Own It Now – Pay Over Time

No Hidden Fees, No Surprises

Flexible Payment plans

Proudly Canadian

Vaughan ON L4K 0A8

888-605-0694

Basement Windows: How to Choose the Right Type for Your Home

Name: Monaco Windows and Doors
Price range: $$

Basement windows rarely get much attention until something goes wrong. A frame starts to rot, condensation pools on the sill, or you decide to turn that storage space into a guest room and realize the tiny window near the ceiling barely lets in any light. Because basement windows sit at or below ground level, they deal with more moisture, less sunlight, and tighter spaces than any other window in the house. That makes choosing the right one a little different. Here’s what to consider, from window styles and frame materials to glass, window wells, and safety requirements.

Why Basement Windows Need Special Consideration

A basement window sits right where soil, snow, and water meet your foundation. In Ontario, that means months of snowbanks piled against the glass, spring meltwater running toward the house, and a constant battle with humidity. A window that works perfectly on the second floor can struggle down here.

Basement windows also do more work than their size suggests. They’re often the only source of natural light and fresh air in a below-grade space. In a finished basement bedroom, one of them may also need to double as an emergency exit.

Common Types of Basement Windows

Most basement windows fall into a handful of styles. The right one depends on how much space you have, how the window needs to open, and what the room will be used for.

Hopper Windows

Hopper windows are hinged at the bottom and tilt inward from the top. They’re one of the most common basement choices because they fit short, wide openings and let warm, damp air escape near the ceiling. Since they open inward, they don’t need clearance outside, which helps when the window sits in a shallow window well. Here’s a closer look at how hopper windows handle ventilation.

Awning Windows

Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward. The glass acts like a small roof, so you can leave them cracked open during light rain. They need some outside clearance, so they work best where the window sits above grade or has a roomy window well. Find out more about why awning windows are worth considering.

Slider Windows

Sliding windows open horizontally along a track, which makes them practical for wide, short openings. Larger sliders can also be sized to meet egress requirements, so they’re a popular pick for basement bedrooms. Slider windows also have fewer moving parts, which keeps maintenance simple.

Casement Windows

Casement windows swing outward on a side hinge and open fully, giving you the largest clear opening for their size. That makes them a strong choice for egress, as long as the window well leaves enough space for the sash to swing open.

Glass Block Windows

Glass block windows are fixed, sometimes with a small vent built in. They offer excellent privacy and security and stand up well to moisture. The tradeoff is limited airflow, and they can never serve as an emergency exit.

A window that’s hard to open or doesn’t suit the room is a problem you’ll notice every day, so it pays to get the style right before anything is ordered.

Choosing the Right Frame Material

Moisture is the biggest threat to basement windows, and frame material makes a big difference in how well a window holds up over time.

Vinyl: The most popular choice for basements. It won’t rot, resists moisture, needs almost no maintenance, and fits most budgets.
Fiberglass: Strong and stable, with very little expansion and contraction in cold weather. It costs more than vinyl but lasts a long time.
Aluminum: Durable, but it conducts cold, which can lead to condensation and frost on the frame in winter.
Wood: Warm and traditional looking, but prone to rot in damp conditions unless it’s clad and carefully maintained.

Many older Ontario homes still have their original steel or wood basement windows. If yours has rusted, rotted, or warped, replacement usually makes more sense than repair.

Glass and Energy Efficiency

Basement walls are already cool, so a drafty single-pane window adds to both heat loss and condensation. At a minimum, look for double-pane glass with a Low-E coating and argon gas fill. These features keep the inside surface of the glass warmer, which cuts down on condensation and makes the room more comfortable.

If privacy matters, frosted or obscure glass lets light in while blocking the view from outside. This overview of the different types of window glass explains the options in more detail.

Window Wells and Drainage

If a basement window sits below grade, it needs a window well: a U-shaped liner that holds back the soil and gives the window room to breathe. A good window well should:

Extend a few inches above the ground so surface water flows away from it
Have gravel at the bottom and, where possible, a drain tied into the weeping tile
Be wide enough for the window to open, and for a person to climb out if it’s an egress window
Include a clear cover to keep out snow, leaves, and small animals

A window well that fills with water or snow can push moisture past even a brand-new window. Ignoring a clogged or poorly drained well is one of the quickest ways to turn a small leak into a wet basement.

