Hopper windows for basements and window wells
A hopper window is hinged at the bottom and swings inward at the top. Because the sash tilts into the room rather than out, a hopper works in the one place most windows cannot: an opening set below grade at the base of a window well.
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Where hopper windows suit a home
Nearly every hopper we fit goes into a basement. A below-grade opening usually sits inside a corrugated steel or poured window well, and an outward-opening sash would foul the well wall within a few inches. A hopper simply tilts inward past the obstruction.
Finished basements are where they matter most. Ontario's building code requires an openable egress window in any basement bedroom, and a hopper is often the only style that both fits the existing opening and opens far enough to satisfy it. We check the clear opening dimensions against the code requirement at the measure, before quoting, not after the unit is built.
Above grade, hoppers turn up as ventilating strips beneath a fixed pane, and occasionally in a utility or laundry room where an inward sash is harmless.
Features
- Inward-tilting sash clears a window well where an outward sash cannot
- Ventilates a basement without leaving an open sash exposed to the yard
- Clear opening dimensions checked against egress requirements at the measure
- Cleaned entirely from inside, no need to climb down into the well
- Available with obscured or laminated glass for below-grade privacy and security
Models we fit
| Model | Style | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HP100 | Hopper window | Opens at the bottom and swings into the room; suits ventilation and egress applications. |
How they compare
Against an awning: exact mirror images. The awning hinges at the top and opens outward, the hopper hinges at the bottom and opens inward. Above grade, use an awning; below grade in a well, use a hopper.
Against a slider in a basement: sliders are common in older basements and they work, but they only ever open half the opening. Where the window has to serve as egress, that half often falls short of the required clear area while a hopper does not.
Against a fixed basement unit: a fixed window is cheaper and seals better, and is the right choice for a basement with no bedroom, but it cannot vent a laundry room or satisfy egress.
How do I know when it is time to replace my windows?
Replace a window when the sealed unit has fogged, the frame has rotted or warped, or the sash no longer closes and locks properly. Persistent drafts, ice on the interior frame in winter, and condensation trapped between the panes all point to a failed unit rather than a repairable one. Difficulty opening a window is a safety issue where the opening serves as bedroom egress.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Ontario?
No building permit is required to replace a window in its existing opening at the same size. A permit is needed when the opening is made larger or smaller, when a new opening is cut, or when the work affects a structural header. Heritage-designated properties have their own approval process. We flag any opening that needs a permit during the in-home consultation, before quoting.
How long does window installation take?
Most whole-home window replacements are finished in one to three days. A single window typically takes 45 to 90 minutes from removal to trim and cleanup. The size of the job, the number of openings and whether exterior capping is involved set the pace. We confirm the schedule when you approve the quote, and the crew cleans and removes all old units before leaving.
Book your free in-home consultation
We measure every opening, talk through the options that suit your home, and give you a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.