Need Basement Windows? Hire a Basement Company

If you’ve been considering adding an egress window to your basement, or even just replacing the existing transom windows with something newer and nicer, you’ve probably done plenty of googling. And I can guarantee you that as many window companies came up as anything else. This is, what we like to call in the biz, a “bad idea.” When you look for new basement windows, your emphasis should be basement first, windows second. 

The reason is that once you start working “below grade” (which just means below the ground) you open projects up to a world of complications and potential danger for the home. Disturbing the soil that surrounds a home’s foundation can change pressure level and distribution on the foundation walls; add in actually removing part of the wall to install a new window and you’re weakening the structure even more. Even after replacing soil after excavation, it isn’t the same; it’s loose and may absorb extra water, which can again change pressure or even cause flooding in the basement. 

When a company unfamiliar with below-grade work takes on a below-grade project, they pick a spot, start digging, start cutting, and call it a day. Sure, you may have the windows you asked for, but that’s not all you might end up with. Maybe they picked a low spot on your property and your window well will always be flooded during storms. Maybe they installed too close to a corner of the house and risked the stability of the wall. Maybe they installed a window that doesn’t meet building code for basement use. The possibilities are endless, and worrisome. 

When you work with a basement company, we already know the best practices, products, and requirements to make sure your project is successful. We inspect your foundation and grading to find the best place for window installation and we know how and where to place them for minimal disruption. We know how to dig in a way that will lessen damage to the surrounding soil. And we know the building codes that apply to your project to ensure that everything is done properly for your daily use and goals for the basement.  

If you’ve been thinking of upgrading or adding new windows to the basement altogether, pass on the window companies and go with an expert in working below the ground. Call today to schedule your free inspection.