How deep does a window well need to be for an egress window in Vancouver?

A window well for an egress window must be deep enough to allow the window to open fully without obstruction, and wide enough to provide a clear area of at least 0.55 square metres (about 6 square feet) at the bottom with a minimum horizontal projection of 550 millimetres (22 inches) from the foundation wall. The actual depth of the well depends on how far below grade your egress window sits — in most Metro Vancouver basements, window wells range from 600 millimetres to 1,200 millimetres deep.

The BC Building Code specifies that a window well serving an egress window must not obstruct the required unobstructed opening of the window. If the well is deeper than 800 millimetres (31 inches) below grade, a permanent ladder or steps must be built into or attached to the well to allow a person to climb out. The ladder or steps must not encroach on the minimum area of the well and must be permanently affixed — a loose ladder does not comply. In Metro Vancouver, most egress window wells for post-war homes with partially below-grade basements fall right around this threshold, so discuss with your contractor whether steps will be required.

The minimum horizontal projection of 550 millimetres from the foundation wall is critical for both emergency escape and firefighter access. The idea is that a person climbing through the window needs enough space to get their body through and then stand or crouch in the well before climbing out. Many contractors in Metro Vancouver install window wells with projections of 750 to 900 millimetres for practical comfort — the minimums are tight, and a few extra inches make a real difference in an emergency.

Drainage — The Critical Factor in Metro Vancouver

In Vancouver's marine climate, window well drainage is not optional — it is the most important detail of the entire installation. Metro Vancouver receives over 1,200 millimetres of rainfall annually, with 70% falling between October and March. A window well is essentially a hole in the ground next to your foundation that collects every drop of rain that falls into it, plus any surface water that drains toward it. Without proper drainage, the well fills with water and pushes it directly through your new egress window and into your finished basement.

Proper window well drainage in Metro Vancouver requires a minimum 150 to 200 millimetres of clear gravel (19mm washed rock) at the bottom of the well, sitting on top of filter fabric to prevent soil migration. This gravel bed must connect to either a dedicated drain line tied into your perimeter weeping tile system or a vertical gravel column extending down to the footing drainage level. Some contractors install a small diameter PVC pipe running from the bottom of the window well down to the weeping tile as a direct connection. In areas with high water tables — particularly Richmond, Delta, and low-lying parts of New Westminster — the drainage must be robust enough to handle sustained groundwater pressure during the wet season.

The window well walls themselves can be constructed from galvanized steel wells (the most common and affordable option at $150 to $400 for the well unit), precast concrete, or pressure-treated timber with waterproof membrane backing. Galvanized steel wells are standard in Metro Vancouver and come in various sizes. For a typical egress installation, expect to pay $3,000 to $8,000 per window including the well, drainage, window, cutting, and structural header. The window well and drainage portion of that cost is typically $800 to $2,000 depending on depth and soil conditions.

One often-overlooked detail is grading around the window well. The surrounding soil must slope away from the well to prevent surface water from flowing in. In Metro Vancouver's heavy rainfall, even minor grading that directs water toward the well will overwhelm the drainage system. A window well cover — a clear polycarbonate dome — is also highly recommended in Vancouver's climate to reduce the volume of direct rainfall entering the well while still allowing light and emergency egress.

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