also include the following:

  • Makes the basement safer by adding an emergency exit option
  • Meets all legal requirements so that you can market the basement as an added bedroom
  • Provides more natural lighting and ventilation for the basement
  • The window is more secure, ensuring a safer basement
  • Creates a more comfortable space for work or online schooling
  • Can be installed almost anywhere in your basement
Egress window in the basement

Options for Egress Windows

Determining the type of egress window that you would like depends upon your current basement layout and your budget. Let’s take a look at the options for what egress windows cost:

  • Casement-these are hanging on one or more hinges and will swing out like a door. Typically, a great fit for most basements and the average cost is about $220-$500 for the window.
  • Horizontal or sliding-these open like your standard sliding glass doors. One pane slides open and thus makes this style larger by frame. It must be 4×4 square feet to meet code requirements. The average cost can be $150-$500 for the window.
  • Single-hung-these are considered the classic window style. The bottom window panel slides upwards to open. Due to the functionality, these windows are usually made to be large enough so that the bottom pane meets the opening requirements. The average cost can be $100-$500 for the window.
  • In-swing-these windows are similar to casement windows and will swing in to open and not out to open. The average cost can be $350-$700 for the window.

Cost of Egress Windows

The current national average for a complete installation of an egress window runs from $2,500 to $5,300. The price difference is based on the cost of materials and what your local contractor will charge you. In addition, typically the driving factor in the cost differentials is the size of the egress window and the style that you have chosen to install.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While you are exploring the options of adding an egress window to your basement, you can also look into whether or not to fix your basement drain from getting backed up. This would be the perfect time to test your drain functionality before converting your basement into a more user-friendly space.

Another great area of the basement to research before converting it into a great space involves waterproofing your basement. You won’t want to lay carpet and flooring in the basement without knowing that the basement is waterproofed.

Finally, the best way to ensure that you are enjoying your newly renovated basement space is by ensuring that the air quality in the basement is good. You wouldn’t want to be downstairs relaxing, sleeping, or watching tv if the air quality is off.

Basement sliding egress window

When Should I Call A Professional

Calling a professional contractor that is an expert in window installation is key. There are building codes and requirements for installing egress windows. You will want a professional contractor that has worked with your local building and state codes before. Also, this will save you a lot of time and money as you look to upgrade your basement.

Conclusion

Installing egress windows in a basement can be an arduous task and time-consuming. Before upgrading your basement and turning it into a livable space, you should call for a home inspection. Getting the home inspection saves you time and money as you invest in basement upgrades. Give Home Inspection Geeks a call. Home Inspection Geeks can take a look at your basement window needs when we come out for a home inspection in the Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, IL.

How To Clean Moss Off Brick

Well, it is a week before your big party and you are taking notes of everything that should be looking perfect for your guests. You step outside and take a look at the unsightly brick patio and realize that there is a lot of necessary cleaning. How do I clean moss off brick? You can hire a professional or you can use various environmentally friendly chemicals and a pressure washer.

Let’s take a look at the best way to manage moss on our brick home or patio.

Pressure washing brick

How to Clean Moss Off Brick

The most effective way to clean brick is by using household chemicals and water (bleach solution is also recommended but not eco-friendly). Mixing equal parts vinegar and equal parts of water is the safest and most eco-friendly option. You can add this mixture to the soap dispenser of your pressure or power washer and generously apply the mixture onto the brick surfaces. You will want to let the mixture sit and soak in for about 15 to 20 minutes. Once the mixture has a chance to soak in, you will take your pressure or power washer and start washing away the moss with high pressure.

The Best Way To Clean Other Surfaces

Believe it or not, moss can grow on a variety of solid surfaces. In most cases, you can keep a spray bottle with a bleach and water mixture and spray the areas affected as needed. Then use a scrub brush to remove the moss. This is very effective and easy to do. Ensure that anytime you are using a bleach product that it is away from children or pets. You wouldn’t want any toxic chemicals getting to them. Removal of moss from your hardscaping is best when done regularly. This will prevent the moss from taking over and creating a larger project for you. Pressure washing from time to time and using an eco-friendly vinegar and water mixture is a great way to maintain your hardscape.

