How to Landscape Around Window Wells
- 1. Plant deciduous shrubs around the perimeter of the window well, spaced at least 12 inches away from the sides of the well. ...
- 2. Build a planter with landscaping pavers on one or both sides of the window well to pull the eye up toward the planters and away from the window well. ...
What to do with a window well in your garden?
But being flush with the ground also allows you to garden on the edge, so to speak. If possible, paint the window well a pleasant green. Next, circle its perimeter with a short and pretty gardening fence, then plant assorted flowers and plants up against it. Don’t pick anything that might grow too high and block the sunlight.
What plants can you plant in a basement window well?
Plants in Basement Window Wells 1 Annuals. Whether your window wells are on the east, west, north or south side of your house, they'll generally be 2 to 3 feet deep, making the sunlight reaching live ... 2 Perennials. ... 3 Vines. ... 4 Artificial. ...
Can you plant vegetation inside a window well?
If you choose to grow a garden, plant bushes, or encircle the window well with other plants, don’t overlook the possibility of putting vegetation inside the window well as well.
What are the best window plants to grow in full sun?
Read on for 15 window plants best suited for the sunnier spaces within your home. From succulents to palms, there's a variety for every plant parent. Like most of its succulent cousins, jade plants grow best in full sun—ideally a south-facing window with lots of light to create the signature red tips on their bright green leaves.
How do you beautify a window well?
DO: Allow natural light and airflow into your egress window wells. ... DON'T: Fill the entire well with plants and shrubs. ... DO: Use Decorative Rock. ... DON'T: Hang planters or other items from the window well escape ladder. ... DO: Use weather-resistant Window Well Scenes. ... DON'T: Cover or paint a rusting or rotting well.More items...
How do you camouflage window wells?
0:121:35HouseSmarts DIY Smarts "Window Well Covers" Episode 179 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCover may be the way to go. Especially if you can save money and do it yourself just check yourMoreCover may be the way to go. Especially if you can save money and do it yourself just check your local code first for this well which is small yet long and rectangular.
What do you backfill a window well with?
Use pea gravel or ¾ inch or smaller free-draining rock, around the well stopping approximately 1 foot down from the top of the window well. Backfilling by hand, start at the farthest area from the foundation, evenly distributing the stone as you fill.
How do you cover a large window well?
0:146:58How to build a Large Window Well Cover for Egress - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt needed to be pivotable. And removable for maintenance and egress ok used a material called coverMoreIt needed to be pivotable. And removable for maintenance and egress ok used a material called cover light which is a clear acrylic. And comes in 12 foot lengths using these screws to fasten it to some
How do you landscape around a window well?
If you are looking to beautify your window well's exterior, here are 3 simple ideas that won't impede with their functionality.Bushes. Plant bushes on all sides of the window well, leaving at least a foot of space between the plants and the well. ... Planters and pavers. ... Decorative Rock.
How do I keep weeds from growing in my window well?
Cover the soil inside the window well with landscaping fabric, holding it in place with fabric spikes. Lay the fabric so that it rests directly against the soil. The fabric makes the soil inside the window well more stable, prevents the soil from clogging the drain system and blocks weeds from growing.
Should I put rocks in my window wells?
Although there is no actual minimum level of rocks in a window, the rocks should be appropriately situated given the depth (you'd rather go deep). To ensure an even share of space, the window well, however, shouldn't be too big.It can also cause flooding and windows to break because of the likelihood of flood water.
Should there be dirt in a window well?
You should regularly check window wells for debris and clean them out accordingly. Materials such as leaves, dirt, and other scraps from the outside can infest window wells. When these objects enter a window well, they have the potential to dirty the gravel and clog up the drain.
Do all window wells need a drain?
Window Well Drain – Every window well should have a drain to allow water to exit the window well and not build to a level that creates a basement seepage problem. Drains can be connected to interior or exterior drain tile or can be run to daylight where a proper slope exists.
What's the purpose of a window well?
to prevent moisture damage to basement windows that are at or below grade. The window wells keep the soil away from openings in the foundation walls while still allowing proper grading and drainage away from the house; and. to allow sunlight into a below-grade room that would otherwise require artificial lighting.
