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Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that choosing the right window well or window well cover can raise a lot of questions—so we’ve gathered the most common ones into our Frequently Asked Questions section to make your experience smoother. Whether you’re wondering how to measure for a custom-fit cover, what makes a window well egress-compliant, or which materials best suit your climate, you’ll find clear, helpful answers right at your fingertips.

Our FAQ section is designed for both homeowners and contractors, offering quick insights on sizing, installation, warranties, customization options, shipping, and more. It’s a one-stop resource to help you make confident decisions—and if your question isn’t there, we’re always just a phone call or email away.

At Window Well Experts, we’re not just product providers—we’re problem solvers. This FAQ section is just one more way we make the process easier, more transparent, and customer-focused.  

Window Well Covers
Window Wells
Accessories

Window Well Covers

Do you offer installation service?

Since we ship our products nationwide, we don’t offer installation services. However, our covers are designed for quick, DIY installation in 45 minutes or less. As shown in the video below, anyone that has a drill, a marker, and a screwdriver can install them easily. 

Every cover order comes with step‑by‑step installation instructions and all the necessary hardware you need in the box so you can complete the installation confidently and without extra trips to the store. 

If you need further assistance with your installation, feel free to call our team at 888-650-9355, option 1. We may be able to recommend contractors in your area to help you with installation.

Are window wells supposed to be covered?

Covering window wells is an excellent practice as covers will help to keep out snow, rain, debris and animals. Solid plastic covers help to prevent water and snow infiltration, while grates will keep out larger debris and allows for easier basement ventilation without removing the cover. 

Many communities and insurance providers increasingly view window well covers as a safety measure, encouraging or requiring them to help reduce the risk of injury. Open wells can create hazards for children, pets, and even adults who may not see them—especially in low‑light or snow‑covered conditions. By adding a secure cover, homeowners demonstrate a proactive approach to safety, which aligns with the guidelines many municipalities and insurers promote for preventing avoidable accidents.

How much does it cost to install window well covers?

Most of the window well covers we make are designed for straightforward, do‑it‑yourself installation, so hiring a handyman or contractor typically isn’t necessary. If you aren’t able to do it yourself, your handyman will be able to do it for you.

Many homeowners simply unpack their cover and will have it installed in less than 45 minutes and need only readily available tools. 

Also, most Steel or Aluminum Grates arrive ready to go—just lift them out of the carton and position them on the well. We not only design for safety and protection, but also a straightforward installation, saves time and installation costs while still giving you a secure, reliable fit.

How to attach a plastic window well cover?

Clips or other hardware are supplied by the us, and usually need simple tools to install. If your window well cover does not have a hinge, it will attach directly to the well.

Our most popular Sloped and Flat covers come with fasteners that attach to the underside of the covers.

  • For metal wells the spring steel clips are attached to the underside of the cover. Determine the spacing by using the diagram in the instructions and marking the topside of the cover. Then drill through the cover where marked. Feed the small screw through the clip on the underside of the cover and screw on the cap nut. These covers snap down onto the lip on metal well. 
  • For Concrete, timber, brick and other well types, the Dual Lock™ fasteners are stuck to the underside of the cover, and the other portion of the fastener is screwed into the ledge of your well. 
  • For Sloped Covers with a double angle piano hinge or Flat Covers that have Wall Hinges, these hinges should be attached to the well, or the foundation wall. We supply fasteners for the most common applications. Instructions will always be provided.

The Dome covers use a variety of different clips or hardware, and the proper type is determined by engineering and by the type of your window well.

These guidelines serve as general rules of thumb, but we understand that every home and every window well is a little different. Our team evaluates each situation individually, taking into account the well size and any unique safety or structural concerns.

Will the window well cover block the light into my basement?

Window Well Experts uses clear, UV treated polycarbonate that allows in the same amount of light as a glass window, with polycarbonate’s added flexible strength and durability. 

The polycarbonate covers allow full access to the sunlight, while the metal grates’ grid pattern diffuses light with about a 20-30% reduction of light transmission.

