Bay windows started to become very popular throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Around 20% of houses had these windows installed. If you’ve owned a house that’s had bay windows in it since 1970, there is a good chance that it’s beginning to reach the end of its life. If you need to do a bay window replacement in your home, there are a couple of things you can look out for to help you better identify if it really is time to replace your bay window.
1. Inspect Your Window For Water Damage Or Seal Failure
The first thing you’ll want to look out for is if any of the seals are damaged on the bay window. Damaged seals can allow water to get through the window and you’ll notice stains on the framing of the window which can lead to rotting. Damaged window seals can cause noticeable fog between the window panes, and this can really wreak havoc in your view. As water keeps penetrating through the seals, mold will start to develop, and that can cause a whole number of issues in itself.
2. Is The Hardware Not Working Good Anymore?
Give the hardware a test and see if it still works as smoothly as it did before. Over time, the crank latches on bay windows will start to become very hard to operate. Sometimes they might even freeze shut and you don’t even be able to open the window at all. There is a possibility that you can repair the hardware, but it usually just makes more sense to replace the entire window at that point. More often than not, if it’s a really old window, there will be other issues in addition to just the faulty hardware.
3. Check To See If The Glazing Is Peeling
If you start noticing that the glazing on your bay window is peeling, then that’s another indicator that it’s probably time to replace the window. Repairing an issue like this isn’t really an option, and if there is any rotting in the frame of the window, then that’s basically a stamp of approval to get the window replacement done.
4. The Sitting Area On The Bay Window Is Damaged
Around half of all bay windows will start to get sagging on the seating areas because of use throughout the years. Wear and tear is a normal thing that happens to any product you purchase. Sometimes people wonder if they can replace the seating area, but if you do a closer inspection, you’ll notice that the framework and hardware of the window are all in the same poor condition.
5. Your House Will Look Better With A New Bay Window
If the exterior part of your home where the bay window is located looks like an eyesore whenever you walk past it, then that’s probably another good indicator that it should be replaced. Like everything else, bay windows will start to get old and worn out over time. This can lower the aesthetics of your home substantially.
Installing bay windows is known to be a little more complicated than any other standard window. If you want to replace a bay window, you’re going to want to contact a professional to get the job done. They’ll be able to install the window as per all of the applicable building codes, and the old bay window eyesore will now be a beautiful, bright, energy-efficient window that you can relax on as soon as the job is complete.
