I have a 5 section bow window that I need to replace. The rough opening is 127 x 73 inches.
I was considered ordering a Jeld-Wen bow window but at least 3 window installers have told me that I’ll have problem with a prefabricated window. They point out the width is more than 8 ft so there will be no warranty. Also, they tell me the angles of the new window have to exactly the same as the old window or the new window won’t fit properly. I have confirmed the angles on the existing window are not consistent so this seems like a valid concern.
So, another option is ordering 5 Vinyl casements and building the frame on-site and finish the outside with aluminum cladding.
Questions:
1. How do I connect the five casements together? I assume I need to mill some wedge shaped spacers to go between the casements.
2. Should I order the casements with nailing fins and screw the nailing fins to the spacer?
3. Do I order them with brickmoulds with snap off/on caps and screw through the vinyl into the spacers?
Your advice is appreciated.
Replies
There aren't many old bow windows 10' wide that aren't also built to help support the framing above so I'm betting you need to make this a structural retrofit, not just a bunch of cheap vinyl windows screwed together and thrown in the opening.
Personally I wouldn't use vinyl windows for this - on a personal level vinyl has a cheap feel, but professionally it's easy to justify by the difficulty in joining and sealing a series of these together compared to wood.
Honestly I get the feeling the main driving force behind this is to save money - not that a pre-built window is not going to be easy to work with or reliable.
Personally this is a no-brainer and I wouldn't have any problems saving money over a pre-built unit, and it's a piece of cake to make a custom window also structurally able to support the weight above, but to go into details with someone who doesn't know what they are doing isn't doing anything but giving unwarrranted hope that this will turn out correct. This is a challenging custom window so you have to know what you're doing. Hire a good finish carpenter with experience building custom windows. If you want a maintence free exterior have the exterior wood clad with fiberglass or carbon fiber.
The installers are correct - a custom setup is the way to go.
You can order casements and create a system to connect them, but windows differ in their construction and installation requirements, so a universal solution isn't realistic.
This is a pretty involved project - do you feel that you are you experienced enough to pull it off? It requires pretty good millwork / trim carpentry skills, tools, and some good layout know how.
If yes, - go for it!
It may be time to consider re-configuring that bow into a simple bump-out, which may be easier to accomplish and update the look of the house at the same time.
http://www.remodelingguy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bump-out-cottageliving.gif
Pictures may help us be able to answer your questions more intelligently.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Brent
http://www.digiconsoo.com