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The egress window is important for safety and compliance with the Ontario Building Code. They ensure the necessary emergency exit and natural lighting for your basement. Our windows comply with all standards, guaranteeing that your space will be safe and comfortable.
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The most important feature of an escape window is its emergency exit function. The must-list from National Building Code of Canada:
• Minimum Opening Size: 0.35sq. m. (3.77 sq. ft.), with no dimension smaller than 380 mm (15″).
• Height from Floor: A maximum of 1.5 meters (5 ft) from the floor. If higher, a fixed ladder or step must be installed.
• Window Well Clearance: must be at least 550 mm (21.7″) of clearance in front of the window.
• Unobstructed Escape: The sash must not obstruct the escape route if it swings towards the window well.
• Easy Operation: Must be openable from the inside without tools or special knowledge.
Egress windows from Total Home meet these manufacturing and installation requirements. They are also available in various styles to suit your needs, whether you are enjoying the space or hosting a tenant.
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The safety of you, your family, and renters is the number one reason for egress windows.
Natural sunlight and fresh air are very important to health and well-being. This provides open access to sunlight and offers proper ventilation to the dark and damp basements typical in Toronto and GTA.
A third notable advantage of egress windows is financial. The initial investment makes it legal to rent out your basement, an excellent source of income and a desirable advantage when selling your home.
The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) states that bedroom windows must meet the following requirements:
Emergency escape
The basic rule of thumb for egress windows is to be tall and wide enough for an average adult to crawl through. They also need to be close enough to the floor to easily reach.
Ventilation
Air quality is crucial to the health of occupants and the longevity of your home. Egress windows that are easy to open allow airflow that prevents moisture and effectively evacuates unpleasant particulates and odors.
Light
The amount of light provided by egress windows helps prevent emergencies and makes it easier to escape when emergencies do occur. Natural light also provides essential vitamin D, enhancing physical and mental health.
To qualify as an egress window, the style you choose must adhere to strict requirements regarding its size and how it opens. Each qualifying egress window style offers aesthetics and functionality that appeal to different tastes. The following descriptions outline how popular styles meet these requirements
Hopper windows are available in egress-compliant sizes. Large single panels offer maximum natural light. This style also offers maximum ventilation, with a top hinge that opens inwards from the bottom
Tilt-and-turn windows are multifunctional. This style functions like a hopper window for convenient everyday use and opens from secondary side hinges when needed for egress purposes.
Double slider windows require larger total window spaces. Although this style offers superior ventilation and natural light, only half of the window space is available for escape.
This popular egress window option swings outward, providing less obstruction to indoor space. The compact side-hinge design makes it easier for smaller window openings to meet building code requirements.
Egress regulations are designed to make vinyl windows practical to escape through in an emergency. The following details use the Ontario Building Code to calculate the accommodation of an average person. However, specifications differ between provinces. It’s best to consult your local codes.
The total area of an egress window opening can be no less than 0.35 M2 (3.77 sq/ft), requiring additional width and height requirements to suit the shape of the human body.
The width and height of this space must be at least 380mm (15”) regardless of other dimensions. A really wide window does not compensate for a height that is too narrow to escape through.
Building codes require adequate space on both sides of egress windows. When using a window well, the minimum clearance is 760mm (30”) from the window. Outward-swinging windows require additional space to allow for safe passage.
For the same reasons as window well clearance specifications, building codes require egress window wells to be a minimum of 760mm (30”) deep. This minimum depth ensures that the entire escape path is free of obstruction.
An egress window must also be accessible when needed. A minimum interior height of 1,118mm (44”) ensures that everyone can reasonably reach and operate the window from the inside in an emergency.
Egress window building codes require that no additional steps are required to operate the window. This means that you can’t need a prop to keep the window open or have it covered by furniture or appliances.
Egress windows must meet specific size and operational criteria to ensure they are functional as emergency exits. The opening should be at least 5.7 square feet, with a minimum width of 20 inches and a minimum height of 24 inches. Additionally, the window sill must be no more than 44 inches above the floor to ensure easy access.
When replacing a window, it’s always important to research potential consequences. It may seem like a simple process, but an upgrade may remove grandfather status, requiring you to expand the size and other aspects of an egress window. Our full-service installation services offer the research and expertise to guarantee that your new windows are installed correctly and according to code.
