A bay window can be an excellent addition to your home’s curb appeal and livability, but it also comes with some unique maintenance considerations.
Many homeowners aren’t aware that bay windows need regular replacement, usually every five to ten years depending on the size of the bay and the material from which it was made.
That’s why it’s important to perform a bay window replacement at least once during your home’s lifetime if you want to protect your investment against damage and keep your home looking its best at all times.
Introduction
Bay windows are architectural features that allow homeowners to expand a room, create an outdoor seating area or simply add charm.
When these windows get damaged or broken, however, they don’t add any of those things. It is important for homeowners who have bay windows to know how to handle various situations that could arise with them and take action when necessary.
This guide will explain how one should replace damaged window glass in their bay window and what steps are involved with performing such replacement work.
Prepare the Windows
Before you can work on replacing a bay window, it’s important that you prep your replacement windows. Your new replacement windows need to fit into your existing frame, so make sure they fit correctly and that they aren’t cracked or otherwise damaged.
Also, prepare your home by painting any damage and sealing around windows with caulking or silicone. Remember that caulking needs at least 24 hours of drying time before you can start working with it.
Remove the Old Windows
When it comes time to replace bay windows exterior, experts recommend tackling one wall at a time. Remove each of your old windows one by one and take care not to damage any trim around them.
(The process goes much faster with two people.) While you’re removing your bay window, make sure that you keep track of all hardware associated with them; odds are good you’ll need it again when you’re installing your new ones.
Once they’ve been removed, wrap up any debris that remains and get rid of it properly so no rodents are attracted.
Preparing for New Windows
When you are finished installing your new window, make sure to test it out. It’s best to get someone who has experience with windows and doors to check it out before installing anything else on your home.
This way you can make sure that everything is in order and that there aren’t any problems.
Once they have checked over your window, you can then be sure that you don’t need any further repairs or adjustments.
If everything checks out well, then you will want to install your finishing trim pieces on your windows (if necessary). This will help protect them from water damage and getting dirty if there is dirt outside of them.
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Installing the New Windows
The bay window can be replaced by sliding in new vinyl, aluminum or wood-framed windows.
To remove an old bay window and install new ones, you need to remove all of your old wood trim and check how far into your wall they penetrate.
You’ll also need to check how wide your framing is (with respect to where you are going to be hanging your new windows). This can be done with a stud finder.
If you want larger casement windows, then it’s advisable that you hire professionals who have experience in installing them on multi-pane frames.
Final Steps
Determining how much money you’ll need for your bay window replacement project is largely based on how big of an area you’re looking to replace and what your needs are.
While it may seem silly at first, determining if you want single or double-hung windows can be important because they will likely look different and cost differently.
You should also consider how you want your home’s exterior to look and whether replacing bay windows with windows that are a different ideal bedroom size than those already in place will affect that.
All of these factors come into play when trying to determine if a bay window repair or replacement is right for you and what it will cost.
