"Do your egress window wells come with the windows?"
No.  Our White Steel Egress Window Wells are window well units (area walls) only.  They mount 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 our White Steel Egress Window Wells is quite easy.  Always check local building codes regarding window well egress standards and requirements.
"What are your White Steel Egress Window Wells made from?"
Our White Steel Egress Window Wells are fabricated from heavy 18 gauge G-90 galvanized steel.  The corrugation depth is a full 1/2", giving them maximum strength.  The top and bottom edges are rolled for strength and appearance.  All corners are rounded for safety.  The pre-formed mounting flanges have holes that are pre-drilled for bolting to the wall.  The wells have a white paint finish..     
"Tell me more about the white finish."
These egress window wells come standard with a durable and attractive white-painted finish.  When the egress window wells are shipped to you, the interior finish is covered by a protective, peel-off clear plastic laminate.  This helps insure that your new egress window well will not be scratched during shipping.  
"Will the white finish get scratched?"
Just like any finish, it will require some care.  During installation, it's best to leave the protective clear plastic laminate sheet on the interior of the well until all work has been completed.  Use care when lining the interior of the well with pea gravel.  Just like you'll be protecting the outside finish of your home during installation, you'll want to use care with your new egress window well's finish.  But, don't worry.  If you should accidentally scratch the well, simply touch it up with a bit of white enamel paint
"Do I need to order a Metal Grate?"
If you have concerns about people or animals falling into the window well then, yes, we would recommend a Metal Grate.  In fact, your local building code or covenants may require one.  A Metal Grate can help keep leaves and debris out of your egress window well.  The Metal Grates are designed to hold the weight of an average-sized person, which helps prevent people and animals falling into the well.  The Metal Grates are not designed for foot traffic.
"I saw your Window Well Scenes on your website.  Can I use one of them with the White Steel Egress Window Wells?"
Yes!  Our Window Well Scenes can be found here.  After installing your White Steel Egress Window Well, simply install your desired Window Well Scene BEFORE installing the ladder.  Then, each time you look out of your basement window, you'll be looking at the beach, a peaceful mountain scene, or one of our many other beautiful scenes!
"How do the Metal Grates install?"
Easy!  They simply lay over the top of your new White Steel Egress Window Well.  They are designed with a lip around the edge, which helps hold them in place.  There are no fasteners or special installation instructions.  The grates are heavy enough to keep the wind from blowing them off, yet lightweight enough for children and grownups to be able to lift them off in the event of an emergency..  
"Will your Metal Grates fit wells OTHER than your White Steel wells?"
Probably not.  They are designed specifically for White Steel Egress Window Wells, and we recommend that they be purchased only for use with White Steel basement window wells.
"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.  
"Don't you sell a clear cover for the White Steel Egress Window Wells?"
No.  We only offer the Metal Grate.   
"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.  Water that accumulated around your White Steel Egress Window Well will also drain down along the sides and into your drainage field.  Make sure that, just as with any other window well, your downspouts are directed away from your egress window well.
"How about the cold-weather parts of the U.S., with severe freeze / thaw cycles?"
Corrugated steel window wells have been the standard for several decades.  Corrugated steel egress window wells hold up excellently in any climate.
"How do I know what size egress window well to order?"
Measuring is actually pretty simple.    In short, locate the grade level (where the dirt meets your foundation).  Then, from that mark, measure down to the top of your basement's window sill.  Make a note of this measurement and add 12" (6" to stick up above grade level, and 6" to go below the window well).  The total of these two measurements is the minimum height of egress window well you'll need.  We don't recommend that you purchase an egress window well that measures less than this measurement!  It's better to have too much window well than not enough.  If you are unsure of which size you might need, please consult with your contractor.
"Can I install a White Steel Window Well by myself?"
Perhaps.  It depends on your level of expertise and your comfort level.  Installation requires careful measuring, excavating, light carpentry, moving of gravel, installation of concrete anchors into your foundation, and other tasks.  Care in following the installation instructions is important in order for your warranty to be valid.  If you are unsure of your abilities and comfort level, we would recommend the assistance of a general contractor.
