If you’re fixing up a basement and thinking about adding a bedroom, this is one of those things you really don’t want to guess on. 

Egress windows aren’t just a “nice to have.” They’re a safety requirement, and they’re a big part of what makes a basement bedroom legal in Ontario.

A lot of homeowners assume any decent-sized window will do the job. That’s where things start going sideways. The rules are specific, inspectors are strict, and small miscalculations can mean redoing the entire setup. 

So it’s worth understanding this before you start cutting into your foundation.

In this post, we’ll break down the legal requirements for basement egress windows.

Are Egress Windows Required In Basements?

Yes, egress windows are required in basements in most cases.

If you have a bedroom in your basement, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) is extremely firm about this. Every single room intended for sleeping must have at least one window that is large enough for a person to crawl through. 

Even if you don’t have a bedroom yet, but you’re finishing the space to be a “living area,” you generally need an egress point to ensure the space is safe for human habitation.

If your basement is just a raw, unfinished storage area where you keep Christmas decorations and old gym equipment, the rules are a bit more relaxed. 

However, the moment you decide to frame a wall and call a corner a “bedroom,” the clock starts ticking on those safety requirements.

There’s one main exception: 

If the basement has a direct exterior door at that level, that can count as the required exit. 

In that case, a separate egress window might not be needed for that specific space. But most basements don’t have that setup, so windows end up being the go-to solution. 

Ontario Egress Window Size Requirements

You can’t just install a window that looks big enough and call it done. The code focuses on something called the “clear opening,” and that’s the number that counts.

Here are the key requirements:

• Minimum clear opening area: 0.35 square meters (about 3.77 square feet)
• Minimum width or height: 380 mm (15 inches)
• Must open fully without tools, keys, or special effort

Clear opening means the actual open space someone can crawl through when the window is fully open. So if you install a window that’s technically large but only opens halfway, you might fall short of the requirement.

Another thing to keep in mind is usability. The window needs to open easily and stay open on its own. If it slams shut or needs to be propped up, that’s a problem. 

Also Read: Choosing Residential Windows in Ontario

In an emergency, nobody has time to wrestle with a stubborn window.

Most contractors play it safe and go a bit larger than the minimum. It gives you more natural light, makes the space feel less like a basement, and removes the stress of barely passing inspection.

Window Types That Meet (Or Fail) Code

There are different types of windows.Some look great but are functionally useless for egress, while others are the gold standard for basement renovations.

Let’s go through a few:

Casement Windows (Best Option)

Casement windows are usually the easiest path to passing code.

Because the entire window opens outward, you get a large, unobstructed opening. That makes it much easier to hit the required 0.35 square meters without needing an oversized unit.

They’re also pretty user-friendly. Turn the crank, and you’ve got a clear exit. No lifting, sliding, or awkward angles. 

That’s exactly what inspectors want to see.

If you’re starting from scratch and want the least amount of hassle, this is the option most builders recommend.

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows are common in older basements, and they can work.

But they come with a catch.

Only one side opens, which means you’re getting about half of the total window area as your clear opening. So even if the window looks big, the usable exit space might not meet the requirement.

Also Read: Replacement Windows for Ontario Homes

To make a sliding window compliant, you usually have to go much larger than you’d expect. That can mean more cutting into the foundation, which adds cost and complexity.

They’re not impossible to use, but they require more careful planning.

Awning/Hopper Windows

Awning and hopper windows are the ones that tilt open instead of swinging fully out. You’ll see these a lot in older basements.

The problem is the opening angle. 

Even if the window itself is a decent size, the way it opens creates a restricted exit space. That makes it hard to meet the clear opening requirement.

In most cases, these windows just don’t pass for egress. 

If you’re upgrading a basement and currently have one of these, there’s a good chance it’ll need to be replaced.

Window Well Requirements (Below-Grade Basements)

If your basement is mostly underground, simply installing a big window isn’t enough; you’re going to need a window well. 

This is the “dug out” area on the outside of your house that keeps the dirt away from the glass. 

The Ontario Building Code has thoughts on this, too. 

The well must protrude at least 760 mm (about 30 inches) out from the house wall. This ensures there is enough room for a person to climb out of the window and stand up in the well before climbing out to the yard.

If your window well is particularly deep (specifically more than 600 mm (24 inches) deep) you are legally required to have a built-in ladder or steps. 

You can’t expect someone to do a pull-up to get out of a deep pit during an emergency.

Cost Of Installing Basement Egress Windows

Let’s talk numbers, because this is usually where people get a bit of sticker shock. 

Installing an egress window isn’t like swapping out a window in your living room. If you don’t already have a large enough opening, a contractor has to cut through your concrete foundation. 

Also Read: Door Installation Mistakes to Avoid

That requires heavy machinery, structural expertise, and a lot of sweat.

Here’s a rough average:

• The Window Itself – $400 and $900
• The Labor – $1,500 to $3,500
• The Window Well – $500 to $1,500

Totaling it all up, you’re likely looking at a range of $2,500 to $6,000 per window. 

It’s a chunk of change, but considering it adds a legal bedroom to your home and keeps your family safe, most homeowners find the investment pays for itself in equity alone.

Bottom Line

Egress windows for basements are about peace of mind. Yes, the Ontario Building Code is picky, and yes, cutting through concrete is a messy, expensive job. 

But once it’s done, your basement will be flooded with natural light, it will be significantly more valuable, and most importantly, it will be a safe place for anyone to sleep. 

Don’t cut corners on the measurements – get a pro and do it right the first time.

FAQs

How Many Egress Windows Are Required In A Basement?

You need at least one egress window in every room that is used for sleeping.  If you have a large open-concept basement with no defined bedrooms, you still need one primary egress point (which could be a door or a large window) to satisfy general safety codes for finished spaces.