How do I measure my window well to order the right size cover?

This is one of our most frequently asked questions!

In general terms measuring from side to side at the back of the well, and then measure from the foundation wall out to the front of the well. Different well types may need other measurements depending on the cover desired.

Our Measuring Guide that has instructions on how to measure your window well. The top section is for curved wells, the second section for rectangular.  Once you have your measurements, head to the Free Quote page to get a personalized quote. If you need help, just give us a call at 888-397-7936 option 2. We will be glad to walk you through it.

Are the covers removable, and if they are can I get some type of locking system for security and burglar resistance?

Window Well Experts offers several options for cover locks, and hinges for all cover types. If your cover is on an egress sized well, we design your cover with safety as our first priority. We offer a range of options—from our popular snap-on/snap-off clips, to secure yet easily releasable burglar-resistant locks, to premium systems with built-in hinges and prop-up bars. 

Our cover locks are designed with a simple pull pin that needs no special knowledge and no tools to operate for easy emergency escape. Every style is engineered for convenience and made to suit your needs.

How long do window well covers last?

Some window well covers are made with longevity in mind and have a lifetime warranty. Some readily available covers are designed for a low shelf price and rarely last more than a season.

Window Well Experts manufactures our “Unbreakable” clear plastic window well covers using special a UV treated polycarbonate. This treatment protects the Sloped, Flat and Bubble covers for a lifetime. Our other covers that contain clear plastic use this same polycarbonate for protection in direct sunlight to help prevent yellowing, fading, or becoming brittle. 

What kind of warranty do our covers come with?

Our Sloped, Flat, and Bubble style window well covers come with a Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser.

Our Lifetime Warranty protects your cover from:

  • Broken aluminum parts, hinges, or locks
  • Cracks or splits in the Polycarbonate cover
  • Broken clips that attach the cover to the well

Our Warranty does not protect you against damage caused by alteration, improper installation, improper maintenance, abuse, misuse, or intentional damage, or acts of God.

Our Aluminum and Steel Grates, Super Slants and Atrium Covers have a seven year warranty. Complete warranty information is available upon request, and a copy will come with your order confirmation.

Do your covers come off in case of emergency?

All of our egress sized covers are designed for an easy emergency escape from the basement and will “pop-off” efficiently from the inside by pushing up on the window well cover from inside the well, or pulling up on it from above. Safety is our Number One priority, and we make sure every egress sized window well cover is egress-code-compliant so that your family is safe.  Always check with your building inspector to be sure what your local municipality requires.

Are your window well covers safe for children, pets, and adults if they were to stand or fall on them?

Window Well Experts manufactures all clear plastic window well covers from “Unbreakable” type plastic known as polycarbonate.

Our Sloped and Flat covers, plus our metal Grates and Super Slants are engineered to support the weight of two adults, or 400 pounds evenly distributed.

The Atrium and Bubble Domes are rated to support up to 150 pounds. While they aren’t designed to be stood on, they are strong enough to break a person’s fall if someone were to trip in the area of the window well.

How to stop rain water from getting into a window well?

  • Be sure that your landscaping directs rainwater away from the foundation.
  • Be sure that the gutters are clear of leaves and other debris.
  • Downspouts may need to be redirected or extended to keep water away from the window wells.
  • The lip of the window well should be at least 2-3″ above the existing grade.
  • A plastic window well cover will help direct water to the outside of the window well if properly sized.

Do window well covers keep water out?

Solid plastic window well covers help prevent water and snow from collecting inside the well. The cover should extend over the outside edge of the well, creating a protective overlap. A slight slope in the cover design further encourages water to shed away from the well instead of pooling on top.

Do window well covers need to be vented?

Ventilation is necessary in a window well cover if there are exhaust pipes from furnaces, water heaters, or other appliances venting into the window well. Metal Grates, Super Slants, and Atriums with mesh sides are our first choices for supplying steady ventilation into a window well. 

Are metal or polycarbonate window well covers better?

