Egress window

Mar 25th, 2022 8:33 am

#1

snapcracklepop [OP]: Newbie; Sep 17, 2006; 49 posts; 4 upvotes; Oakville

Mar 25th, 2022 8:33 am

Was thinking of installing in an egress window. Does it have to be in the room which will be considered the bedroom in the basement or can it be placed in any of the rooms of the basement?
Typically what am I looking at in terms of cost?

Thanks guys

Mar 25th, 2022 8:52 am

#2

Firetech: Banned; Mar 14, 2022; 392 posts; 405 upvotes; Outer GTA

Mar 25th, 2022 8:52 am

I can’t speak to code aspect or the cost, but the sleeping room makes the most sense as that is the area occupants of the area will be the most vulnerable.

.

Mar 25th, 2022 9:20 am

#3

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 27038 posts; 6311 upvotes

Mar 25th, 2022 9:20 am

What is your goal? Is it safety or are you trying to put in a legal basement apartment?

Mar 25th, 2022 10:01 am

#4

projectman44: Sr. Member; Jun 1, 2017; 871 posts; 769 upvotes; Mississauga

Mar 25th, 2022 10:01 am

Direct from Oakville site:

Permit needed for:
Windows – either new or increasing the size of an existing window

Mar 25th, 2022 10:02 am

#5

snapcracklepop [OP]: Newbie; Sep 17, 2006; 49 posts; 4 upvotes; Oakville

Mar 25th, 2022 10:02 am

I'm coming at it from a safety/investment angle. I thought with an egress I can officially say there is another bedroom in the house. Not looking to rent out my basement.

Mar 25th, 2022 11:55 am

#6

torontotim: Deal Addict; Nov 17, 2012; 4851 posts; 4395 upvotes; Toronto

Mar 25th, 2022 11:55 am

Check your local building codes/regulations but I'm 99% sure the egress window needs to be in the bedroom. That's sort of the point - 2 points of egress. The door out to the rest of the basement/exit door and the egress window.

For safety/investment, I'd put egress windows everywhere I could in the basement, not just the bedroom.

Mar 25th, 2022 12:11 pm

#7

Jerico: Deal Guru; Jan 25, 2007; 12225 posts; 7411 upvotes; Paris

Mar 25th, 2022 12:11 pm

Egress costs depends on a lot of factors. How much of your foundation needs to be cut, how far down outside needs to be dug out and boxed are the main ones. There is no one size thing. Could be as low as $1k plus the window and as high as $20k + the window.

Mar 25th, 2022 2:05 pm

#8

Toukolou: Deal Fanatic; Dec 4, 2009; 7976 posts; 3801 upvotes

Mar 25th, 2022 2:05 pm

snapcracklepop wrote: ↑ I'm coming at it from a safety/investment angle. I thought with an egress I can officially say there is another bedroom in the house. Not looking to rent out my basement.

Lol, you can say anything you want. I think "egress" comes into play when you want to rent it out.

"I'm a bit upset. I've been grab by the back without any alert and lubrification"
Lucky

Mar 25th, 2022 2:33 pm

#9

Andy34: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2015; 3119 posts; 1656 upvotes; Calgary, AB

Mar 25th, 2022 2:33 pm

Toukolou wrote: ↑ Lol, you can say anything you want. I think "egress" comes into play when you want to rent it out.

Or on realtor listing.

If you’re actually considering using it as a bedroom do it right. Egress window IN the bedroom (two options for exiting room) for safety but also to make it look less like a cave. A nice big (larger than code minimum) window will transform the space, especially if you make the pit larger than required - can also step it down and plant in the terrace.

Mar 25th, 2022 2:45 pm

#10

Toukolou: Deal Fanatic; Dec 4, 2009; 7976 posts; 3801 upvotes

Mar 25th, 2022 2:45 pm

Andy34 wrote: ↑ Or on realtor listing.

If you’re actually considering using it as a bedroom do it right. Egress window IN the bedroom (two options for exiting room) for safety but also to make it look less like a cave. A nice big (larger than code minimum) window will transform the space, especially if you make the pit larger than required - can also step it down and plant in the terrace.

Nope, I see countless examples of "3+2 bdrm" listings that don't conform. The only time it matters is for legal rentals.

"I'm a bit upset. I've been grab by the back without any alert and lubrification"
Lucky

Mar 25th, 2022 3:09 pm

#11

krugan: Newbie; May 17, 2008; 69 posts; 53 upvotes; Burlington

Mar 25th, 2022 3:09 pm

If there is a bedroom and there no door leading to the outside from the basement then the bedroom needs an egress window. See attached code from OBC 2012 and Town of Milton example.

This company sells egress windows
https://www.thegreategressco.com/

Town of Milton egress window requirement which basically follows the OBC code
https://www.milton.ca/en/business-and-d ... Window.pdf

Images

Mar 25th, 2022 3:18 pm

#12

Andy34: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2015; 3119 posts; 1656 upvotes; Calgary, AB

Mar 25th, 2022 3:18 pm

Toukolou wrote: ↑ Nope, I see countless examples of "3+2 bdrm" listings that don't conform. The only time it matters is for legal rentals.

Maybe a provincial thing then. It’s certainly not legal here (even though some may still try it on).

Realtors that do list illegal bedrooms also won’t be covered by liability insurance if someone wants to sue…

Mar 25th, 2022 3:41 pm

#13

projectman44: Sr. Member; Jun 1, 2017; 871 posts; 769 upvotes; Mississauga

Mar 25th, 2022 3:41 pm

If you are enlarging an existing window and the window you are replacing is NOT a steel-lined structural window, it would be wise to enlarge in just the vertical direction thus you would avoid replacing/increasing the steel lintel (if its brick exterior), and having to enlarge the window header.