Bay Windows Add Character And Space To A Home
It was the ideal spot. Our California ranch design home had a large photo window in the front room. The window extended from a couple of inches above the flooring to just a few inches listed below the cathedral ceiling. The walls and ceiling were redwood stained knotty pine and the flooring was a coordinating wood. The window looked out over a flower bed, shrubs and the expanse of front lawn. It was the perfect window to be replaced with a bay window.
The window was almost square. It was 72 X 72 inches. We considered a bow window, however elected to set up a bay window rather. We simply felt that our particular home looked much better with 3 panel understand this concept bay window instead of 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 existing picture window. The brand-new arrangement would give us a little more space in the space 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 began collecting plans for constructing a bay window. Thumbing through books and magazines, and the Web search engines, I discovered numerous prepare for constructing a bay window from scratch. I likewise found that carrying out such a task was going to be unneeded. Most of the significant window makers, such as Pella, Milgard and Anderson make both completely pre-assembled bay windows in addition to pre-built elements for bay windows.
These days extremely couple of contractors will handle the task of building a bay or bow window from scratch. It simply isn't useful when for the very same or less cash they can set up a high quality pre-built window. If the specialists use pre-built windows or components for new home construction or restoration jobs, then we could do the same for our renovating job, we reasoned.
Installing a bay window can easily be a do-it-yourselfer job. Before you go the diy route, however, you might wish to line up a specialist to help out if needed. This is not going to be a job that you can complete during a Saturday afternoon. Chances are you are not going to complete it in a weekend, for that matter.
Be sure and take a look at the weather report, consisting of the long range forecast. Setting up the window indicates opening a hole into your home. It can take a number of days to get the new window in location and sealed. The last thing you desire is for rain to come pouring in on your flooring, walls or furniture.
Be sure and inspect your city or neighborhood construction codes. There might be unique local requirements, such as having safety glass in low profile windows. You are probably going to need a structure authorization anyhow, so that is also a good time to examine 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 use as a straight edge, a circular saw or miter saw, crow bars, drill and bits, level, stapler, energy knife, tin snips and a caulking weapon.
The materials you will require include the bay window unit, the assistance brackets, nails, roof paper, shingles, roofing nails, exterior grade silicone caulking and fiberglass insulation. You will also need 1X6 inch boards for the window skirting. If you are enlarging an existing window, or if you are setting up the window in an area that was previously the wall, you will also require 2X4s for cripple studs and additional framing.
Basic Setup Steps
1. Develop window position in the wall. Get rid of the existing window. Determining the bay window, mark on the exterior of the house the opening needed for the brand-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 new header, rough sill, jack studs and maim studs.
3. Set up the assistance braces. A window as much as five feet large will take a minimum of two assistance braces. A wider window will require 3.
4. Set the window in place. Lift the bay window on the assistance braces and slide it into the rough opening. Shim as essential to level the window. Anchor in place.
5. Develop the window roofing. Set the roofing system frame on top of the bay window system and nail in location. Fill the area between the roofing system and the top of the bay window with insulation. Fasten the roofing sheeting to the frame and cover with roof paper. Set up the drip edges and the flashing and read this 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 below side of the window.
7. Seal the edges with silicone caulking.
This is a list of the fundamental installation steps and they have been abbreviated in the interests of simpleness and space. The window unit you purchase will have complete installation actions. Take it from the voice of experience; it truly makes the project go far more efficiently and it will be finished in much less time when you check out and follow them.
In our case, I had two buddies aiding with the task. We have actually worked together on other jobs and collaborate well. We had the old window out and the rough framing completed 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 new window installed and the roofing system and skirting completed. On Monday afternoon I ended up sealing up the outdoors and completed the trim work for the inside.
And, we were right. It was the best area for a bay window. It looked terrific from the exterior. Inside, it ended up being the focal point of the room and added a special charm to your house. The window offered your house added character and value.
When it came time to sell your home, it was one of the functions that were particularly appealing to the purchasers.