Bay and bow windows

Bay and bow windows that project off the wall

A bay or bow is not a flat window with a bigger view. It projects, so the seat, the head, the roof or cap over it, and the flashing where it meets the wall all have to be in the plan. Pane Pro SD refers a contractor who should say whether the existing projection can be reused or has to be rebuilt.

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Three-section bay window projecting from the front of a San Diego house

What's included in this service?

Refer a contractor who treats the projection as structure, not only as glass
Ask for flashing at the head and where the projection meets the wall, in writing
A window seat or soffit is finish work. Say whether it is in the quote
Design review, where a city requires it, is the homeowner and contractor problem to clear before ordering

When do you need this service?

An existing bay leaks at the head or along the seat
You want to add a projection and the wall has to carry it
The flanker units are fogged but the seat structure is still sound
An HOA or design board has to see the profile before anything is ordered

What do homeowners ask about Bay and bow windows?

Why do bay windows leak?

The usual failure is the cap or the joint where the projection meets the wall, not the glass. Ask the contractor to name that joint in the scope. A new unit on a bad cap repeats the leak.

Can the seat be storage?

Sometimes. It is carpentry inside the projection. Ask for it as a line on the quote if you want it, and ask who builds it.

Do bay windows need a permit?

City of San Diego Information Bulletin 203 describes conditional exemptions and a no-plan permit path. Confirm the proposed work with the building department that covers the property, and agree who handles any required permit.

How long does a custom bay take to arrive?

Ask the contractor for the current factory lead time on that size. This site does not publish a delivery promise.