Introduction
Window Wells...What are they? Do you need one? Why even think about them? This video takes you through window wells prior to a home build and gives you the info that you need in order to ensure that you are installing the right kind!
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I think window wells are one of the ugliest things that builders do horribly wrong. We're building two to $3 million houses. Do we really want a $80 window well? The answer is no 1000%. We're trying to find ways to make them look a lot better, more functional tie into the property. And then we also have egress requirements. So where we are, we have a 30 inch minimum clearance from the window. So when somebody comes out that window, they need 30 inches clear in front of the window. And then it depends on how deep and what your grades at. These are actually quite deep. All of this is getting filled in and then that's gonna be nice and low. We have to think of who's living here, how they're gonna operate when they're crawling out that window. If you know, worst case scenario, there's a fire and they have to come out. So this is the kinda stuff that us as builders really have to think about. I don't just want this wall coming up and down. Then they have to get over 36 inches. I wanna put a step in there. We only have a certain amount of depth that we can play with to the property line. And then we also have height that we're dealing with. So we can't go too high. Can't go too far. So when we work this one out we have three steps. We wanted a minimum of four and a 1/2, five inches, for step. It would be nice to even have bigger but we don't have the room. Now, another thing that you have to think about in window wells is how they tie into the house. So we've been doing some modern window wells and those are made out of steel and they're nice and sleek they're flat. But the problem is that they don't really fit into this house. They're more expensive. They look really good on a contemporary home. And this isn't a very modern home, but we have a lot of modern features but all in all, we've got a pitched roof. We have board and batten finishing. And so it's not really contemporary. So we opted to go with this style. We didn't wanna go with something that was really ugly 'cause now you're looking at it from the inside bedroom and it's just not something that I'm prepared to do. So you can see that we fastened these on with our lag bolts, where we tap on them into the concrete. We make sure that we support them And now our backfill is going to hold everything in place. It's gonna push it up against the house. Now our drainage, we're gonna be filling that with rock. We have our vertical weeping tile that goes down to our weeping tiles. That's all around the foundation. And now it's gonna make sure that we don't have a buildup of water. So now we're on the other side of the house where we didn't actually need egress windows. So you can see these ones just go straight up and down. They do open and somebody can get out of them. This grade, isn't gonna come as high. They're not gonna be as full. So what you choose as a window well really matters house style whether it's egress or non egress, what kind you're going in, how high your grade levels come up. There's a lot of things that people don't think about and you wanna make sure that you get them in before your rough grade where you don't have to dig around the house after the fact.
Content
(Upbeats music) - What's up guys, Dan Nagy here with Emmett Leo, Homes.
We're on site on another.
One of our builds.
And we're talking about window, wells.
I think window.
Wells are one of the ugliest things that builders do horribly wrong.
We're building two to $3 million houses.
Do.
We really want a $80 window.
Well?.
The answer is no 1000%.
We're, trying to find ways to make them.
Look a lot better, more functional tie into the property.
And.
Then we also have egress requirements.
So where we are, we have a 30 inch minimum clearance from the window.
So.
When somebody comes out that window, they need 30 inches clear in front of the window.
And.
Then it depends on how deep and what your grades at.
These are actually quite deep.
All of this is getting filled in.
And then that's gonna be nice and low.
We have to think of who's living here, how they're gonna operate when they're crawling out that window.
If? You know, worst case, scenario, there's, a fire, and they have to come out.
So.
This is the kinda stuff that us as builders really have to think about.
I don't, just want this wall coming up and down.
Then.
They have to get over 36.
Inches.
I.
Wanna put a step in there.
We only have a certain amount of depth that we can play with to the property line.
And.
Then we also have height that we're dealing with.
So.
We can't go too.
High.
Can't, go, too far.
So.
When we work this one out, we have three steps.
We wanted a minimum of four and a 1/2, five inches, for step.
It would be nice to even have bigger.
But we don't have the room.
Now.
Another thing that you have to think about in window wells is how they tie into the house.
So.
We've been doing some modern window wells.
And those are made out of steel and they're nice and sleek, they're flat.
But.
The problem is that they don't really fit into this house.
They're, more expensive., They look, really good on a contemporary home.
And.
This isn't, a very modern home, but we have a lot of modern features.
But all in all, we've got a pitched roof.
We have board and batten finishing.
And.
So it's, not really contemporary.
So.
We opted to go with this style.
We, didn't, wanna go with something that was really ugly 'cause now you're looking at it from the inside bedroom and it's, just not something that I'm prepared to do.
So.
You can see that we fastened these on with our lag bolts, where we tap on them into the concrete.
We, make sure that we support them And.
Now, our backfill is going to hold everything in place.