"Do these egress window wells come with a warranty?"
Yes.  The White Steel Egress Window Wells are backed by a 2 year limited warranty from the manufacturer.  Click HERE for warranty details.
"Is the bottom of the well solid or open?"
They are open.  There is no bottom.  Your new White Steel Basement Egress Window Well is designed for excellent water drainage.
"What kind of bracing/backfilling requirements are there?"
Installing the White Steel Egress Window Well area walls does require some special backfilling and bracing.  Click HERE to read the installation instructions.
"How much do White Steel Egress Window Wells weigh?"
Unit weights and shipping weights are listed on our Order page for your reference.  If the item says "Shipping Weight", deduct 50lbs (the weight of a typical wooden pallet) to determine the item weight.
"Do your egress window wells meet the current building code?"
White Steel Egress Window Wells  meet the requirements of the International Building Code.  Click here to see how White Steel Egress Window Wells meets that code.  Certain areas of the U.S. may have specific requirements in addition to the IBC code.  If in doubt, we recommend that we check with your local government office to see if they have special requirements.
"How long will it take for my White Steel Egress Window Well order to arrive?"
Please allow about 7-10 business days for shipments containing White Steel Egress Window Wells only (ie: without a Metal Grate).  If you are including a Metal Grate with your order, please plan on the order shipping in about 14 business days.  Truck delivery time will take approximately 3-5 business days more.  Therefore, we recommend that you plan ahead for delivery, and not wait until the last minute to order!  And remember, as with any other product, please keep in mind that delays are always possible.  We advise customers to plan ahead when ordering this product, and allow enough time to receive the product before your hole for the egress window well is dug.
"How are White Steel Egress Window Wells shipped?"
The egress window well will be shipped on a wooden pallet, face down to protect the interior finish.  
"Will I be able to return my White Steel well to you for a refund?"
White Steel Egress Window Wells are not available for return.  Because these products are very large and somewhat heavy, they must be shipped via common carrier (truck).  Each time they are shipped there is a risk of damage to the products and their appearance.  To avoid the risk of receiving back into stock items whose appearance is less than perfect, Summit will not accept returns of unwanted product.  We would never want to sell the next customer a product that has previously been delivered to a prior customer's construction jobsite, and then returned.
If returns on White Steel Egress Window Wells and accessories were possible (and they're not), the customer would have to arrange the return freight with a truck line of their choosing.  The return freight charges would be quite  expensive (much greater than our $8 delivery charge).  Plus, if a standard restocking charge would be added, the total return expense would be a large percentage of your original purchase price.  Returns of White Steel products would be very expensive, risky, and laborious, and it is for these reasons that we do not accept returns of any egress window well products.  We respectfully advise customers to measure and order carefully to avoid the chance of receiving unwanted egress window well product(s).  
"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?"
If you should experience delivery damage to your new White Steel basement egress window wells we advise you to do the following:
1) Carefully inspect your shipment before signing the delivery ticket!
2) If any damage is visible, make a detailed note of the damage directly on the delivery ticket before signing.
3) Contact Summit at (800) 349-5808 and notify us of the damage before the driver leaves.
We will determine, based on the information that you provide to us on the phone, if replacement parts can be shipped out, or if the delivery should be refused.  We use the utmost care in packaging and shipping so, luckily, the chances of our customers receiving damaged goods is rare.  If it were to occur, please contact us at the time of delivery, as instructed above.  Our egress window wells are insured against loss and damage during shipping, and we use a network of America's most reliable carriers.
"Are these window wells really as attractive as you say?"
We believe that you'll love the look of these window wells!  The white finish will help to brighten your basement by reflecting more sunlight into the room.  We think that they offer a much nicer look than plain corrugated steel.  White Steel Egress Window Wells will help make your basement into livable, useable space, and are sure to be a welcome addition to your home!  

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