Egress Windows for Finished Basements

If you’re adding a bedroom to your basement, the Ontario Building Code requires a window that can serve as an emergency exit, unless the room has a door leading directly outside. In general, the window must provide an unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 square meters (about 3.8 square feet), with no dimension smaller than 380 mm (15 inches). It must also open from the inside without tools or special knowledge.

Enlarging a foundation opening to meet these requirements is structural work and usually requires a building permit. For the full picture, read what an egress window is and whether your home needs one, along with this guide on permits for window and door replacement in Ontario.

A Brighter, Drier Basement Starts at the Window

The right basement windows make a below-grade space feel like a real part of your home: brighter, easier to air out, and far less prone to dampness. Take a close look at your current windows this fall, before the snow starts piling up against them. If you’re seeing rot, rust, fogged glass, or drafts, a professional basement window replacement now can keep a small problem from becoming water damage once the spring thaw arrives.

Exterior Window Trim: Styles That Frame Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Installer in a hard hat measuring a bare wall beside a large window during window installation preparation

Window Installation Preparation: How to Get Your Home Ready for Install Day

Sliding glass patio door in a dining area, a common entry point to secure with a better sliding door lock

Patio Door Locks: How to Make a Sliding Door Harder to Break Into

Frost crystals on a cold winter window pane showing heat loss through glass

Argon Gas Windows: What It Does and How Long It Lasts

Bright living room with tall high windows letting natural light in, a clerestory windows style look

Clerestory Windows: Natural Light Without Giving Up Privacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of window is best for a basement?

Hopper and slider windows are the most common basement choices because they fit short, wide openings and are easy to operate. Hoppers open inward, so they work well in shallow window wells. Sliders and casements are better when the window needs to meet egress requirements for a bedroom. The best option depends on the opening size, the window well, and how the room will be used.

What size does a basement egress window need to be in Ontario?

Under the Ontario Building Code, a bedroom egress window generally needs an unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 square meters, or about 3.8 square feet, with no dimension smaller than 380 mm (15 inches). It must open from the inside without tools or special knowledge. If the window opens into a window well, the well must leave enough room to climb out.

Do basement windows need a window well?

A basement window needs a window well whenever the bottom of the window sits below the surrounding ground level. The well holds back soil, lets light reach the glass, and gives the window room to open. It should rise a few inches above grade, have gravel and drainage at the bottom, and ideally a clear cover to keep out snow, leaves, and pests.

What is the best frame material for basement windows?

Vinyl is the most popular frame material for basement windows because it resists moisture, won’t rot, and needs very little maintenance. Fiberglass is a strong alternative that handles temperature swings well and lasts a long time, though it costs more. Wood frames are the most vulnerable in damp basements, and aluminum can form condensation and frost during Ontario winters.

How do I stop condensation on basement windows?

Condensation forms when warm, humid air meets cold glass. Start by lowering basement humidity with a dehumidifier and improving airflow, especially near the windows. If condensation keeps coming back, older single-pane or poorly sealed windows are often the cause. Double-pane windows with Low-E glass keep the inner surface warmer, which reduces condensation and helps prevent mold on sills and frames.

How long do basement windows last?

Quality vinyl or fiberglass basement windows typically last 20 to 30 years or more when properly installed and paired with a well-drained window well. Older steel and wood basement windows often fail sooner because of rust, rot, and constant moisture exposure. Warning signs include soft or crumbling frames, fogged glass, drafts, and water stains on the wall below the window.

Can I replace a basement window without enlarging the opening?

Yes. Most basement window replacements fit a new window into the existing opening, which is faster, simpler, and usually doesn’t require structural work. Enlarging the opening is only necessary if you need the window to meet egress requirements for a bedroom or want significantly more light. Cutting into a foundation wall is structural work and generally needs a building permit in Ontario.

Your Project Begins with a Conversation

Send us a message and discover how easy it is to get lasting window and door solutions.