Winter is a season for slowing down; with less daylight and challenging weather conditions like snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, many outdoor activities are put on pause. Road construction and home improvement projects are often postponed until spring. But what if your basement egress system needs an upgrade during this quieter season?
At Steelway, we’re committed to fulfilling your basement egress needs all year round. Equipped with the right tools and professional expertise, we ensure that winter weather is no obstacle to delivering top-quality solutions. We combine expert craftsmanship with smart solutions to meet your basement egress needs, no matter the season.
So why wait for warmer weather? Why not start now and make your basement more functional, safer, and brighter this winter? Here’s a closer look at how we can enhance your home this season.
There are many reasons to make improvements to your basement egress system this winter. Whether you’re upgrading the space for functionality, safety, or comfort, our expertise ensures the job gets done right—even in winter.
Maybe you’re turning your basement into an in-law suite for aging parents, but the space feels dark and gloomy. Or, maybe you’re tired of having a basement that feels more like a cave. We specialize in installing window wells with durable steel or polycarbonate covers designed to let natural light pour in while protecting your home from the elements. It’s a simple, effective way to transform your basement into a brighter, more inviting space.
Beyond window wells and egress systems, we can touch up old concrete, alter stairway openings, or add sidewalks and patios to give your basement the upgrade it deserves. Our work doesn’t just improve how your basement looks but also boosts its usability and value.
Did you know building codes require finished basements to have an emergency egress? Whether it’s a window or a door, proper egress is a must for safety and peace of mind. It ensures your family or rescue crews can exit or enter quickly in an emergency. At Steelway, we make safety upgrades easy, providing top-quality egress solutions that look great and meet all the latest codes.
True, winter poses unique challenges in our line of work, particularly concerning concrete’s curing ability or the ease of breaking ground. However, these challenges simply can’t compete with our commitment to providing uninterrupted assistance during these colder months. Though we’re aware of the challenges that colder weather can bring, we have invested in the right tools and have studied best practices to do our best work as efficiently and safely as possible.
Working with concrete, for example, can be tricky as the temperatures drop. Concrete is crucial to every type of work we do, from building cellar hatchways to bulkheads to crawl space entrances to window wells. Whether patching, pouring, or forming concrete, it must be set and cured properly. If it hardens too quickly, it runs the risk of cracking and weakening.
Another big challenge is working with frozen ground. When dealing with everything basement-related, you can be sure that breaking ground is a significant part of our work. Digging into frozen solid earth can be nearly impossible without the right equipment and expertise. Fortunately, Steelway has both!
It wouldn’t truly be winter without a covering of snow on the ground. Whether a few inches or a few feet, it’s a part of life at least four months out of the year. Anything from building new entrances into the basement to converting existing window wells into walkouts can become more complicated when snow and ice are present.
At Steelway, we don’t get bogged down by common problems caused by colder weather. We take pride in our ability to bring our clients’ visions to life, whether installing a window well cover to protect their homes from water damage or replacing an old, rusted-out cellar door with a sturdy, custom-fitted one.
Our team has the expertise and tools to get the job done –whether it’s eighty or eighteen degrees outside! Here’s how we tackle your cellar improvement needs during the colder months, no matter the challenge.
The first step, no matter the project, is to remove any snow or ice that stands in our way. We have snow plows at our disposal to take care of this task so we can complete the work quickly and efficiently. Clearing snow around the area being worked on is essential to avoiding hazards such as slips, falls, and equipment malfunctions, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment.
Once we have access to everything under the snow, it’s time to break out our next tool: thawing blankets. Just as we have heated blankets to keep ourselves warm in the winter, so does the ground. Just like popping a carton of ice cream in the microwave for a few seconds, these blankets soften up the ground so it’s more workable.
Depending on the project, the scope of excavation required will vary. When digging in cold or frozen ground, we’ll definitely need to put our thawing blankets to use!
When installing an egress window, we must first dig a hole for the window well. When installing a full basement egress door, we’ll need to do more digging to create enough space to install the concrete steps and a landing.
When installing an egress window, a hole is cut into the foundation using specialized tools to create space for the window well. Concrete anchors are then used to fasten the well directly to the concrete foundation wall. In some cases, the existing foundation may need to be modified or cut to accommodate the size or placement of the well.
When installing a full basement egress door, we first need to cut into the concrete foundation to provide an entry into the basement if there isn’t one already. Next, the egress door is fitted, and we add proper reinforcement to maintain the wall’s structural integrity.
When installing an egress door, if it is not a walkout (i.e., not level with the ground), we’ll need to pour concrete to create stairs leading down to the basement door. Because concrete isn’t a fan of the cold, we must consider several things to ensure the concrete sets properly.
We use heating blankets (concrete curing blankets) to thaw the ground before pouring and maintain the proper temperature during the pouring process. We also use hot water, heated aggregates, and chemical accelerators to aid the process. Chemical accelerators help shorten the time concrete needs to set while increasing its strength and workability.
If necessary, we’ll also set up heated enclosures, which act as tents for the concrete made of canvas or polyethylene sheets. These enclosures typically include an electric heater for added warmth. However, they are rarely needed because we keep a close eye on the weather and plan accordingly.
Our concrete capabilities go beyond adding basement egress doors. We also offer additional concrete services, such as modifying existing stairway openings, replacing and repairing concrete around basement entryways, creating walkouts from existing window wells, and pouring concrete for patios, sidewalks, and more.
With all of the techniques and tools we have at our disposal, you don’t need to worry about the quality of work during the winter months. Whether it’s July or January, you can expect the same high standard of craftsmanship.
Steelway has been working hard since 1963 to provide year-round craftsmanship and excellence for our clients. If sixty-one winters haven’t stopped us, this one doesn’t stand a chance! But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a couple of our happy customers had to say about our winter egress window and door installations:
“There were several inches of snow on the ground, so they removed the snow and laid down protective mats for the equipment. The work was performed in about 6 hours and looked great…Steelway went above and beyond in addressing my concerns and issues,” said William from Limerick, PA.
“I want to let you know that I have been very pleased with the purchase of the door, and guess what…it does not leak! Thank you for offering a quality product,” said Michael in Philadelphia, PA, about his January install.
So, are you eager for egress? Don’t wait for spring! Get ahead of the curve and reach out for a free quote and consultation. Let us take care of your basement egress needs now so you can spend the warmer months relaxing and enjoying all the other fun summer activities you may have planned. Reach out today to get started.