That wording in Section 310 can be interpreted in one of two ways and neither interpretation makes a window part of a means of egress (Section 311). The wording in question was originally used in the old CABO code from the 80's & 90's when the term "egress" was used to describe any and all required methods of exiting the building in an emergency. Both methods were described in Section 211 "EXITS" and the term "egress" was used with it's most general meaning. However, this was not the case with the national codes for larger buildings where there was no requirement for an emergency escape opening and a "means of egress" was described in it's own section and did not include a window. In 2000, "CABO" changed it's name to the "ICC" (International Code Council) and revised the residential building code (now called the IRC). The ICC also combined the national building codes for larger buildings published by its 3 member organizations (now called the IBC). In order to resolve the conflict between the different terms used for exits, the new IRC dropped the term "Exit" and created two separate sections: "Means of Egress" and "Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings". Because of this change the term "egress" had a specific rather than a general meaning. Unfortunately many window manufacturers and contractors have not figured this out yet. The wording that has gotten jrldh all exercised is taken directly from the 20 year old CABO code Section R210 when the term "egress" had a different meaning. The use of this word can be interpreted in one of two ways but not as jrldh has suggested. 1. The term should have been omitted when the major code revision occurred. or 2. The term refers to the section 311 requirement for a means of egress from all basement sleeping rooms in addition to the requirement for an emergency escape and rescue opening. In any case, it doesn't really matter because the IRC does not allow a window to be part of a "Means of Egress" so there can be no such thing as an "egress window" and homeowners should be warned to avoid using that term. jrldh has made some pretty nasty accusations obviously intended to offend me and they have. I offer free professional advice here when owners and architectural firms are willing to pay me well for the same work. I'm going to give one of the other members a revised perspective of her project and then let someone with a better "attitude" (like jrldh, I suppose) take over responsibility for advising members on their house designs.

If you use the room as a bedroom you need to have an ingress window. Worth on having additional code compliant bedroom is just that when you list the house you have an additional bedroom, and the worth in that is a fair market value for a house with so many bedrooms. So is this a basement with a separate basement entrance (if it's a walkout) and if you have a bathroom with a small kitchen it can be listed as a mother-daughter house, or in-law suite, etc. which can bring the value up. Good luck

Each sleeping room must have Egress windows or a door, regardless of how many staircases or exit points you have on the outside of each bedroom.

We paid a bit more and got wood windows with muntins that match the rest of the windows in the house. Our wells around the egress window are wood timbers--more money but a much better look overall. If you have the space do the wood timbers with an interior step to allow for more light and also a better look. If you can step up the budget a bit, you'll get a much better look.