Adding a Bay Window to your Living Room
Bay windows are beautiful windows that allow a lot of sun and light into a room. They protrude from the house and create an interesting focal point on the outside of the home, as well. For the novice to it yourself homeowner, bay window installation may be better left to a professional window installer or contractor. However, if attempting to add a bay window to your living room without the assistance of a professional, it is best to recruit helpers and the proper equipment.
Getting Ready
In order to prepare for installation of a bay window, you will need to gather a saw, screwdrivers, a hammer, two-by-fours, plywood, wood screws, tape measure, safety goggles, and any material needed for replacing the roofing if needed. When purchasing a bay window, be sure to measure it exactly. You can then measure the area on the outside of the home that the window will be occupying. If you are replacing a window, the hole will already be cut. However, if you are adding a brand new window to the room, you will need to cut through the home's exterior into the living room to make a space for the bay window. It is infinitely easier to replace a regular window than it is to cut a brand new hole in the house for a new one.
Removing the Old Window
Begin by removing the old window from the wall. Trim and windowsills will need to be taken down first. Unscrew the window from the support brackets and pry it from the snug window space. It is advisable to have at least one assistant on the outside of the house to hold the window steady as it is loosened from its confines.
Installing the New Bay Window
Clean out the area where the old window once stood. Measure the window opening to see if any additional space will be needed to accommodate the bay window. If more space is needed, cut from the exterior of the home into the inside of the home for a smoother cut. Be sure to frame the new opening with sturdy two-by-fours to support both the bay window and the remainder of the wall.
Since bay windows stick out from the wall, they need extra support at the base. This can be accomplished by cutting lengths of two-by-fours to drop down to the floor from the height of the bottom of the windowsill. When the old window and its support beams are removed, the interior of the wall will be exposed making it easy to slip the new support boards between the exterior and interior walls. Secure them to the other pieces of framing and the new bay window will have the bottom support needed to maintain its integrity.
Install the window brackets that came with the bay window. It is important to use the brackets either provided by or recommended by the manufacturer, to ensure that the window will fit properly in the space. The number of brackets needed will depend on the width of the bay window itself. Some homeowners tend to be extra cautious and use more brackets than the window may actually need, but the extra expense is worth their peace of mind.
With the help of assistants, slide the bay window onto the brackets from the outside of the house. It will then slide into the interior where it can be temporarily secured with screws. Make sure that the window is level and then firmly attach it to the house using wood screws.
Finishing Up
Replace the interior window trim and caulk along all edges of the bay window. Bay windows can be prone to leaking if they are not properly installed and sealed. Take the time to do both correctly and the bay window will be a bright, welcome addition to your living room.
About the author
Alyssa Davis is the top writer and creative design specialist for Metal-Wall-Art.com. She specializes in designing with palm tree wall art and wall decor art.
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