Egress Window Replacement in Twinsburg
Leaking window, failed seal, or glass block that never met code? We replace egress windows the right way — new flashing, upgraded drainage, and permits handled.
Not every egress project starts with a new opening. Many Twinsburg homeowners need an existing window replaced — because it leaks, because it no longer operates properly, or because it was never code-compliant to begin with. We handle full egress window replacements: same-opening swaps, opening enlargements, and glass block conversions.
Homes built in the 1970s and 1980s throughout Twinsburg and Hudson often have small casement or awning windows in basement spaces that were never intended as egress — and they show it. Original frames are corroded, seals have failed, and window well drainage was never properly installed. When we replace an egress window, we don't just swap the sash — we address the entire system.
Reasons Homeowners Replace Egress Windows
Glass Block Conversion
Glass block windows cannot be opened — they are not egress-compliant. Selling your home or adding a basement bedroom? The glass block has to go. We remove it, enlarge the opening if necessary, and install a code-compliant casement window.
Leaking Window or Well
Water intrusion around the frame or through the well is the most common reason for replacement. Failed flashing or a drainage bed that was never properly installed are the usual culprits. We rebuild both.
Undersized Opening
Ohio code requires a minimum 5.7 sq ft clear opening area, 20" wide, 24" tall. Many older "egress" windows don't meet these minimums. We enlarge the opening and replace with a properly sized window.
Failed Hardware or Seal
Egress windows must be openable from the inside without tools. If the operator hardware has seized, the frame has racked, or the sash no longer seals, the window may not pass inspection. Replacement is often faster than repair.
Glass Block Removal & Egress Conversion
Glass block windows are attractive and provide privacy — but they are not egress windows. Ohio's IRC Section R310 requires that egress windows be openable from the inside without keys or special tools. Glass block cannot meet this requirement. If your basement bedroom has glass block windows only, the room does not qualify as a legal bedroom.
Step 1
Remove glass block unit and mortar from existing opening
Step 2
Enlarge opening if needed to meet 5.7 sq ft code minimum
Step 3
Install structural lintel if opening is enlarged
Step 4
Install casement egress window with proper flashing and sealant
Step 5
Install or rebuild window well with drainage gravel bed
Step 6
Interior finishing: frame, trim, and paint to match
What's Included in Every Replacement
Removal and disposal of existing window, frame, and well liner
Opening enlargement if needed for code compliance (additional cost)
New casement or slider egress window — thermal pane, low-E glass
New galvanized steel or composite window well
Complete drainage bed rebuild: 12+ inches of drainage gravel, perforated tile
New waterproof flashing and membrane around frame
Interior framing, drywall returns, trim, and paint
Permit filing and inspection scheduling (when required)
Common Questions
Can I replace glass block windows with an egress window?
Yes — and this is one of the most common replacements we do. Glass block windows are not egress-compliant because they cannot be opened. We remove the glass block unit, enlarge the opening if needed to meet code minimums, and install a proper casement egress window with well and drainage. The project typically takes one day and includes interior finishing and permit if the opening is being enlarged.
My egress window leaks every spring — should I repair or replace it?
If a window has been leaking for more than one season, replacement is almost always more cost-effective than repeated repairs. Leaking egress windows in Twinsburg typically fail at the flashing, well drainage, or original frame seal. We replace the window, reframe the opening if needed, install new flashing and waterproof membrane, and upgrade the drainage bed — addressing the root cause rather than patching symptoms.
How much does egress window replacement cost?
Replacing an existing egress window — same-size swap with new flashing, well liner, and drainage — typically runs $1,800 to $3,000. If the opening needs to be enlarged to meet current code minimums, expect $2,500 to $4,000. Glass block removal and egress conversion runs similar to a new installation: $2,500 to $4,500 including permit. We provide written all-inclusive quotes before any work begins.
Do I need a permit to replace an existing egress window?
A like-for-like window swap in the same opening typically does not require a building permit in Summit County. However, if we enlarge the opening, change the frame configuration, or alter drainage, a permit is required. We assess your specific situation during the estimate and handle any required permits as part of the project — no separate trips to the building department on your end.
READY TO ADD AN EGRESS WINDOW?
Free Estimates — Permits Included — Most Installations Completed in One Day