Bay Windows Add Character And Area To A Home
The window was almost square. It was 72 X 72 inches. We considered a bow window, however chosen to install a bay window instead. We simply felt that our specific home looked better with three panel bay window rather than the multiple panel bow windows. Our intent was to fill the seat board of the bay with potted plants we had sitting in front of the present picture window. The brand-new plan would provide us a little more space in the room and improve the total look of the house. It was time to go shopping.
Scratch vs. Pre-built
When we first understood of installing the brand-new window, I started collecting prepare for constructing a bay window. Thumbing through books and publications, and the Web online search engine, I discovered a number of prepare for developing a bay window from scratch. I likewise found that carrying out such a job was going to be unnecessary. Most of the significant window manufacturers, such as Pella, Milgard and Anderson make both completely pre-assembled bay windows as well as pre-built elements for bay windows.
These days extremely few specialists will handle the job of developing a bay or bow window from scratch. It simply isn't practical when for the same or less cash they can set up a high quality pre-built window. If the professionals utilize pre-built windows or elements for brand-new home construction or restoration projects, then we could do the same for our renovating project, we reasoned.
Installing a bay window can easily be a do-it-yourselfer project. Before you go the diy route, nevertheless, you might want to line up a contractor to assist if needed. This is not going to be a job that you can finish during a Saturday afternoon. Opportunities are you are not going to complete it in a weekend, for that matter.
You are also going to want to line up some help. Bay windows and window parts are heavy. At least they are too heavy for someone to handle.
Be sure and check out the weather report, including the long range forecast. Setting up the window indicates opening a hole into your home. It can take a couple of days to get the new window in place and sealed. The last thing affordable plumbing solutions you desire is for rain to come pouring in on your floor, walls or furniture.
Be sure and check your city or community building codes. There may be special regional requirements, such as having shatterproof glass in low profile windows. You are most likely going to require a structure authorization anyhow, so that is likewise a great time to inspect the codes.
Tools and Products Needed
The tools you will require for this task include a measuring tape, a framing square that you can also utilize as a straight edge, a circular saw or miter saw, crow bars, drill and bits, level, stapler, utility knife, tin snips and a caulking gun.
The products you will need include the bay window system, the support brackets, nails, roof paper, shingles, roof nails, outside grade silicone caulking and fiberglass insulation. You will likewise need 1X6 inch boards for the window skirting. If you are expanding an existing window, or if you are setting up the window in a space that was previously the wall, you will likewise need 2X4s for cripple studs and additional framing.
Basic Setup Steps
1. Develop window position in the wall. Remove the existing window. Measuring the bay window, mark on the exterior of your home the opening needed for the brand-new window. Utilizing your circular saw, cut the needed opening.
2. Framing. Develop the framing for the new window. This will plumber likely include cutting through existing studs and putting in a new header, rough sill, jack studs and cripple studs.
3. Set up the support braces. A window as much as five feet large will take a minimum of 2 support braces. A broader window will need 3.
4. Set the window in place. Lift the bay window on the assistance braces and move it into the rough opening. Shim as needed to level the window. Anchor in place.
5. Construct the window roofing. Set the roof frame on top of the bay window unit and nail in place. Fill the area between the roofing and the top of the bay window with insulation. Fasten the roof sheeting to the frame and cover with roofing paper. Install the drip edges and the flashing and then shingle.
6. Install the window skirting around the bottom of the window. Fill will insulation and then attach the skirt bottom to seal the underneath side of the window.
7. Seal the edges with silicone caulking.
This is a list of the fundamental setup actions and they have actually been abbreviated in the interests of simpleness and area. The window system you buy will have complete installation actions. Take it from the voice of experience; it truly makes the task go a lot more efficiently and it will be completed in much less time when you check out and follow them.
In our case, I had two pals aiding with the project. We have collaborated on other projects and work together well. We had the old window out and the rough framing finished on Saturday afternoon. We buttoned up the hole with plywood overnight and went back to work the next day. By Sunday evening we had the brand-new window installed and the roof and skirting completed. On Monday afternoon I finished sealing up the outside and finished the trim work for the inside.
And, we were right. It was the ideal area for a bay window. It looked terrific from the exterior. Inside, it became the focal point of the room and included an unique appeal to the house. The window gave your house included character and value.
When it came time to offer the house, it was one of the functions that were particularly attractive to the purchasers.