COVERING AN EGRESS WINDOW WELL

Installing an egress window well in your home may have been a necessity to follow the IRC 2000 building code. Egress window wells provide homeowners with an additional means to escape in case of an emergency.

Generally these will be manufactured using metal or plastic, but may be custom built using wood timbers or concrete. These wells are typically deep and create a large exterior hole. It is recommended that an escape ladder be placed in egress wells or directly mounted to the inside wall of the timber or concrete wells, this will make for an easier escape if an emergency occurs. If your egress well did not come equipped with a safety ladder you should consider purchasing one.

Due to the size of egress wells you will need to be sure that material being used to fabricate your cover will support weight. Steel grates or grates with mesh or rebar are an inexpensive measure builders use to cover an egress well, but leave homeowners to deal with constant maintenance of keeping the well clean and free of debris. Over time these grates will rust causing an eyesore to the property.

Covers fabricated using at least 1/4" polycarbonate material will provide homeowners the strength needed to support at least 300 pounds should someone accidentally stand on the cover. Custom made window well covers for egress wells will maintain a neat appearance on the exterior of your home and the interior of your well. Polycarbonate material allows natural light transmission, will withstand temperature changes and not become brittle or break.

Custom Covers, Inc can fabricate any size or style of cover to meet homeowner's needs. Custom Covers Inc. fabricates custom basement and crawlspace well covers using 1/4" pebblized polycarbonate material. The clear pebblized polycarbonate material allows 98% light transmission and in addition allows for privacy, while at night if you have a light on in the basement it prevents someone on the outside from seeing through the window. The pebblized finish also hides dust and dirt that will tend to collect on the window well covers; this creates a cleaner appearance and an aesthetically appealing cover.

For a free quote on covering your egress well, please visit www.customcoversinc.com