A lot of moss on a brick wall

Top Tips For Keeping Moss Off Brick

Let’s take a look at the top tips that we can do to keep moss free and clear from our brick surfaces:

Sunlight

Keeping your brick patio exposed to sunlight is a great way to ensure moss will not grow there. Moss does not like the sunlight and will not grow in lighted areas. Moss prefers dark and damp places.

Irrigation

Keep an eye on your irrigation. If you have leaks and need to adjust the spray, do so accordingly. Irrigation can soak certain areas and promote moss growth at that time.

Boiling Water

This is a great eco-friendly way of combating moss growth on your hardscape. Pouring boiling water onto the moss will control the growth. In addition, you will need to follow that up with a good scrubbing to remove the growth.

Vinegar

As stated above, it is great to use half parts water and half parts vinegar to treat and kill the moss. After this mixture is applied, a good scrubbing or pressure washing is recommended to clean moss off the brick.

Power Washing

Power washing your hard surfaces every month will allow you to keep those areas looking clean and brand new. It is also recommended that you seal your pavers after you power wash them for long-lasting maintenance.

Baking Soda

Pour the baking soda directly onto the moss and let it sit overnight. Then, brush the moss areas that are treated to remove the baking soda and follow up with a proper scrubbing.

As A Last Resort

Bleach

If you use bleach, let it sit for 15 minutes. Bleach can only be used in a mixture with water and never poured directly onto the surface.

Commercial Moss Killer

These products are not safe in many aspects. The products should only be considered in extreme circumstances and used as an absolute last resort. 

Cost to Clean Moss Off Brick

The average cost to remove moss from brick is $0.58 to $1.00 per square foot. You will also pay a labor charge for a professional pressure washing business to come out to complete this project for you. This service can cost $45 to $65 per hour depending on the company. Some companies will also just charge a flat fee of $90-$120 just to pressure wash your patio, driveway, and walls.

Other Maintenance Needs

While you are working towards the removal of moss from your brick patio or walls, it is a great time to look at mold inside your home. Understanding how to stop mold growth in your home is very important. Preventative maintenance is key in this area of home maintenance.

Understanding where mold and moss can grow is also an important part of preventative home maintenance. Just because your brick is growing moss or mold does not mean that your block will be immune to either. Keep in mind that moss and mold like damp, cool places to intrude upon. Mold growing on the concrete block is an important topic to also understand.

Moss can also grow on a roof and this needs to be taken care of. However, you don’t want to use a power washer as it will damage the shingles.

Lastly, take a look at your roof drainage. Determine whether or not you have a clogged gutter system or if the roof scupper is disconnected and not working properly. If the roof runoff is not flowing to where it should, you could end up with pooling of water and the ability for moss to grow.

Moss on Block

When Do I Call A Professional

Removing moss from brick or block walls or patios is a project that can be easily done by the homeowner. However, if you do not own a pressure washer this project can be daunting. Anytime that you do not own the proper tools and equipment or simply do not have the time, it is best to call a professional. Mixing the wrong chemicals or accidentally using the wrong pressure rating can cause damage to your brick and even cause health issues. For those reasons, it is a great idea to call a professional to assist you with this project.

Conclusion

Many mosses are very successful at growing on a brick when it is damp and dark. You notice this happening especially on brick paver patios and brick walls when the moss is shielded from the sunlight. If you have a project that requires the removal of moss from your brick areas, it is always a good idea to consult a professional power washing company or get a home inspection from your local home inspection team. This allows you to get an idea of the moss in a concentrated area. Home Inspection Geeks can take a look at your exterior cleaning needs when we come out for a home inspection in the Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, IL.