Every bow window replacement we sell covers the full scope from measurement to cleanup. You are not paying separately for tear-out, flashing, or haul-away. Here is what comes standard, and what we quote as an add-on only when your opening actually needs it.
We measure the rough opening at three points, check plumb and level, and inspect the wall for rot, stucco cracks, or prior water damage. That inspection is what tells us whether a retrofit or full frame install is the right call for your bow window.
Bow windows are built to your opening, not cut down from a stock size. You pick the frame material, glass package, grid pattern, and hardware finish. Lead time runs three to six weeks from order to delivery at our yard.
We remove the old sash, frame, and any rotted wood, then vacuum the opening before the new unit goes in. The old window leaves with us. You do not need to rent a dumpster or make a trip to the transfer station.
Flashing tape across the head and sill, silicone caulk at the perimeter, and low-expansion foam in the gap. This is the step that decides whether your new bow window performs for 20 years or leaks in the first rainy season.
Interior trim and exterior cap go back on, fitted tight to the new frame. We do not paint, but we leave the trim ready for it. If your exterior is stucco, we patch and texture the edges so the repair blends.
Every operable sash gets cycled and latched, and we check the seal with a smoke pencil at the perimeter. You walk the job with the lead installer before final payment. Anything you flag, we fix before we leave.
Bow Window Replacement Los Angeles CA is the full removal and reinstallation of a curved, multi-panel window assembly that projects outward from your wall in a gentle arc. A typical bow runs four to six lites set at 10 to 20 degrees, which spreads light wider than a flat window and adds usable sill depth inside. The job involves pulling the old frame, inspecting the rough opening for rot or water damage, then setting the new unit on shims with flashing tape, silicone caulk, and fresh insulation before trim and paint go back on.
Los Angeles homes built between 1920 and 1970 often have original wood bow windows with foggy glass, broken seals, or frames that have swelled from decades of marine layer moisture. If your bow window is drafty, sticks when you open it, or shows condensation between panes, replacement usually costs less than repeated repairs. We install ENERGY STAR rated units with low-E glass and argon gas, sized to your existing opening so you keep the architectural look your street was built around.
Every bow window job follows the same five steps, whether it is a single unit in Encino or a full-house package in Pasadena. Here is exactly what happens from the first call to the final walkthrough.
Schedule
Call or book online — a real human picks up and confirms a 2-hour arrival window.
Diagnose
Licensed tech inspects on-site, then walks you through the cause and your options.
Fix
The job is completed to code and done right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.
Guarantee
Every job backed by a written workmanship warranty — and we stand behind it.
Tape measure and level
Used at the estimate and again on install day to verify the rough opening is plumb, level, and square. A bow window set even a quarter inch out of level will not latch properly.
Pry bar and utility knife
For clean tear-out of the old frame and trim without damaging the surrounding stucco or drywall. Controlled removal is what keeps the repair scope small.
Caulking gun with silicone caulk
Seals the perimeter of the new unit. Silicone holds up to Los Angeles heat and UV better than latex, which is why we use it on every exterior joint.
Flashing tape
Applied across the head and sill to shed water away from the rough opening. This is the single most important step in keeping a bow window from leaking.
Window setting blocks and shims
Position the unit so the sash operates smoothly and the weight is carried by the frame, not the glass. Wrong placement is why some new windows stick within a year.
Insulation gun
Applies low-expansion foam into the gap between the frame and the rough opening. It seals air leaks without bowing the jamb the way high-expansion foam can.
Drill and screwdriver set
For fastening through the frame and installing hardware. We use the manufacturer-specified fasteners so the unit warranty stays intact.
AAMA and WDMA installation standards
These are the industry standards for window installation, covering flashing, fastening, and sealing. Building to them is what keeps your manufacturer warranty valid and your wall dry. We follow them on every bow window job.
ENERGY STAR and NFRC rated glass packages
The NFRC label tells you the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient of the glass you are buying. We spec packages to the orientation of each opening, so a west-facing bow window gets different glass than a north-facing one.
Low-E glass with argon gas
Low-E coating reflects heat back to its source, and argon gas between the panes slows conduction. Together they cut heat gain and heat loss compared to clear double-pane glass, which matters in Los Angeles summers.
Code-correct flashing and permit pulls
Where Los Angeles code requires a permit for window replacement, we pull it and build to the inspection standard. That protects you at resale and keeps the work legal. Inspectors pass our installs the first time.
01
What we do: We measure the opening, cut out the rot to solid wood, and install a wood-frame bow window with low-E glass to match the original profile. Flashing tape and silicone caulk seal the perimeter, and we patch the stucco edges so the repair disappears.
→ The house keeps its period look, the drafts stop, and the new unit is warrantied for decades instead of patched every other year.
02
What we do: We spec a fiberglass frame with a low-E glass package and argon gas, sized to the existing opening. Fiberglass holds its seal better than vinyl in extreme heat, and the low-E coating blocks most of the solar gain that was driving the cooling load.
