Egress Window Experts in Toronto

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Egress Windows in Milton, ON

Egress window installation has gained lots of attention due to requirements from the Ontario Building Code. However, there are multiple other reasons to install one in the basement of your home or rental property.

Egress windows require a larger opening than the one that comes with standard builder windows, which will bring in more natural light into a dark and damp basement. Larger openings also equal better fresh airflow which basements tend to lack.

Having an egress window installed also increases the overall value of the home and allows you to create a legal secondary suite. Last but not least, egress windows bring peace of mind in case of an emergency as they can serve as a means of escape.

However, there are certain requirements that home/property owners must meet when installing an egress window.

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    Cheryl Browne
    Cheryl Browne
    2024-04-02
    I had a new egress window installed in my basement recreation room. The team of two arrived shortly after 8:00 am and the job was done in about 5 hours. The gentlemen who installed the window were friendly, worked efficiently with no breaks, they cleaned up very well inside and out and the new window looks great. Kosta was very knowledgeable during the quotation visit and the price was reasonable. Thank you so much!!
    Laurna Jones
    Laurna Jones
    2023-05-16
    Update: 1 year later. There was a minor issue with our window. I contacted Bill. He was very helpful, followed up and arranged someone to come out after work to take a look. We remain very happy with the service.Our salesman, Bill, was very professional and responsive. The team that installed was super-efficient and polite. They did a good job and cleaned up before leaving. Very happy with the whole experience.
    Mariana Mikulka
    Mariana Mikulka
    2023-04-29
    Highly recommendable company. We were looking to enlarge 2 basement windows to egress standard. After seeing positive reviews I contacted this company by e-mail on weekend. I was impressed with quick response and an appointment with Nikou was booked immediately. Nikou is very knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and accommodating. The job was booked in 2 weeks. Crew of 3 guys was excellent. They protected inside of the house, each guy did his part without asking, were done in few hours as good team, worked without breaks or smoking or delay. We are very happy with the whole experience and with finished job. Please don't hesitate to give them a chance.
    Erik Slessor
    Erik Slessor
    2022-11-26
    Bill was awesome to deal with through the process! He always took the time to explain and break things down.Workers that came were professional and tidy.Will be recommending!
    christina mud
    christina mud
    2022-11-23
    Bill was great to work with, and made sure everything was done on time and efficiently!
    Ryan Barr
    Ryan Barr
    2022-11-14
    We are preparing to have our basement finally finished, so the first step was to install an egress window. From beginning to end, the process was perfect. I had an initial meeting with Bill to discuss options. He really explained things well and broke down the whole process. It was an easy transaction to make and I felt very confident with my choice. When the crew arrived on the day of the install they were very professional and got straight to work. I like that they even went out of their way to roll out a little carpet where they'd be walking in and out of the house. The final product is outstanding, my wife and I couldn't be happier:)
    Mimi Ryatt
    Mimi Ryatt
    2022-10-15
    I had expanded my basement egress window and had quite the runaround with other companies before I had luckily come across this one. I am incredibly happy with the services I had received- the customer service from the beginning was professional and prompt, and all of my questions and concerns were answered throughout the process with genuine care and complete information. The actual installation process was quick and clean, and the end result even better than I had expected. I highly recommend their services for any window or door installations! Thank you to Bill for the ongoing communication and positive experience.
    Nuzah Qureshi
    Nuzah Qureshi
    2022-10-06
    We were really happy with the process and the result. Bill is really easy to communicate with. There was no mess. They cleaned up and the window looks great.
    Karina Aguirre
    Karina Aguirre
    2022-09-25
    My experience with egress windows was nothing short but amazing. Bill was easy to communicate with and answered all my questions in a timely manner. The job itself was custom basement door replacement and was difficult as my home is very old and nothing is standard. Bills crew did an amazing job and the outcome is better then I expected. I am incredibly pleased with my door. Needless to say I will be using egress windows for more jobs in the future.
    C Andersen
    C Andersen
    2022-09-24
    This company did a great job installing my new window and egress. It was surprising how little dust was left behind in the basement. Bill was great to deal with in getting the job appraised and right until the job was finished. I highly recommend this company.

