Top 19 Outdoor Well Cover Ideas

Even if you’re new to DIY projects, you can construct your own window well cover. There’s no need to bring in an expensive professional to do it for you. With a few simple tips, you can have this project finished in a few hours.

Window wells help allow sunlight to shine through — while simultaneously blocking any other unwanted material (such as dust and dirt). These are a necessary addition to any home that has a basement window and they make for a quick and easy homeowners project if you don’t already have one in place.

Before Installing Your Window Well Cover

If you’re ready to begin the installation of your window well, you’ll need to ensure you have the following information:

1. The dimensions of your window well opening.
2. The measurements of the well covering that you’re hoping to use.

Without taking the proper measurements first, you could end up having a window well cover that is too small for the opening. This won’t help solve your problem and you’ll end up needing to start over.

If your covering is too large, that’s an easier fix. You can simply cut it down to the proper size so that it fits snugly.

You’ll want to check out this video to ensure you’re measuring your window well correctly. It’s better to measure twice and cut once — it’ll save you time in the long run.

Types of Window Well Covers

There are many options when it comes to well window cover designs. Well covers can range from being stylish additions to your home to increasing the functionality of your space. Depending on what your needs are, you’re sure to find an array of inspiration below.

1. Coverlite Window Well Cover

This large window well cover build requires the cover to be 70×48 inches. You’re unlikely to find anything commercially available at that size, so you’ll need to build it yourself.

Check out the video tutorial here: youtube.com

This cover is removable so that you can maintain the area. The material is Coverlite and it’s easy for beginners to work with. It doesn’t require any special tools to cut it down to the size you need.

2. Budget-Friendly Window Well Cover

If you don’t want to purchase an expensive window well cover from your local home improvement store, they’re fairly cheap to make yourself. This particular tutorial shows you how to create one for around $25 per cover.

View the project tutorial here: youtube.com

Before you begin this project, it’s helpful to get your hands on a circular saw. This will make for easy an easier cutting process when you trim the wood down to size. You’ll need to set aside a couple of hours for this project, depending on how many well covers you need to construct.

3. Modern Window Well Covers

No one wants an unsightly window well cover and if you want to put a more modern spin on yours, this video helps give you some inspiration for your build. You’ll also need to keep egress requirements in mind. In this case, the minimum is 30 inches worth of clearance from the window.

View the video tutorial here: youtube.com

You’ll want to ensure your window well ties into the house. Whether you want a rustic design or a sleek and contemporary design — decide on the style before you begin looking for a well cover.

4. Plastic Cover for a Concrete Window Well

Some homes come with concrete window wells, which can be tough to work with. If you want to construct a cover to place over this type of well, you can use some clear polycarbonate material. This is easy for many people to acquire and you can cut it down to size with a basic circular saw.

Not breaking plastic while you cut it can be difficult. Follow my guide for cutting plexiglass using a circular saw. You can also use a jigsaw to cut plexiglass. For drilling into plexiglass, follow my guide.

Watch the video tutorial here: youtube.com

If you want to add on a hinging mechanism for your window well cover, you’ll need to drill holes into the concrete beforehand. This allows the cover to attach snugly to the window well.

5. Durable Window Well Cover

A big concern when it comes to window well covers is how durable they are. Of course, you want your well covers to last for several years before you need to worry about replacing them.

View the project tutorial here: youtube.com

Using polycarbonate and some PVC piping can make for a simple DIY project that proves to have high durability. Polycarbonate is a higher quality than many of the plastic window covers you can purchase from the store.

6. Wood Paneled Cover for Window Wells

If you want to hide your unsightly window well completely, you can opt for a DIY wooden fencing structure. You can customize the dimensions to your needs and you can add a hinged door for easy access.

Watch the tutorial for this project: youtube.com

You can even opt to add some greenery, such as ivy, along the wooden planks. This can further blend it into the house and you won’t have an eyesore anymore.

7. Cheap and Clear Window Well Cover

These cheap MacCourt well covers are designed to protect your basement window from rainwater and debris. Overall, they can improve the energy efficiency of your basement as a whole. No more drafty breezes will be entering through the window.

Watch the tutorial here: youtube.com

The transparent material ensures that you can still enjoy the sunlight shining through. You don’t want to block out the natural light completely. Another benefit of these well covers is that they come with a 5-year warranty — so you don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket to replace them if they become damaged.

8. Welded Metal Grate Window Well Cover

If you want to do something different and you don’t want to have plastic or polycarbonate well covers, you can opt for a quick welding project instead. This metal grate cover offers protection against falling debris into your window well.

Watch the detailed video tutorial here: youtube.com

For this project, it’s best to work with a template so you can ensure the fit will be secure. Adding support bars can help to increase the durability of the well cover. The metal may be a better fit depending on the style of your home — it can go well with a more modern design.

There are a variety of ways to cut metal. If you want to get creative, you can use a metal lathe to make some more intricate metal pieces.

9. Sloped Window Well Cover

If you want to build your window well on an incline for easier access, you can add a plastic covering at an angle for the cover. You’ll want to add some hinges so you can open the well cover with ease — especially in the case of an emergency.