Can you cover a window well with a deck?
Short answer Yes, you can build a deck over a basement window. Depending on the height and size of the deck, it will impact your basement. A deck over a window will shade the window, limiting basement sunlight.
How do I keep water out of my basement window wells?
Here's what you can do to keep as much water away from your house as possible:Fix grading to make sure it slopes away from the foundation.Keep your gutters clear of debris and in good working condition. ... Extend downspouts away from the house to keep roof runoff from pouring next to the foundation.
Can you spray paint window wells?
Can I just paint my window well? Your window wells are rusting because of electrolysis, so painting it will not help. The rust will push right through the paint (even Rust-Oleum) and begin to discolor and peel very quickly. If your window wells are not rusting, you can paint them.
How do you install a window well cover?
0:041:31Window Well Covers Installation Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPeel away the protective film slightly to reveal each hole. Place the included mounting bracket inMorePeel away the protective film slightly to reveal each hole. Place the included mounting bracket in screw through each hole and tighten the nut with your fingers.
How to add green to a window well?
Have some extra paving stone on hand? Build a short wall around the edge of the window well. If you want to add some green, some sites recommend building matching planters on either side. Don’t have stones? Encircle the well with bricks, flowerpots, or larger rocks. It’s another excellent way to redirect a viewer’s line of sight away from the well and up to the plants on display.
What to do with window wells in basement?
Window wells bring sunlight to your basement but not much visual appeal to your home’s exterior. While a window well cover is a must, you still have limited options for what you can do to beautify the area around the window well without blocking sunlight or a possible emergency exit. But there are several workarounds that can spruce up your wells without keeping them from doing their jobs. When you consider ways to embellish your home and grounds, consider these tips for how to landscape around window wells.
Why do you need a window well?
Keep in mind that the purpose of the window well is to let sunlight in and keep water out of the basement. Consider waterproofing during construction. Don’t let all that natural beauty blind you to the need for a dry basement.
What to do with a green thumb?
If you have a green thumb, intersperse the hard with the soft using shrubs, flowers, succulents, and other rock-loving plants. Remember the earlier suggestion, and build a wall around the window well that allows it to flow seamlessly with the rest of the garden.
Can you put transparent window well covers in terrariums?
Here’s another fun idea: Some people install transparent or translucent window well covers and turn their window wells into terrariums. But if you go this route, be ready for the extra work of tending to the plants (or cheat a little and use artificial plants!).
Can you garden on the edge of a basement?
However, it’s the window well itself that makes it hard to provide a natural—or at least non-industrial—look to the space. But being flush with the ground also allows you to garden on the edge, so to speak.
Is It Time to Replace Your Window Well?
There may be a place for shabby chic, but it’s not here. Rusty metal wells and crumbling concrete and stone wells aren’t doing their jobs anymore. What’s more, you can’t just slap on some paint and glitter and surround it with foliage. Seriously consider replacing it, and keep the above ideas in mind when you do. Does the rock garden notion appeal to you? Then rebuild the well with paving stones. Brick is another great way to give a window well a smart and solid look, and you can stack them to accommodate planters and other accoutrements. Let your imagination run wild!
What is the purpose of a window well?
Basement window wells have an important function: keeping water and dirt out of your basement while letting light in. Most window wells are constructed of galvanized steel and are not attractive to look at when you are in your basement.
How to grow ivy in a window?
Insert a small trellis, line your window well with chicken wire or use a wire tomato cage to grow a vine. Ivy vines thrive in shaded environments and fill your window with thick greenery all year. Clematis and passion flower vine varieties are hardy, shade-tolerant and flower throughout the summer.
What annuals grow in low light?
Shade-loving annuals grow fast, are easy to care for and provide color in low-light areas. In containers or planted in the ground of a window well, annuals like impatiens, coleus, begonias, perilla, polka-dot plant, viola and fuchsia can provide a colorful display in your window wells from spring until frost.
What is an artificial plant?
