How To Build Roof Over Bay Window

Bay windows are a wonderful addition to any home. They let more light in and provide you with an amazing view of the outside world. However, you’ll have to make sure everything is perfect when building, installing, and repairing one so that there’s no leakage and you get the most out of it.

In this article, we’re going to discuss how to frame and roof a bay window as well as deal with one that’s leaking. Here at Legacy Service, we have plenty of experience with residential window installations and replacements, and we can help you build one that’s perfect for your home. Continue reading or give us a call at 215-798-9790 to schedule a consultation.

What is a Bay Roof?

A bay roof is a three-sided roof that covers the bay window projection. It’s typically framed against the vertical wall of a building. This type of roof can be frustrating to frame, and even experienced roofers will resort to trial and error when trying to fit the pieces together. Issues that can occur include soffits that vary in width, fascia boards that aren’t level or taper from one end to the other, and unequal slopes on the three sides of the roof.

Types of Roofing for Bay Windows

Bay windows project from your house, leaving them unprotected by the main roof. Since they aren’t sheltered, they’ll need strong and sturdy materials that will keep them durable for years to come. There are a few different options when it comes to choosing the roofing material for your window. Each of them has its own advantages. They include:

1. Metal – While metal roofs may be more expensive than shingles, many people choose them for their appearance and sturdiness. Metal roofs look beautiful on just about any home, and sometimes they can last for over 50 years. So, once you add a metal roof, you’re pretty much set for life.
2. Shingles – Shingles are always one of the most popular options when it comes to any kind of roofing because they not only look nice, but they’re also typically the least expensive. They also come in dozens of colors for you to choose from, so you can find a color that matches nicely with the rest of your home.
3. Copper – Copper is another popular roofing option because it’s both beautiful and durable. In some cases, it has lasted for over 100 years! Also, since copper is a lightweight material, it won’t put as much stress on your home’s internal structure as heavier materials (steel, wood shakes, clay tiles) would.

If you need help deciding which type of material would work best for your roof, you can turn to our team at Legacy Service.

Roofing Materials for a Bay Window

Before you start working on your bay window, you’ll need to get the necessary supplies and materials together. Here are the items to gather:

• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• Casing nails
• Circular saw
• Drill
• Drip cap
• Exterior casing
• Flashing
• Flat pry bar
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• Interior trim
• Insulation
• Level
• Plywood
• Roofing
• Roofing nails
• Stapler
• Staples
• Screwdriver
• Tape measure

Once you have everything together, you’ll need to plan out how you’re going to build and frame the roof. We explain more about that in the section below.

Bay Window Construction: Framing and Roofing a Bay Window

Whether you’re looking to do it yourself or you want to know how the professionals get it done, it’s important to understand the steps you need to take to frame and roof your bay window. This can be a complicated process, especially if you’re not experienced in home construction, but it’s worth it once the job is done right. Here are the steps involved in framing a bay window roof:

Step 1: Install the bay window after careful planning. Before you can start on the roof, you’ll have to install the bay window itself. This involves careful planning and thoroughly consulting architectural plans for the window first. You’ll also have to plan for the bay window roof. But once the window, its frame, and its cap are in place, you can get started framing the roof.

Step 2: Plan out the roof. It’s time to finish planning the roof frame. Most of the time, a bay window will have a hip roof that’s constructed using 45-degree angles. Fortunately, there are calculators available online that are designed to help you create your plans. All you’ll need to do is plug in the measurements and dimensions you’re using and the calculator will provide you with a chart that has the angles and lengths of the roof’s rafters.

Step 3: Build the frame and finish the roof. To start building the frame of the roof, use a 2 by 6 fascia board to create the perimeter of the roof by nailing in onto the back wall. Then, use the chart from your online roof frame calculator to cut the rafters to size and nail them into place. Remember to wear safety gloves and goggles for protection when cutting the boards and nailing them.

To finish the roof, insulate it and close the frame with plywood. Then, install a drip edge, so water and snow will easily slide off the roof without going down the panes.

Insulating a Bay Window Roof

Once you know how to install the frame correctly, the insulation part should come easy. It’s important to pay attention to your thermal barrier’s air sealing and continuity. Make sure you design the projection so that there’s enough room for insulation above the window, below the window, and to the sides. While it’s fine to include insulation between the framing members, it’s better to add multiple layers of continuous rigid foam on the exterior of the sheathing. The reason for this is that when you just use insulation between the framing members, the performance may be degraded by thermal bridging.

Dealing with a Leaky Bay Window

The bad news is that leaks can be quite common with bay windows, but fortunately, if you choose the right roofer for the job, you can fix any leak up quickly or even prevent them from happening altogether. Bay windows require a special way of connecting the roof to the side of the home because of the way the roof line runs up. Also, each part of the roof requires the correct flashing, so you know there will be a tight seam where the materials join.

If your home is covered in vinyl or wood siding, it’s essential to have apron flashing and step flashing behind the siding to create an effective seal against the potential intrusion of moisture. You’ll also need to make sure the apron flashing overlaps the step flashing and the corners are sealed. In fact, it’s recommended to first check the step and apron flashing when addressing a leaky bay window.

All in all, it’s important to work with a professional roofing company whether you’re planning to install, replace, or repair a bay window or its roof. The cost is worth it for the peace of mind!

Schedule an Appointment With Our Team Today!

Instead of building the bay window and its roof yourself, why don’t you relax and let our team at Legacy Service handle it? Our experts will communicate with you every step of the way to make sure the project is meeting your standards, and we’ll do it all at a price you can afford. Whether you choose bay window flat roof construction or another style of roof altogether, we’ll work to ensure you’re fully satisfied at the job’s completion. Since windows are susceptible to drafts, condensation, warping, and cracking, it’s important to use only the best materials out there. To learn more about our bay window roofing services, give us a call at 215-798-9790 or contact us here.