Did You Know: Building Codes

 

Building codes, the set of rules and regulations that come with new construction or remodeling projects, aren’t static; they change as new information comes in, for better or for worse. Today we’re going to look at two that have or have had a huge impact on your home; one current and one long expired.

 

Current: Egress Windows

 

If you’re considering finishing your basement, there’s a whole slew of rules around egress windows that you should know. It’s important to always look up your city’s specific codes, but here’s an overview of what most of the country requires.

 

First, international building code indicates that “habitable” spaces need a means of exit. This can be a door or window of a certain size (fun fact - egress means “exit”). When it comes to your basement, both safety and function make an egress window a good choice if you choose to finish the space in any way, but aren’t strictly required. On the other hand, if you want to create bedrooms down there, you are required to have an egress window.

 

Second, not all basement windows are egress windows. You’ve surely seen small rectangular windows toward the ceiling in a basement and realized you absolutely would not fit through one. In order to qualify as an egress window, the window must meet certain requirements:

• 5.7 square feet minimum of open space to exit
• At least 20 inches wide
• At least 24 inches tall
• The bottom of the window can’t be more than 44 inches from the floor

 

The window must also be accessible and operable from the inside without the need for tools - so no bars/grills or locks that require keys to open. The window well (the part outside) also has to have a ladder, of course.

 

In addition to making your finished basement, whether it’s a bedroom, a rec room, or both, safe, an egress window also makes finished space more attractive by adding tons of daylight and getting rid of that dungeon feel that even the nicest basement can have otherwise.

 

On the flip side, building code that has been modified and overturned as experts saw the results and gained knowledge is that of crawl space vents. For a long time, a crawl space - any area under a home that wasn’t a basement, basically - had to be vented because it was thought that airflow was necessary to prevent mold and wood rot. Old code usually called for:

• 1 square foot of vented space for every 500 square feet of crawl space

 

People expected the “fresh air” to flow and keep the crawl space dry and healthy, but ignored that air wasn’t the only thing that could come in. As crawl spaces flooded, got full of debris like dirt and leaves, and even became home to bugs and rodents, they realized that vents weren’t an ideal solution. 

 

Use of vapor barrier has proven to be a more effective way of protecting crawl spaces and the homes above them from moisture and mold. There are still some places that allow for a vented crawl space, but none that require it. Vents have proved so detrimental to a home’s health (it’s like leaving a window open year round) that we have products specifically designed to undo the damage from them and cover them permanently.

 

Building codes change constantly, so it’s important to look into current best practices before you start planning for any remodeling project. Sometimes they’re on point (like the necessity of an egress window for safety) and sometimes they’re well intentioned but miss the mark, like crawl space vents. One way to make sure you’re complying and making your home the best it can be is to always work with a licensed, trusted professional - like us! Call today to schedule your free inspection.