Ontario Egress Window Requirements FAQ.

An egress window is an emergency exit window that can be opened from inside without tools, keys, special knowledge, or extra support. The clear openable portion must be at least 3.8 square feet, with no dimension smaller than 15 inches. Measure the actual open space when the window is fully open, not the total frame or glass size.

Every bedroom needs a safe way out. In Ontario, that usually means at least one egress window or door to the exterior, unless a door on the same floor level already provides direct outside access. The final requirement can depend on the home, layout, and municipality.

A legal basement bedroom usually needs a safe exit route, which means a code-compliant egress window or exterior door, enough clear opening, proper window well clearance, and any local permit approvals that apply to your project.

All egress window enlargements and new foundation openings at Egress Masters start from our Standard Base Cost. We serve Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding Southern Ontario communities. After a quick discovery call, we send a transparent itemized estimate so you know exactly what you're approving before the deposit — no surprises before or after installation.

In most Ontario municipalities, adding or enlarging a foundation opening requires a building permit. This includes egress window installations in St. Catharines, Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara Falls, Welland, Oakville, and across the Niagara Region. Permit requirements can vary slightly by municipality, structure, and project scope. We can walk you through what is typical for your area before you start.

The Ontario Building Code generally requires the window sill to be no more than 1,000 mm (about 39 inches) above the finished floor. If your sill is higher, permanent steps or built-in furniture may be used to assist with egress. The important part is that the window can be used as a real emergency exit, with a clear opening that meets the required size and a proper window well when it opens below grade.

Yes, but only the openable portion counts. With a slider, that usually means one side of the window, not the total frame size. The open side still needs to total at least 3.8 square feet, with no dimension less than 15 inches.

If the egress window opens into a well, the well needs at least 22 inches of clearance in front of the window. The well cannot block the sash, the path out, or the required opening. Covers or enclosures must open from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Deep wells may also need a permanent ladder or steps.

The window does not need one specific style, but it must open fully enough to meet the clear opening rules and it cannot be obstructed by the sash, hardware, cover, well, or surrounding construction.

Yes, if they do not block the required opening and can be opened from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Locked or screwed-down covers are a problem for egress use.

Drainage is a major part of a reliable window well. Stone, grading, drains, waterproofing details, and clean transitions around the foundation all help keep water from collecting against the new opening.

Look for code-aware sizing, clean cutting, proper well clearance, drainage, waterproofing details, a clear path out, and a company that stands behind the work. Egress Masters also emphasizes customer experience, reputation, and a comprehensive warranty.

Pricing depends on wall type, access, excavation, window size, well type, drainage, finishing, permits, and whether extra waterproofing is needed. Photos and the project address help speed up the estimate.

Most standard egress window installations are completed in a single day across our Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington, and Southern Ontario service area. Larger projects involving multiple windows, walk-outs, or extensive drainage work may take two days. We confirm the expected timeline when we send your estimate.

Egress window installation involves cutting into your foundation, which is structural work. A mistake in the cut, drainage, or waterproofing can create expensive problems that may not show up until later. Most Ontario municipalities — including Hamilton, Burlington, St. Catharines, and the Niagara Region — require a building permit and inspection for this type of work. We recommend using an experienced crew.

A regular basement window is designed for light and ventilation. An egress window meets specific size, operability, and placement requirements under the Ontario Building Code so it can be used as an emergency exit. Most standard basement windows are too small to qualify, and crawling out of a small opening in the corner of your ceiling is not a reasonable emergency exit.

Both our Base and Euro egress windows are in-swing products that open toward you like a door. This style is most commonly used for openings under 36 inches wide. For wider openings, we offer a double sliding window or our double-wing Euro window that opens like a French door. The Euro offerings also tilt inward at the top to allow easy ventilation of the space without fully opening the window.

Our crew arrives, protects the interior with plastic barriers, and marks the opening. The foundation is cut from the exterior with water-fed saws, keeping the process waterless and dustless inside your home. The window and well are installed, drainage is connected and tested, and the site is cleaned at the end of the day. You can see the full step-by-step breakdown on our Process page.

We take utmost care to protect your property. We dig by hand in most cases to protect landscaping, driveways, and patios. Every precaution is taken during the process, and the work area is cleaned and restored at the end of the job. Our goal is for the site to look like we were never there, except for the new window.

Yes. Egress windows allow you to legally count a basement room as a bedroom, which can raise your home's appraised value and make your property more attractive to buyers. In markets like Hamilton, Burlington, St. Catharines, Oakville, and across the Niagara Region, a legal basement bedroom adds measurable resale value. They also bring in natural light and improve the livability of the space. For homeowners creating a legal basement apartment, a compliant egress window is a required step toward rental income.

Egress windows are one of the mandatory requirements for a legal secondary suite in Ontario. The Ontario Building Code requires 2.5% glass area for bedrooms and 5% for living rooms. We recommend an egress window for each bedroom that may be under lock and key for shared living arrangements. Otherwise, one egress window in the basement can qualify the requirement. If you are planning a legal suite, the egress window is one of the first steps.

If a basement bedroom does not have a code-compliant egress window or exterior door, it may not meet Ontario Building Code requirements. This can affect insurance coverage, create problems during a home sale or inspection, and put occupants at risk in an emergency. If you are unsure about your current setup, send us photos and we will help you understand where things stand.

We provide a 3-Year Water-Free Warranty for drainage and leak-related work, and a 5-year warranty for parts and window components. Warranty coverage begins after the window is capped and the installation is complete.

Yes. Egress Masters is fully insured with $5 million in liability coverage for foundation and structural work across Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, and all of our Southern Ontario service area, protecting your property throughout the installation process.