Can a Deck Cover a Basement Window? (What You Should Do)

Your backyard can become a great place for quite a few things. Basement windows and a nice, spacious deck are among them.

You can certainly build a deck that is going to cover the basement window. However, if you have an egress window, you would have to cut out a window well in the deck or simply leave this part uncovered.

Building a deck is only half of the job. In a lot of cases, you would also have to measure out and build a window well and get the opening covered with an appropriate cover. Below you will find a few tips that will help you make the right choice.

Can a Deck Cover a Basement Window?

When building a deck that is going to cover your basement window, there are a few important things to bear in mind:

The deck will shade the window and limit the amount of sunlight in the basement, even if you decide to go for a window well.

In the majority of cases, you would have to frame your deck around the basement window.

If you have an emergency escape window, you can still build a deck over it, but you would have to take the local codes into consideration (for example, the window would have to provide a path that is over 36’’ in height).

You might want to create a slight slope of the deck that will be funneling away any excess water from the window.

Adding a deck over a basement window will make it practically impossible to do any works on the actual window in the future.

Fully closing the window in (in case it’s not an egress window) might be a great option for some homeowners, as such a decision would help avoid issues with debris, drainage, and maintenance. Moreover, without the window well you are eliminating the risk of someone falling into the opening.

Framing Around a Basement Window

You will face a few challenges if you decide to frame your deck around the basement window. The ‘missing’ section on the ledger would have to be reinforced (the level will depend on the opening’s size).

For example, you might have to double up the header joist’s trimmer joist (keep the trimmer joist around 6’’ from the edge to make the connection stronger).

Can You Cover Basement Window Wells?

If you have decided to build a deck that has a window well, then it is better to cover the opening due to safety reasons. Someone might simply fall into the ‘hole’ while walking around the deck.

A cover made out of thin plastic is one of the cheapest options. Bear in mind, however, that you will lose some light as the plastic naturally gets worn out.

To maximize the amount of sunlight entering the basement window, you can go for a glass panel (look for the ones that are specially designed for window wells), but such an option is much more expensive.

Metal grate covers are also a pricier option, especially if they come with additional features such as size adjustability, for example. The good news is that a high-quality cover will last for a few decades.

What Kind of Window Well Cover Should I Go For?

Going for a solid cover might not be the best decision due to these issues:

Such covers trap moisture and heat inside the well. This can cause a ‘terrarium effect’, making the opening a cozy home for various insects.

Solid plastic covers would have to be replaced every few years or so. Discolored plastic cannot let enough sunlight through; moreover, the UV light will cause the material to break down.

Such a flat surface is also an amazing resting place for leaves, dirt, and other debris. If you

want your basement to have enough light, you would have to regularly clean the plastic cover.

How Do You Build a Deck Over a Non-Egress Window?

You can, basically, have a non-egress window covered for good, if you are not really worried about blocking the light. Such windows are not safety features, so you can always choose to remove the thing entirely.

If you have opted for a window well, then covering it with a transparent cover or a grate would be a good decision as they can be walked on, but, at the same time, don’t entirely block the sunlight (make sure that the cover is at least 24’’, otherwise, you won’t be getting sufficient light).

You might also want to go for a removable cover for the days when you would decide to clean the windows or for when something falls into the window well.

How Do You Build a Deck Over an Egress Window?

If you have turned your basement into an additional bedroom, then the chances are high that you have an egress window. Such a window can be used for escape in case of an emergency. The International Building Code states that every bedroom should have at least one egress window of over 5.7 feet and an opening that isn’t higher than 44’’ from the floor.

A lot more thought would have to be put into building a deck over an egress window, as safety is something that has to be at the forefront. Consequently, you will be more limited in your choices, when dealing with egress windows.

Tips for Building a Deck Over an Egress Window

In the majority of states, you cannot use grates over a window well if the basement is used as a bedroom. In some cases, you can seek individual approval, but exceptions are extremely rare.

When it comes to the window well, you might have to install a ladder or step system.

The horizontal dimensions of the well should be large enough to allow you to fully open the window and the total area of the opening should be over 9 square feet. Moreover, there should be at least 36’’ of space outward of the building.

Conclusion:

We hope this blog post answered your question: ‘Can I build a deck over my window well?’ and provided you with some useful tips.

Take a look at our other most recent blog posts below:

Can a Deck Cover a Basement Window? (What You Should Do)