Egress window wells
The well is what turns a below-grade window into a real way out. It has to be big enough to stand in, drain properly and have a way to climb out.
A standard basement window well is often just a curved steel liner a foot or so deep. An egress well is bigger. In Wisconsin it has to be at least as wide as the window and extend at least 36 inches out from the wall. In Minnesota, the well needs at least 9 square feet of floor area with 36 inches in both directions.
What kinds of wells are there?
| Type | Look | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized steel | Corrugated metal liner | Common and durable; can be stacked or extended for deeper basements |
| Composite or polyethylene | Molded plastic, often stone-textured | Lighter colors brighten the room; many have built-in steps |
| Terraced rock or block | Stepped landscape walls | Works well on bigger yards; the steps can serve as the way out |
| Poured or block well | Concrete walls | More permanent; used on some deep or custom jobs |
When do I need a ladder?
Wisconsin requires a ladder or at least one extra step when the bottom of the well is more than 46 inches below the ground next to it. Rungs must be at least 12 inches wide, stand at least 3 inches off the wall, hold 200 pounds, be no more than 12 inches apart, and reach within 12 inches of the top. Minnesota's trigger is 44 inches. Many wells come with a ladder built into the liner.
How does the well drain?
Wisconsin's code says the well must be built so water that gets into it doesn't get into the house. In practice, that usually means a gravel base several inches below the sill and, where possible, a drain down to the footing drain tile or a sump. The sandy soils on much of the La Crosse valley floor drain quickly, which helps. Heavier soils on the ridges and in some coulees hold water longer, and those wells need a better path for water to leave.
Signs your well is a problem
- Water standing in the well after rain or snowmelt
- The top of the well is level with, or below, the soil around it
- A downspout or sloped patio that sends water toward the well
- A liner pulling away from the foundation, letting soil wash in
- No ladder in a well you couldn't climb out of
The installer prices the job after measuring the room, looking at the wall from both sides and checking what's buried along the foundation. We don't quote prices, and any number you hear over the phone before someone sees the basement is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can an old window well be reused for an egress window?
Usually not. Most standard wells are too small and too shallow for an egress window. The installer typically digs out a larger pit and sets a new egress-size well.
Does a window well need a drain?
Wisconsin requires that water entering the well not enter the house. A gravel base and a connection to footing drain tile, where it exists, are the usual ways to meet that.
Related services
- Egress window installation
- Foundation cutting and enlarging openings
- Window well covers
- Basement bedroom code help
More background: La Crosse egress window guide.
Finishing a basement bedroom, or told your basement window won't pass?
Call now and a local egress window installer will talk through your basement with you.