Artificial. The realism and quality of artificial plants allows you to create a garden in your window well of any type plant you want. Artificial plants can be silk, foam, plastic or any material that is weather-tolerant. Almost any plant imaginable, from orchids to cactus, is available in realistic, artificial form.
What to do with a metal window well?
If your metal window well is an eyesore to you, replace it with some brick or stone. This is not a quick project, but might be worth it for a continuing landscape look if you are including the same brick or stone elsewhere.
How to keep mice away from window well?
Surround the window well with small stones . If you want maintenance-free landscaping around your window well, add stones around the window well. This will also keep little critters away since mice won’t walk on uneven surfaces.
Can you grow hostas in a window well?
That’s okay. Try some shade-loving plants like hostas, bleeding hearts, Jerusalem sage, or Lily of the Valley. The beauty of these plants can draw your eye away from the window well. Some customers use their window well space under their Window Bubble as a type of greenhouse allowing them to grow plants all year long.
What are some good combinations for a window well?
Wood, gravel, plants, and concrete. Not a combination that you typically think of when it comes to window wells but for this house it sure works. The smooth concrete walls of the well feel like an extension of the house and compliment the hue of the wood perfectly. The plants have found a nice home in the gravel used to fill the tiered steps up from the window to the deck.
What is a window well made of?
While more expensive than standard corrugated metal, window wells made out of wood provide a much more natural aesthetic. They tend to blend in more with the outside yard and can be much more satisfying to look out at. Wood is also easy to build into any shape, allowing you to incorporate steps out of the well as in this picture.
What is a brick lined window well?
This brick-lined window well is not quite as large and airy as the round one above, but it almost doesn't matter. The combination of like-colored bricks, rocks, and pebbles provides a smooth transition from the basement window to the outside world.
What do you do with colorful flowers?
Colorful flowers can breathe an instant sign of life into an otherwise drab space. Adding some stacked planters to your window well and filling them with colorful flowers can do wonders for the view from the inside. Depending on the angle of the sun into your window well, you may need to choose flowers that don't require a ton of sunlight to thrive.
Can you hang plants on an egress window?
While it may not quite classify as a buena vista, it sure is a big step up from the harsh glare of corrugated metal. Just make sure that any plant you add does not interfere with the ability for the window to be fully opened in case of an emergency.
Do egress windows require more space?
These next few egress window wells will require a bit more space to install properly, but if space isn't an issue for you then they may just provide the inspiration you are after.
Can you make a window well?
Window wells can made from a variety of materials to suit any landscaping and enhance the view from inside. Even if you don't have a huge budget or a ton of space to work with, using some of these materials can make a huge impact.
Why build a terraced window well?
Build a terraced window well. Allows more light in, provides a nice view of beautiful landscaping, and also provides an escape route in case of emergency! Handyman has a tutorial on how to do it yourself.
What to do if you have a straight drop down window?
Remember, if you have a straight drop-down window well, make sure you have a covering over it like a metal grating or a clear, plastic cover (plastic ones aren’t such an eye-sore, let in more light, and are more easily removed in case of emergency—just so ya know).
What to use as a backdrop for a rock wall?
You won’t be ashamed to open the blinds and let in the light if you have a gorgeous rock wall as a backdrop! You can use stone pavers, brick, or more naturally-shaped rocks. Plant ivy or another clinging plant on the wall of an egress window well. Once it has all grown over, you’ll have some greenery to look out on!
How do egress windows help?
Egress windows have helped solve that problem by clearing out space in the ground, installing a window in the basement, and supporting the surrounding ground with a window well. The problem is, these still don’t always allow tons of light in AND, let’s face it, they’re just kind of ugly.
Why add steps to window?
Add some small steps in your window well. It makes it safer to escape in case of emergency, or even just to climb in when a ball or something else falls down there ! Also I love the beautiful look of the stone in this one.
Can you make a window square?
To start, don’t forget that you can make your window well square, rectangular, or rounded AND you can do it small or large (it doesn’t have to just span the length of the window)—whatever lets in the most light!