Window well covers
A good cover keeps an egress well clear in a South Dakota winter and keeps kids and pets from falling in, without trapping anyone inside.
Uncovered egress wells collect snow, leaves, grass clippings and the occasional rabbit. They also leave an open hole beside the house that a child or pet can step into. A cover solves those problems, but on an egress well it has to stay openable from below without keys, tools or more force than it takes to open the window itself.
What kinds of covers are there?
- Clear domes and flat polycarbonate covers. Keep out rain and snow and let light through. Light duty, so they aren't for walking on.
- Steel grates. Strong and fall-resistant but let snow and leaves through, so they're often paired with a clear panel.
- Custom-fit combination covers. A steel frame with a clear or solid top, measured to the well. Useful for odd sizes and wells near walkways.
What makes a cover egress-safe?
- It lifts or swings open from inside the well without a key or tool
- It isn't screwed, locked or chained down
- Someone standing in the well can push it open with reasonable force
- When open, it doesn't block the window or the ladder
What about snow load?
Sioux Falls' adopted code lists a ground snow load of 55 pounds per square foot. A light dome over a well along a drift line can crack or collapse under that. Where a well is next to a sidewalk, patio or play area, or in a spot where snow piles up, ask about a heavier-duty cover rated for the location. In winter, it also helps to clear snow off the cover after storms so the well stays usable.
The contractor prices the job after seeing the wall, the yard and the room. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone has looked at the foundation is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can I lock my window well cover for security?
Not on an egress well. The cover has to open from inside without a key or tool. Ask the contractor about covers that resist opening from outside but still release from below.
Will a clear cover stop my window well from flooding?
It keeps rain and snow out, which helps a lot. If water is coming up through the bottom or in from the soil, the drain and grading need fixing too.
Related services
- Egress window installation
- Cutting and enlarging openings
- Window wells and ladders
- Basement bedroom code compliance
More background: Sioux Falls egress window guide.
Finishing the basement or adding a bedroom down there?
Call and get connected with a local contractor who cuts and installs egress windows.