When homeowners are thinking about pushing out a room with a new bay window in Liberal, KS, they usually have a long list of questions running through their head. Over the years at Allied Window Installation Inc, we have heard just about every concern a homeowner can come up with regarding Bay Window Installation in Liberal, KS. Allied Window Installation Inc wants to walk through some of the most common questions we get right here in Liberal, KS, without any sales talk.
Will a bay window hold up against our high winds?
High winds are usually the first thing people ask about, and for good reason. Southwest Kansas gets hammered by heavy winds sweeping across the flat terrain, putting massive pressure on anything projecting past the exterior wall line. A standard picture window sits flush, but a bay window sticks out. To keep it from sagging or catching the wind like a sail, Bay Window Installation needs serious structural support. Allied Window Installation Inc always uses heavy-duty cable suspension kits or properly engineered knee brackets anchored securely into the wall studs, rather than just screwed into the siding. If the bay window is installed right, homeowners do not have to worry when a spring storm rolls through Liberal, KS.
Do bay windows leak air or let in the winter cold?
Bay windows can leak air if they are slapped in quick and cheap. Because a bay window has multiple angles, roof pitches, and joins, proper sealing is key during Window Installation. If the contractor cuts corners on insulation or flashing, homeowners will feel it immediately when the temperature drops. At Allied Window Installation Inc, we insulate the seat board thoroughly and make sure the roof above the projection sheds water cleanly away from the siding. Drafts happen when gaps are left unsealed during framing, so taking extra time on the perimeter seal saves homeowners headaches down the road in Liberal, KS.
How much structural work is required to swap a flat window for a bay?
The work depends entirely on what is currently on your wall. If you are replacing a standard double-hung window, our team has to cut down the framing studs, build a custom header to carry the load above, and extend the roofline and floor platform. If your home has brick veneer, which is common on many mid-century houses around Liberal, cutting into the masonry adds an extra layer of precision work. Window Installation is not a quick afternoon project, but a good crew handles the structural framing cleanly so the finished product looks like it was built with the house.
Do I need extra roof or flashing work above the projection?
Extra roof and flashing work is required, and this is where a lot of leaks start. Because a bay window extends past the exterior wall, it needs its own mini-roof structure overhead. That roof needs proper shingling or metal flashing tucked right behind your existing house siding or masonry. If water gets behind that joint, it rots out the framing hidden underneath. Allied Window Installation Inc always ties the flashing directly into the weather-resistant barrier of the home to keep moisture out for good on every Bay Window Installation in Liberal, KS.
How do I clean and maintain a bay window?
Cleaning depends on the style of operating windows you choose for the flanks. Most homeowners go with casement or double-hung windows on the sides so they can catch a cross-breeze. As for maintenance, keep an eye on the exterior caulking every few years. The combination of intense summer heat and freezing winter weather makes exterior sealants expand and contract, eventually creating tiny cracks where moisture can creep in.