Window Wells
Window wells are required by building codes because of how important they are to safety. They add the necessary reinforcement to prevent the hole in front of your egress window from collapsing, maintaining the shape and space needed for a proper escape route.
Cut-Outs
Most basement windows were built before egress codes were put in place and are too small to pass today’s codes. Total Home professionals can manage the entire process for you, ensuring that everything is according to building codes.
Window Enlargement
When preparing to rent your home’s space or planning a major renovation, you may exit the grandfather clause. Our experienced installation team ensures that enlarging your windows will adhere to current building codes without blemishing your home’s design.
| Service Type | Avr. Price Range |
|---|---|
| Window replacement | $1500 – $4000 |
| Window enlargement | $700 – $900 |
| New window cut-out | $700 – $900 |
| Building a window well | $1500 – $2500 |
Window wells are a necessary component to egress windows safety standards. Unsupported holes lose their dimensions over time due to erosion. Many egress windows enter driveways, pushing material into the hole and sometimes collapsing a portion of the driveway.
We fix these problems by hiring expert installation professionals who are familiar with these details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The most essential features of egress windows can be broken up into three categories.
The most important quality is size and specific dimensions that meet building codes. An egress window must follow the minimum width, height, and overall dimensions required to permit an average adult to pass through its opening.
The second element is how far the window is away from the interior floor. Safety standards require that it’s reasonably accessible for average adults without needing a stepping aid.
The third element of an egress window is surrounding access. Ease of unobstructed operation is critical to building code requirements. The inside window cannot be obstructed by furniture or appliances. The outside must have an access path large enough for a human body to pass through. This often requires the addition of a window well, which reinforces the walls of the space.
Although many windows will meet sizing standards, it’s crucial to confirm their functionality and the immediate indoor and outdoor space.
Before you dig into replacing basement windows, make sure that you are familiar with all building codes and insurance requirements.
Once you know you can fulfill these requirements, the next step is to consult a professional familiar with local requirements or personally research the latest local building codes.
Enlarging the window space directly relates to the structural integrity of the walls that support your home, as well as any derby structure. There is a fair amount of engineering involved.
The entire project involves calculating a safe installation, strategically reinforcing structures, directing drainage, and potentially bringing large equipment into small spaces. Planning every detail in advance makes sure you don’t waste time and money.
The last step you need before getting started is getting a permit issued. Professionals like the experts at Total Home understand the system and can easily navigate a solution when any complications occur.
The larger the window, the easier it is for responders to escape through or enter through in case of emergency. Current building codes have calculated the bare minimum for an average adult to pass through. The overall area of the available space is important but takes a back seat to minimum width and height requirements.
Avoiding these requirements puts people at risk, as well as your wallet. You could be at risk of receiving fines from fire inspectors and higher rates or canceled policies from insurance providers.
There is nothing preventing homeowners from installing egress windows. However, it’s not recommended for inexperienced DIYers. The entire project often involves choosing building code familiarity, compliant window products, alteration of your foundation, engineering calculations, drainage, and other procedures that have major consequences when done wrong.
If you are not confident, it’s best to consult professionals who are familiar with every aspect of egress window installation.
Experienced homeowners will be comfortable with all of this. If you plan to tackle the project yourself, make sure to catch up on the latest building codes and plan ahead to avoid costly surprises. Our team is always here to help when needed.
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New windows and doors
For every window or door purchased, the least expensive item in the same category is provided free on a 1:1 basis. Any remaining odd-numbered item is charged at full price. All items must be installed on the same property. Offer valid until February 15, 2025. Conditions apply.
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Our Service Area
Total Home in Ontario is a leading provider of professional and high-quality services on windows & doors supply and installation.
We aim to achieve ultimate customer satisfaction and ensure your home renovation and improvement project would become a positive experience.
Head Office & Showroom
7250 Keele street, Unit 167,
Vaughan, ON. L4K 1Z8
Phone: 416-661-6666
Toll Free: 1-855-550-0610
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* Per household | cannot be combined with any other offer | not applicable for basement windows | minimum window size of 9 square feet | applicable only for energy efficient models
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