→ Summer cooling costs drop noticeably, the room stays usable in the afternoon, and the glass no longer radiates heat onto the furniture.
03
What we do: We quote a full unit replacement rather than glass-only, because the frame is out of square and new glass would fail again. The install runs one day, we pull the permit, and the tenant gets a window that opens and latches properly.
→ The draft complaint stops, the unit passes inspection, and the owner avoids a turnover cost at the next lease renewal.
04
What we do: We install a unit with corrosion-resistant hardware and a marine-grade finish on the exterior cap. Flashing and caulking are done to AAMA standards so the salt air does not get behind the trim and start the rot cycle again.
→ The window latches tight, water stays out during winter storms, and the hardware holds up instead of pitting within two years.
Los Angeles is not one climate, and a bow window that performs in Santa Monica may fail in Woodland Hills. Coastal homes deal with salt air and marine layer moisture that corrodes hardware and softens wood sills. Valley homes deal with summer heat that pushes west-facing glass past 140 degrees on the surface and cooks the seal on a cheap insulated unit. Inland areas near Pasadena get both swings. We spec the frame material and glass package to the address, not to a generic template. Building stock matters too. Pre-1950 homes in Echo Park and Highland Park often have original wood bow windows with true divided lites, and we match that profile so the house keeps its character. Mid-century homes in Van Nuys and Canoga Park usually have aluminum or early vinyl units that are out of square and ready for replacement. If you are comparing bow window installation cost Los Angeles quotes, ask each contractor what glass package and frame material they are pricing. A low bid usually means clear glass and a thin frame, and you will pay for that difference in cooling bills. We also handle Bow Window Replacement Los Angeles County permits and inspections, which vary by jurisdiction.
Sherman Oaks
A mix of 1950s ranch homes and newer builds. Many bow windows here face west and take full afternoon sun, so we spec low-E glass with a higher solar heat gain rating.
Santa Monica
Salt air corrodes standard hardware within a few years. We use corrosion-resistant hardware and marine-grade exterior finishes on bow windows in the 90291 and 90292 ZIP codes.
Pasadena
Craftsman and Spanish homes with original wood bow windows. Matching the original profile and grid pattern keeps the historic look intact while upgrading the glass.
Woodland Hills
Summer heat regularly tops 100 degrees. Fiberglass frames hold their seal better than vinyl here, and we recommend them for any west or south-facing bow window.
North Hollywood
Heavy rental stock with aging windows. We quote full unit replacement when the frame is out of square, because glass-only swaps fail again within a couple of years.
Marine layer moisture along the coast
Wood sills and trim absorb moisture and rot from the outside in. We seal every cut end and flash the sill properly so the new unit does not repeat the failure.
Summer heat in the San Fernando Valley
West-facing glass expands and contracts hard, which shortens the life of a cheap insulated unit. Low-E glass and argon gas reduce the thermal load and extend the seal life.
Winter rain and wind-driven storms
A bow window that projects outward takes more weather than a flat window. Flashing tape at the head and sill is what keeps water from getting behind the trim during a February storm.
Older stucco exteriors
Stucco cracks around a window opening let water in behind the wall. We patch and texture the edges after install so the repair blends and the wall stays sealed.
Most bow window calls we get are one of four things: drafts, fog, rot, or a window that will not open. Each one gets worse with time, and each one has a different fix. Here is how we handle them.
Problem
Cold air pushes through the frame all winter, your furnace runs longer, and the room next to the window stays two to four degrees cooler than the rest of the house. The gap also lets dust and street noise in.
Our Fix
We pull the unit and check the rough opening for gaps that were never insulated. New flashing tape, silicone caulk, and low-expansion foam seal the perimeter. If the frame itself is warped, we replace the unit rather than caulk over a problem that will come back.
Problem
Foggy glass means the seal on the insulated glass unit has failed. The window no longer insulates, and the haze gets worse every year until you cannot see through it. It also signals the unit is near the end of its life.
Our Fix
A failed seal cannot be repaired, only replaced. We order a new insulated glass unit with low-E coating and argon gas, sized to your existing sash. In many cases we can swap just the glass and keep your frame, which cuts the cost significantly.
Problem
Water gets behind the trim, the wood softens, and eventually the frame will not hold the window square. Left alone, the rot spreads into the wall framing and turns a window job into a carpentry job.
Our Fix
We cut back to solid wood, treat the surrounding framing, and rebuild the opening square before the new unit goes in. Every cut end gets sealed. If the rot has reached the wall studs, we tell you before we start, not after.
Problem
Worn sash balances and swollen frames make the window hard to open, and a window that will not latch is a security problem. Most people stop opening it entirely, which kills the ventilation the bow was designed to provide.
Our Fix
If the frame is sound, new sash hardware and balances fix it. If the frame is out of square, replacement is the honest answer. We check both on the estimate and tell you which one your window actually needs.
A failing bow window costs you money every month in heating and cooling, and it gets worse each season. Here is what a proper replacement actually delivers for Los Angeles homeowners.
