Window well covers
A cover keeps a Minot well clear in winter, as long as the person inside can still push it open.
A well cover sits over the top of the window well. In Minot, the main reasons people want one are snow that drifts into wells, leaves and trash that pile up, and small children or pets who could fall in. A cover over an egress well can't trap anyone, though, so the kind of cover matters.
What rules apply to covers on egress wells?
The residential code allows bars, grilles, covers and screens over escape openings as long as they keep the required clear opening and can be released or removed from the inside without a key, a tool or special knowledge. The City of Fargo's egress handout quotes that IRC section, and Minot uses the 2024 International Residential Code. In practice, that means no padlocks, no screws a person would need a driver for, and nothing too heavy to lift from a crouch in the well.
Which cover type fits?
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Clear polycarbonate dome or flat cover | Lets in light, sheds snow and rain | May not be rated to stand on |
| Steel grate | Strong, can be rated for weight | Snow and water pass through |
| Grate with a clear top | Strength plus a snow shield | Heavier, so check that it lifts easily |
What should I ask for?
- A cover that lifts or swings open from inside the well without tools
- A fit that matches your exact well shape and size
- A load rating if people walk near the well or kids play there
- Fasteners that resist wind but still release from below
- Material that handles cold without getting brittle
Covers and snow
Minot gets about 42.5 inches of snow a year, and the city's design criteria put typical ground snow loads in the 50 to 60 pounds per square foot range. A cover with heavy snow piled on it can be harder to push open. Clearing snow off egress covers after storms keeps the exit usable, and a sturdy, well-fitted cover is less likely to sag or crack under a winter's load.
We don't give prices. Each installer prices the job after measuring the wall, checking the soil and seeing what sits outside that part of the foundation, so a number over the phone is only a ballpark until then.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can I lock my window well cover?
Not on an egress well. The code requires covers over escape openings to release from inside without a key, tool or special knowledge.
Will a clear cover stop my well from flooding?
It keeps rain and snow from falling straight in, which helps. Water that comes through the soil or from a bad downspout still needs drainage at the bottom of the well.
Related services
- Basement egress window installation
- Basement window enlargement
- Window wells and ladders
- Basement bedroom egress compliance
More background: Minot egress window guide.
Need a basement bedroom that passes inspection?
Call and a Minot-area egress installer will look at the wall and the yard, explain what the code asks for, and quote the job.