Alberta Building Code Compliant Same-Day Window Install Ready Set-Price Quotes No Travel Charges (587) 998-4310
What We Do

Egress Window Cutting in Calgary

Converting a basement bedroom or rental suite? The Alberta Building Code requires egress windows — openings large enough to escape through in an emergency.

Alberta Building Code Minimums

Egress Window Requirements

Minimum opening area0.35 m²
Minimum dimension (any side)380 mm
Max sill height from floor1000 mm
Required forAll basement bedrooms

We use diamond cutting equipment to cut a clean, precise opening in your foundation wall, sized to your window frame specification and code minimums. The method we use depends on your wall type, thickness, and access — we choose the right approach for your specific job.

The result: a square, structurally sound opening in your concrete or masonry foundation wall, ready for the lintel, framing, and window installation that follows. No chipping, no cracking the surrounding wall, no ragged edges for your installer to work around.

We're Calgary's specialists on this cut. Between our sister company egress-windows-calgary.com and the concrete cutting side of the business, we've done hundreds of egress window openings across Calgary and the surrounding area.

We work independently (you coordinate your own window install) or as part of a full egress package through our sister site. Either way, the cutting is precise, fast, and set-price — no surprises on your project budget.

Sister Company

Need the Full Egress Package?

Our sister company handles the complete egress window project — permit, excavation, cutting, window supply, installation, and backfill. If you want one call to cover everything, visit egress-windows-calgary.com.

How It Works

Egress Cutting Process

From site visit to cleared opening — typically completed in a single day.

01

Confirm Dimensions & Permit

We confirm rough opening dimensions against your permitted drawings and window spec. A City of Calgary building permit is required before we start cutting.

02

Utility Locate

All utilities on the exterior of the cut zone must be located. We confirm a cleared locate before setting up equipment. This protects you, us, and the building.

03

Track Setup & Sawing

The track saw is mounted to the foundation wall. We cut all four sides of the opening to depth — typically an 8–10 inch poured concrete wall in two passes per side.

04

Section Removal

The cut concrete section is broken free and removed from site. Edges are cleaned and inspected for square and dimension before we pack up.

05

Ready for Lintel & Install

Your carpenter, framer, or window installer follows us. With clean, square edges, they can begin immediately — no chipping out ragged hammer marks.

FAQ

Egress Window Cutting Questions

What size does an egress window need to be in Calgary?

Under the Alberta Building Code, egress windows in basement bedrooms require a minimum opening of 0.35 m² (3.77 sq ft), with no dimension less than 380 mm (15 inches). The rough opening we cut is typically 25–50 mm larger than the window frame on each side for installation tolerance.

Do I need a permit to cut an egress window?

Yes. A City of Calgary building permit is required for egress window alterations. We cut the opening to your permitted dimensions — you or your contractor obtain the permit before we begin. Inspections follow the installation, not the cutting.

How long does the cut take?

Most residential egress cuts are completed in 2–4 hours on site, including setup, cutting, and concrete removal. Your window installer can typically follow us the same afternoon.

Do I need to excavate outside before you cut?

For exterior foundation cutting, the soil outside the window location needs to be excavated to allow the concrete to be removed. We can advise on excavation depth requirements. For interior-access cuts (where the concrete section is pulled inward), no exterior excavation is needed.

Can you cut through ICF (insulated concrete form) foundations?

Yes. ICF foundation walls are common in newer Calgary homes. Our track saw handles ICF cutting cleanly without cracking the foam insulation panels. We adjust depth settings to match the concrete core thickness.

Need an Egress Opening Cut in Calgary?

Set-price quote, no travel charges, same-day window installer ready. Let us know your dimensions.