When you moved into your new house, you were immediately drawn to the spacious bay window. It was classy, elegant, and offered an unbeatable view of your new backyard. Everything was fine until it wasn’t. Now, the glass is cracked, the frame is warped, and you don’t know what to do.
We get it. Being a homeowner is fun until it’s time to think of repairs and replacements. When you have to replace an atypical window, you have to deal with unique challenges, including:
No Off-the-Shelf Solution
If you have any type of atypical window, you can’t just go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and buy a replacement. These types of windows must be custom fabricated. Even if you’re handy, it’s highly unlikely you have the tools and equipment needed to perform a DIY custom fabrication. Additionally, with any type of custom fabrication project, getting precise measurements is critical. Otherwise, you risk the replacement not fitting correctly.
Difficult to Seal/Energy-Efficiency Issues
Unless you know what you’re doing and are familiar with installing atypical windows, it’s difficult to achieve proper insulation, weatherproofing, and sealing because you’re not working with normal shapes and angles.
Atypical windows require custom metal flashing, or in some cases, stepped flashing, along with expensive polyurethane or silicone sealants, low-expansion foam, and/or backing material to install in the joints.
Finding an Exact Match
Finding an exact match is only a problem if you live in a historic district like Potter Highlands or Capitol Hill. In these types of replacements, preservation is crucial, and homeowners must find a replacement that doesn’t change the home’s aesthetics. Custom millwork may be required to match existing profiles, the muntin proportions and spacing have to be replicated (even a slight variation would ruin the aesthetic), and hardware should match the period in which the home was built.
Structural Considerations
It’s easy to understand what support is needed for standard, rectangular windows. Atypical windows pose a bigger challenge. Bay windows, for example, need bottom support or a cantilever. Without a professional load bearing analysis, you risk immediate or progressive structural damage, including sagging or cracking walls, premature failure of seals and flashing, frame distortion, and water intrusion.
Play It Safe With Angelo & Sons
Founded in 2009, Angelo & Sons Doors And More is a family-owned and operated business committed to affordability, responsive support, and custom solutions. Whether you have a standard vinyl window or an atypical one, our experts can help you repair or replace it. We pay close attention to function, form, and size, ensuring every replacement fits perfectly and is sealed correctly to prevent drafts. We’re also partnered with many window manufacturers, allowing us to find a perfect fit for your home.
Visit our website to view some of our past work with custom window replacement, or contact us today to get started with an estimate.