Egress Window Install: Winter in Minnesota

[Jacobus Rex]

Hello, 

I need an egress window installed as part of work to have a conforming 3rd bedroom. I want to do this soon. Pardon the statement of obvious: ground is frozen in these parts. I still want to do it. I see one company in MSP area that specializes in egress installs and they say they do it in the winter. Anybody here done this/had it done?  The contractor said it was possible without to much additional effort.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

[Keith Linne]

@Jacobus Rex - With how mild the winter has been so far (generally speaking), this shouldn't be a huge issue. 

Once you break through the frost layer (thickness varies depending on severity of the conditions and how long things have been cold) it's essentially just normal digging/installation. If the ground is extremely solid, some companies will use a propane fueled heater to thaw the top layer before digging (you see supercharged versions of these all over in the winter when utility companies are feeding new underground lines). In addition, companies who specialize in egress windows often use a mini-excavator for digging (rather than hand digging). Those machines are more than capable of breaking through the frost.

You may notice some settling in the surrounding ground area come spring, as the ground thaws and any air pockets around the egress "cage" fill back in. Let me know if you have any additional questions regarding the general installation process once the hole is in place.