Sofia Martinez
Plastic basement window covers are an easy DIY project that can protect your home from intruders, animals, and the elements. Before installing your plastic window well cover, you must carefully measure your window well and choose a cover that fits. The installation process involves centering the cover over the window well, marking the edges with painter's tape, drilling holes, and fastening the cover with screws and clips. Drilling and anchoring into siding should be avoided due to the potential for water infiltration and wood rot. Instead, consider using angle brackets and plastic anchors to secure the cover to concrete.
Characteristics and Values Table for Installing Plastic Basement Window Covers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Keep rain, leaves, snow, animals, intruders, and insects out of the basement |
| Safety | Prevent children or pets from falling into the window well; prevent tripping; can hold up to several hundred pounds of weight |
| Tools | Hammer, drill, new or sharpened drill bits, scrap wood, screws, angle brackets, masonry bit, plastic anchors, caulk, flashing |
| Steps | Measure window well width; center cover over the window well; mark locations with painter's tape; drill holes; install clips; test-fit cover |
| Considerations | Window well shape; window type (egress or non-egress); custom-made cover; avoid drilling into siding due to water infiltration |
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What You'll Learn
Measure the window well
Before installing plastic basement window covers, it is important to carefully measure your window well to ensure a proper fit. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Measure the Width
Measure the width of your window well at both the front and back, where it touches the house. Make sure to measure from the left outer edge to the right outer edge. Note the widest width you find. This step is crucial to ensure that your window cover will be wide enough to fit securely.
Step 2: Measure the Projection
Determine the projection of your window well by measuring from the wall of your house to the outermost point of the well. This measurement should be taken at the widest point of the well. The projection measurement accounts for how far the window well extends from the house.
Step 3: Consider the Window Type
If your basement window is small or medium-sized, typically mounted high on the basement wall, it may be a standard window. On the other hand, if your window is large enough to serve as an emergency escape route, it is considered an "egress" window. This distinction is important because it will influence the placement of clips used to secure the cover.
Step 4: Mark with Tape
Once you have the width and projection measurements, use painter's tape to mark the window well. On both sides of the cover, measure about 4 to 6 inches from the edge that is against the house and mark those locations. Then, mark the tape where the window well's edge touches the cover. This will help you visualize where the cover will sit and ensure accurate measurements.
Step 5: Note the Shape
Window wells typically come in three shapes: rounded, square or nearly square, or U-shaped with gently rounded corners. Note the shape of your window well, as it will influence how you cut and shape the cover to ensure a snug fit.
Accurate measurements are crucial for a proper fit, so take your time and double-check your work. With these measurements, you can now move on to choosing the right window well cover and installing it securely.
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Choose the right cover
When choosing the right cover for your basement window, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you need to decide on the material. Plastic covers are lightweight, easy to install, and provide good air circulation. However, low-quality plastic covers can break under weight and may need to be replaced regularly. On the other hand, more durable plastic options like polycarbonate are available, which are much stronger and won't chip, break, or fade. They also have the added benefit of UV protection to prevent yellowing and cracking.
Metal grates are another option, but they are heavier and less flexible in design. They usually lie flat on the ground and don't protect as well against debris and water. Metal grates can also block light, making your basement darker. Steel works best for smaller windows due to its weight, while aluminium is more suitable for larger covers as it is lighter.
If you're looking for a cover that lets in natural light, polycarbonate plastic is a good choice as it is crystal clear and durable. You can also find covers with a built-in slope to effectively shed water away from your home.
Safety is another important consideration. If you have children or expect adults to stand or crawl on the cover, choose an option that can support weight. Domed covers are a good option, but ensure they are specifically designed for egress windows, covering the full well while still allowing emergency exit.
Finally, you can also opt for custom covers that are designed to fit your unique window size, shape, and style. This ensures a perfect fit, keeping your basement safe from water, animals, and debris.
