How Our Bay Window Curtain Gave Our Window New Character

If you''re looking to install bay windows into your home you''ll need a few tools. Here''s what you need.

- A straight edge, it''s best to use a framing square to serve both purposes.
- A tape measure for obvious reasons
- A couple of crow bars for prying
- A miter or circular saw for cutting your window out
- You''ll need a drill and bits to fasten your bay window securely
- A heavy duty stapler
- A Level
- A pair of tin snips
- Utility knife
- A caulking gun
- A picture of a bay window that you''ll want to model yours after

You''ll need some materials as well. These include support brackets, shingles, some roofing paper, roofing nails, fiberglass and silicone caulking insulation (look for exterior grade).

You will need two by fours for additional framing if you''re creating a new space in the wall as your window.

Here are the installation steps you''ll be taking.

You''ll have to first establish the position in the wall for the window. If there''s an existing window remove it. Next measure the bay window, then mark on the outside of your house the opening that you''ll need for the new window. Now cut the opening with your circular saw.

Next you''ll begin framing the new window. This includes cutting through any pre-existing studs and inserting a new header, a rough sill, cripple studs, and the jack studs.

Now it''s time to put in the support braces. For a window of up to 5 feet wide, you''ll need about two support braces. Anything wider will require three.

Okay, it''s time to set your window in place. Slide the bay window into the newe opening using the support braces. You''ll have to shimmy the new window into place to get it as level as possible.

The next step is to build the window roof. Nail the roof frame into place on top of the new bay window. Fill in any space with insulation. Before covering with roofing paper, you''ll have to fasten down the roof sheeting to the window frame. Now install drip edges, flashes, and begin to shingle.

Time to put in the skirting at the bottom of the window. Fill it with insulation and then fasten the skirt, which will seal the underside of the window. Now just seal it all with silicone.

Though this is an abbreviated, this is the basic run down of the steps involved to install a bay window. When you buy the window unit, complete steps will surely be given in the instructions. Always read and follow the instructions to avoid headache.

I was fortunate enough to have two friends give me a hand. I knew that I work well with these guys. We popped out the window and had framed the new one by the end of the same day we started. We plugged the hole with some plywood through the night, and jumped back on the job the next day.

By evening on Sunday the new window was installed and roofing and skirting was finished. I easily finished sealing everything up myself on Monday, plus got the trim work done on the inside.

We do not regret for a minute the spot we chose for our new bay window. It looked tremendous from both outside and in. After my wife slapped up a bay window curtain it finished off the job perfectly.

Now were selling our house, and have many prospects due to the bay window alone.

Peter J. Wilson writes first and foremost for http://www.replacement-windows-tips.com , a website with topics around decorating . You might come across his comments on bay windows over at http://www.replacement-windows-tips.com .