    Egress Window Requirements in Milton

    Like any other municipality in Ontario, the Town of Milton requires homeowners to meet the Ontario building code specifications when installing an egress window. Below you can find a list of these specifications before starting your project:

    • The minimum opening requirement for an egress window in Ontario is 3.8 sqft (0.35 sqm)
    • There must be no dimension smaller than 15 inches.
    • If a homeowner chooses to install a slider window as an egress window then only the openable portion of the window counts towards the dimension requirements.
    • If a homeowner chooses to install an awning window then they need to make sure that the sash can support itself in the open position
    • Whichever window type is used, it must open without the use of any special tools or knowledge.
    • If the window opens into a window well there must be a minimum clearance of 22”.

    Escape Window Requirements in Milton

    Escape windows are slightly different from Egress windows and are required under different circumstances. Escape windows are often required when converting the basement into a secondary suite and the fire code requires the installation of an additional means of escape. When discussing your project with an engineer or a city inspector, make sure to clarify whether the required window is an escape or an egress window. Below are the requirements for an escape window:

    • The minimum opening requirement for an escape window in Milton is 4.1 sq f which equals 0.38 sq m
    • There must be no dimension smaller than 18 inches
    • Just like with egress windows, if the sliding window is installed to serve as an escape window then only the openable position counts towards the dimension requirements.
    • If the awning window is installed to serve as an escape window then the sash must be able to support itself in the open position.
    • On the exterior sill height for escape windows must not exceed 3’3” (~1000mm) above or below ground level
    • Sill height cannot exceed 2’11” (~900mm) below the floor level of the interior.
    • A window well projection of 39” is required, measured from the edge of the open window.

    Types of Egress Windows

    Egress windows aren’t required to be any specific style. However, home/property owners need to keep in mind that if they pick a sliding window to serve as egress, then only the openable portion of the window will count towards the municipality requirements. Let’s take a look at the most common types of windows that serve as egress.

    Casement windows swing out open using a crank handle. They open outwards to 90 degrees so there must be enough clearance on the outside of the window in order for the casement window to fully open and provide an escape route. Casement windows can be manufactured to be up to 72” wide.

    In-swing casement windows have side hinges and open inwards like a door. In-swing casement windows have a single pane that creates a wider opening. However, there is a width limit of 36” for this type of window and it must not be installed in recess with the ceiling. Otherwise, the window will not be able to fully open.

    Hopper windows open upwards and do not require any additional support to stay open. This is important because the escape route must be easily accessible. However, hopper windows require enough clearance above in order to fully open without hitting the ceiling. There is also a dimension restriction of 36” in order for the opening mechanism to be able to support the weight of the window when it is open.

    Tilt and turn windows opening mechanism works similarly to in-swing windows, but they also can be tilted. Tilting the window comes in handy when you only want a slight airflow instead of opening the window completely. Tilt and turn windows can be easily installed if there is enough clearance on the inside of the suite. The width limit is 40” for this type of window in order to support the sash weight.

    Cutting and Enlarging Windows for Egress

    It’s likely that the original basement windows on your property are not big enough to serve as egress windows. There are usually two ways to install an egress window. You can either cut a new opening that’s big enough or you can enlarge an existing window.

    Cutting an existing window is the best way to enlarge it. It is also often easier to get a permit for a vertical enlargement than for a horizontal one. The reason for this is because a vertical enlargement does not require any additional support to be provided for brick and floor joists.

    Usually, a 28” x 18” window has to be enlarged down to 32”. This allows the openable portion to be big enough to meet the Ontario Building Code requirements. Please note that there are frame deductions to be included when calculating the size of the openable portion.

    Some basements allow enough space for a completely above-grade egress window and some don’t. If there isn’t enough room above grade then you will also need a window well and proper drainage installed in order to prevent flooding and water damage.

