When it comes to securing and protecting your basement windows, one of the best investments you can make is a window well cover. These covers keep debris, water, and animals out, helping to prevent damage and reducing the risk of flooding. But the big question remains: should you go the DIY route or hire a professional to install custom window well covers?
Let’s break down the pros and cons of both options, giving you a clear understanding of what’s involved in the DIY window well cover process and when it might be worth opting for professional assistance.
What is a Window Well Cover and Why Do You Need One?
A window well cover is designed to protect basement windows that are installed below ground level. These wells are essential for allowing natural light into basements and for ventilation. However, they can become a problem during rainy seasons, attracting debris, water, and even animals. That’s where window well covers come in, providing a protective shield to ensure your basement windows remain clean, dry, and free of unwanted animals like baby bunnies or raccoons.
You can either opt for a DIY window well cover or hire a professional to install a custom solution. Each approach has its own benefits, costs, and potential drawbacks.
DIY Window Well Cover: Step-by-Step Process
If you’re considering a window well cover DIY project, it’s important to understand the process involved. While it may take some time and effort, a DIY custom window well cover can save you money and provide you with the satisfaction of completing the project on your own. Below is a step-by-step guide for making a window well cover.
Step 1: Choose Quality Materials
The first and most important step is choosing the right materials for your diy window well cover. You want a cover that is lightweight, durable, and strong enough to protect someone from falling through it and withstand various weather conditions. The best materials for a window well cover DIY are typically UV-treated polycarbonate or acrylic sheets, which are clear, strong, and weather-resistant. These materials can be purchased at most box stores, and it’s best to buy sheets that are slightly larger than the window well itself. Polycarbonate is much stronger and more shatter resistant than acrylic, but acrylic offers more rigidity. You want to have at a minimum 1/8in thick polycarbonate or ¼ acrylic.
Step 2: Measure and Mark the Window Well
Once you have the right materials, place the polycarbonate or acrylic sheet over the window well, ensuring it is large enough to cover the entire well. Use a Sharpie to outline the window well onto the sheet. Ensure the outline has an overlapping rim of at least 1 inch to ensure a secure fit.
Step 3: Cut the Polycarbonate to Size
Using a hand jigsaw, carefully cut along the outline you’ve marked on the polycarbonate sheet. Be sure to cut smoothly and accurately. After cutting, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges and prevent injury from sharp edges.
Step 4: Build the Frame
Now, it’s time to create the frame that will hold the DIY custom window well cover in place. Purchase an aluminum L-bar that is at least 1.5×1.5 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick to ensure enough strength. The wider and thicker the aluminum the stronger it will be. The length should be enough to cover the width of the window well along the side of the house for the width of the template. Additionally, you’ll need aluminum for supporting stays that will be spaced evenly at about 13-17 inches apart along the length of the projection from the side of the house toward the front of the window well. The end of the aluminum stays on the rim of the window well should be notched to allow the cover to sit flush on the rim of the window well.
Step 5: Attach the Polycarbonate to the Frame
Cut the aluminum to size and drill holes for pop rivets. Use a hand rivet gun to attach the polycarbonate sheet to the aluminum frame. Using wide flange rivets are stronger than narrow ones as the wider heads better absorb and distribute any force on the plastic. Make sure the stays are attached to the supporting back bar and not just the plastic top. Once it’s secured, use a file to dull any sharp edges to make the cover safer.
Step 6: Secure the Cover to the Window Well
Cut extra aluminum pieces from your L bar supply, about 1in wide and drill holes to attach to the window well with an appropriate screw for whatever your window well is made out of. There should be a hole in the L bar for the screw that attaches it to the window well itself and a hole in the L bar face that is parallel to how the cover will sit ontop of the window well. You will want 3 or 4 of these pieces at various points on the window well rim: back left corner about 6inches from the foundation wall, front left, front right, and back right corner about 6in from the foundation well. At this stage, you will need to buy clevis pins and cotter clips from your local box store. Drill a hole through the top of the cover and insert the clevis pins into the attached aluminum L pieces. This will lock the cover in place and ensure it can’t blow off during strong winds while still allowing for easy fire escape if needed. Pro-tip: attach a pull cord to each cotter clip to make it easier and more intuitive to remove in an emergency.
