Replacing The Bedroom Windows

After talking to the city building and planning official, we just learned that replacing the existing single pane windows in the bedrooms will not only require a permit but a detailed and drawn to scale drawing as well. The official said that the new city code in the area requires that a new or a replacement bedroom windows must have maximum 44 inches length from the floor and more than 5 square feet of opening for fire safety to allow easy exit for anyone out of the house incase of fire in the house. This make sense in a way, but what doesn't make sense is that the original plan is that just trying to upgrade the single pane windows to more energy efficient ones using Star Energy Low E windows, but the replacement windows will remain the same dimensions, but in order to implement the new city codes, it would mean that the existing sheet racks will need to be opened up and existing framing will need to be modified in order to lower the framing and the headers to accommodate the required 44 inches length or less. So instead of just replacing windows, it will turn out to be a whole redo of the walls and sidings as well, which is turning into a very complicated process and a permit is now required with detailed and drawn to scale drawing. In order to implement this new city codes, not only will it double the work load but the budget as well because not only do we need to buy the replacement windows but have to worry about header and framing modifications and patching the opened sheet rack as well.

Written by Jazevox

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