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Help with egress issue

Mattohio | Posted in Construction Techniques on November 3, 2005 03:14am

Hello all,
I am trying to solve a probem regarding the size of a window for proper egress. The situation is thus: There is an existing window opening that contains two double hung units (side by side). Each double hung has a clear opening of 24 high by 26 wide. Obviously this does not provide the required 5.7 square feet (the window is on the second floor). I would like to install a replacement window in the exsting opening which is 54 high by 56 wide. However this seems to be too wide for a single double hung. Does anyone have a suggestion about what type of window to use? The window is in a finished wall so I do not want to change the size of the opening.

Thanks
Matt

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Replies

  1. piko | Nov 03, 2005 05:05pm | #1

    "single double hung" - by which I presume you mean a casement window. Yes, that is too big. Options are to provide  a casement to the widest that the maker will allow for that height, or go for a slider. Either way (and there may be others) you'll have to do some work to remove and install the new window.

    " clear opening of 24 high by 26 " Do you mean there is another fixed pane abpve or below a transome? Can your manuf'r make a window having one casement 26" wide and 54" high?, Or is that still too big? Probably....if so then have a casement 26"x 36" , a fixed light of same, with either a top-hung or a fixed light above a transome.

    All the best...

    To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

     

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Nov 03, 2005 05:35pm | #4

      ""single double hung" -"I belive that the he means a single hung.That is window with 2 panels, one above the other, as in a double hung; however, the top panel is fixed.With the "quick release" on many double hung windows can you treat the whole area as "openable" becasue you can quickly remove the sashes?

      1. davidmeiland | Nov 03, 2005 05:39pm | #5

        He means one, individual, double-hung window to replace the two that are now there. It would result is a sash that was much wider than tall. The Marvin catalog I have shows wood double hung windows up to about 46" RO, but I suppose one could call them and see if they'll go wider.

        A french casement would be the way to provide the largest possible egress opening.

  2. User avater
    draftguy | Nov 03, 2005 05:19pm | #2

    Hard to give advice without knowing what the elevations look like. If there are other windows on that wall it might look awkward. But as a start, could you do a combination? One double-hung in the middle (sized per BOCA rqmts.) and a thin fixed window on each side? The 2 fixed windows could even be divided to match the center double-hung. Don't know (without drawing it) whether this will make the 2 side windows too 'skinny' though. The only other option might be to just get a double-hung to fit the existing rough opening, and use false muntins to minimize the look (or make it a true-divided window, if you want to go hard core).

  3. User avater
    Thumbnailer | Nov 03, 2005 05:23pm | #3

    I've always been told 24"x24"  was the required opening but that may have changed. If the individual window panes of a replacement double hung can be easily removed-such as when they are tilted in and turned- does the entire opening of the window then qualify?  Something to run through your inspectors office.

  4. pickings | Nov 03, 2005 05:53pm | #6

    Two casements each being 28 w X 54 h.

    Or one slider, 56 w X 54 h

    The idea w/ one egress doudle hung w/ side lites could also work, but w/ a 36" dh, it would have each "sidelite" being only 10" wide X 54"h. IMHO, it would look ackward at best.

    Is this on the front elev? If so, what other windows on this elev. If not......see above.

    1. Mattohio | Nov 03, 2005 07:09pm | #7

      Thanks for all the responses. The current set-up is 2 double hung units, side by side. I do not think that the the opening created by removing both sashes counts.Thanks,
      Matt

      1. donk123 | Nov 04, 2005 12:57am | #9

        Check with your local code enforcement officer to see what size is needed. There probably are restrictions on height and width as well as the square footage necessary. By the way, watch your sill height too. I believe the bottom of the sill needs to be around 44 inches or less.

        The last one I did was in a basement and we wound up using casements, a little smaller than the size that was just mentioned.

        Don K.

         

        EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

      2. Snort | Nov 04, 2005 02:37am | #10

        "I do not think that the the opening created by removing both sashes counts."Actually, it may, especially if no tools are needed to remove both sashes. I've had this pass on sliders, so it would be worth checking out.Casements are a little trickier for egress measurements. Most swing well into the opening in order to, well, open. I've seen that put off a CO or two. "what's in a name?" d'oh!

      3. Lateapex911 | Nov 04, 2005 06:06am | #12

        I think it does count, and if so, it's a major bonus.

        I advise a call to the local inspector, my call was a lifesaver. Marvin is OK with them, both the Ultimate series where you need to pull the release lever, and the tilt pac series, which replaces the sashes and weather stripping of your existing dbl hung.

        Don't design anything until you are sure that the overall opening will NOT work in your community. It will be a big savings and a design bonus if it is allowed.Jake Gulick

        [email protected]

        CarriageHouse Design

        Black Rock, CT

  5. davem | Nov 03, 2005 11:29pm | #8

    center one double hung of sufficient size in the opening, then flank it on each side with smaller windows to fill to the rough opening

  6. jrnbj | Nov 04, 2005 03:29am | #11

    Somebody...Marvin or Anderson...makes a double casement....sort of like the "Frenchwood" door series, except it's a window
    My Mom had one of those old metal twin casements over the kitchen sink..I took it out years ago & put in the double casement..don't remember the exact size but I'm betting it was at least 5.7 sq.ft.
    if you really want to know, e-mail me & I'll measure it up
    It had a pretty good lead time & wasn't cheap, but went in like a charm & looked good...true divided lights with an energy storm sash on the outside, to match the house style

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