Window Well Covers & Colorado Building Codes: What Every Homeowner Must Know
In Colorado, finishing a basement or adding a below-grade bedroom means navigating a maze of building code requirements, and window wells are often front and center. Whether you’re a homeowner in Fort Collins or anywhere along the Front Range, understanding when and why you need window well covers is essential to maintaining a code-compliant, safe, and energy-efficient home.
What Does Colorado Code Say About Window Well Covers?
Here’s the bottom line: window well covers are not strictly required by Colorado building codes, but if you choose to install one, it must meet specific safety and operational standards, especially for egress windows, which are required in any basement bedroom or habitable space.
According to the 2021 International Residential Code (adopted by most Colorado municipalities), any cover over an egress window well must:
- Be openable from the inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
- Do not reduce the minimum net clear opening of the egress window.
- Do not obstruct the escape path or ladder access if one is required.
So, while you’re not required to install a cover, choosing the wrong one can cause your home to fail inspection, or worse, become unsafe in an emergency.
Why You Should Strongly Consider a Window Well Cover Anyway?
While not mandated, a properly fitted window well cover is a smart home improvement investment for multiple reasons:
1. Safety and Fall Prevention
Uncovered wells pose a hazard for children, pets, and even unsuspecting adults. A quality polycarbonate or metal window well cover keeps everyone safe from accidental falls, especially in icy or snowy conditions.
2. Drainage and Waterproofing
In a state like Colorado, where precipitation can change dramatically by season, a well without a cover can fill with rainwater, snowmelt, and debris. This leads to clogged window well drains, poor drainage, and ultimately, water damage or flooding in your basement. Covers help keep your well dry and functioning properly.
3. Pest Control
Open wells invite bugs, rodents, and even snakes into your home. Installing a secure cover with proper ventilation can prevent unwanted pests without sacrificing airflow or sunlight.
4. Energy Efficiency
Drafts and moisture are common culprits behind energy loss in basements. Sealing your well with a durable, properly fitted cover can reduce heat loss and improve your home’s insulation, making your HVAC system work more efficiently.
5. Compliance for Egress Windows
If your basement has a bedroom or sleeping area, you’re required to install an egress window well. If you choose to cover that well (and you should), your cover must not block escape and must be easily removable in an emergency.
What to Look for in a Code-Compliant Window Well Cover?
Choosing the right cover isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about safety, functionality, and longevity. Here’s what to consider:
- Material: Polycarbonate is lightweight, clear, and weather-resistant. Steel offers unmatched strength. Avoid cheap plastic covers that crack in cold weather.
- Fit and Size: The cover should be custom-fit to your well’s shape—whether that’s U-shaped, rectangular, or oversized.
- Accessibility: Especially for egress windows, your cover must be easy to remove from inside the well.
- Ventilation: Choose a design that allows for airflow while keeping out water, pests, and debris.
- Building Code Compatibility: If your cover includes bars, grates, or screens, they must not reduce the clear opening below code minimums (typically 5.7 square feet).
Colorado Code Snapshot: Window Wells & Egress Windows
- Minimum Net Clear Opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground-level)
- Minimum Height and Width: 24″ height, 20″ width
- Sill Height from Floor: Max 44″
- Window Well Size: At least 9 sq. ft. of area; minimum 36″ width and projection
- Ladder Required? Yes, if the well is deeper than 44″
- Cover Required? No, but if installed, it must not block escape or reduce opening size.
Always confirm with your local building authority to ensure your home meets the most current regulations.
Protect Your Home with Window Well Solutions
At Window Well Solutions, we specialize in custom-built covers that meet all Colorado building codes while keeping your basement safe, dry, and efficient. From bubble covers to metal grates to polycarbonate solutions, we offer tailored options to match your well’s size, shape, and safety requirements.
Want to know how these covers enhance home protection? Discover how window well covers improve safety and building code compliance. Already have covers installed? Here’s how to properly maintain your window well covers so they stay functional and compliant year-round.
- Free Estimates Available
- Serving Fort Collins and the Greater Front Range—including nearby areas like
Broomfield, and
- Expert Installation Backed by Code Compliance
Don’t wait for an inspector—or a flood—to tell you it’s time to upgrade.
Request your free quote today and make your basement safer, drier, and smarter with Window Well Solutions.
FAQs: Window Well Covers & Colorado Building Codes
1. Are window well covers required by law in Colorado?
No, but if you install one—especially over an egress window—it must meet specific safety and operational standards per the International Residential Code.
2. Can I use any type of cover for my window well?
No. Covers must not obstruct egress access, reduce the window’s clear opening, or require tools or special knowledge to remove from the inside.
3. Do I need a ladder in my window well?
Yes, if the well is deeper than 44 inches, a permanently affixed ladder or steps are required to meet egress regulations.
4. What material is best for window well covers?
Polycarbonate is great for natural light and weather resistance. Steel and aluminum grates offer durability and support. All materials should be code-compliant.
5. How do I know if my current cover meets code?
If the cover cannot be removed from inside the well easily or reduces the egress window’s opening size, it likely doesn’t meet code. Call a professional for an inspection.
6. Can I install a window well cover myself?
DIY is possible, but professional installation ensures code compliance, correct fit, and long-term durability, especially in areas like Fort Collins that experience extreme weather.