A basement window well is a curved or angular structure, typically made of metal, plastic, or concrete, installed around a below-grade basement window, holding back the surrounding soil so the window can sit at ground level without being buried.
Because a basement window typically sits below the exterior grade, some kind of well is necessary to create the open space needed for the window to exist and function at all.
Proper drainage within the well is essential, since a window well without adequate drainage effectively becomes a collection basin for rainwater that can flood directly against the window and into the basement.
What Does a Basement Window Well Involve?
- A curved or angular retaining structure around the window
- Drainage at the base connecting to the foundation drain system
- Gravel fill to promote water infiltration and drainage
- Often a cover to reduce debris and precipitation
Why Are Basement Window Wells Important?
Without adequate drainage, a window well can accumulate rainwater faster than it can dissipate, creating direct pressure against the window and a real risk of water entering the basement through even a well-sealed window frame. This is precisely why window well drainage deserves the same careful attention as any other part of a foundation’s overall drainage system, rather than being treated as an afterthought.
A window well cover offers additional protection by reducing the volume of rain and debris entering the well in the first place, though it should still allow for adequate drainage rather than sealing the well completely, particularly if the window is also intended to serve as an emergency egress point.
Basement Window Well vs. Egress Window
A window well is the physical structure surrounding a below-grade window. An egress window is a specific code classification for a window and well combination large enough to serve as an emergency exit, requiring particular minimum dimensions the well and window must both meet.