Step 7: Final Touches
The final touches include making sure the cover fits snugly over the window well, ensuring that the pins lock securely, and checking that the cover is sturdy and weather-resistant. With the right materials and tools, this DIY window well cover should be a perfect fit for your basement window.
Time and Cost Estimates for DIY Window Well Covers
If you’re considering how to make a basement window well cover yourself, it’s important to factor in the time and costs. A typical DIY window well cover project can take between 4-6 hours depending on your experience and the size of the window well. Here’s a rough breakdown of costs:
- UV Polycarbonate or acrylic sheet: 4ftx8ft sheet 1/8in thick ~$200 at the box store.
- Aluminum L-bar: ~$.57 an inch (as of 2025). On average you will need (2) 96in piece and (148in) piece for a total of about $35
- Pop rivets and rivet gun: pack of 50 is ~ $9
- Clevis pins and cotter clips: $10–$15
- Tools (if needed): $10–$100 for items like jigsaw ($70 for a cheap one), sandpaper ($5), and file ($10), hand rivet gun ($25)
In total, you can expect the cost of a DIY custom window well cover with quality materials that will last 10 years to be between $160 and $360, depending on the materials you choose and the size of the window well and the tools you have. This is cheaper than hiring a professional, but the trade-off is the time and effort involved.
DIY vs. Professional Window Well Covers
Pros of DIY Window Well Cover
- Cost-Effective: A window well cover DIY project will generally cost less than a professional installation, especially if you already have some of the tools required.
- Personal Satisfaction: Completing the project yourself gives you a sense of accomplishment and ownership.
- Customizable: With DIY custom window well cover, you have complete control over the design, size, and materials used.
- Learning Experience: Building your own window well cover is a great way to learn new skills and improve your DIY expertise.
Cons of DIY Window Well Cover
- Time-Consuming: It takes time to gather the materials, plan the project, and execute it. For those who are unfamiliar with DIY projects, it could take longer than anticipated.
- Requires Tools: If you don’t already own the necessary tools, you’ll need to purchase or rent them, which can increase the overall cost.
- Skill-Dependent: If you lack experience with DIY projects, there’s a risk that the final product might not be as durable or secure as a professional installation.
- Weather Resistance Concerns: If not done correctly, the DIY window well cover might not be as weather-resistant as professionally made covers, leaving your basement exposed to potential damage. Many professional companies have proprietary designs that allow for slope and ventilation and better more secure locking systems.
Pros of Professional Window Well Covers
- Expert Installation: A professional team will ensure the cover is securely installed and perfectly fitted for maximum protection.
- Durability: Professional-grade covers are often made from higher-quality materials (thicker cut materials than generally available at a box store), ensuring long-term durability and weather resistance.
- Customization: Just like a window well cover DIY, professionals can create custom solutions tailored to your needs.
- Convenience: Hiring a professional saves you time and effort. You won’t have to worry about sourcing materials or tools.
Cons of Professional Window Well Covers
- Higher Cost: Professional installation costs more than DIY, ranging from $300 to $600 depending on the complexity of the project and materials used.
- Limited Control: You won’t have as much flexibility with the design or materials unless specified beforehand.
- Scheduling: You’ll need to coordinate with the installation company, which could mean waiting for availability.
Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Professional
DIY Window Well Cover: As mentioned, DIY covers typically cost between $160 and $360, depending on the size of the window well and materials used. However, the time commitment and potential risks of improper installation must be considered.
Professional Window Well Cover: Professional covers are typically priced between $3200 and $600, depending on the type of materials and complexity. Professional installation is ideal if you want a high-quality, durable cover without worrying about the effort involved.
Which Is the Better Option?
Ultimately, the decision between a DIY window well cover and hiring a professional depends on your budget, skill level, and time constraints. If you’re comfortable with DIY projects and want to save some money, a window well cover DIY might be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a hassle-free solution and are willing to invest in a higher-quality, long-lasting cover, a professional installation is likely the best option.
For those looking for a custom solution without the effort of DIY, check out Windows Well Covered – Custom Window Well Covers for professional window well covers. Their expertise and high-quality materials will ensure your basement window wells stay safe and secure for years to come.