Bow Windows

Costs
Durability
History
Maintenance

Pictures
Popular Window Replacement Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers

References
Related Articles

When it comes to adding style and making creative use of space, the bay window is a superhero. With bow windows, you can squeeze a breakfast nook into a small kitchen, make a beautiful garden a room's best feature, create a comfy window seat for curling up with a good book, and any other cozy design imaginable.

Bow windows blur the lines between inside and out, letting in extra light and added living space. Read on to get the low-down on bow windows.

Costs

The cost of purchasing and installing bow windows depends primarily on the size of the window and materials used. However, for a 3x6-foot vinyl-clad 30-degree casement bow window, you’ll pay between $800 and $1,100. If you need specific cost estimates, contact a licensed window installer in your area.

Pictures

Pros

Bow windows work well with most architectural styles.

The sides of the window can be opened for air circulation.

Multiple views allow light to stream in from different angles.

Cons

Only the sides of bow windows open.

Bow windows typically don’t come with screens, so incoming pests could be a problem.

Durability

As with any window option, durability depends greatly on the materials used. However, in general, bow windows are considered a durable window option.

Maintenance

The maintenance required for bow windows is minimal and consists mostly of routine cleaning and ensuring that all mechanical parts are working correctly. Here a few basic steps to keep yours looking fantastic:

Wipe windows down with a clean, damp sponge.
Use a diluted mixture of detergent and warm water, and apply with a squeegee.
Dry any excess water with a clean dry cloth.

Common Questions and Answers

What is a bay window exactly?

It typically consists of an assembly of three windows—the two side windows, usually casement or double-hung to allow ventilation, are set at an angle (30, 45, 60, or 90 degrees) to the center window, which is often fixed and does not open. The entire assembly extends, sometimes several feet, outside the building’s exterior wall.

What is a bow window?

A bow window is a variation of the bay window, but consists of at least four sashes or more.

History

After the 1894 Building Act was changed to state that windows didn’t have to be flush with the exterior wall of a home, bow and bay windows took the Victorian and Edwardian era by storm.