Welcome to Olympic City!

You’re in the right place!  We are a husband and wife team who LOVE this business and love doing good work for good people.  We’re believe in the face-to-face version of this business built and not the one that hides behind websites and fake five star reviews.

As a husband-and-wife team we’ve been in and around the home business for over thirty years.  And because of that, we can’t possibly convey all of that experience in a few mouse clicks.  Reach out.  Connect.  Come see us at one of the home shows.  We are quietly one of the fastest growing renovation companies in Calgary and look forward to hearing about your project large or small. Just FYI, EVERY contractors bread and butter are smaller projects so don’t hesitate to reach out.

[instagram-feed feed=1]

Window Well Installation Calgary: Drainage, Covers & Sizing

Exterior Renovations

Window Wells: Functional, Not Just Required

Window wells are required for below-grade egress windows and help bring light into basement spaces. Done right, they’re a feature. Done wrong, they’re a flooding hazard.

Types of Window Wells

Galvanized Steel (Semi-Circle)

  • Most common, cheapest option
  • Sizes: 36″ to 60″ wide, 8″ to 22″ projection
  • Cost: $80–$400 for the well alone
  • Installed: $1,200–$2,500 total

Composite / Resin

  • Looks like stone, won’t rust or corrode
  • Better appearance, longer life
  • Cost: $200–$600 for the well

Custom Stone or Concrete

  • Stacked stone, block, or poured concrete
  • Permanent, premium look, fully custom
  • Cost: $1,500–$6,000 installed

Sizing Requirements for Calgary

Per Alberta Building Code for egress window wells:

  • Minimum 550mm (22″) clearance from window face to well wall
  • Window well must allow the window to fully open
  • If deeper than 1.5m (59″), a permanent ladder or steps required
  • Well should be sized to allow emergency exit (600mm × 600mm minimum interior)

Drainage: The Most Important Factor

A window well without drainage is a rain barrel. Calgary spring melt and heavy rain events will fill them quickly.

  • Install 6–12″ of washed gravel at the bottom of the well
  • Connect to weeping tile if possible
  • If no weeping tile: vertical drain pipe through bottom of well to daylight or drywell
  • Grade soil away from the well at 1″ per foot for 6 feet

Window Well Covers

A clear polycarbonate dome cover:

  • Keeps out rain, snow, debris, and small animals
  • Lets light through
  • Required to break free from inside for egress (no locks)
  • Cost: $50–$200 per cover

Full Window Well Installation Cost in Calgary

Type Installed Cost
Standard steel well + drainage + cover $1,500–$3,000
Composite well + drainage + cover $2,000–$3,500
Custom stone well + drainage $3,000–$7,000

n

⚠ Estimate Disclaimer: These are only ROUGH estimates that can vary wildly. Do not take these numbers as gospel. Having a defined scope of work and exact selections will give you clarity.

Costs include excavation, well installation, gravel drainage, and backfill. Egress window cut-in is separate (see our egress window guide).

Related Articles

Pillar Guide: Exterior Renovations Calgary: The Complete Guide

Contact Olympic City Renovations for a free consultation.

Olympic City Renovations serves Calgary, Priddis, Okotoks, and surrounding communities.