Basement Egress Solutions: Bilco Doors Vs. Egress Windows
When it comes to making your basement safer, two main options are available: Bilco doors and egress windows. While both can provide an emergency exit, their differences in cost, installation, and everyday benefits are significant.
Whether you’re finishing your basement for extra living space or want peace of mind, understanding the differences between Bilco doors vs. egress windows can help you choose the best fit for your home’s needs as well as your family’s safety.
Bilco Doors (Basement Access Doors)
Bilco doors are angled, exterior doors that provide walk-up or walk-out access to your basement. However, they come with several significant drawbacks.
Are Bilco Doors and Cellar Doors the Same?
The term “cellar door” refers to any exterior basement access door, typically leading directly to the basement. Bilco is a well-known manufacturer of these doors, so “Bilco door” is often used interchangeably with “cellar door.”
However, it’s important to note: all Bilco doors are cellar doors, but not all cellar doors are Bilco doors. There are other brands and custom options available, though their function remains the same.
Pros
- Utility Access: The wide opening of a cellar door is useful for moving large appliances or furniture.
- Accessibility: Walk-up access can be more convenient for individuals with mobility challenges.
Cons
- High Cost: Installing a cellar door with steps typically costs double the price of an average egress window.
- Invasive Installation: Bilco doors require major excavation and structural modification, which can disrupt your yard and landscaping.
- Drainage Challenges: Without careful grading and drainage, water can collect around the door, leading to leaks or basement flooding.
- Code Compliance: Not all Bilco door installations meet local egress codes.
- Aesthetics: The utilitarian look of Bilco doors may not suit every homeowner’s taste or complement all landscaping styles.
- Space Requirements: These doors require adequate exterior space and proper grading to guarantee safe, functional access and to prevent water pooling.
- Security Concerns: As an additional entry point to your home, Bilco doors must be properly secured to prevent unauthorized access.
- Maintenance: Hinges, seals, and hardware are exposed to the elements and require regular inspection and upkeep to ensure smooth operation and weather-tightness.
- Limited Natural Light and Ventilation: Unlike egress windows, Bilco doors do not provide natural light or fresh air to the basement, which can make the space feel darker and less ventilated.
Egress Windows: The Preferred Solution for Modern Basements
Egress windows are specifically designed to provide a safe, code-compliant exit from your basement in case of emergency. But their advantages go far beyond safety!
Pros
- Natural Light: Egress windows dramatically brighten a basement, making it feel more like an above-ground living area and less like a dark, enclosed space.
- Property Value: Adding an egress window often increases your home’s resale value, especially if you’re finishing the basement as a legal bedroom or living area.
- Aesthetics: With thoughtful landscaping and window well design, egress windows can enhance your home’s curb appeal and blend seamlessly into your yard.
- Ventilation: Unlike solid doors, egress windows can be opened to let in fresh air, improving air quality and reducing mustiness in the basement.
- Space Efficiency: When comparing Bilco doors vs. egress windows, it’s important to note that windows require a smaller exterior footprint, making them ideal for homes with limited yard space.
- Low Cost: Installing an egress window is typically far less expensive than a cellar door with steps.
Cons
- Maintenance: Window wells need regular cleaning, and drainage systems must be kept clear to prevent water problems.
- Limited Utility: Egress windows aren’t practical for moving large items in or out of the basement.
When to Choose Egress Windows Over Bilco Doors
For most homeowners, egress windows are the superior choice for both basement safety and comfort.
Budget-Conscious Projects
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective way to meet basement egress requirements, Bilco doors with steps are typically more expensive to purchase and install than egress windows. This makes egress windows ideal for homeowners who want to stay within a tight budget without compromising on safety.
Simple Installation
Installing Bilco doors is typically more costly and much more disruptive than excavating for a window well. As long as your property has enough exterior space (and proper grading), an egress window results in a faster project timeline as well as fewer complications along the way.
