Frequently Asked Questions

"Do your egress window wells come with the windows?"
No.  RockWell is an egress window well unit (area wall) only.  It mounts over your existing basement window.
"Do you sell windows?  Where can I purchase windows for these wells?"
No, we don't sell windows, just the egress window wells.  Check your local phonebook for the window dealer of your choosing.  
"Are your egress window wells difficult to install""
No!  They simply attach to the foundation with a few concrete anchors (We can even supply you with the fasteners!)  New construction applications are an easy two-person job.  If installing in an existing home, the most time-consuming and laborious task is the excavating and enlarging of the window opening (which would be required regardless of which brand you choose).  Once you've prepared the opening, installing RockWell is quite easy.
"What kind of bracing/backfilling requirements are there?"
Nothing special is require d !  Unlike other brands which require cross-bracing to stabilize the egress window well during backfilling, ours requires none.  This makes the installation process easier.  Plus, RockWell Egress Window Wells require no special backfilling.  Simply use the excavated dirt to backfill.  No pea-gravel is required!
"What are your egress windows made from?"
RockWell Egress Window Wells are made from rigid composite fiberglass.  They are resistant to UV light, water, frost, and extreme temperatures.  Our egress window wells are molded in one piece for strength.  
"How long will it take for my RockWell order to arrive?"
Please allow about 10 business days for production time, and another 3 to 5 business days for truck delivery.  Therefore, in most cases, most RockWell orders arrive to our customers in about 15 business days.  Please keep in mind that production times may vary, and some orders ship a bit sooner, but some orders may take a bit longer.  We advise customers to plan ahead when ordering this product, and allow enough time to receive the product before your hole for the well is dug.  
UPDATE CONCERNING DELIVERY TIMES 
Please be advised that, since the busy Summer building season is upon us, shipping times on RockWell products are currently running about 15-20 business days after we receive your order!  Please plan accordingly!  We are working to catch up on shipping times and will remove this message as normal shipment times resume.
"Do I need to order a clear cover or a grate?"
If you have concerns about people or animals falling into the window well then, yes, we would recommend a cover or a grate.  In fact, your local building code or covenants may require one.  The grate will offer a bit more protection than the clear cover, but either one will help.  Metal grates help keep leaves and debris out of the well while allowing fresh air and sunlight to enter.  Clear covers offer the same sort of protection, while also helping to keep rain and snow out of the well.  Both items can the weight of an average sized person, but the grate is a better choice if you're concerned about fall-ins.
"How do the clear covers install?"
The clear covers install using hook and loop fasteners.  Installation involves drilling 4 small holes into the egress window well and fastening in place 4 small, round mounting tabs.  Then, with the clear cover laying in place simply affix the opposing tabs so that they line up with the round tabs.  In the event of emergency egress, simply peel back the tabs and remove the clear cover by pushing upward.
"Will I need special hardware to install the Clear Cover"
Nope.  The Clear Covers come with a hardware package inside the box that contains all of the necessary cover mounting hardware.
"Will I need to purchase hardware to install the egress window well?  Is the hardware included with the egress window well?"
Yes, you will need to purchase mounting hardware and, no, it is not included with the well.  The reason for that is that different basement construction styles (poured walls vs. block walls) require different mounting hardware (concrete anchors).  We do sell mounting hardware kits at a nominal price on our Order page, but you can pick this hardware up locally, if you wish.  
"What's the difference between the Premier and Elite series?"
The Premier series is designed for most standard egress window well applications.  The 60" model is our most popular size.  If you need additional height then we offer the Elite series, which is available in 72", 84" and 96" heights.  The projection at the top of the well is 44" (versus 39" for the Premier series).
"Won't the egress window well get flooded during a heavy rain?"
Not if it's properly installed.  Rain water should drain down through the open bottom of the well and into your home's drainage field.  The area at the bottom of your egress window well is no different than all of the other ground-level areas around your foundation!
"Will RockWell Egress Window Wells hold up against UV rays?"
Yes.  They are resistant to UV rays.  
"How about the cold-weather parts of the U.S., with severe freeze / thaw cycles?"
