Technical requirements for the design and construction of windows are not a reason for frustration but the basis for your creative home design. If you find an original solution for your windows, they will make your home unique and atmospheric. 

One of such important requirements of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) is the installation of egress windows in bedrooms and basements if they do not have an exterior door. Egress Window Options allow you to choose styles that meet safety regulations while enhancing the look of your home. The main thing required from homeowners is to comply with all technical requirements for the size and other rules of installation of windows. In all other respects, you have wide opportunities for design. Find out how you can integrate egress windows into your home architectural style in creative and innovative ways.

Why Are Homeowners Obligated to Install Egress Windows?

An egress window is designed for an uninterrupted exit to the street in an extreme situation. This requirement appeared in the building code because people often panic and act irrationally in case of a life-threatening incident. Having an egress window that allows people to easily escape outside is the best solution in a life-threatening incident because the doors may be blocked, closed, or otherwise inaccessible. Therefore, you need to be responsible when installing such a window and make sure it can be easily opened without additional tools.

Common Types of Egress Windows

  • In or Out Swinging Casement ‒ these types of windows allow you to open them completely inward or outward. Therefore, to pass egress, they can be smaller than other types of windows installed in bedrooms or basements.
  • Sliding windows are often chosen for homes with low ceilings because they make the space feel larger. If you choose this window style, you will need to make it larger than other types of egress windows. Since it only has one sash that opens, it needs to be large enough to meet the NBCC requirements.
  • Single Hung Window is a great option if you want to integrate a vertically oriented type of window into your home design. These windows look aesthetically pleasing and noble. They are ideal for many architectural styles, including traditional, farmhouse, modern, and many others.
  • Double Hung Window differs from Single Hung in that you can move it not in one but in two directions. This makes it more versatile and allows you to set more modes for ventilation of the room.
  • Awning Window is the best choice if you need to install an egress window in a narrow space or basement. It easily rises upwards, allowing a person to leave the room without obstacles. This non-standard type of window will suit vertically and horizontally oriented windows. Moreover, it protects your room from rain, wind, snow, and dust, which is important in regions with rainy or changeable weather.
  • Reverse Hopper Window is an alternative to awning windows, with a small difference: it opens inward rather than outward. It is especially often used in basements where opening the window outward may be difficult due to architectural design. It is also chosen if the window sash can be easily damaged when opening to the outside.
  • Tilt-and-Turn Window is characterized by a dual-functionality and innovative design. It can be opened fully or in ventilation mode. Therefore, as a traditional casement window, it can meet egress requirements.

How to Make Your Egress Window More Original?

The main purpose of an egress window is to provide residents with an additional safety feature. But you can integrate it into the overall architectural design in a special way that will add style and charm to your house:

  • Add bright colors to your window well by placing flowers on special shelves or in flowerpots. This solution will look great from inside and outside the room. You can also plant low-maintenance shrubs with bright or tender flowers. Among the most irresistible options are camellia, boxwood, rhododendron, azalea, and others.
  • In the cold season, floral window designs can be performed only from the inside. But you can add a special charm to your window from the outside by decorating it with bright lights. They will give a fairytale feel to your home and anticipate the winter holidays.
  • The NBCC requirements for egress windows do not prohibit hanging curtains, drapes, or any other decorative elements on them. The main condition is that they do not interfere with quickly opening the window. Therefore, you can easily give the window warmth and coziness with the help of such traditional but universally loved solutions.
  • Decorative elements on window frames will allow you to style them to match the overall architectural design of the house. For example, it could be a baroque molding, an elegant arch above the window, or something else. Also, decorative elements can be present on the window itself, giving it originality and a vintage flair.
  • Installations of stones and wood. If you use stone in your landscape design, you can make an original installation of stones around and inside the window well. Stone goes well with wood in design solutions. You can choose the exterior finishes of your windows to match the color of the wood you will use in the installation. And then the window will look like a single ensemble with all the other elements of the landscape design.

The Bottom Line

Installing an egress window is a mandatory requirement when building houses in Canada, which ensures safer living. Moreover, it provides additional light and ventilation, which is especially important in basements. An egress window can add originality to the architectural solution of your home and even become its captivating accent. You can customize the windows by choosing the way they open, the shape, decorative elements, the color of the frames, and much more. Thus, the safety element in your home will become part of the overall architectural ensemble, adding aesthetic appeal and style to it.