Do All Basement Windows Need To Be Egress?

No, they don’t. As long as there is one designated, legal egress window in each bedroom and an accessible exit for the main living area, the rest of your windows can be whatever size you like.

Do You Need A Permit?

Yes, in most cases you do. Any time you’re cutting into the foundation or changing the structure, a permit is usually required. Adding an egress window definitely falls into that category.

If you are planning a basement renovation or turning a room into a legal bedroom, there is a good chance you have started looking into egress windows. 

That is usually when people begin asking about awning windows and if they meet code requirements in Canada.

The short answer is yes, some awning windows can qualify as egress windows. 

But plenty of them do not. The design of the window matters, and the opening size matters.

This topic can get confusing fast because two windows may look almost identical, yet one passes inspection while the other fails. A lot of it comes down to the actual escape opening once the window is fully open.

In this post, we’ll explain if awning windows are egress.

Are Awning Windows Considered Egress?

Most awning windows fail to meet egress requirements, and are not recommended.

That said, an awning window can count as an egress window if it provides a large enough opening for someone to escape during an emergency.

That part is important because egress windows are all about safety. 

The challenge with awning windows is the sash placement. Since the glass panel swings outward from the bottom, it can partially block the opening space. 

A window may look large enough at first glance, but the actual usable opening can end up too small once the sash is open.

That is why you cannot assume every awning window is automatically egress compliant. Some are designed to meet code, but most others are simply too small or restrictive.

Also Read: Egress Windows for Basements

Egress Window Requirements

Canadian building codes have minimum standards for bedroom egress windows. Municipalities can have small variations, but most follow very similar rules.

Here are the basic requirements homeowners usually run into:

• Minimum unobstructed opening area of 0.35 square meters
• No opening dimension smaller than 380 mm
• Window must open fully without tools or keys
• Escape path cannot be blocked by security bars, screens, or hardware

Those numbers may not sound huge, but they become important once you start measuring the actual clear opening. The frame size alone does not count. Inspectors care about the free and open space someone can crawl through.

This is where many people get caught off guard during renovations. 

They buy a window based on overall dimensions, install it, and later discover the opening space is smaller than expected because of the sash or hardware.

Basement bedrooms usually face the strictest attention because egress windows are often the only emergency exit in the room.

Why Most Awning Windows Fail Egress Standards

The biggest reason awning windows fail egress standards is because the opening space shrinks once the window is open.

Since the sash pushes outward from the bottom, part of the window remains in the escape path. 

Smaller awning windows are especially problematic because there is less room to begin with. 

Once the sash takes up part of that opening, the remaining space may no longer meet code.

Another issue comes from window operators and hardware. Some awning windows only open a limited amount depending on the crank system or support arms. Even a large-looking window can fail if it does not swing open far enough.

Also Read: Enbridge Window Rebate in Ontario

A few common problems include:

• Window opening angle is too narrow
• Clear opening width becomes restricted
• Basement window wells are too small
• Security bars or screens reduce escape space
• Homeowners confuse frame size with clear opening size

Older homes run into this problem a lot. Many older basement windows were never designed with modern egress standards in mind. 

They may provide ventilation and natural light, but not a safe emergency exit.

When Awning Windows Work Well For Egress

Even though many awning windows fail egress standards, some work perfectly fine when designed correctly.

Larger awning windows tend to perform much better because they provide enough opening space even after accounting for the sash. 

Custom-built windows can also help if the opening dimensions are tight.

New construction projects usually have an easier time with this because the builder can design the rough opening around code requirements from the start. Renovations can be trickier since you are working with existing wall sizes and foundation openings.

Awning windows can also work nicely in basements with proper window wells. 

A good-sized window well gives enough room for safe escape and allows the window to open freely without obstruction.

Also Read: Why Do Homeowners Prefer Vinyl Windows?

How To Check If Your Awning Window Meets Code

The safest approach is to verify everything before installation instead of hoping it passes later.

Start by looking at the manufacturer’s specifications. Most reputable window companies provide egress information and clear opening measurements for each model. 

That gives you a much more accurate picture than relying on rough frame dimensions alone.

You should also measure:

• Clear opening width
• Clear opening height
• Total unobstructed opening area
• Window well dimensions if installed in a basement

If you are finishing a basement bedroom, contacting your local building department is a smart move too. Building inspectors deal with these situations all the time, and they can explain what your municipality expects.

A contractor who regularly installs egress windows can also save you a lot of stress. 

They usually know which window styles pass inspection most consistently and which ones tend to create problems.

Trying to guess your way through egress rules can get expensive!

Also Read: Replacement Windows for Ontario Homes

Do Casement Windows For Egress

Casement windows are usually the easier choice.

Casement windows swing open sideways like a door, which creates a very large clear opening. Since the sash moves fully to the side, it does not block the escape path nearly as much as an awning window does.

That is why many contractors recommend casement windows for basement bedrooms. 

They tend to pass egress requirements more easily while still offering good ventilation.

Awning windows still have advantages though. They work well in rainy climates, offer solid airflow, and fit nicely in modern home designs. Some homeowners also prefer the appearance of awning windows over casement styles.

Bottom Line

Awning windows can qualify as egress windows if the actual opening meets local building code requirements.

That is the part many homeowners miss. The style alone does not guarantee compliance. Clear opening size, sash position, hardware, and window well space all play a role.

If you are planning a basement renovation or bedroom conversion, take the time to confirm the measurements before ordering windows. It is much easier to solve these issues during the planning stage than after installation.

And if you are stuck deciding between awning and casement windows for egress, casement models usually offer the simplest path to passing inspection.