History shows that RockWell Egress Window Wells do as well as any other product.  Homeowners across every part of the U.S. have RockWell Egress Window Wells installed on their homes -  from Minnesota to Texas, from Maine to California.  In fact, we've seen many examples where one-piece egress window wells, like RockWell, hold up better than landscape timber or block / brick area walls.  In the years that we've been selling them, we have had no reports of problems relating to any climate issues.
"Do these egress window wells come with a warranty?"
Yes!  RockWell Egress Window Wells come with a 5-year limited warranty.  You can read the warranty information by clicking here.  Summit Contractor Supply will be happy to assist you should a warranty claim ever be required.  We always want you to be satisfied with your purchase!
"If exposed, will the backside of the top look like ugly fiberglass?"
No!  The first 4 inches or so of your new RockWell Egress Window Well are finished, just like the other side.  This gives your new egress well a look of quality!
"Is the bottom of the well solid or open?"
It's open.  There is no bottom.  Your new RockWell Egress Window Well is designed for excellent water drainage.
"How much do RockWell Egress Window Wells weigh?"
Unit weights and shipping weights are listed on our Order page for your reference.
"Do all of the RockWell Egress Well units have a step?"
Not all of them.  The RockWell Elite series of egress window wells all have steps, but the RockWell Premier series only has a step on sizes 48" and over.  There are no steps on the RockWell Premier series 24" and 36" high wells.  The Elite series of egress window wells have a tier of steps along the back.
"Will your Clear Covers and Grates fit wells OTHER than RockWell's?"
Probably not.  They are designed specifically for RockWell Egress Window Wells, and we recommend that they be purchased only for use with RockWell wells.
"Do your egress window wells meet the current building code?"
RockWell Egress Window Wells  meet the requirements of the International Building Code.  Click here to see how RockWell meets that code.  Certain areas of the U.S. may have specific requirements in addition to the IBC code (usually pertaining to covers and grates).  If in doubt, we recommend that we check with your local government office to see if they have special requirements.
"Will I be able to return RockWell products to you for a refund?"
Normally refunds are not a problem for us, however, large items like RockWell products are a bit different.  Because they are very large and somewhat heavy, they originally arrive to you via LTL common carrier.  Returning them would mean that, after receiving our return authorization, you would have to arrange pickup of the shipment at your location with a truck line, at your expense.  Once we receive your return shipment we would credit you for the item (or items) minus a 20% restock charge, and minus the amount it originally cost us to ship the order to you (not the $8.00 fee that we charged you).  Therefore returns are not only difficult, but they can get expensive.  For these reasons we discourage returns of large products like RockWell wells and accessories, but we will work with you as best as we can.
"Will I (or someone else) need to be present when my order arrives?"
Yes!  The truck company will not leave the shipment unless they have a delivery signature.  This protects them and you.  The truck company does not want to risk that an item will be stolen after delivery, and someone must sign to state that the item arrived in good condition. 
"What happens if the egress window wells get damaged in shipping?"
RockWell does an excellent job preparing the wells for shipment.  The wells are shipped laying down and upside-down (with the curve facing up), and the unit is securely screwed down to the pallet using the holes in the well's mounting flanges.  This puts the inside part of the well (the part that you'll see after it's installed) on the inside of the shipment.  Any scrapes or scratches (if there were to be any) will be on the back side (the "dirt side") of the unit.  IF your shipment were to contain damage, please contact us as delivery is being made so that we can determine if a new unit must be reshipped.  Wells are insured against loss and damage during shipping, and we usually use the experience and care of FedEx Freight for most shipments.
"Are these window wells really as nice looking as the pictures?"
Absolutely!  We think that these RockWell Egress Window Wells are the absolute best looking fiberglass egress wells available!  We think you'll agree that, once installed, it's hard to tell that they're fiberglass!  If you spend the money to have a beautiful finished basement then you will, no doubt, want to be able to look out at a window well that doesn't cheapen the view.  Compare the look of RockWell Egress Window Wells to ANY other brand of egress window well and we think you'll agree - you can't beat RockWell Egress Window Wells for beauty, quality and value for the money!  

Still have questions you'd like answered?  Please feel free to contact us any time!