It depends on your end goal. Polycarbonate covers are great at helping to keep rain, snow, and small debris out. Metal grates excel where maximum fresh air circulation into your window well is a priority.

How to choose a window well cover?

  • Make a list of the things that you are looking for. What is your priority–is it safety, helping to keep water out, helping to keep debris or animals out?
  • Is easy emergency egress a concern?
  • Easy fresh air circulation into the basement?
  • What is the position of the window in the window well?
  • If you have a metal well that has a common size, you may be able to find a stock cover readily available that will suit your needs.
  • For the best result, you may want to look at our offering of  that offers of custom covers. We provide options designed to fit the specific size, shape, and the area surrounding your well that are not available elsewhere.

Do well covers need to be insulated?

Insulation is not a common practice for window well covers. A window well is an unheated space so insulating the covers may trap moisture.

Do window well covers help insulate?

Window well covers help to insulate your basement window somewhat by keeping the majority of the snow and ice out of the window well so there will be little or no direct contact of the ice and snow with the window glass. The window will still be affected by the outdoor ambient air temperature.

Do window well covers keep mice out?

Where are your prices?

Since most of our products are custom engineered to fit your individual needs, we first request information from you to provide an accurate quotation. Please call us at 1-888-650-9355 option 2 or fill out our Free Estimate form with your measurements to get a quote!

Do you really need window wells? 

Window wells are necessary if any part of your basement window is at or below ground level. A window well will help to keep water, soil, and other landscaping materials away from your window and will help prevent leaking and water damage to the window and window frame.

What is the best type of window well?

The best type of window well is one that meets your needs. That being said, the most common window wells are made of galvanized steel, as many steel wells have up to a 30 year warranty and have few problems with leaks if installed correctly, and are fairly economical compared to hand-built wells. Steel wells also come in decorative colors or stone prints laminated on the steel. Other well types such as concrete, stone, timber and brick wells have an advantage because they can be built to a non-standard size to accommodate various regulations and architectural needs and aesthetics.

Why do window wells fill up with water?

Sometimes window wells fill with water because the landscaping funnels rainwater toward the foundation. Often gutter overflow is at fault. If the wells are not kept clear of debris they can hold water until it can seep through the layers of stuff and filter into the subsoil. If this happens you run the risk of water leaking through cracks in the foundation or seeping around basement windows.

Do window wells have drains in them?

Not all window wells have drains in them, nor is it always necessary if your soil is well drained. If there is a drain tile around the outside of the foundation, it is advisable to have a drain installed and tied into the drainage system.

When should you install a window well?

A window well should be installed whenever there is a window installed at or below ground level.  A window well is also used to keep soil and landscaping materials away from utility meters if they are close to the soil line.

How to divert water away from window well?

Be sure that your landscaping directs rainwater away from the foundation. Be sure that the gutters are clear of leaves and other debris. Downspouts may need to be redirected or extended to keep water away from the window wells. The lip of the window well should be at least 2-3″ above the existing grade so water does not cascade into the well.

Should a window well be attached to foundation?

A window well should always be attached to the foundation. If they are not, the soil will heave due to the soil’s natural expansion and contraction of freeze/thaw cycle and move away from the building. This may cause the well to be misshapen, well collapse, or leaking into the well at the foundation wall.

How to attach a window well to a house?

Attaching a steel window well to your foundation is done by using the appropriate fastener for your foundation construction. Use a concrete type fastener like Tapcon or Red Head with a stainless steel washer for block, masonry, or poured concrete.

Should you clean out window wells? 

If not kept clear of debris, they can hold water until it finally evaporates or seeps through the layers of debris and filters into the subsoil. The accumulation of organic matter and trash will increase the risk of water leaking into cracks in the foundation or seeping around basement windows.

How long do window wells last?

Steel window wells have been known to last well over the warrantied 30 years. Wells made of stone, concrete and brick have been known to last much longer. Timber wells have an uncertain longevity because the type of wood and local soil conditions affect wood differently.

How deep do you bury a window well?

