What are some alternatives to window well covers?

What are some alternatives to window well covers? Alternatives to window well covers include window well grates, window well liners with drainage, and DIY solutions like plywood or plexiglass covers, costing $10 to $200 per window well. Window well grate $50 to $150 metal grate alternative provides safety supports 300 to 500 pounds prevents children and pets falling in, allows light and ventilation, but does not keep rain and debris out fully, requires good drain $100 to $300. Drainage improvement alternative, install window well drain connected to sump pump $200 to $500 and gravel layer $20 improves drainage so cover less needed, but still need debris protection. Window well liner or wall $100 to $300 corrugated metal or plastic liner keeps soil back and improves drainage, not cover but alternative for structural support. DIY plywood cover $10 to $20 cheap but blocks light and rots in 1 to 2 years, not durable. Plexiglass sheet $30 to $80 from Home Depot cut to size clear allows light and keeps rain out, good DIY cover alternative. Security alternative, fill window well with gravel $20 to $50 and close off basement window if not needed for egress, eliminates well entirely but loses light and emergency exit, not allowed for egress windows per code. So alternatives to window well covers are metal grates $50 to $150 for safety, improved drainage with drain and gravel $20 to $500, plexiglass DIY cover $30 to $80 for rain protection, and filling well with gravel $20 to $50 if window not needed but not for egress.