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Egress window experts are proud to serve the city of Markham in the installation and maintenance of egress windows. Whether you are looking to expand existing windows to egress windows or add an existing window to the basement, we can help from beginning to end. Below you can find regulations specific to the city of Markham, creating a secondary basement suite and other relevant information.
Egress windows and other construction projects in Markham, Ontario are under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Building Code. As it does for other cities in the province of Ontario, the code outlines specific requirements for the installation of egress windows and wells.
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Information presented on the City of Markham website explains that the purpose of an egress window is to prevent a delay in the evacuation of occupants from a house. In order to be designated a proper escape window, at least one window on the floor must have an opening area that is at least 0.35m2 (or 3.8 square feet.) with no height or width dimension of less than 380mm (15 inches). In addition, the window must be openable from the inside without any special tools or knowledge. In most cases, egress windows open into a well, which is why the window well should have a clearance of not less than 550mm (22 inches). Moreover, if the window happens to open into the well, it should not reduce the opening in a way that will prevent emergency evacuation.
A comprehensive overview of the egress regulations for the city of Markham can be found here.
One of the most common reasons people choose to install egress windows is to turn their basement or living space into a secondary living unit. Creating a secondary living unit is usually done to accommodate a relative, often a parent or a child. An egress window in a secondary living space will allow the resident to leave in the event of a fire or other emergency. Having a regulation size egress window is also required by law as part of the zoning permit that allows you to create a secondary suite.
Some municipalities require you to get a secondary suite permit if the space is going to be occupied by a resident. There are a few other reasons why you want to have a space re-zoned as a secondary suite.
Having a secondary suite can increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell it. Potential buyers and investors often look for opportunities to generate additional income from a property and a secondary suite can help them do just that.
Hamilton bylaws require that renovations and modifications to a property be made by first obtaining a permit from the city. The permit should have a drawing of the proposed modification and its impact on the structure.
Currently, the city of Markham doesn’t allow the creation of legal secondary units but there are exceptions for those that presently own one. If your secondary unit was built before November 16, 1995, it can qualify for legal status provided you register it with the city. Your secondary unit must be registered, otherwise, you can face a fine of up to $25,000.
If you own a home that has a second unit that was built before November 16, 1995, you can register it by first having it inspected by Markham Fire & Emergency services. Once the unit has been inspected you can register it with the city by completing the appropriate form. The costs involved are – $300 for the initial inspection and $150 to register the unit.
More information about registering a secondary or basement suit in Markham can be found here.
If you are considering registering a basement or a secondary unit and may require window enlargement, contact us for a free estimate. Our experts will be able to help you determine whether egress windows need to be installed or whether your windows need to enlarged to fit egress standards.
We can also help you submit the proper documentation for a permit and guide you through the process of registering a secondary basement suit.
Note: a review by our experts is not a substitute for getting a proper inspection, but we can help you estimate the cost of getting your basement or secondary unit up to the proper standards.
Our Process
The installation of egress windows can be a complicated process. Our experienced staff uses a careful step-by-step approach to make sure that no aspect of your installation is overlooked. We have perfected our process over hundreds of installations and can assure that your windows will serve you for years to come without risking the structural integrity of your home and basement.
Assessment
Our experts will work with you to match your project with our expert advice. Whether you are looking to enlarge, cut or change the style of your window, our experts will be able to help you complete the project in the most cost-efficient manner.
Based on our experience with egress window regulations and working with city inspectors for many years, we know what to look out for and avoid costly revisions of your project in the future or following an inspection.
This is the phase where we will provide an accurate estimate for the cost of your project, our price is all inclusive so there are no surprises when the project is on the way or after completion.
Scheduling
Once we have reached an agreement about the scope of the project, we will schedule you for an installation date. We can work around your schedule to come at a time that works for you and your family. To accommodate your busy lifestyle, we are able to work on weekends and holidays to create minimal disruptions.
Installation
Above all, we pride ourselves in our expert installers. Our installers are Window-Wise certified and insured. Having worked on countless egress window projects, they have the know-how to complete the work on schedule. We have been known to complete jobs in one day that would otherwise take other crews 2-3 days to complete. We spare no expenses in equipment, tools, and manpower to get the job done when it needs to get done.
Expert installers also mean that your job is done to the highest standards of quality and nothing less. Unlike other window installations, egress windows require expert knowledge to prevent damage to the foundation of your home. Cutting corners during installation can lead to leaks, mould and other unpleasant outcomes that can be costly to fix down the road.
Finish and cleanup
Most companies don’t think about the cleanup as part of the installation but we believe in leaving a worksite cleaner than we found it. We hear from homeowners who are frustrated at finding construction material that is left in their home or on their driveway. Aside from being annoying, screws and other debris can cause damage or injury to you, your furniture or your vehicle.
Once the work is done and the area is cleaned, we will confirm with you to make sure that the job is done as agreed and to your satisfaction.
The installation of egress windows often involves a variety of services that come together to produce an egress window, we are happy to help you with a complete installation or any of the individual parts required as part of a larger project:
Markham is a city in the municipality of the York region. It is located northeast of Toronto and is the fourth most populous city in the GTA. Markham is home to approximately 330,000 residents in an area of 212 km². The city is also GTAs Canada’s high-tech capital because of over 1000 companies tech and life-science companies that are located in Markham.