    If you still choose to go ahead with a horizontal enlargement instead, then keep in mind that there will be additional work required. We would have to install a steel lintel in order to provide proper support for the brick. We would also need to install a wooden header in order to support floor joists. Before scheduling a horizontal enlargement we will also need to make sure that there is nothing on the exterior of the house that can interfere with the process.

    egress installation before and after

    Egress Window Cost in Milton

    There is no fixed price for an egress window installation as there are multiple factors that affect the price. Each installation requires a thorough inspection with one of our technicians in order to receive an accurate quote. However, in order to help our customers budget for the project we have put together a general outline of what to expect:

    • If you already have a window with a big enough opening to serve as egress then you can simply replace the old window with a single pane window. Usually, the price for this type of replacement is about $1000. Manufacturing and installation are included.
    • If you need to enlarge an existing small window then most likely we will have to do excavation and install window well and drainage. In this case, you should budget for $2000-$3000.
    • If you need to enlarge an existing small window but you have enough room to do so without excavation then the price of the job is about $1400-$2400.
    • If you need to cut out a new opening for the egress window then the project becomes a bit more complicated. Any new opening must be provided with proper support to maintain the building’s structure. If we also have to excavate then we will also need to install a window well and drainage to prevent leaks and damage. The price for a job like this varies between $2800 and $3500.

    If you are still unsure of what kind of work needs to be done in order to install an egress window for your basement, feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to consult you.

    Egress Window Installation Process

    The process of installation has 4 stages: estimate appointment, measurements, installation and clean up.

    An Estimate appointment is your initial appointment with us. During this time our technician will come to your location to assess the situation and provide you with the best solution in order to meet all your needs, timeframe and budget. Once all the details are discussed you will receive a quote with a full breakdown of the job. 

    After that, we send our team of installers to complete all required measurements. They will also make sure that preferred dimensions meet the Ontario Building Code requirements and confirm that the project can be completed safely. Usually, this appointment doesn’t take longer than 10 minutes.

    Installation is the stage that everyone is looking forward to most. Our team of egress window installers are certified to the latest industry standards. Egress window installation can be a complicated job depending on what kind of work needs to be done. More often than not, companies take shortcuts when it comes to completing the job. This only results in damages and costly repairs in the long run. A simple way to check your installers’ credibility is to ask them to do the job with the inspector present on site. We are always ready to work with a home inspector present. 

    Clean-up is the final stage of the installation process. Egress Experts provide a full clean-up upon the completion of the job. It is very important to remove soil, debris and any other waste to keep the job site safe. Our team never leaves until they finish the clean-up.

    Egress Window Permit in Milton

    Just like other municipalities, the Town of Milton requires home/property owners to obtain a building permit before making the following changes to the exterior of the house:

    • Cutting a new opening for a door and/or window
    • Enlarging the existing opening for a door and/or window
    • Constructing a basement walkout
    • Creating a secondary dwelling unit

    You do not need a permit in order to replace the existing door and/or window with the new door and/or window of the same size.

    If you have any questions or if you are not sure whether you need to obtain a permit before starting your project, do not hesitate to give us a call and we will be happy to help you out.

    You can also check out the Town of Milton information page for building permits.

    Secondary Suite Zoning in Milton

    Adding a secondary suite to the existing property is a great way to generate more income and also to create more housing opportunities. Meeting zoning requirements is important before applying for the permit. Below we provided a short outline of the requirements, but we still strongly recommend you visit the municipal website for more information about your particular case.

    • The secondary unit must be located within a detached single dwelling or semi-linked dwelling.
    • Home/property wonder must have a minimum of three parking spots on the property in order to qualify.
    • The size of the secondary dwelling unit cannot exceed 85 square metres (~914 sq f)
    • During the construction of a secondary dwelling unit or converting the existing basement into a secondary unit, property owners must book building inspections to ensure they are meeting all the requirements and standards. You can book an inspection online. Please refer to the Town of Milton website for more detailed information.

    Why Choose Egress Experts

    As our name suggests egress window installation is our specialty. Without hesitation, we can proudly say that our team is the most experienced when it comes to egress windows. We guarantee to handle installations of any level of difficulty with professionalism from beginning to end.

    At Egress Experts, we do not take shortcuts when it comes to completing the project and provide the best warranty. The amount of happy and satisfied customers speaks for our quality of work and reputation.

    Services include:

    • Permit applications for your project
    • Window and door enlargements 
    • Cutouts
    • Basement walkouts
    • & many more

    Call us today for a free estimate! (647) 699-2371

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