Do Window Well Covers Need to Be Attached?

Window Well Cover

It’s a common question homeowners ask: “Do I really need to attach my window well covers?” The answer is both yes and no—depending on the type of cover you choose, your priorities, and how you balance safety with practicality.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of affixing your covers more permanently, and when it makes sense (or doesn’t).

The Pros of Attaching a Window Well Cover

1. Safety for Kids and Pets One of the biggest reasons to secure a cover is to prevent accidents. A loosely fitted cover could be shifted by a child or pet, creating a fall hazard.

2. Added Security A firmly affixed cover can also deter intruders. If your well is near an accessible entry point, attaching a cover makes it much harder for someone to remove it from the outside.

3. Protection Against Wind Lightweight covers—especially cheap plastic ones—can blow away during strong gusts. Attaching them ensures your cover stays in place no matter the weather.

   
   

The Cons of Attaching a Window Well Cover

1. Emergency Exit If your basement has egress windows, you want to ensure people can get out quickly in an emergency like a fire. Permanently attached covers can become dangerous if they slow down an exit.

2. Emergency Entry Just as important, if emergency responders need to access your basement through a window well, a locked-down cover can make it more difficult to reach you.

   
   

When You Don’t Need to Permanently Attach Covers

Not all covers require permanent attachment. Metal window well covers—like those offered by Feldhawk—are a great example. They have a natural balance of weight and design:

• Heavy enough to resist being moved by kids, pets, or wind.

• Light enough to be lifted off quickly in case of an emergency.

In addition, Feldhawk covers feature interior safety stops that keep the cover from shifting out of place. These adjustable stops allow for a snug fit on a wide variety of well types, reducing the need for extra fastening.

Other Options for Security

If security is a concern, you don’t necessarily need to permanently mount your cover. Instead, you can add locking mechanisms. These are designed to keep intruders out while still unlocking from the inside, ensuring a safe exit path if you need to escape. This option provides the best of both worlds: security without sacrificing safety.

The Bottom Line

So, do window well covers need to be attached? Sometimes.

• Yes, if you’re using lightweight plastic covers that can blow away or be easily removed.

• No, if you’ve invested in a quality metal cover like Feldhawk’s that is designed to stay put without permanent attachment.

  
  

Ultimately, it comes down to the cover material, your safety needs, and whether you want the added peace of mind of attaching or locking your covers.