When the bay windows at Mark's Stretford home began to drop, the problem went beyond appearance. A remortgage survey raised concerns about their condition, and Mark wanted to know the underlying issue would be put right. We rebuilt the bay with new windows and a properly supported, insulated middle section, completing the work with our own in-house team.
Project at a Glance
| Location | Stretford |
| Property | An older home with a two-storey front bay |
| Products and Works | Elitis A-rated windows; reinforced bay poles with bay pole jacks; rebuilt and insulated middle section; internal plastering and external rendering |
| Colour | White window frames, as shown in the supplied photographs |
| Installation Team | Steve and Ben, The Window Company's directly employed fitters |
| Duration | Three days, with the home secure and watertight by the end of day one |
| Highlights | Correcting support problems, rebuilding the bay and restoring the customer's confidence |
The Customer Challenge
Mark's previous windows had been installed by another company eight years earlier. The correct supports had not been fitted, and the bay had started to drop. When he came to remortgage, the surveyor deemed the bay windows unfit for purpose.
Our inspection confirmed problems with the support and significant movement in the bay. For Mark, the priority was to have the work carried out properly so he would not face the same situation again. He also wanted to feel comfortable and safe using the room.
Two neighbours had used us for similar work, so Mark had already seen the quality of our installations. Knowing we use directly employed installers, rather than subcontractors, was a particularly important part of his decision.
Our Recommendation
We recommended removing the existing bay windows and the middle section between the two levels, then rebuilding the bay from the bottom up. Replacing the windows alone would not have addressed the full extent of the problem.
We installed our Elitis A-rated windows, using reinforced bay poles with bay pole jacks to support the bay. Alongside the new windows, we rebuilt and insulated the middle section, plastered inside and rendered outside. This addressed the underlying support problem while giving the front of the house a clean, finished appearance.
Installation Summary
Steve and Ben were the fitting team for Mark's project. The complete job was carried out in-house, including removing and replacing the windows, rebuilding and insulating the middle section, plastering inside and rendering outside.
The installation took three days. By the end of the first day, the bay had been rebuilt and the new windows were in, leaving Mark's home secure and watertight while the remaining finishing work was completed.
The fitters also explained the work as it progressed and showed Mark what they were doing at each stage. After his earlier experience, that reassurance mattered as much as the finished appearance.
Installation Gallery
The Finished Result
The new white windows and neatly rendered middle section have refreshed the front of Mark's home. More importantly, the bay has been rebuilt with proper support, addressing the movement that had caused him so much concern.
Living on a busy road, Mark has noticed that the room is significantly quieter. He also says he feels safe sitting there again, without the worry that the bay might drop further.
Mark was so pleased with the finish that he planned to ask the team about additional rendering above the window and to the side. That would be separate work and is not included in this completed project.
Before & After
These photographs show similar views rather than exact camera matches, so they are shown side by side rather than as an exact overlay.
Front Elevation
Lower Bay and Middle Section
Explore more local window projects from The Window Company.
Customer Q&A
What made you decide to replace your windows or doors?
My windows were installed by another company eight years ago, but the correct supports hadn't been fitted in the bay windows, which caused them to drop.
When I came to remortgage the property, the surveyor deemed the bay windows unfit for purpose. I asked The Window Co to inspect them, and they confirmed there were problems with the supports, which had allowed significant movement in the bay.
They advised removing the windows and the middle section between them, then rebuilding everything properly from the bottom up.
Why did you choose The Window Co?
Two of our neighbours had already used The Window Co for similar work. I'd seen the finished results and was impressed with the quality.
I also saw on their website that they were FENSA registered, but the biggest thing for me was that they don't use subcontractors. Knowing the installers were directly employed gave me confidence in the team carrying out the work.
What was most important to you when choosing the new products?
After my previous experience, the most important thing was knowing the installers understood the job and would do it properly. I didn't want to end up in the same position again.
I wanted strong, good-quality windows with the correct supports in place. The fitters showed me what they were doing at each stage and explained how everything worked, which was really reassuring.
What do you like most about the finished result?
I love how clean and tidy everything looks. The rendering on the front really finishes it off. It looks the part.
I'm going to ask the team to carry out some additional rendering above the window and to the side, which will finish off the front of the property nicely.
Most of all, I'm pleased to have windows that are sitting properly, rather than dropping, leaning or pulling away from the building like the previous ones.
What difference have you noticed since the installation?
I live on a busy road, and it's significantly quieter now. With the new windows and the middle section rebuilt, insulated and plastered, the difference is really noticeable.
I also feel safe sitting in the room again. Before, I was always worried the bay might drop further. Having it all put right has given me real peace of mind.
From Wayne
What stays with me about this job is that Mark was having to put right work he had only paid for eight years earlier. He needed to know why the bay had moved and, just as importantly, that we were dealing with the cause.
Bay windows in older homes can do more than hold the glass. The original timber frames often formed part of the support for the structure above. When those windows are replaced, that weight needs to be properly accounted for.
The right bay poles, bay jacks, reinforcement and measurements all matter. If those details are missed, the bay can start to move. In Mark's case, the middle section needed rebuilding as well as the windows replacing, which meant extra work and expense that could have been avoided.
Credit to Steve and Ben, our fitting team on this job, and to everyone involved in completing the work in-house. The windows, rebuild, insulation and finishing work were all handled by our own team, with the home secure and watertight by the end of day one. Steve and Ben also took the time to show Mark what was happening, which helped him feel confident in the work.
Thank you to Mark for trusting us after such a disappointing experience. It was good to hear that he could enjoy the room again without worrying about the bay dropping further.
My advice to anyone replacing bay windows is to ask how the structure above will be supported and who will actually carry out the installation. Those details deserve just as much attention as the look of the new windows.
With nearly 40 years of experience, we know the importance of getting those details right. That is what our values come back to: No Pressure. No Subcontractors. No Shortcuts.
Products Used
- Elitis A-rated windows with white frames
- Reinforced bay poles with bay pole jacks
- Insulation within the rebuilt middle section
- Internal plaster finish
- External render to the rebuilt middle section
Project Location: Stretford
This project was completed for a customer in Stretford. If you're considering bay window replacement or repair for an older home in the area, take a look at our windows and doors in Stretford page for more on the work we carry out locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mark's bay need rebuilding?
Our inspection found problems with the supports and significant movement. We recommended removing the windows and the middle section, then rebuilding the bay from the bottom up.
Why does support matter when replacing bay windows?
In older properties like Mark's, original timber bay frames can form part of the support for the structure above. Replacement work needs to account for that load, including the appropriate supports, reinforcement and measurements.
How long did this bay window rebuild take?
Mark's project took three days. The bay was rebuilt and the new windows were fitted by the end of day one, leaving the home secure and watertight. This is the duration of this particular project, rather than a standard timescale for every bay rebuild.
Was the work carried out by subcontractors?
No. Our directly employed team carried out the window installation, rebuilding, insulation, plastering and rendering.
What difference did Mark notice afterwards?
Mark says the room is significantly quieter and he feels safe using it again. These are his observations about this installation, rather than measured acoustic performance claims.
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Get in Touch
Thinking about replacing the bay windows at your home in Stretford? Get in touch with The Window Company and tell us what you have in mind. We'll be happy to talk through the project and explain how we can help, with no pressure.