Bay Windows Add Character And Space To A Home
It was the perfect area. Our California cattle ranch style home had a big photo window in the front room. The window extended from a couple of inches above the floor to just a few inches below the cathedral ceiling. The walls and ceiling were redwood stained knotty pine and the floor was a coordinating hardwood. The window kept an eye out over a flower bed, shrubs and the area of front lawn. It was the perfect window to be replaced with a bay window.
The window was nearly square. It was 72 X 72 inches. We considered a bow window, but elected to install a bay window instead. We just felt that our specific home looked much better with three panel bay window rather than the several panel bow windows. Our intent was to fill the seat board of the bay with potted plants we had sitting in front of the existing photo window. The new arrangement would offer us a bit more space in the space and enhance the general look of your house. It was time to go shopping.
Scratch vs. Pre-built
When we first got the idea of installing the brand-new window, I began gathering prepare for building a bay window. Thumbing through books and publications, and the Internet search engines, I discovered a number of plans for developing a bay window from scratch. I also found that carrying out such a project was going to be unnecessary. The majority of the significant window manufacturers, such as Pella, Milgard and Anderson make both entirely pre-assembled bay windows along with pre-built parts for bay windows.
These days really few contractors will handle the job of developing emergency Fix-It Right Plumbing a bay or bow window from scratch. It just isn't useful when for the very same or less money they can install a high quality pre-built window. If the professionals utilize pre-built windows or components for new house building and construction or restoration tasks, then we could do the same for our remodeling project, we reasoned.
Installing a bay window can quickly be a do-it-yourselfer project. Before you go the diy path, however, you might want to line up a professional to assist if essential. This is not going to be a job that you can complete throughout a Saturday afternoon. Chances are you are not going to complete it in a weekend, for that matter.
You are likewise going to wish to line up some assistance. Bay windows and window parts are heavy. At least they are too heavy for someone to manage.
Be sure and take a look at the weather forecast, including the long variety forecast. Setting up the window suggests opening a hole into your home. It can take a number of days to get the new window in place and sealed. The last thing you want is for rain to come pouring in on your flooring, walls or furniture.
Be sure and check your city or community construction codes. There may be special regional requirements, such as having shatterproof glass in low profile windows. You are probably going to require a structure permit anyway, so that is also a great time to inspect the codes.
Tools and Products Needed
The tools you will require for this project include a measuring tape, a framing square that you can likewise 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 materials you will require include the bay window system, the support brackets, nails, roof paper, shingles, roofing nails, outside grade silicone caulking and fiberglass insulation. You will likewise need 1X6 inch boards for the window skirting. If you are increasing the size of an existing window, or if you are setting up the window in an area that was previously the wall, you will likewise require 2X4s for cripple studs and additional framing.
Basic Installation Steps
1. Establish window position in the wall. Eliminate the existing window. Measuring the bay window, mark on the exterior of your house the opening required for the new window. Utilizing your circular saw, cut the required opening.
2. Framing. Develop the framing for the new window. This will likely consist of cutting through existing studs and putting in a brand-new header, rough sill, jack studs and paralyze studs.
3. Install the support braces. A window as much as five feet large will take a minimum of two support braces. A larger window will need three.
4. Set the window in location. Raise the bay window on the support braces and move it into the rough opening. Shim as required to level the window. Anchor in place.
5. Develop the window roofing. Set the roofing system frame on top of the bay window unit and nail in place. Fill the space between the roof and the top of the bay window with insulation. Secure the roofing system 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 standard installation steps and they have actually been abbreviated in the interests of simplicity and area. The window unit you buy will have complete setup steps. Take it from the voice of experience; it actually makes the task go a lot more smoothly and it will be finished in much less time when you check out and follow them.
In our case, I had two pals helping with the job. We have actually interacted on other jobs and interact well. We had the old window out and the rough framing completed on Saturday afternoon. We buttoned up the hole with plywood over night and went back to work the next day. By Sunday evening we had the new window installed and the roofing system and skirting finished. On Monday afternoon I finished sealing up the outdoors and completed the trim work for the within.
And, we were right. It was the perfect area for a bay window. It looked fantastic from the outside. Inside, it became the focal point of the space and included a special beauty to the house. The window offered your home added character and value.
When it came time to offer your home, it was among the features that were especially appealing to the buyers.
