Window Well Cover Styles

Window well covers are an essential safety implement for your home.  They protect against accident, as well as add another level of security for your family.  When it comes time to purchase covers, there are a number of factors to take into consideration and many covers to choose from.  The first choice to make is between metal and plastic, and there are pros and cons for each.

Metal

The traditional style for window well covers is a metal grating.  From a well-stocked supplier, you can choose from a number of designs: horizontal bars, vertical bars, criss-cross, etc.  The downside of metal grates is that they can often disrupt the flow of light into your basement.  On the other hand, they can be plain or quite elaborate, depending on your taste and your budget.  Metal grates can lend an unexpected touch of elegance to your home's exterior.

One word: plastics

As with metal grates, plastic covers come in many varieties.  The style and placement of your window and your window well have a lot to do with the cover you choose.  If your window extends above the level of the well, you might want to go with a bubble style cover.  As the name suggests, these curve up and over your window to cover all gaps between the wall and the ground.  If the top of your window is level with the top of the well, you'll probably prefer a straight-across model.  Either way, make sure your covers are translucent enough to allow in the optimum amount of light.

You can choose to have your covers made custom to your specifications in either metal or plastic.  While this will cost you more, it will help to ensure a tight fit around your wells and an aesthetic that complements your home. 

Whichever model you need or prefer-metal or plastic, bubbled or flat-you want to make sure that the material can withstand a reasonable amount of weight; a good model cover will hold up to or above 250 pounds.  Each cover should include a lock system that can be quickly opened from the inside, but that is as difficult as possible to get to from the outside.

More information on window well covers