For new construction, does the International Residential Code have a minimum size requirement for a window?
GBA Editor
| Posted in Building Code Questions on
Also, what determines if it needs to be an egress ?
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
Each room must have a minimum of 8% of floor area in glazing with half of that (4%) operable for ventilation. Windows with sills more than 72" above the outside ground must be at least 24" above the finished floor (to prevent children from falling out). Every bedroom must have at least one egress window of at least 5 SF if within 44" of exterior grade or 5.7 SF otherwise, with a minimum clear opening width of 20" and minimum clear opening height of 24". Egress windows below grade must have 36" x 36" window wells with stairs to grade.
There are also requirements for tempered glass in large windows and sidelights.