Hi,
I’m a longtime reader of FineHomebuilding and I’m about to try my hand at a master bedroom remodel. A key element will be window replacement and I’m looking for advice on sill height for the new windows. The house is a single story ranch (california) with stucco exterior. The ceilings are only 8 feet and I won’t be raising them. Is there an appropriate sill height for a master bedroom window?
Thanks,
sdl13
A high-performance single-family home builder shares tips from his early experience with two apartment buildings.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
I guess as a general rule of thumb or unless its something specific I try to run the top of the window the same height as the door so the casings look like they line up and the sill height will land wherever depending on the window
Edited 5/20/2008 9:42 pm ET by danno7x
Any time I have thought about this, I try to incorporate the way the room will be used. Where is the furniture going to go, height of dresser, height of headboard, outside details to line up. Things like that.
"It is what it is."
A big part of this is what type, size and style of window are you planning to use.
Many of the old ranches had windows that were very high on the walls. This might be authentic, and good for privacy, but is a safety hazard in the event of fire.
Check with the local building department to see if there are any building code provisions that you need to comply with.
If not find a window size that looks like what you want and work from there.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
All bedroom windows must be egress sized. Part of that codes specifies sill height above finished floor as no more than 42" IIRC. Maybe it is opening rather than sill.
Here you go -
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/code-violations-emergency-egress-windows.aspx
Other than that, think in terms of privacy if this window faces the street.
Or think in terms of view out if it has a sight line to the mountains or the shore, or the bunny club.
Wedo some view windows with sills down to about 24 - 27" AFF.
Any window anyplace that has glass within 18" of the floor must be tempered glass.
Ranch style and bedroom says this should be about 34 to 40" AFF in my thinking.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
...All bedroom windows must be egress sized...
Probably just an oversight / typo, but to be clear, only one window or door per bedroom needs to be egress capable.
Once egress and light/vent requirements are met, I try to size & place windows according to interior use, ie, some high, short windows above the headboard for wake-up light without it shining in your eyes, maybe a tall, skinny window that frames a view whether you're standing or lying down, etc. I'll compromise placement a little bit for exterior aesthetics, but not much.
}}}}
Thanks, I missed my own error there. Only one is right
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I see you and I were on the same page... I was just a minute behind you... lol
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
OK, I'll thank you too for pointing out the error of my ways.;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hey, if we had to thank everyone for pointing out our errors, we'd never get anything else done. lol
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Correction...
At least ONE window in a bedroom must be egress compliant, not all of them.
ditto on the tempered glass requirement if glass is within 18" of floor.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
As a rule of thumb I've been taught window placement is based on the exterior of the home not the interior and remember that it's a whole lot harder to make the windows wider.
only half true. There is an in and an out to be considered with every window.Especially with egress height and size. The style of house does make suggestions for height and placement as well as type of window.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
With an 8-foot ceiling you're gonna want the header tight against the top plate, so you're sill height is determined by the window height.
Keep in mind that sills below a certain height will require safety glass, so check local codes.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Your perspectives help.sdl13
"so you're sill height is determined by the window height."My impression is that is what the OP was getting at. They want to pick what size window to order and need to decide the size for it.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Sounds like some good advice coming your way ... maybe some repetition here:
1) code max off floor ... suspect this isn't an issue ... unless it is in a basement.
2) code minimum off floor unless it is tempered glass
Consider interior functions ... view, light, aesthetics
Consider exterior aesthetics, too!! Placement, balance w/ other exterior elements.
Balance the interior/exterior.
If you have hot summers, consider minimizing the size on east/west exposures and/or use low SHGC glass (mirror and/or tinted finishes with SHGC well under 0.30 and preferrably as low as 0.20). A few sqft of misoriented glass exposed to the sun can result in a huge comfort issue. Often an overlooked item.
Windows can have a big impact on the house, inside and out. Take extra time to do it right and you will be that much more pleased with the results.
I've seen all sorts, from floor level triple hung windows to casements that were six feet in height to the bottom sill. In my mind there are two concerns, when it comes to windows in bedrooms, that need particular attention; At least one window in every sleeping area must be no more than 44 inches above the floor and must be a minimum of 5.7 sq ft in area ( min 20 inch clear width and min 24 inch clear height)and open to a clear escape area. Check with your local codes to get all the dimensions correct and be sure you have a safe emergency escape route.
My personal window height concern is when it comes to office desks, desks of any kind really, that are in the bedroom. It's a good idea to have the sill height slightly above the desk height at all times. I have plantation shutters and if the sill height is lower than the desk height, the shutter can't be opened and that makes access to the window just that much harder.
The window openning area can be 5SF instead of 5.7 when it is ground level floor - sill withing five feet of the ground, I think.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
No...5.7 sq ft is a minimum. Height above ground level has no bearing on required window area for egress. Window dimension minimums are to allow fire rescue personnel entry with full SCBA gear on, mask and tank etc. These are old numbers from 1997 code but I can't imagine code officials making egress area smaller in the updated code, bigger maybe but not smaller.
