A bedroom needs a way out in a fire. Ontario's Building Code requires bedrooms (without an exterior door) to have a window that opens from inside without tools and provides an unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 m² with no dimension under 380 mm, and deep window wells need clearance in front of the window. This matters most for basement bedrooms: it's the difference between a real "3+1" and marketing.
$3,000 to $8,000 to retrofit an egress window in the GTA (complex installs $12,000+)Address before purchaseWindowsInterior
The quick answer
A bedroom needs a way out in a fire. Ontario's Building Code requires bedrooms (without an exterior door) to have a window that opens from inside without tools and provides an unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 m² with no dimension under 380 mm, and deep window wells need clearance in front of the window. This matters most for basement bedrooms: it's the difference between a real "3+1" and marketing.
If the "+1 bedroom" has a small hopper window near the ceiling, it may not meet egress, which affects safety, the legal bedroom count, insurance, and resale. Retrofitting means cutting the foundation, installing a well and drainage, and a code-size window: $3,000 to $8,000 typically, more when foundations are thick or access is tight.
How to spot it
In a basement bedroom, look at the window: could an adult actually climb out? Small, high, painted-shut, or barred (without a quick-release) windows are the red flags. Outside, check the window well, crumbling, full of leaves or water, or missing a ladder when deep.
What it costs
$3,000 to $8,000 for a typical GTA retrofit; complex installs to $12,000+.
What to do
Before purchase, if a listed bedroom's window looks undersized, ask whether the room was permitted as a bedroom and price the retrofit into your offer. Treat "bars without quick-release" and "painted shut" as the same finding.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo can flag that a window looks undersized for a bedroom, whether it meets code is a measurement and a municipal question. Verify with your inspector or the municipality; Casaroo never declares a room legal or illegal.
Common questions
What is Bedroom egress windows?
A bedroom needs a way out in a fire. Ontario's Building Code requires bedrooms (without an exterior door) to have a window that opens from inside without tools and provides an unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 m² with no dimension under 380 mm, and deep window wells need clearance in front of the window. This matters most for basement bedrooms: it's the difference between a real "3+1" and marketing.
Why does it matter for home buyers?
If the "+1 bedroom" has a small hopper window near the ceiling, it may not meet egress, which affects safety, the legal bedroom count, insurance, and resale. Retrofitting means cutting the foundation, installing a well and drainage, and a code-size window: $3,000 to $8,000 typically, more when foundations are thick or access is tight.
How can I spot it?
In a basement bedroom, look at the window: could an adult actually climb out? Small, high, painted-shut, or barred (without a quick-release) windows are the red flags. Outside, check the window well, crumbling, full of leaves or water, or missing a ladder when deep.
How much does it cost to fix?
$3,000 to $8,000 for a typical GTA retrofit; complex installs to $12,000+.
Last reviewed 2026-07-10.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.