Natural Light
Is your current basement feeling a little bit too dark? If so, an egress window is an excellent solution! Egress windows allow natural light to pour into the space, instantly making it feel brighter, more open, and far more inviting for everyday use.
Aesthetics
For homeowners who care about curb appeal and the overall appearance of their property, egress windows offer a distinct advantage. They can be attractively landscaped and designed to blend with your home’s exterior, providing a more polished, appealing look than traditional basement doors.
Property Value
If maximizing your home’s resale value is a top priority, egress windows are a smart investment. They not only make your basement safer and code-compliant, but also add legal living space (think bedrooms or offices) that significantly increase your property’s market value.
Finished Basement
When your basement is used as a living area, office, or bedroom, egress windows are the best choice. These intuitive models provide essential natural light and ventilation, making the space more comfortable for daily living.
Because habitable rooms must meet certain building codes, egress windows are often a legal requirement for finished basements.
Key Decision Factors: Bilco Doors vs. Egress Windows
Grading Factors to Consider for Bilco Doors vs. Egress Windows
Egress windows are generally easier to integrate into most properties, especially those with limited space or challenging slopes. Cellar doors, on the other hand, often require extensive grading and drainage work, adding to the overall cost and complexity.
Soil Type
As we touched on briefly beforehand, the type of soil around your home plays a major role in drainage and installation complexity. Clay soils tend to hold water, making them more prone to drainage issues and requiring more aggressive solutions like French drains or sump pumps. In contrast, sandy soils drain naturally and are generally more forgiving, allowing for simpler, less expensive installations.
If your property has rocky soil, excavation becomes more costly. Be prepared for potential increases in labor and equipment needs!
Existing Drainage Patterns
Before your egress contractor starts digging, they’ll take time to observe how water currently moves around your property, especially during heavy rain. In particular, they’ll pay attention to where water naturally flows, and consider the placement of gutters and downspouts: are they directing water away from your planned egress location, or could they contribute to pooling?
Also, they’ll take note of your neighbor’s drainage patterns. In some cases, water from adjacent properties could flow toward your home, increasing the risk of basement moisture problems.
Seasonal Considerations
Don’t forget to factor in seasonal changes! Winters here in South Jersey and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic region often bring heavy snow and ice, while the resulting spring thaw can dramatically increase water flow around your foundation. The frost line means you’ll likely need to install drainage systems deep enough to prevent freezing and ensure they work reliably year-round.
Heavy rainstorms, which are common throughout the year, also reveal low spots where water tends to collect.
Professional Assessment
Getting a professional assessment can save you time, money, and headaches down the road (especially when your property presents drainage challenges). It’s wise to bring in an egress expert if your property has:
- A slope toward the house greater than 2%
- A history of basement water issues
- Clay soils
- Generally poor drainage
- Complex lot grading or unusual site conditions
A egress consultant can assess your property’s unique challenges while recommending solutions that will keep your basement dry and your installation safe.
Questions to Ask Your Egress Contractor
Always have a clear understanding of how your contractor plans to address drainage and grading.
How will you address drainage issues given the slope of my lot?
Make sure your contractor has a plan for managing water flow, particularly if your property slopes toward your home.
What additional grading work is required?
Find out if your project will need extra excavation, re-grading, or soil amendments to ensure proper drainage.
Do you recommend any drainage systems?
Ask if French drains, curtain drains, sump pumps, or other systems are necessary for your specific situation.
How will this affect my landscaping?
Understand how the installation and any grading changes might impact your yard, gardens, or existing hardscaping.
What’s the long-term maintenance for drainage?
Get details on what you’ll need to do to keep your drainage systems working effectively over time.
Better Basements Begin with Egress Solutions
Not sure which option is best for your home? Our team will walk your property, assess your grading and drainage, and recommend the safest, most cost-effective egress solution for your basement.
Contact us today for a professional evaluation and a free estimate. Let’s make your basement a more valuable part of your property!