Your window well should extend 2-3″ above grade and 8-10″ below the bottom sill of your window. Dig down only as deep as needed, leaving the subsoil as compacted as possible. As an example: For a 24″ deep well, dig the hole about 21″ deep.

How far out does a window well need to be?

If the window is in a bedroom or a “sleeping area” as defined by IRC codes, the window well must have a 36″ projection from the foundation wall (and an area of least 9 square feet). If you are installing a window well for a window in a utility space, there is no national code, but it is smart to check with your local building inspector in case your local codes differ.

How deep should gravel be in a window well?

Your window well should extend 8-10″ below the bottom sill of your window. The gravel should come up to 1-2″ below the sill, so there should be 6-8″ of gravel in the bottom of the well.

Are window wells supposed to be covered?

Covering window wells is an excellent practice as they help to keep out debris and animals. Solid plastic covers help to prevent water and snow infiltration. Many municipalities and insurance companies are now requiring window well covers for safety reasons.

How to stop water from getting into a window well?

  • Be sure that your landscaping directs rainwater away from the foundation.
  • Be sure that the gutters are clear of leaves and other debris.
  • Downspouts may need to be redirected or extended to keep water away from the window wells.
  • The lip of the window well should be at least 2-3″ above the existing grade.
  • A plastic window well cover will help direct water to the outside of the window well if properly sized.

Are there any cons to having window wells? 

There are not many cons to having window wells. The main one is: if not kept clear of debris the water will pool in the well. The debris prevents the water from seeping into the subsoil, increasing the risk of water leaking into cracks in the foundation or seeping around basement windows.

Can window wells be filled in?

Filling in a window well is not advisable with a window still in place. Filling a well in when there is a window still in place will lead to water pooling in the fill, causing rot and water leakage around the window frame.

Are window wells worth it?

Yes, if your basement window is at or below ground level, a window well will help to keep water, soil, and other landscaping materials away from your window and will help prevent water damage to it.

Accessories

What accessories do you offer for your covers?

  • Window Well Covers with Hinges
    • Most of our covers can be built with optional rust free aluminum hinges that easily swing open, like the picture below. The hinge on our Sloped Cover is built into the back bar for installation flexibility. The hinge can be bolted into the foundation wall or into the lip of the well itself, even on metal wells.  The built-in prop-up bar will hold the cover open for emergency escape, ventilation, or home maintenance.

hinges-featured

  • Emergency Exit with Quick-release Locks
    • We offer optional quick-release locks to secure your window well cover firmly in place. In an emergency, these locks can be easily released from the inside by pulling a small pin—just like the one shown below. Simply pull the pin at each lock location, and the cover lifts off in seconds, giving you a fast, hassle-free exit.

safety locks-clips-featured

  • Ventilation! 
    • Our Cover Vents will help prevent moisture buildup in your well, especially convenient if you have a dryer exhausting into your window well. 

Vent in Back Panel

  • More Ventilation Options!
    • If you want more fresh air ventilation than what the vent provides, consider a Grate, an Atrium with Mesh Sides, or a Super Slant.
    • Steel or Aluminum Grates have 100% fresh air circulation all the time. Fresh air in the basement is as easy opening the window, the cover stays in place, keeping large debris, people and animals out of your well.
    • An Atrium Dome with Mesh Sides or a Super Slant cover will give you ventilation plus protection from snow and rain from above. These covers are designed so even crank-out windows can be fully opened for emergency escape.
  • Optional Escape Hatch
    • On covers over 60″ x 40″, we recommend an Escape Hatch. An Escape Hatch is makes emergency egress so much easier, as you are lifting only a smaller, lighter portion of the cover. An escape hatch is available on all our egress sized covers.

Escape Hatches shown on three different covers

What sizes do the decorative window well liners come in?

Window Well Experts can provide up to 60″x 100″ or 60″ x 120″ in most varieties. We have more details about the Decorative Liners we offer, and have a downloadable catalog here.

Thank you for exploring our frequently asked questions page at Window Well Experts. If you have additional queries or require further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated team is here to ensure your experience with our products is seamless and all your frequently asked questions are addressed.

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