Bay & Bow Windows

Upon first inspection, it may appear that bay and bow windows look very similar. However, there are some differences.

• Bay Window has three openings, available in angled projections.
• Bow Window will generally as a rule have four or five openings.

A bay window will have the main, focal picture window at its centrepiece, with two other smaller windows on either side laterally, left and right. Three openings with angled projections.

With a bow window, its structure is curved, which when viewed from the outside of the property presents a rounded appearance.

Both of these designs have an old-world, vintage aesthetic feel about them. Terms used to describe these windows are “four-lite bow” or a “five-lite bow.”

The fundamental design of a bay or bow window is that they are both built with an arc. Depending upon the number of windows that are used to construct each unit, the shape will slightly vary.

Typically being built using 3 windows, the bay window will have one casement window on each side, and one large main picture window positioned in the middle. While later establishing their mark in Victorian architectural design, bay windows have been around long since medieval times. As such, they are very stylish and most popular today.

Thanks to its front-and-centre picture window design, the bay window offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the outdoors. The two side windows panes are angled at 30 to 40 degrees to the centre of the picture window. A trademark design that always stands out as a main characteristic of the bay window is that the three windows aren’t typically the same size: the centre window is always the largest, with the lateral side windows being up to a quarter of the size of the primary main focal window. Install bay windows, they are perfect for hanging out to read a book, adding extra seating or just simply creating more space within your home. The cozy, comforting warmth you’ll feel makes coming home after a long day at work all the more enjoyable and welcoming.

While they may look alike, from a homeowner’s design perspective, both will do much to open up a room and give it space to “breathe”. With this appearance of additional space, more light will be let into the room making it pop with glamour and come to life with a welcoming warmth.

In a design sense, the angular lines and flat planes of today’s modern bay window are often considered more appropriate aesthetically for contemporary modern homes. Whereas the semi-circular outer structure of the bow window is ideal for any architecture style that smacks of the stoic Victorian confidence and elegance. Naturally, either type is perfectly acceptable for just about any style home. It all comes down to your own personal preference as the homeowner.

The bay window adds more interior floor space by protruding outward from the building’s main exterior wall space. Having more glass panes than bay windows, bow windows always allow more light to pass into the room seeing as they have more glass panes when compared to the bay window counterpart. The design of a bay window will only have three panels of glass and as such, they are rarely as wide as a bow window.

If you’re looking for something a little different away from the norm, a unique design is having the bow window wrap around the corner of the building. Utilizing this design element forms a unique turret shape on the outside corner wall and an enticing cozy nook on the inside. And with the right type of interior lighting, that cozy nook will look quite dramatic. And when viewed from the inside, a view from two sides of the home are allowed.

As a homeowner, you’ll have the versatility of options available to you.