Window Well Installation
Hamilton

Ontario Building Code requires a minimum clear width of 760mm and a depth extending at least 200mm below the window sill. We generally recommend going to at least 900mm clear width, for both comfortable emergency egress and easier maintenance access. Actual depth comes down to how far below grade your window sill sits.

Yes, always. Proper drainage at the base is required to prevent water from pooling, starting with a minimum 300mm layer of clear crushed stone. For deeper wells or high groundwater conditions, we connect a perforated drain pipe from the well base straight to the weeping tile system or a sump pit.

Covers cut water and debris buildup significantly. Polycarbonate bubble covers are the most popular choice, letting light through while shedding rain. They have to be removable from inside without tools to stay egress-compliant, and we verify that operability every time we install one.

Typically $800 to $2,500 per well, depending on well type, depth, drainage system required, and whether a cover is included. When it's part of a broader egress window project, the well cost simply gets folded into the egress window quote.

The combination that actually prevents pooling: adequate drainage gravel, a perforated drain pipe at the base tied into weeping tile or a sump, positive grade directing water away from the well, and a polycarbonate cover on top. We design every well's drainage specifically for that site's conditions and depth.

Three main materials cover most installations: galvanized corrugated steel (most common, affordable, durable), polyethylene plastic (lightweight, corrosion-proof, easy to handle), and poured or precast concrete (permanent, load-bearing, custom sizing). We install all three, matched to your project's requirements, well depth, and budget.