How Much Do Window Well Covers Cost? Pricing for Plastic, Metal, Polycarbonate & More

Window well covers are designed to keep snow, rain, lawn and yard debris, and pests away from a home's foundation. They also prevent people and pets from falling into wells and ensure that would-be criminals don't have an easy means of exterior access. Covers are sold in numerous sizes, shapes, styles, and materials designed to fit small, medium, and egress-sized window wells.

Window Well Cover Costs #

Here are typical costs for window well covers:

• Basic plastic bubble covers - $100 to $300 each

• Corrugated steel covers - $150 to $400 per window well

• Glass block window well covers - $300 to $1,000 each

• Decorative iron or aluminum covers - $500 to $1,500 each

• Polycarbonate covers - $300 to $600 each

• Expandable grates/grilles - $200 to $500 per well

• Wood covers and boxes - $500 to $2,000 each

Cost factors:

• Material (plastic, metal, glass block, polycarbonate, wood, etc.)

• Custom vs standard sizes

• Design complexity

• Professional installation vs DIY

• Single window well vs multiple

• New construction vs retrofit

Overall, expect to spend $200 to $600 on average for a new window well cover installed. Get quotes from contractors to determine exact costs for your specific project.

Real-Life Window Well Cover Installation Costs #

Here are some real-life examples of what I paid to install window well covers:

• I installed basic plastic bubble covers on two window wells for $175 each. I was able to do these DIY in about an hour to save on labor.

• For a single large egress window well, I paid $350 to have a handyman install a custom-fit steel cover.

• I had a contractor install decorative wrought iron covers on my two front window wells for $475 per well, or $950 total.

• For my basement apartment, I splurged on glass block window well covers that cost $850 each, including professional installation.

• It cost me $390 per well to have heavy-duty galvanized steel covers installed on three window wells that get a lot of groundwater.

• I saved money by ordering standard polycarbonate covers and installing them myself for $250 each on two window wells.

• Custom wood window well boxes designed to match my home's siding cost me $1,800 each for materials and professional installation.

Window Well Cover Considerations #

Installing a window well cover is a straightforward and inexpensive project, but choosing the right cover requires a bit of forethought. To find a unit that suits your particular needs, keep the following points in mind:

• Window well covers can be made from aluminum, steel, plastic, or polycarbonate (shatterproof plastic). Metal or polycarbonate (which is 250 times stronger than glass) should be used if one of your primary concerns is a cover that can support the weight of a person.
• Solid metal or colored plastic covers block sunlight, but they offer greater privacy. Translucent or metal grate covers allow light in.
• A cheap window cover will crack easily and might even blow away in strong wind. It's worth spending a little more money on a well-built cover that won't break and let in the very elements and creatures it's designed to keep out.
• A high-profile (bubble-type) cover fits a window that extends above the well height. If the top of the window is at the same height as or below the top of the well, a low-profile cover can be used.
• Adjustable covers allow for ventilation.
• If a window well is designed to serve as an egress window, it might need to meet certain accessibility requirements as specified by local building codes.
• Be sure to provide a service technician with a detailed description of the window well(s) to be covered (including the shape and size of the unit and whether it's made from metal, brick, or stone) as well as a rundown of features (transparency, accessibility, etc.) that are important to you.

Use Our Free Service and Find Window Well Cover Companies Near You #