I am right on this one.The upper floors require that the firefighter devote some of that space to the ladder itself, which is not necessary on the ground floor level.Your locality might not recognize the exception, but it exists.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
http://mywindowsolution.com/index_files/EgressWindows.htmhttp://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/code-violations-emergency-egress-windows.aspxhttp://www.iccsafe.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=000200
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
The first two refs you sited quote exactly what I said. The single required egress window must fit the following: not less than 5.7 sq. ft of free open area regardless of location; basement egress, 1st floor and 2nd floor makes no difference. Regardless of height above ground, window must also be at least 20 inches wide or wider and it must not be less than 24 inches tall in free opening. The 3rd ref you site is just a discussion board, like Break Time, where the poster named Peesnques just doesn't quite understand the 5.7 sq. ft. rule. Nowhere, I repeat, nowhere does the code allow the total free open window area to be less than 5.7 sq. ft. regardless of location on the building. It could be on the basement, first, second or third floor of and apartment building, it still has to be 5.7 sq. ft. in free area.The only time an egress window is not required is in high rise buildings , beyond the 3rd floor, since someone exiting that far up would likely encounter more danger exiting through the window then simply taking another escape route. I have never seen a code book where the 1st floor, 5 sq ft free area rule was allowed or even mentioned. Discussion boards and question and answer sessions don't count as rules and regulations. Window wells are required to have 3 ft x 3 ft unencumbered space beyond the window for egress purposes, ladders are required in window wells if deeper than 44 inches and the ladder cannot encroach into the 3ft x 3 ft area just mentioned. That is the only instance where ladders are mentioned in regards to egress windows.
You don't read very thoroughly.Both first refs contain the exception in parenthesis immediately after stating the 5.7.Follow the discussion and much detail and history is given about the exception also. It is an inspctors forum - people well versed in the rules discussing those rules and the exception.here is another similar, but the print is small, so you might even have a harder time reading this one.http://www.iccsafe.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=print_topic;f=4;t=003311
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Because it's you, the only person who's posted more then 4o,ooo times and doesn't have a life outside Break Time, I dug into my library and dragged out the 1997 Building Code (Vol 1) and my personal copy of the 2003 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Blowing off the dust and cracking the age dried binding to the full open position I find the following: 1997 Building Code- section 310.4
Makes no exception for ground floor window openings and maintains that all escape/egress windows (at least one per sleeping area) shall be a minimum of 5.7 sq. ft. in area size regardless of location to exterior grade level. Absolutely no mention of a 5 sq. ft. area for grade level openings and I'm feeling good but want to back up my position. 2003 IRC for 1-2 family Dwellings- section R310.1.1
Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.465 m2)
Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m2). I'm not feeling as good as I was earlier. I stand corrected! You were right and I was wrong. You still need to get a life, anyone with that many posts isn't getting much done except posting here on Break Time.In case your interested, and you sound like you might be, here's a very professional web site that's right up your alley:http://www.naffainc.com/index.htm You have to register to post but it's well worth the effort, the majority of posters here are either fire marshals, building inspectors or architects all wanting code clarification. Check into the Building Code Discussion Group section
Edited 5/22/2008 2:51 pm by woodway
"2003 IRC for 1-2 family Dwellings- section R310.1.1
Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.465 m2)
Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m2)."Given the reasoning for the grade floor opening exception, does this cover a bedroom window opening onto a deck that provides an escape to ground level? Proposed design has house on a slope, terraced so that bedroom to uphill side would be literally at grade level, while adjacent bedroom would be one level above grade, but with one or more windows allowing occupant to step through window to deck that leads to grade. From a practical point of view, 5 sqft isn't all that big a window, and the window over the deck likely would be at least the 5.7 sqft minimum. Just curious as to what the exception covered.
Edited 5/22/2008 5:07 pm ET by DickRussell
You would have to check with YOUR local AHJ, but since this is a new home, there is little reason to avoid going less than 5.7.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I'm just tending the garden and watching my investments. At first, I had trouble not working 8 hours a day in the trades but after a few months, the urge to continue working passed and gardening and checking emails became a way of life. I got DSL and things just got SWEETER! You do have DSL don't you?
no DSL. That is one reason I learned to multi-task on the PC. Gotta read one thing while another page is loading.sometimes I wonder if that can make me scitzo
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Given the ground floor rule on window size, I'd be inclined to say that a 5 sq. ft. size would be OK. In any particular situation, various jurisdictions adopt various codes, it's subject to political pressure and how strong various trade unions are in your local area. You need to contact your local code official and find out which code applies to your area. You may be under the Uniform Building Code in which case a 5.7 sq. ft. area would be minimum. If your area is governed by the International Residential Code for 1-2 Family Dwellings then 5.0 sq. ft. would satisfy. My house would have 20 sq. ft. minimum so that I and my family could run out the window but that's just me. You might sign into the code forum site at: http://www.naffainc.com/index.htmand ask them. H**L your local building inspector might be there now asking questions or just lurking on the sidelines to gain more knowledge
"My house would have 20 sq. ft. minimum "That made me think that if this place has a deck right there, a door leading out from that bedroom would provide access, egress, and a nice touch!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks, that site might be worth while for me. I am getting into much more design work now and have more need to check such things.FWIW, I do try to go the max of code, but I happened to know that exclusion because I had a ranch to rebuild a few years ago, and the old window ROs let me fit Andersen 235s in without re-framing with larger headers. It was the window rep who pointed out the exception and I double checked before going ahead.And FWIW, I worked on a job for 7 hours today with no breaks, then put in an hour in my garden.
When I read here, it is usually in between reviewing investments and emails. You gotta learn to multi-task better is all;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!