When it comes to choosing a window well cover material, there are two major contenders: plastic window well covers and metal grates. Both options offer different benefits, and understanding these differences will help you make the right choice for your basement window well. The best material for window well cover depends on your priorities – whether that’s durability, light transmission, weather protection, or fire escape.
Let’s compare plastic vs metal window well covers, focusing on the advantages of polycarbonate and how it might provide more value over time compared to a metal grate. While metal grates have certain strengths, particularly in terms of load bearing capacity, rigidity and durability, plastic window well covers, especially those made from polycarbonate, have numerous advantages that make them a compelling option for homeowners.
Let’s dive into the key considerations and explore the pros and cons of both window well cover materials.
The Key Differences: Plastic vs Metal Window Well Cover
When it comes to the plastic window well cover vs metal grate debate, it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each material. Let’s explore each one in detail.
Plastic Window Well Covers: The Benefits of Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has rapidly become one of the best materials for window well covers. Here’s why:
Light Transmission
One of the primary advantages of a plastic window well cover is its ability to let light in. Unlike metal grates, which are obstructive and block out sunlight, polycarbonate is a transparent material. This means it allows natural light to filter into your basement, brightening the space without compromising the protection of the window well. For many homeowners, maintaining natural light is a crucial aspect, especially in basement spaces where natural light is often scarce.
Durability and Load-Bearing Capacity
While polycarbonate isn’t as rigid or heavy as steel, it is still an incredibly durable window well cover material. It’s highly resistant to impact, weather conditions, and temperature fluctuations. A polycarbonate window well cover can withstand the weight of snow, debris, and even an accidental fall. While polycarbonate lacks the rigidity to be a certified load bearing walking surface, it is a great safety feature. Though metal grates are known for their rigidity and toughness, polycarbonate offers a similar level of durability while being much lighter in weight, which is particularly advantageous for egress purposes.
While steel may be a good walking surface, the plastic window well cover vs metal grate comparison shows that polycarbonate can protect against falls without the heaviness of metal. Plus, the polycarbonate doesn’t have sharp edges making it a much kinder surface to fall on.
Keeps Out Trash and Debris
One of the main reasons homeowners choose a window well cover is to keep out trash, debris, and other materials from clogging the well or affecting drainage. Polycarbonate is a much more effective material for this purpose. Comparing plastic window well cover vs metal grate, the latter can allow small debris like leaves or twigs to slip through and even animals as big as a baby bunny. In contrast, plastic window well covers are smooth, solid, and offer better protection from the elements and critters falling in.
Additionally, polycarbonate covers are designed to shed snow and rain, allowing the water to drain more easily from the well. Metal grates, by contrast, are open air and offer no protection from torrential rain storms and overflowing gutters leading to potential flooding in your basement.
Long-Term Value and Benefits
While polycarbonate may not be as durable as steel, it still offers significant value over the long term. Polycarbonate is resistant to UV damage, and if you pay for premium UV treated polycarbonate will last 10 plus years without any significant discoloration or weakening over time due to sun exposure. Depending on the fabricator, there is usually not a significant cost difference between steel and polycarbonate window well covers. When you factor in the low maintenance and longevity of UV-treat polycarbonate, it provides excellent value over the life of the cover.
Metal Grates: The Pros and Cons
While plastic window well covers have several advantages, metal grates still remain a popular option for some homeowners. Below, we’ll outline the key benefits and drawbacks of metal grates for window wells.
Durability and Strength
Metal grates, particularly steel, are highly durable and rigid, making them ideal for high-load-bearing situations and walkways. Steel won’t bend or crack easily, and it can withstand a lot of weight, including the pressure of foot traffic or snow accumulation. Steel grates are often seen as a strong, rigid material that’s capable of handling anything that might fall on top of the window well.
While metal grates are certainly durable in terms of their load-bearing capacity, they also come with some downsides. For example, metal grates can rust and corrode over time, especially when exposed to the elements. This can lead to structural degradation and an unattractive, weathered appearance. Additionally, metal grates often lack the transparency of polycarbonate, which means they block light from entering your basement.
Steel: A Good Walking Surface
A metal grate is a solid choice if you need a surface that can handle regular foot traffic. Steel grates provide a rigid, solid surface that is ideal for walking on, particularly if the window well is part of a high-traffic area. They are typically designed to be slip-resistant as well. However, this rigidity comes at a cost: metal grates feel like a cage, which can be visually unappealing and can make the window well look more like a prison than a functional part of your home.
Blocks Sunlight and Weather Resistance
One of the biggest downsides of metal grates is that they significantly block sunlight from entering your basement. This is a consequential disadvantage if your goal is to maintain a bright and airy space in your basement. Furthermore, metal grates don’t offer protection from the weather. They allow rainwater and snow to pass through, which can result in basement flooding in severe enough conditions.
Comparing plastic window well cover vs metal grate, steel is certainly weather-resistant in terms of its durability and strength. However, it doesn’t block debris as effectively as polycarbonate which means that debris like leaves and branches can accumulate and clog the well. This can also lead to water drainage problems and potentially cause basement flooding.
Plastic Window Well Cover vs Metal Grate: Key Takeaways
When comparing plastic vs metal window well covers, it’s clear that both window well cover materials have their strengths. However, polycarbonate stands out as the best material for window well covers for several key reasons:
Light Transmission
Polycarbonate lets natural light into your basement, creating a brighter environment. Comparing plastic window well cover vs metal grate, the latter significantly reduces light.
Durability
While metal is strong, polycarbonate is still very durable, weather-resistant, and long-lasting without the risk of rust or corrosion.
Protection from Debris
Polycarbonate covers are solid and smooth, preventing trash, debris, and water from accumulating in the window well.
Cost and Long-Term Value
Polycarbonate covers are comparable in cost to steel grates, but offer better value over time.
Though metal grates are often preferred for their rigidity and ability to withstand heavy loads, polycarbonate offers more comprehensive benefits, especially for homeowners who want to maximize the value and utility of their window well cover material over the life of the cover.
Choosing the Best Material for Window Well Cover
In the debate between plastic window well cover vs metal grate, the decision ultimately comes down to your priorities: durability, fire escape, light transmission, and walking surface needs. While metal grates are rigid and strong, polycarbonate window well covers offer superior value in the long run with their ability to let light in, keep out debris, and provide a more affordable, durable solution for your basement window well.
For homeowners who want a durable, functional, and cost-effective solution, UV-treat polycarbonate is the way to go. It strikes the perfect balance between durability, ease of use, and long-term value, making it the best material for window well covers.