Bow window, part 2

(Continued from part 1.)

The important parts of the detail are the cable connection (to top plate), insulation above the headboard (and below the seatboard) and attic ventilation. Three extra sill plates raised the window to align with those in the rest of the house.

Physically, the raising of the unit into position was purely "Archimedean" — using a standard hydraulic vehicle jack and some custom stacking blocks. Two guys held it from tipping over during jacking. When it was high enough, sliding into place was easy. The existing brick veneer precluded structural support from below, such as corbels or steel L-brackets. This meant the cables are the main support. For added safety, the factory headboard was screwed to the header beam and steel brackets were installed at the jambs.