Three types of bay windows

The two operable angled windows in the bay most commonly feature either casement or double-hung window types. Bow windows, also called compass windows, are comprised of four or more windows of the same identical size and shape to create a more subtle curve than a bay window.

Bow windows are usually referred to by the number of windows in the bow, such as a four-lite bow, a five-lite bow or a six-lite bow. Bow windows provide multiple design options and work best in exterior walls or corners with 80 inches or more of space, making them more suitable to fit large areas than their bay counterparts. Extremely versatile, bow windows can even be wrapped around the corner of a home, forming an attractive turret shape on the outside and an inviting nook on the inside.

At Pella, bay and bow windows are available in your choice of three materials — wood, fiberglass and vinyl. Wood bay and bow windows provide design flexibility for modern or traditional homes with exceptional energy efficiency. Bay and bow windows made of fiberglass deliver sleek lines with lasting durability.

And vinyl bay and bow windows are made from an easy-care formula that will never need to be painted, stained or refinished. A bay or bow window can be used in any style of home and have been used in multiple architectural styles dating back to the 15th century. Over time, architects have discovered these windows add elegance and eye-catching architectural detail while increasing natural light and access to fresh air. Bay and bow windows can be added to any room in a home.

Bow and bay window sizes vary to fit multiple replacement applications. Both window types make a room appear larger by adding additional light and depth. The little extra square footage can be used for whatever purpose you like — a window seat, a reading nook , a display shelf, an indoor garden, a bathtub alcove or for any purpose you might imagine.

A bay kitchen window can be placed in a breakfast nook for more seating space, or add a bench by your bay window for a window seat. Bay windows and bow windows are commonly installed in new construction homes, as it is easier to determine the structural considerations at this stage. While you can replace a standard window with bay or bow windows, it will probably require working with a structural engineer and other installation considerations.

If you have decided to purchase bay or bow windows and are ready to install them, you can use a certified installer, such as your local Pella rep, or you can install them yourself. We offer installation guides to help you with step-by-step instructions to install your new bay or bow windows. Bay and bow windows are available in a variety of expansive sizes to create architectural interest for your home. Bay windows are available with three windows in sizes that are small enough to sit above a kitchen sink, or large enough to create additional seating.

Bow windows can span up to six windows and are a great option for a bump-out space with additional seating. For excellent ventilation, consider adding a bay or bow window to your home. Consider two casements or double-hungs paired with a fixed window for a bay window.

Bow windows provide more ventilation options because they can contain more venting windows. Bow windows can contain up to 4 venting panels, most commonly casement, double-hung or single-hung windows. They can be deeper or shallower than traditional bay windows; the interior part is often used as a built-in bench for seating or storage. A bow window forms a gentle curve instead of sharp angles, with each window identical.

A bow window is usually referred to as a 4-lite or 5-lite bow, according to the number of windows. Similar to traditional bay windows, the middle windows are fixed, with the side windows still having the capability of opening and closing. Interior window seats are also common on these windows. Bow windows are typically in traditional-style homes, while bay windows are often on modern and contemporary homes. Garden windows are typically found directly behind the kitchen sink.

These types of windows provide an escape route when an emergency such as a fire, for example, prevents you from exiting through a door. Egress windows are typically installed in the basement of your home.

Some counties require you to install an egress window in your home for safety laws. Garden windows are essentially mini bay windows that are meant for plants. They have earned their name because they act like tiny little greenhouses that protrude from the inside of your home. You can keep plants and herbs in the mini shelves so that they can be visible from the outside while getting sunlight into your home. Garden windows can extend room space. They can be installed in living rooms and kitchen with side panels that be opened to provide ventilation for the plants.

Glass block windows are most often considered accents and added to a section of the home to increase light flow. Most commonly, glass block window types are frosted or adorned with a patterned design, which provides simultaneous light and privacy. They are ideal for use in bathrooms, basements, and other private spaces.

Glass block window also provide security as they are built with thick blocks of glass that are not easy to break. They can also help you keep moisture out of your basement with their durable sealing.