It's gonna push it up against the house.
Now.
Our drainage, we're gonna be filling that with rock.
We have our vertical weeping tile that goes down to our weeping tiles.
That's all around the foundation.
And.
Now, it's gonna make sure that we don't have a buildup of water.
So now, we're on the other side of the house where we didn't actually need egress windows.
So.
You can see these ones just go straight up and down.
They do open.
And somebody can get out of them.
This, grade, isn't gonna come as high.
They're, not gonna be as full.
So.
What you choose as a window? Well, really matters house style, whether it's egress or non egress, what kind you're going in,? How high your grade levels come up., There's, a lot of things that people don't think about.
And you wanna make sure that you get them in before your rough grade, where you don't have to dig around the house after the fact.
(upbeat music).
FAQs
How can I make my window wells more attractive? ›
If you have plenty of outdoor space available, adding stepped tiers to your window well can turn it into an attractive feature that looks great from inside and outside. Adding bricks or stones around the edge of each tier can emphasize the window well shape as a deliberate design feature.
Do you really need window wells? ›Obviously, homes without basements don't need window wells, but if you do have an opening that extends below the ground, the consequences of not having a proper window well can be disastrous. Rain, snow and ice can cause flooding, damaging your windows, exterior walls and even the interior of your basement.
Why do people install window wells? ›They increase the natural light in otherwise dark basements, as well as provide an emergency exit route. These holes are typically reinforced with galvanized steel, concrete, or plastic to ensure that water doesn't seep into the basement through the window.
What should I put in the bottom of my window well? ›Placing a few inches of gravel at the bottom of your window well is recommended because it helps rainwater trickle slowly into your drainage system instead of pooling around the house's foundation. It's a cheap and effective way to create a barrier between the window well and your home.
How do you dress up boring windows? ›- Stained glass. ...
- Float frame decorative paper. ...
- DIY Glass film. ...
- Patterned or textured sheer roller shades or curtains. ...
- Window sill flowers, plants or herbs. ...
- External trellis. ...
- Hanging plants inside. ...
- Hanging plants outside.
We would recommend metal wells over the previous two options for several reasons. Metal wells are waterproof and durable, and they hold their shape in any climate. If you are worried about leaking, you can rest easy with a metal well as they deflect 98% of rain according to Do It Yourself.
Is it OK to cover window wells? ›Window well covers are also important for the safety of you and your family. Without a cover, a misstep can cause people or pets to fall into the well, risking potentially serious injury. Our covers (Sloped, Flat, Super Slant and Steel and Aluminum Grates) are built to hold 400 pounds of static weight.
Should all basement windows have a window well? ›Window wells are necessary if the home has any windows below grade—like basement windows. In many jurisdictions, building codes require all below-grade windows to have wells that meet certain specifications.
Should window well be flush with ground? ›Ensure that the mark 3 inches down from the top of the window well is level with the ground.
Do all window wells have drains? ›Window Well Drain – Every window well should have a drain to allow water to exit the window well and not build to a level that creates a basement seepage problem.
Do window wells need to be attached to house? ›
Attached Window Wells: Yes or No? The answer is yes, your window wells definitely need to be attached to the foundation of your home. This is mostly for safety reasons.
How do you protect window wells from rain? ›A custom basement window can help prevent excess water from pooling in the well after heavy rainfall. Purchase a basement window well cover that will keep water from accumulating—this cover should be securely fastened to your concrete foundation so water does not seep in from the sides.
Should I put mulch in my window wells? ›Many people choose to surround their wells with grass, but because a properly covered well will keep debris away from your basement window, mulch, gravel, and rocks are all viable choices.
Should you caulk around a window well? ›Sometimes a simple solution is all that's needed to stop water from entering through your window wells. Caulking your windows can help seal small gaps that may have opened or prevent gaps from forming where the seals were beginning to fray.
How often should window wells be cleaned? ›Try to clean them out once per quarter. Vacuum. If there's still buildup after you've cleaned out your window wells by hand, rent or borrow a shop vacuum (if you don't already have one) and clean out what's left.
How do I make my window wells brighter? ›One of the more obvious ways to make your basement brighter is by painting the wells with a bright color palette. Vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange can give the room an energetic and warm atmosphere that a cooler color palette won't.
Can you put plants in a window well? ›Try some shade-loving plants like hostas, bleeding hearts, Jerusalem sage, or Lily of the Valley. The beauty of these plants can draw your eye away from the window well. Some customers use their window well space under their Window Bubble as a type of greenhouse allowing them to grow plants all year long.
Can you put mulch in window wells? ›Many people choose to surround their wells with grass, but because a properly covered well will keep debris away from your basement window, mulch, gravel, and rocks are all viable choices.