A window cut out is a structural modification where a new opening is created — or an existing one is enlarged — in your home’s wall to fit a new window or door. In Toronto and across the GTA, this service requires cutting through brick, concrete, or other wall materials, installing proper headers and framing, and finishing with a code-compliant window.
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Whether you need a basement egress window, a bigger opening for more natural light, or a door conversion, professional cut out services handle the engineering, permits, and installation so your home stays safe and sound.
Older Toronto homes often have small window openings that don't match modern sizes. A one-time cut out brings them up to current dimensions and saves money on every future replacement.
Bigger windows fill dark rooms with daylight and improve ventilation. Many homeowners pair a cut out with triple-glazed vinyl units, Low-E coatings, and argon gas fills for better energy performance at the same time.
If you're adding a legal basement apartment, the Ontario Building Code requires egress windows in every bedroom. That almost always means a new cut out below grade with a properly sized window well.
Services
TotalSeal provides a full range of cut out and structural modification services for homes across the GTA.
A brand-new opening is created in an exterior wall above ground level. This involves cutting through the wall material, installing a structural header (or lintel for masonry), adding jack and king studs, and finishing the rough opening for a precise window fit. Common for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms where homeowners want additional light or ventilation.
New openings are cut into concrete foundation walls for basement windows. This is the most common route for meeting Ontario egress requirements in basement bedrooms. Diamond-blade concrete cutting, waterproof membrane installation, and a properly sized window well are all part of the job.
Existing openings are widened or heightened to accept larger window units. This may involve removing portions of brick, concrete, or framing, then re-supporting the load above. A popular choice for homeowners switching from small slider windows to full-width casement windows or picture windows.
For below-grade cut outs, a code-compliant window well is installed outside the foundation. The well must extend at least 550 mm beyond the fully opened window sash to allow safe emergency exit, per the 2024 Ontario Building Code.
Building Code
Any new opening or enlargement in an exterior wall requires a building permit in virtually every Ontario municipality. Here’s what the current regulations require:
Egress Window Specifications (2024 Ontario Building Code, Section 9.9.10)
Requirement | Minimum Specification |
Unobstructed clear opening area | 0.35 m² (3.77 sq ft) |
Smallest allowable dimension | 380 mm (15 in) |
Window well clearance (below grade) | 550 mm from wall or fully open sash |
Operability | Must open from inside without tools or special knowledge |
Opening support | Must stay open without additional support |
The 2024 Ontario Building Code became mandatory for all permit applications after April 1, 2025. These egress rules apply to every floor level that contains a bedroom. Casement windows are often the most practical choice for egress because the full sash swings open, giving you the entire opening area. Sliding or hung windows only open halfway, so they need to be roughly double the size to meet the same clear-opening spec.
For below-grade cut outs, a code-compliant window well is installed outside the foundation. The well must extend at least 550 mm beyond the fully opened window sash to allow safe emergency exit, per the 2024 Ontario Building Code.
Every cut out must include a properly sized header or lintel to carry the load above the opening. For wood-frame walls, this means engineered lumber headers supported by jack studs and king studs. For masonry or concrete, a steel lintel is typically installed. Inspectors check framing, waterproofing, and the finished installation at multiple stages.
Materials
The complexity and cost of a cut out depend heavily on your wall type.
Wall Material | Tools Required | Difficulty | Notes |
Brick | Diamond-blade saw, masonry supports | High | Each brick works with its neighbours; removal must be staged carefully |
Poured concrete | Diamond-tipped cutting equipment | High | Common in GTA basements; requires dust and heat control |
Concrete block | Diamond saw, pneumatic tools | High | Hollow cores can complicate cuts near mortar joints |
Wood frame | Reciprocating saw, framing tools | Moderate | Most common in above-grade walls; straightforward with proper header sizing |
Stucco | Oscillating tool, angle grinder | Moderate | Brittle finish that chips easily; needs careful edge work |
Vinyl siding | Tin snips, zip tool | Low | Siding is removed and reinstalled around the new opening |
Brick and concrete are the most common exterior materials across Toronto. Both demand specialised equipment and experience. A poorly executed concrete cut can crack your foundation, and brick removal without proper staging can compromise the wall above.
Discuss your project with one of our experts and receive a personalized quote.
Pricing varies with wall material, opening size, access conditions, and whether structural reinforcement is needed. These are typical ranges for the GTA market:
Service | Average Price Range |
Above-grade window cut down | $1,000 – $1,500 |
Below-grade window cut down | $1,800 – $2,200 |
Above-grade window cut out | $2,000 – $2,500 |
Below-grade window cut out | $2,500 – $3,200 |
Enlarging existing openings | $1,000 – $1,500 |
These prices cover the cut out work itself. The cost of the window or door unit, finishing materials, and any ENERGY STAR certified products is quoted separately. For below-grade work that includes a window well, excavation, and waterproofing, budget on the higher end.
Complex projects with limited access — like tight side yards common in Toronto semi-detached homes — may also add to the cost.
TotalSeal manufactures and installs windows in-house from a 60,000 sq ft facility in the GTA. That means the same team handling your cut out also builds the window that goes into it — measured, produced, and installed as one coordinated project. There’s no gap between the structural work and the final product.
Our window systems use multi-chamber uPVC frames, warm-edge spacers, and Cardinal Glass insulated units to meet or exceed ENERGY STAR certification standards for Zone 1 (Southern Ontario). Hardware from Roto provides multi-point locking for tight seals and security. If you’re upgrading from basement hopper windows or converting a window to a bay window, we handle the full scope — from the first concrete cut to the final caulk line.
Everything you need to know
to start your project.
Most single-window cut outs are completed in one to two days, depending on wall material. Brick and poured concrete take longer than wood-frame walls. Below-grade work with window well installation may add an extra day.
Yes. The existing opening is extended down to floor level and re-framed for a door unit. This is common for adding walkouts to decks or creating separate entrances for basement apartments across the GTA.
Wood-frame walls are the least expensive to modify. They require standard framing tools and straightforward header installation. Brick and poured concrete cost more due to specialised diamond-cutting equipment and longer labour times.
Schedule an in-home estimate with one of our experts.
By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
