How to Construct a Bay Window
Bay windows add elegance to a home. Installing one can increase interior light and expand the space in your home. It can also increase your home's value. You can add trim such as crown molding to decorate the outer edges. You'll need someone to assist you, as this project can be awkward for one person. The simplest method is to remove the current windows, and install the bay window into that space, according to "The Complete Guide to Doors and Windows," penned by the Editors at Black and Decker.
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Things You'll Need
- Shims
- Circular saw
- Retractable tape measure
- 10 to 14 penny finishing nails
- Flashing
- Fiberglass insulation
- Trim
- Drywall
- 2 hammers
Instructions
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1
Decide where to place your new window. An east-facing wall is your best bet. Visit a local home improvement store and look at the windows catalog. Most stores also have windows on display. Determine whether you want a custom or manufactured window.
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2
Remove the existing windows by popping out the screens, removing the sash (the frame holding the glass panes), sash stops and the windows. With a hammer, pry the slider tracks from the sides and window sills.
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Place the new windows in the outer open spaces by carefully sliding them in place with sash stops and tracks (you'll need help with this part). Make sure you attach the wood support braces (from the ground to the lower portion of the new window), as the new window will be protruding out from the wall of the house. Level the window by inserting shims (a thin, wedge-shaped piece of plastic, metal or wood). Nail through the extension jambs (the upper-right part of the window frame) into the framing studs with 10 penny finishing nails.
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Attach drywall and fiberglass insulation (a material made of poly-cotton generally used to prevent air passage through cracks or walls) to prevent leakage and to seal the outer edges of the window.
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Build a small roof at the top of the new window, recommends John D. Wagner, author of "The Ultimate Guide to House Framing." Use flashing (sheet metal attached around the joints of a roof) to properly attach the roof to the bay window and prevent leakage.
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References
- Photo Credit bay windows image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
