FAQs About Egress Windows

If you rent out your basement, or intend to start renting it out, it must meet the Ontario Building Code guidelines. An important part of the qualifications outlined in the code is that every bedroom in a basement or mezzanine dwelling must include an egress window. Read on for more information and our top FAQs about egress windows.

What is An egress window?

An egress window is designed to be an escape window in the event of a fire, flood, or other emergency event. It must be easily accessible and opened from the inside, without the need for any additional tools.

Do I need to have an egress window?

If your home has an inhabitable basement suite or mezzanine floor, the answer is yes. Every bedroom must have an egress window.

What are the size requirements?

• The opening must be at least 0.35 m².
• Each dimension must be at least 380 mm.
• The height of the window must not be higher than 1m, unless in a basement.
• If your windows are sliding, the opening must be 0.35 m².

Does an egress window add value to my home?

In short, the answer to this question is yes, because it means that your home is up to code and allows for additional living space.

What are the different types of egress windows that can be installed?

At Bavarian Windows, we can install casement, awning, single slider, and double slider egress windows. We can ensure that almost any window style can meet the requirements for being egress according to the requirements. We designed our own reverse hopper and a side hinge window that maximizes the clear opening for escape, which helps to reduce the size of the opening in your wall or foundation.

All of our egress windows offer easy operation and are available in custom sizes at reasonable prices.

What are the minimum light requirements for a basement-dwelling in Ontario?

There are requirements when it comes to lighting for windows that aren’t being used as emergency exits.

For instance, the requirements are based on the type of room and the size of the unit. As per the Ontario Building Code the minimum window sizes per type of room are broken down below:

• Living and dining rooms – 5% of the floor area
• Bedrooms – 2.5% of the floor area
• Laundry room, kitchen, bathroom – windows are not required

What is the cost to install an egress window?

At Bavarian Window Works, we price things fairly and charge per square foot. Every project we take on is custom and will require a custom quote.

Please get in touch with us here and we will be happy to provide you with a custom quote for your egress window retrofit.