What are basement window wells?
A good way to enhance the aesthetic value of your basement is to add window wells. Basement window wells are basically recesses that are dug out along the sides of the building to allow a window to be installed in that area of the house that is below the ground.
Generally, basement window wells are horseshoe shaped. They can either be shallow, about one or two feet below the surface, or quite deep, approximately 5 feet or more deep. The depth of the window well depends upon the amount of light needed in the basement. Thus, the primary objective of window wells is to ensure that the basement is well-lit and properly ventilated.
The different types of basement window wells
There are many different types of basement window wells available in the market. Let’s take a look at a few popular ones.
Metal basement window wells - Window wells made up of galvanized metal are the most popular. These pre-fabricated basement window wells are fully- customizable, easy to install and durable. Metal window wells can be affixed with the help of screws and bolts.
Wooden window wells - These are usually made up of rot resistant wood like cypress or cedar. Wooden window wells perk up the appearance of the basement, but they require a lot of maintenance too. They can be fastened easily with screws.
Concrete basement window wells - They are considered to be the most resilient window wells. Unlike metal and plastic window wells, these have to be constructed on site. This is perhaps the biggest disadvantage of concrete window wells.
Why is it important to cover basement window wells?
The benefits of covering basement window wells are as follows:
Window wells that are about 5 feet deep can cause serious injury if someone accidentally falls into them. Hence, such deep basement window wells should be essentially covered to prevent pets, people and wildlife from falling into the recesses and getting trapped and injured.
If left uncovered, any intruder can easily break into your house and take away your valuables. The cover of the window well should have proper locking mechanism to keep the prowlers at bay.
Once the basement window wells are fully covered, water and snow cannot enter into your basement and cause unwarranted damage.
The cover also keeps your window wells clean and dry.
Lastly, the cover helps to prevent heat loss. Thus, your basement remains cool during summers and warm during winters.
Mail this post