Hopper windows are great for any room with limited wall space for a new window. They open from the top and usually crank open to tip down. They make efficient use of compact spaces, which is why they are commonly found in basements or bathroom. Unlike egress windows, basement hopper windows are mostly used for ventilation purposes only as they come in smaller sizes that cannot be used as an emergency exit.

They are also known for providing excellent insulation, because they seal up against the frame when closed all the way. Jalousie windows are a unique window style that splits into many different slats of metal or glass. The windows open like a set of blinds. Simply crank the lever and the slats tilt to the side, which creates a series of gaps for air to flow through. They are often popular in coastal areas and are great for allowing in a nice breeze on a cool day with their enhanced airflow.

Whether the view outside your home is a lush green backyard or a mountain range, the best way to fully enjoy your view is with beautiful large picture windows. Picture windows are fixed windows that can not be opened, but are often paired with other windows for design and flexible functionality. They are large window types that do not have any breaks or visible frames, resulting in an unobstructed beautiful view.

Installing a large picture window can make a room look larger. Round, half round, elliptical, or oval—the round circle windows category encompasses many different shapes that add architectural interest to your home.

In particular, round windows give your space a nod to historical decor, such as Victorian or Gothic era structures. Half round windows can be combined with other window types like picture and transom to give a complementary look to your home style. While most round windows are fixed, some manufacturers offer round windows that are operable for ventilation and design.

If you want to add more natural light to your home but have limited options with your exterior walls, a skylight window is an excellent window style option.

It is essentially a window for your roof, and it installs similarly to a roof vent. Skylights can be both fixed or movable to allow for ventilation. Homeowners have an option to install electric skylight windows that open and close with push of a button instead of manual operation. These windows can also be used as emergency escape route. They have two sections or sashes that are usually made from single windows, and one of the sections slides horizontally over top of the other to open or close.

Sliding windows can make a small room look larger depending on the size of the windows you install. They are also called gliding or slider windows. Storm windows are exterior windows that install right in the same frame as your current windows.

Storm windows add another layer of blocking out drafts and heat loss perfect for when cold weather rolls in. They are also perfect for areas that often get inclement weather. These windows can be installed by homeowners on either exterior or interior sides of the window pane and are much more affordable to replace. Transom windows are decorative accent window types that help break up space or add a unique design focal point. They are decorative windows that you see installed above doors in upscale homes, or even above other windows in some instances.

They are typically a semicircle shape, but they can be square or rectangular as well. Transom windows can also be used to accentuate other window types and create unique designs by being installed around them.

The windows help bring in more light into the space and can be installed to both exterior and interior of homes. When you have a space that you want to fill and standard types of windows are not meeting your needs, you can go with a custom window instead.

Custom windows are crafted from dimensions that you or a professional measures in your home. Some window replacement costs can be negotiated with bigger projects or discounted with specials being run in your area by window installers. While they are deeply rooted in traditional architecture, they are equally coveted in modern home construction.

Some Victorian homes feature oriel windows with ornate details. But the classic canted bay window is a defining feature of Victorian architecture. The straight front and angled sides spiked in popularity after building codes changed in the s, allowing homes to extend windows outward beyond their walls. Small oriel windows may decorate one or both levels of two-story, Tudor-style homes. Tudor bay windows are often supported by wood brackets that match the exposed timbers on the rest of the facade.

Casement windows were common in Tudors, often used in groups of two or three. A casement bay window would complement Tudor architecture. Traditional bay windows are ornate and decorative. But the bay window style is also suited for modern design. Modern bay windows have small frames with large expanses of glass. The panes are clean and unadorned by grilles or bay window treatments to maximize the natural light.

A circle bay window with tall panes of unobstructed glass could carve out a large protruding glass wall for a modern style home. Mid-century modern design follows the same clean, minimalist aesthetic. Picture windows and casement windows are popular in mid-century modern homes. Combining them into a mid-century modern bay window can enhance the linear look of the Ranch or split-level layout and place an emphasis on the beauty of the outdoor environment.