Most window wells are close enough to a standard size that an off-the-shelf cover works. Some are not. If you have measured your well twice and the numbers still fall between two catalog sizes, or the well has a shape no catalog lists, a custom window well cover is the practical answer.
This page explains which wells usually need one, what “custom” actually means, and the two rules that matter more than the look of the cover: it has to carry load, and it has to open from the inside. If you would rather have someone look at the well, call (402) 261-0485 or request a free written estimate.
What a stock cover assumes
Stock covers are built around rectangular wells in common widths and projections, mostly galvanized steel or corrugated plastic. The cover sits on the rim, clears the siding, and the dimensions match one of a short list of sizes.
That works when the well is a simple box. It stops working when any one of these is true:
- The well is larger than the biggest stock size.
- The wall is stepped, curved, or built from stone, block, or landscape timbers.
- The rim is not level or not square.
- A deck post, downspout, hose bib, or gas line sits inside the footprint.
- The siding or brick leaves less room above the well than a domed cover needs.
A cover that is an inch or two too small leaves a gap. Leaves, snow melt, and small animals use that gap. A cover forced into a well that is too tight will bind, which is a problem for the release rules below.
Wells that usually need a custom cover
Oversized egress wells. An egress well has to give you room to climb out. The IRC calls for a horizontal area of at least 9 square feet with a projection and width of at least 36 inches. A well built to that minimum can be bigger than some stock covers reach. Our guide to window well size requirements in Nebraska covers those numbers.
Tiered or stepped wells. Some wells step back as they rise, so the rim is wider than the bottom. A stock cover sized to the opening at ground level may not seat on the step, and one sized to the lower step leaves a gap at the top.
Stone, block, and timber wells. Natural stone and landscape timbers do not give you a straight, flat edge. A custom cover is built to the rim you actually have, and the installer chooses how it fastens to that material. Window Well Supply, for example, sells separate custom sloped covers for metal, concrete, wood, brick or paver, and plastic or composite wells because the mounting differs.
Wells against decks or siding. Where a deck board or a window sill cuts into the footprint, a stock dome has nowhere to sit. A custom cover can be made with a notch, a lower profile, or a flat top.
Odd shapes. Half-round, corner, and L-shaped wells exist, and catalog covers rarely list them. Multi-panel or peaked custom designs handle most of these.
Wells with something inside. A downspout elbow, an electrical conduit, or a dryer vent that runs through the well footprint has to be worked around, not covered over.
If you are not sure which group yours falls into, the steps in how to measure a window well cover will tell you whether you are close to a stock size or not. Measure the rim at several points, not just once.
What “custom” means in practice
A custom cover is made to your measurements, not picked from a size chart. The usual materials are:
Polycarbonate on an aluminum frame. A clear or tinted polycarbonate panel in a metal frame lets daylight reach a basement window and sheds snow and rain. Window Well Supply describes its custom polycarbonate covers as high-impact, UV-stabilized, and engineered to your dimensions. Domed and sloped profiles shed water better than flat ones.
Steel or aluminum grate. A grate keeps people, pets, and larger debris out while letting air and some light through. It does not stop rain or snow, so water still reaches the well and the drain. Window Well Supply lists a custom rectangular aluminum grate from $408.00 as a published starting price. Treat that as one seller’s number, not a typical cost, because it depends on size.
Tempered glass or heavier panel systems. Tempered glass or heavier panels are an option for a well that gets foot traffic, such as one set into a patio. Ask for the manufacturer’s load rating in writing before you buy.
Which one makes sense depends on the well. A well that collects leaves under a tree is a poor fit for a grate. A well beside a patio door where kids play may need a rated, walkable top. Our overview of window well cover types compares the standard options.
Load rating: what snow and weight do to a cover
Lincoln gets heavy wet snow, plows pile it against foundations, and ice builds up on flat surfaces. A cover has to carry that. It also has to carry a child, a pet, or an adult who steps on it by mistake.