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Prepare the cover
To prepare the cover, first, place the new window well cover over the window well, with the back side flush against the house. Then, on both sides of the cover, measure 4 to 6 inches from the edge that is against the house and mark those locations with painter's tape. For non-egress windows, you may need to measure, tape, and mark the covers at the sides and in the front if the cover uses more than two clips.
Next, remove the cover and place the taped section on top of a piece of 2'x4' scrap wood. This will prevent damage to the plastic as you drill. Drill a hole through the marked section of the tape and into the cover that is slightly larger than the screws supplied with the cover. Old or worn drill bits can mar the plastic, so use new or sharpened bits, and press the plastic firmly against the scrap wood underneath.
Finally, install the window well cover clips so they will fit snugly over the edge of the window well. You can then test-fit the cover on the window well.
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Secure the cover
To secure the cover, you will need to drill holes into the window well cover and then attach it to the wall. Drilling into the siding of your house may cause water infiltration, which can lead to issues with rot and mould, so it is recommended to avoid anchoring into the siding.
Instead, you can use a masonry bit to drill through the concrete and install plastic anchors. You can also add an angle bracket to each side and anchor those to the concrete. If you want to seal the whole dome, you will need to use caulk and flashing.
Another option is to hammer some stainless steel tubing into the ground and fasten a chain to the top of the tubing. You can then attach the chain to the window well cover.
Before drilling, place the cover over the window well and mark the locations with painter's tape. Remove the cover and place the taped section on a piece of scrap wood. Drill a hole through the marked section and into the cover that is slightly larger than the screws supplied with the cover. Install the window well cover clips so that they fit snugly over the edge of the window well.
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Test the cover
Once you've marked the window well cover and drilled the holes, it's time to test the cover. This step is crucial to ensure a proper fit and functionality. Here's a detailed guide to testing your plastic basement window well cover:
- Place the cover over the window well: Center the cover over the well, ensuring that the back edge is snug against the house. The edges of the window well should support most of the cover's weight.
- Check the fit: Verify that the cover sits securely and doesn't shift or move around. A snug fit is essential to keep out rain, leaves, and animals.
- Test the opening and closing: If you have an egress window, test whether the cover can be easily nudged out of the way when the window is opened. The cover should pop off or move aside without obstructing the window's path.
- Inspect for smoothness: Run your hand along the edges of the cover to ensure there are no sharp edges or protrusions that could cause injury or damage.
- Check for light penetration: If you've opted for a clear polycarbonate cover, inspect the amount of natural light entering the basement. A quality cover should allow ample light transmission while keeping out debris and water.
- Weight test (optional but recommended): If you're concerned about the weight capacity of the cover, especially if children might play nearby, perform a weight test. Place controlled weights or stand on the cover yourself to ensure it can support the expected load.
- Final adjustments: Based on your testing, make any necessary adjustments. This could include trimming the cover for a more precise fit or adjusting the mounting clips for smoother operation.
Remember, testing the cover is an iterative process, and you may need to repeat the above steps until you achieve the desired fit and functionality. Taking the time to thoroughly test your plastic basement window cover will ensure its effectiveness and your peace of mind.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic basement window covers can help keep out rain, leaves, snow, and animals, and can also increase the safety of your home by preventing intruders and tripping or falling hazards.
Measure the width of the window well at both the front and back, where it touches the house, and note the widest width.
First, centre the cover over the window well with the back edge snug against the house. Then, on both sides of the cover, measure and mark the locations with painter's tape. Remove the cover and place the taped section on a piece of scrap wood. Drill a hole through the marked section and into the cover, then install the window well cover clips that came with the cover. Finally, fit the cover onto the window well.
Use new or sharpened bits to prevent marring the plastic as you drill. Old or worn drill bits can cause damage as they break through the underside.
You can use stainless steel tubing or pipe, fastening a chain to the top of the tubing. Alternatively, you can bolt the flange of the well cover to the top of the tubing.
