Window Wells

Why a basement window needs a well

Any window that sits below grade needs something holding the soil back, or the ground slumps against the glass and water finds its way in. A window well is that retaining wall. It keeps earth and gravel off the frame, lets daylight reach the room, and on a bedroom window it gives somebody a way out in a fire.

• Holds back soil and gravel so the window stays clear and the frame stays dry
• Lets daylight into a basement room that would otherwise be dark
• Gives a way out of a basement bedroom, which the building code requires
• Creates a place for water to drain instead of pooling against the foundation
• Stops the ground washing away from the wall every time it rains

How to choose the right window well

Measure the opening, not the old well

Measure the width of the window opening and add clearance on both sides so the well sits outside the frame. If you are replacing an old well, measure the window anyway. Old wells were often the wrong size to begin with, and copying the mistake is an expensive way to find out.

Work out how far it needs to project

Projection is how far the well sticks out from the wall. A utility window needs very little, so 12 or 16 inches is usually plenty. A bedroom window is different, because the code wants clear space in front of it for someone climbing out. That is where 30 inches comes in.

Match the height to your grade

Height is measured from the bottom of the well to the top edge. It should reach roughly to grade level, so the lip finishes at or just above the surrounding ground. Too short and soil spills in. Too tall and you are looking at bare steel from the yard.

Pick a finish

Mill galvanized is the standard. It is silver, it is what most wells look like, and it ships from stock. Gloss black powder coat is the same well with a coating applied after forming, and it disappears against dark siding or brick instead of catching the eye.

Decide if you want a cover

An open well fills with snow, leaves and gravel, and it is a hole in the yard somebody can step into. A mesh cover keeps it clear while still passing light. Add a clear polycarbonate sheet if you want rain and snow kept out too.

Window well sizes we stock

We build 213 sizes, so most openings are covered by something already on the shelf.

• Widths from 36 to 96 inches, in 36, 42, 48, 49, 54, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82, 84, 88, 92 and 96
• Projections from 12 to 36 inches, including the 30 inch depth used for bedroom egress
• Heights from 12 to 42 inches, to suit shallow utility windows through to deep basement openings
• Finishes in mill galvanized or gloss black powder coat, on any size

If your opening falls between sizes, we will quote a custom one. Send us the measurements and we will tell you what fits.

Buying window wells direct from the manufacturer

We roll and form every well in our own plant in southeast Calgary and sell them direct, so there is no distributor markup and no waiting on somebody else's stock. Galvanized wells leave the shop in one to two business days. Powder coated wells are finished to order and take one to two weeks.

We ship to every province and territory in Canada. Pickup at the plant is free, and there is local delivery around Calgary. Wells travel as freight rather than parcel, so they arrive curbside on a liftgate truck and somebody needs to be there to take delivery. Our shipping policy covers rates and what to expect on the day.

Looking for something to go on top? See our steel window well covers and aluminum covers, both sized to match these wells. If the window is in a bedroom, start with the egress ready wells.

Installation notes

Wells bolt to the foundation through the side flanges, with the well set so the top edge finishes at grade. Excavating next to a foundation carries a risk of collapse, and buried services need locating before anyone digs, so this is work for someone who has done it before. Steel edges are sharp and a large well is awkward, so plan on gloves and two people.

Drainage and upkeep

A well with nowhere for water to go will hold it against the window. Most installations use a gravel base, and deeper wells often tie into weeping tile. Once a year, clear out whatever has blown in and check that the gravel has not silted up. Galvanized steel needs nothing beyond that.

Common questions

What size window well do I need?
Start with the width of the window opening and add clearance either side. Then choose projection based on what the window is for, deeper for a bedroom egress window, and height based on how far the opening sits below grade.

What makes a well egress ready?
The National Building Code asks for 760 mm of clear space in front of a bedroom egress window. A 30 inch projection gives 762 mm, which is why that size is the one people ask for. The window itself still has to meet its own opening requirements.

Do window wells need drainage?
Yes. Water has to be able to leave the well, usually through a gravel base and in deeper installations a connection to weeping tile.

How long does delivery take?
Galvanized wells ship in one to two business days. Powder coated wells take one to two weeks because the coating is applied to order. Transit time on top of that depends on where in Canada you are.

Can I order a size that is not listed?
Yes. Custom sizes are quoted individually. Send us the measurements and we will price it.

More detail on measuring, egress and finishes is on our questions page.