Lower Energy Bills
Low-E glass with argon gas cuts heat gain on west-facing walls by roughly 40 percent compared to single-pane glass. In a San Fernando Valley home with three bow windows, that often shows up as $30 to $60 a month off summer cooling costs. We size the glass package to the orientation of each opening.
Stops Drafts And Leaks
New weatherstripping, silicone caulk, and flashing tape seal the perimeter of the unit. That means no more cold air pushing through the frame on a January night in Woodland Hills, and no water staining the drywall under the sill after a heavy rain. We pressure-test the seal before we pack up.
Easier Operation
Old bow windows with rotted frames or worn sash balances are hard to open and often will not stay up. New units glide on fresh hardware rated for thousands of cycles. If you have been avoiding the window because it sticks, replacement fixes that the same day the unit goes in.
Curb Appeal And Value
A clean, square bow window with tight trim changes how the front of a house reads from the street. Appraisers in Los Angeles County consistently note updated windows as a value item. Buyers notice foggy glass and peeling frames, and they price that into their offer.
Google ★★★★★4.9
Measured on a Tuesday, installed three weeks later. They found rot behind the trim on our bow window and reframed it without changing the price. Clean work, hauled everything away, and the window opens smooth. Would use them again for the rest of the house.
Yelp ★★★★★4.8
We had three bids for bow window replacement. American Reliable was not the cheapest, but they were the only one who explained the glass package and why it mattered for our west-facing window. No water intrusion through two winters now.
BBB ★★★★★4.9
Used them on two rental properties in Pasadena. Both jobs passed inspection first time and the tenants stopped calling about drafts. They pull the permits and handle the paperwork, which saves me a trip to the city.
Google ★★★★★5.0
Our Santa Monica bow window would not latch and salt air had ruined the hardware. They installed a unit with corrosion-resistant hardware and marine-grade finish. A year later it still looks new and no water has come through.
American Reliable Windows & Doors has been installing windows across Los Angeles County since 2010. That is 16 years of working in stucco, brick, and wood-frame homes from the Valley to the coast. Our installers are trained on Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Milgard, and Simonton product lines, and we hold a California Contractor License through the CSLB. We follow AAMA and WDMA installation standards on every job, which is what keeps a window warranty valid and a wall dry. We have replaced bow windows in rent-controlled 1920s bungalows and in 1990s tract homes, and the approach is different for each.
Real experiences from customers who chose our Bow Window Replacement services.
“Our 1948 bow window had foggy glass on three of the five panes and the frame was soft at the sill. American Reliable measured on a Tuesday and had the new unit in three weeks later. They found rot behind the trim, cut it out, and reframed it without charging extra for the wood. The window opens smooth now and the street noise is way down.”
Marisol R.
Homeowner, Sherman Oaks
“Salt air had eaten the hardware on our old bow window and two sashes would not latch. The crew was in and out in a day, flashed the head and sill properly, and caulked everything tight. We have not had a drop of water come through since, and that includes the February storms. Fair price, no upsell.”
Dennis K.
Homeowner, Santa Monica
“I manage three rentals in Pasadena and used American Reliable for bow window replacement on two of them. Both jobs passed inspection first time. They pulled the permits, hauled the old units, and left the yards clean. Tenants stopped calling about drafts, which is the whole reason I hired them.”
Priya N.
Property Owner, Pasadena
Real answers to the questions we hear most often from local homeowners and property managers.
When the bow window frame itself is rotted or out of square, full frame replacement is the right call. We remove the entire unit down to the rough opening and rebuild the perimeter. This is common in pre-1950 Los Angeles homes with original wood framing.
View Full Frame Window ReplacementRetrofit keeps your existing exterior trim and sets the new unit inside it. It is faster and cheaper than full frame, and it works well when the surrounding stucco is sound. Many bow window jobs in Los Angeles qualify for this approach.
View Retrofit Window ReplacementInsert replacement fits a new sash and frame into the existing jamb without disturbing interior or exterior trim. It is the least invasive option and often the right fit for a bow window with a solid frame and failing glass.
View Insert Window ReplacementIf your bow window frame is in good shape but the sashes are rotted or the glass has failed, sash replacement saves you the cost of a full unit. We match the profile and hardware so the window looks original from the street.
View Window Sash ReplacementDouble hung units are the most common window in Los Angeles homes, and we replace them alongside bow windows all the time. Matching frame color and glass package across both keeps the exterior consistent.
View Double Hung Window ReplacementSingle hung windows cost less than double hung and work well in bedrooms and hallways where only the bottom sash needs to open. We often pair them with a bow window on the same elevation for a uniform look.
View Single Hung Window ReplacementCall +1 (747) 298-4287 or email us and we will get you on the schedule. We answer the phone seven days a week and can usually book a same-day estimate if you reach us before noon. Tell us how many windows, what material you are leaning toward, and whether anything is broken or leaking.
Phone
+1 (747) 298-4287Address
6161 Van Nuys Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91401, Los Angeles, California
Hours
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM
Sat: 8AM – 4PM
Sun: Emergency Only
24/7 Emergency Available
