I shot a bay

[Ga-Bandit]

I forgot that years ago I told my wife I would add a bay when it was time to get some new windows. Well, this year she said she wanted new windows and asked what I thought. Ummm, forgot about the bay before I said okay. Now covered in 3/4" PINK gip board.

Anyone got spare/left over house wrap about 10' in length?

[Back Marker]

awesome...

-a|ex

[Ga-Bandit]

The PITA is the windows I ordered 2 weeks ago came in and they were wrong so this will sit for 2 weeks until the correct ones come in with the other 17 windows. Maybe I'll do the soffit first.

[Ga-Bandit]

well, the bay windows are still on backorder so I got the other 20 and installed them. All I have left is to insulate and cap the wood.

The storm windows were held on with aircraft double sided tape which is almost impossible to take off.

I'll post some finished pics when I'm done.

[Ga-Bandit]

it's been a while. The windows took 7 weeks after being back ordered. I got them so cheap I just waited. This is a picture of the bay after installing the house wrap, flashed, caulked, etc and one finished except for paint.

[Ga-Bandit]

I just had another person ask me about replacement windows. Here is what I told them:

The warranty is covered by the manufacture, not the installer. Most of the companies will have a factory rep look at it if it ever fails . All the lower end main players will cover 2 breakage replacements for lifetime and unlimited bad workmanship replacements during the warranty period (which you don't see too much of unless installed too tight) - it's more cost efficient to save the money up front and pay for a repacement since it's a simple job that you can do. High end main players cover everything but you're paying 4 times as much. Don't worry about yellowing because now all of these companies use virgin plastic but stay away from dark colors.


Dixie Craftsman - overpriced, great product, great warranty. The owners Jim and David are good people but they don't run it any longer.
Window World - Up charge for rebate qualifying units, decent product, good warranty if it qualifies (up to 2/lifetime).
U.S. Windows - Up charge for rebate qualifying units, decent product, appears to be a good warranty.
Sears - overpriced, financing available, great window, good warranty. Mike is a nice guy and takes pride in getting the jobs done.

I can buy from my local source ( The Window Factory) like I did for mine which are a small step up from U.S. Windows and Window World. The best window out there IMHO is what American Wholesale sells (same windows as Sears, Dixie Homecrafters) but they're a premium. I choose to save the money because once a window is installed and the newness wears off you won't notice a difference.

I just installed all 22 of mine for $4200 with full screens, 20 are double hung, the two bathroom windows have oblique glass on the bottom, my bay has 2 casements and the large picture window is tempered. I saved over $4000 compared to going through U.S. Window and/or Window World. I installed them myself since I was a contractor. The average of all the bells and wistles drove my estimates from U.S. Window and Window World to almost $400/window. I paid on average of $200.

The average charge to measure and install windows are $100 each - this includes capping the window on the outside with vinyl clad aluminum. You're best investment is buying the windows yourself and paying an installer (hint hint :))

I recommend at a minimum a window that is dual pane, Low-E, with Argon Gas and full screens for all operating windows.

I believe an informed consumer are the best customers. I also suggest going ahead and getting quotes from all the players so you can compare them - just don't sign anything - the sales person will use high pressure tactics if you let them.

-Joe

[ROCKER]

I don't see any concrete or posts holding it up. Did you cantilever the floor back into the house?

[Ga-Bandit]

I don't see any concrete or posts holding it up. Did you cantilever the floor back into the house?

4:1 instead of 2:1 since the original framing in the living room needed a boost.

[ROCKER]

4:1 instead of 2:1 since the original framing in the living room needed a boost.

Ya should have took pics of that. That was the hardest part.

[Ga-Bandit]

I still have to crawl under there when I close up the vent opening so I'll try to grab some pictures then. They're all blocked at the ends.