Many older Calgary homes have small, non-compliant basement windows that don't meet egress code. Whether you're building a legal suite, finishing a basement bedroom, or simply improving safety — we widen existing openings and install code-compliant egress windows. Same full-service approach, set-price quote.
Before & after — what non-compliant windows look like, and what we replace them with:
Basement window replacement for egress purposes comes up in three common situations. Which one applies to you?
Your basement bedroom has always been used as a sleeping room, but the existing window is too small, too high, or a non-qualifying style (awning). A home sale, insurance review, or legal suite application reveals the window isn't compliant.
You're applying for legal secondary suite approval in Calgary. The City's inspection process requires a compliant egress window in each bedroom. Your existing windows don't meet the 0.35 m² requirement.
You're finishing your basement and creating a new bedroom. The existing basement window in that space is too small to qualify as egress — or there's no window at all and a new opening needs to be cut from scratch.
Whether you're widening an existing opening or cutting a new one entirely — here's what the process looks like.
Send us photos of the existing window — interior and exterior — and your address. We determine whether the existing opening can be widened to egress size or whether a new cut location is better. Quote comes back same business day.
If widening an existing opening, the old window and any surrounding frame material is removed first. This gives us a clean starting point for the new cut dimensions.
We cut the foundation to the required egress dimensions using diamond cutting equipment. Precise cuts, no overcutting to corners. If the existing well can accommodate the wider window, we assess whether additional excavation is needed.
The new egress window is installed, sealed, and insulated. White Vinyl LOW-E Argon Gas in your choice of three egress-compliant styles — casement, sliding, or hopper.
If the existing window well is too small for the new egress dimensions (must provide 760 mm clear space), we install or replace the well. Galvanized steel, cedar, or composite options available.
A building permit is required for this work. We handle permit obtaining as an optional add-on. The completed installation is inspected by the City of Calgary — we build to code so it passes first time.
In most cases, yes — if the existing window is in a workable location and the foundation on each side of the opening has sufficient structure. We assess the existing opening as part of the quoting process and advise on whether widening is possible or whether a different approach is better.
Not necessarily by a significant margin — the concrete cutting and window installation costs are similar either way. The main variable is excavation: if the existing window well is large enough to accommodate the new egress dimensions, excavation work may be reduced. We assess this in your quote.
It depends. If your existing well is large enough to provide the required 760 mm clear space for the new egress window, additional excavation may not be needed. If the well is too small for the new opening dimensions, we'll need to excavate and install or enlarge the well. We advise on this at the quoting stage.
Yes. Any time you're widening a foundation opening or changing the rough opening dimensions, a building permit is required. We offer permit obtaining as an optional add-on service. Permit info →
Our full-service egress window installation starts at $2,100–$2,800 + GST per window. Replacement projects that involve widening an existing opening are in the same price range as new installations — the concrete cutting and window installation costs are similar. Full pricing guide →
Send photos of your existing window — interior and exterior. We'll have a set-price quote back same business day.