I have a double bay window. I.e Brick Base, with bay window to lounge, brickwork above, and bay window to bedroom.

The bay has started to move away from the house. There is no movement in the brick base or downstairs windows, and I suspect that the problem is caused by the wooden frames being removed, and replaced with unsupported upvc windows resulting in insufficient support for the bedroom bay.

Upstairs where the brick between the windows meets the main house wall there is a crack through the wall (moving away) on both sides. The dark grey colour on the photos along the windows (upstair & downstairs) is where the render was patched, and patch painted when the windows were installed.

What are the options to remedy this?

Can support be added to the existing frame? or should this be replaced?

Helifix has a system for stopping any further movement in bay windows. The bar or rod goes through the brickwork and stitches the bay to the floor joists.

http://www.helifix.co.uk/applications/r ... ndows.aspx

Also to add to what Bruno has said I think that you will need to put some steel rods vertically through the corner UPVC frames to transmit the load through. I suspect that the windows have not got sufficient strength to support the weight and they have allowed movement.

Might be an idea to consult a glazier who would do this for you.

DWD

Hi,

I'd agree that the uPVC frames are receiving loading and dropping; this is allowing the bay to pull away from the main structure. (My father in law has the same issue). In his house the bay construction is very light and not of brick construction between the ground and first floor windows.

No amount of tying in the bay to the main structure is going to do the job (you'd have to create a pretty impressive cantilever system) so I wouldn't look to the helifix on this. Fundamentally you need to add in some load bearing at the front of the bay.

Check these out: nichollsandcooke.com/downloads/bay-poles.pdf

I believe that you can get similar products which fit within the corner fixture of the uPVC frame; you just need to make sure that the plates are onto brick rather than the uPVC.

Hope it works out for you!

Ben