Do not take “heavy duty” on a product page as a rating. Ask for a number, what it was tested to, and how it applies to your span. A wide custom cover spans a longer unsupported distance than a small stock one, so the same material may carry less. Wide covers often need a center brace or a thicker section.
For general background, InterNACHI’s window well inspection article cites an older ICC edition that calls for a cover to support a minimum live load of 40 pounds per square foot. That figure is attributed to that edition, so confirm what applies to your house with the building department. Our guides on snow load and window well covers in Nebraska and cover safety for kids and pets go further.
The egress rule: the cover has to open from inside
This is the part that catches people. If the well serves an egress window, whatever sits over it is part of the escape route.
The 2020 IRC, quoted by Window Well Experts, says bars, grilles, covers, screens, or similar devices placed over escape and rescue openings or window wells must be releasable or removable from the inside without a key, tool, special knowledge, or force greater than normal operation of the opening. The minimum net clear opening and well dimensions still have to be met with the cover in place.
In plain terms, that means:
- No padlock, and no screw-down or bolt-down cover that needs a tool to remove.
- No lock that only works from outside.
- A release that someone can find and use in the dark or in smoke, without being told where it is.
- A cover that does not stick when snow, ice, or a warped frame loads it.
The same page quotes a second rule that affects covers indirectly. Wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches need a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window fully open. A cover that hits the ladder or reduces the usable space defeats the point. See window well ladder requirements.
Ask any cover maker how a custom cover releases from inside, and ask them to show you. If the answer is “you unscrew it,” it is not an egress cover. Cities and editions differ on section numbers and details, so ask the Lincoln building department which code edition applies to your permit.
How to order a custom cover without a second trip
Most custom cover orders go wrong because of one bad measurement. Before you call a maker:
- Measure width and projection at the rim, at the top and bottom of any step, and at both ends. Write down every number.
- Measure the height from the rim to the lowest siding, brick ledge, or deck board above it.
- Measure the diagonals. If they differ by more than a quarter inch or so, the well is out of square and the maker needs to know.
- Note the wall material and where it is solid enough to fasten into.
- Photograph the well from above and from the side, with a tape visible.
- Mark anything that sits inside the footprint: pipes, vents, downspouts, deck posts.
Then ask for the quote in writing, with the material, frame, release method, load rating, and who pays if it does not fit.
What it costs, and what we can tell you
Standard well covers and ladders are an add-on we can supply with a window well install, typically $150 to $600. That range covers standard covers only. A custom cover is quoted per well, since size, shape, material, and mounting all change the price. We do not publish a custom figure because there is no honest average.
If the well itself is cracked, rusted, or too small, a cover will not fix it. A window well replacement runs roughly $600 to $1,500, and our window well installation page explains the process. For the full picture on pricing, see egress window cost.
If you want a cover quote for an odd well, request a free written estimate and include the measurements and photos from the list above.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I actually need a custom window well cover?
You need one when no stock size matches your well. Common triggers are an egress well larger than catalog sizes, stepped or stone walls, a deck or siding that limits headroom, and pipes or vents inside the well. If a standard cover would leave a gap or bind against the frame, go custom.
Can a custom cover be used on an egress window well?
Yes, as long as it can be opened or removed from inside without a key, tool, or special knowledge, and without more force than the window itself needs. Cover and well must still give the required clear opening. A bolt-down or padlocked cover does not meet that rule.
What is the best material for a custom window well cover?
It depends on the well. Polycarbonate in a metal frame sheds water and lets light in. A grate lets air, rain and snow through, so it suits wells with good drainage. Ask for the maker’s load rating for your span before you choose.
How much does a custom window well cover cost?
We quote custom covers per well because size, material, and mounting change the price. Standard covers and ladders run about $150 to $600 as an add-on. Some retailers publish starting prices, such as Window Well Supply’s custom polycarbonate covers listed from $188, but final cost depends on your measurements.
Do I need a permit for a window well cover?
A cover swap alone is a different job from building or enlarging a well. When a permit is needed, Lincoln’s building permit runs about $75 to $200. Ask the building department whether your project needs one.