ADVICE ON CHOOSING A BAY WINDOW.
Provided by JELD-WEN, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of bay windows and timber windows.
Q1: When thinking about replacing a bay window, where should you start?
A: Find out if it is a structural or non-structural bay window. If it is structural, it is a good idea to ask a building designer to take a look at it and advise accordingly before getting in touch with a builder. There are extra considerations to be taken with a structural bay and it makes sense to take professional advice on this.
JELD-WEN offers a structural bay window solution, which includes structural steel reinforcement posts that can be supplied along with the window to support the house. The structural bay system can be used to carry structural loads of up to two tonnes per corner joint, for windows up to 1750mm high. It also includes a screw adjustment to ensure an accurate fit for the bay window in any given situation.
B) The bay window will need to comply with Part L of Building Regulations. It is important to ensure the new window achieves the correct thermal performance – which, for bay windows, means achieving a U value of 1.6 W/m2K – so speak to your builders merchant for guidance. Replacing a bay window is classed as ‘notifiable works’, so you would also need permission from your local planning office.
C) Is the building in a conservation area? If so, you will need to check with the local conservation or planning officer. It may be that if you have PVC-U bay windows, you may be asked to replace with more sympathetic timber windows that better complement their surroundings. An authentic look for conservation areas can be achieved by choosing separate oak windows to form a bay window – with options available from JELD-WEN to do this.
D) What edge detail does the bay window have? There are a number of options here, such as square bays, 450 splay bays or older properties may have “bird’s mouth” detail. Again, you will need a competent builder or building designer to advise on the correct sizing and specification for the replacement bay window.
E) Is the bay window produced as a single structure, or is it made up of stone that forms part of the fabric of the house? Many Victorian-style properties are built in this way and it’s often an easier replacement as it is simply a case of making sure the windows are correctly measured and replacing them individually, rather than needing to replace the whole bay.
Q2: What else should you consider? Are square or half moon bay windows the same amount of work?
A: Square or half moon bay windows involve a similar amount of work, but in all cases it is very important to ensure that the specification for the replacement windows is correct – so call in the services of a building designer or window specialist.
Q3: Are there any differences if you replace up and/or downstairs?
A: Whether the bay windows are upstairs or downstairs, Part L building regulations are still relevant and advice should be taken on this.
Q4: How do you find an installer and should you ask for guarantees for workmanship and build?
A: You should always ask your local bay window distributor or builders merchant for a recommendation on a competent bay window installer. Also, you can source one through the Guild of Master Craftsmen or by checking with the local trading standards office. Ask the builder if you can visit any local projects where the company has carried out similar work and speak to the residents who live there to check they are happy. Recommendations are always the best way to find a reliable, professional tradesperson.
You should always ask for a guarantee for any work carried out – check beforehand what guarantees the builder/installer offers and compare these with others. Make sure you ask for any guarantees in writing before the work starts.
Q5: Aftercare - what would be the most suitable paint or wood stain treatments to protect the new window?
Fully finished options are available with bay windows, which are applied by the manufacturer during the production process. This provides a superior finish and greater longevity for the windows. It also means less maintenance. JELD-WEN’s factory finished bay windows come with a 10 year guarantee on paint finishes.
Q6: What is it likely to cost?
A: It is very difficult to provide a cost, as all replacement bay windows are bespoke and it very much depends on the size, detailing and specification that is required. It is advisable to request a visit by a window specialist to measure the window, who can then provide an accurate quotation.
Q7: Roughly how long would the work take?
A: Non-structural bays are less complex to replace than structural and the replacement could be carried out within a day, although it may take a bit longer for the finishing of the window.
Replacing a structural bay window is likely to take 2-3 days, due to the extra work involved in supporting the structure of the house. In both cases, always ensure a competent builder undertakes the work.
JELD-WEN’s offer
JELD-WEN offers a wide range of bay windows with its renowned Stormsure specification. The company has also recently released a sliding sash bay window with a structural bay offer.
More information can be found by calling 0845 122 2890.
