Timber Egress Window Wells: Pros and Cons

egress
  • Intermediate

An Egress window well is the protective lining installed around a large opening accessing a basement window, designed to prevent erosion as well as offering a secondary exit in case of an emergency. They can also add more natural light and make a basement room feel more inviting. It adds protection to your home, but you should always check with the building department in your municipality to determine if these wells are permitted.

Requirements definitely vary from one city to another. This article will help you in making a decision of whether to build a timber egress window well in your home.

Pros of Timber Egress Window Wells

The most important benefit is that timber egress windows protecting the basement from water damage by draining the water away from the basement.

A number of people install timber egress window wells to allow natural sunlight into the basement.

Always remember that there are a number of different options available for your window wells. The window well is what you will end up seeing from the inside of your room, so make sure that you consider aesthetics.

Timber window wells last for a long time and add the best value compared to the other types of window wells.

Cons of Timber Egress Window Wells

If you have these timber egress window wells, then there is a risk of injury from someone falling into the well, thus, you might have to pay extra money to purchase a cover for your window well.

Small animals such as lizards, snakes, and skunks frequently nest in timber egress window wells. That is especially when the house is situated near an open field or the woods.

Install a drain in the bottom and attach it to your foundation perimeter drain to keep the well from filling with the water and flooding your basement.