View for more project idea here: windowbubble.com

This window well has sloped wooden sides, with a plastic cover resting diagonally on top.

10. Pet-Friendly Window Well Cover

If you have a furry friend who would like to enjoy some natural light and a view, you can revamp your window well into a cat nook. This is a great way to increase the functionality of the space instead of allowing it to go to waste.

View the detailed project idea here: windowbubble.com

You’ll want to ensure the window well cover offers great insulation and protection, especially if you plan on leaving the window open so your feline can come and go. This is a great example of such a design.

Don’t miss my DIY dog fence plans while you’re at it.

11. Wood and Chicken Wire Window Well Cover

A budget-friendly option for a DIY window well cover requires some small wooden frames and a length of chicken wire. You’ll want to nail the chicken wire to your frame, so it stays in place.

Check out for more ideas here: lumberjocks.com

This is a simple project for beginners and you don’t have to worry about procuring fancy tools to complete your cover. While the chicken wire won’t protect against rain, it will help keep any unwanted critters away from your basement window.

You’ll need to cut the chicken wire, which can be a pain to get accurate. The wood frame can be built with a simple, budget jigsaw and some basic wood.

This is also a great option if you have an oddly shaped well, as you can easily arrange your frame to fit perfectly over the opening.

12. Lattice Style Window Well Cover

If you want to add a lattice design to your well cover, this is a great option that combines both function and decorative value. You can purchase the lattice from your local home improvement store or you can opt to make it yourself.

View more project ideas here: carriushome.blogspot.com

Make sure you’ve measured your well opening properly, as you want the lattice to fit over it perfectly. This keeps any wandering nocturnal animals out of your well and you have a bit more protection than just leaving the well open.

The best tool to cut lattice with is a jigsaw.

13. Metal Well Cover with a Ladder

If your main priority for your window wells is an easy escape hatch in case of an emergency — such as fire, then you’ll want to add a ladder if you have a deeper well.

Check out for more ideas here: signaturemetalworks.com

This metal design works on a hinge, so you can easily lift it open to escape. It’s always smart to have a route in mind in case of a fire and a window well is the perfect hatch from the basement area.

14. Clear Window Well Cover with Extra Space

This particular window well cover includes a small hatch opening that’s built on a hinge. This way, you can gain easy access to and from the basement. However, if you’re worried about security — you can add a lock so nobody else can get through the cover.

Related: How to Cut a Lock

View the project ideas here: windowwellexperts.com

This blends into the outside of the home, especially if you include plants around the area. You can plant a garden bed nearby so that the well cover doesn’t stand out as an eyesore.

15. Domed Window Well Cover

Some homes have smaller window wells and you may want to add some extra space. In an emergency, you don’t want to bang your head on the well cover. This example shows how you can add a foot or two worth of extra height to your well cover.

Check out the detailed project here: windowbubble.com

The bubble design on this well cover allows you extra space in the window well. This can be great for animals or small children to look outside from the basement. The clear plastic material also allows natural light to enter inside.

16. White Wooden Window Well Cover

If your home is painted white, then this would be a great window well cover for you. It’s able to blend in nicely. The hinged opening allows you to enter and exit the cover with ease. In the case of an emergency, you don’t want to spend a lot of time fussing to get the cover open.

Check out for other ideas here: redi-exit.com

You could paint the handle black, as it would offer a nice contrast to the cover. Or, make short work of the project by using a paint sprayer to paint the entire project quickly. If you’re looking for a modern window well cover, this is a great option for you.

17. Window Well Cover with a Standing Planter

If you have a green thumb and enjoy adding touches of greenery to your yard, you can build a planter into your window well cover. This adds a beautiful touch to an otherwise unsightly feature of your home.

Related: How to Attach a Window Box to Your House

View more project ideas here: grate.com

By raising the window well cover, you can have the planter at standing or kneeling height. This is the ideal way to keep succulents or a flower bed.

If you’d prefer more space for your garden, you can look at this window well design. The well cover is made from corrugated metal and then you can build a wooden planter around the window well.

18. Flat Metal Window Well Covers

If you prefer your window well covers to lie flush against the ground, you can opt for these metal grates. They don’t protrude into the air any more than necessary. This keeps your window well from being overly noticeable.

Check out the details here: lhpinc.com

You can place a potted plant or two around the wells to hide them even further. However, you don’t want to block the grate entirely or else it won’t be usable as an escape hatch if necessary.

19. Window Well with Bricks

You always have the option to build a small enclosure around your window well. You can place flower pots and other small decorative items to brighten up the area.

Check out the detailed project here: deavita.net

If you want to place a cover over this space, you can opt for a clear plastic one to keep the natural light shining through. Depending on where your window well is located, this could turn into a beautiful feature of your home.

Get Started on Your Well Cover Today!

There are many options when it comes to a cover for your exposed window wells. You can purchase one from your local home improvements store — such as Lowe’s or The Home Depot. However, you can save some money and opt for a DIY design as well.

Depending on what type of function you’re looking for — such as security or protection against the rain — you can build your well cover using plastic or polycarbonate or even wood and metal materials.