Blog

When you're looking for ways to elevate the look of your home both inside and out, one of the most undeniably charming solutions is the addition of bay or bow windows. When placed together, several windows can form an attractive nook that floods a room with light and looks just as beautiful from outside the home. 

If you're considering adding a bay or bow window to your home but are just getting started, you may wonder what the difference is between these two window additions. At Window World Twin Cities, we offer a complete range of residential window replacement and installation services, including bay and bow windows. 

In this post, we'll discuss the main differences between bay and bow windows and everything you need to know to install beautiful new windows for your home. Call us today to check out our window design options and connect with our window installation pros. 

Bay & Bow Windows: Is There a Difference? 

Both bay and bow windows are designed to create an attractive architectural feature that allows plentiful natural light into a home. These window designs are some of the oldest, dating back to the Tudor monarchy, where they once graced noble manors and castles. Many of these stunning windows can also be found in Victorian homes. 

These are the main differences between bay and bow windows.

Bow Windows

Bow windows are an arrangement of at least four or five window panes of identical shape and size. Together, these windows form a rounded arc shape, perfect for forming a turret-like corner on a home to give a panoramic look around the property. 

Bow windows allow natural light from two sides of a home, making them one of the best options for a naturally brighter room. 

Bow windows create a sense of grandeur in space but can be more costly and complicated to install than bay windows. 

Bay Windows

Unlike a bow window configuration, bay windows use one larger fixed window in the center surrounded by two or four panes. A bay window also pushes out from the main house structure, making the room more spacious. They're often used for reading nooks or cozy little bench seats. 

Because they have fewer panes than bow windows, they can be more affordable to install. Bay windows tend to look and feel more modern than bow windows. 

Bay windows work well in a wide range of architectural home designs, including:

• Modern homes

• Minimalist homes

• Craftsman homes

• Victorian homes

• Tudor homes

• And more

Types of Bay Windows

Not all bay windows are alike. 

These are the four main types of bay windows: box, canted, circle, and oriel. 

Box Bay Windows

Box bay windows are installed with the two side window panels at a 90-degree angle so that together, the three windows form a box shape. 

Canted Bay Windows

Canted bay windows are the most common type of bay window shape. They have a flat main panel and two angled windows on the sides. 

Circle Bay Windows

Circle bay windows use the same basic design as other bay windows but employ larger side panes to create a more circular shape. They often use more than three windows with up to five or six panes. They're most commonly seen in Victorian homes. 

Oriel Bay Windows

Oriel bay windows date back to the Tudor era or perhaps even earlier. They use a decorative piece of masonry or bracket underneath the windows to support them as they jut out from an upper-level room in a building. 

These windows look like something from a fairy tale and add plenty of charm and romance to a space. 

Designing a Bay Window

One of the great things about bay windows is their design versatility. Many homeowners will choose to use a fixed window in the center but add flanking windows that can be opened to bring plenty of fresh air into their homes. 

Due to their configuration, operable bay windows can be a tremendous source of ventilation on a pleasant day since they catch the air at different angles. Casement windows are typically a popular choice for flanking bay window panes, although double-hung windows are also popular. 

No matter your wall thickness, the frame can be built to accommodate it, and each one is custom-made to help increase the aesthetics and function of your home. From contemporary and streamlined features to cozy and rustic, bay windows create a dramatic and bold design that's undeniable.

Designing a Bow Window

If you're looking for something with a little more curve, a bow window may be your ideal window. Many homeowners will also add a bench seat inside their bow windows, making it a perfect spot to watch the world and collect one's thoughts. 

While bay windows are versatile enough for use in any home, bow windows work best with larger homes. They're best installed on a home's east or north side and can help bring in more light to areas that don't typically get enough natural light with conventional windows.

They can go up to 180° in the curve and, on occasion, possibly more, creating a sleek and unique design that bodes well in any space. Bow windows have all the advantages of bay windows but enhance the space to make it look larger. 

On top of all this, they are made from the highest-quality materials and engineered with specialized hanging systems that can eliminate bowing and sagging to give you beautiful style and durability you can depend on. 

The Best Window Treatments for Bay & Bow Windows

For windows that flood a living space with glorious sunlight, fewer window designs are more attractive than bay and bow windows. These beautiful windows are more than just a vista to the outside world; they're also an attractive architectural feature that adds to a home's value and curb appeal. 

While bay and bow windows are undoubtedly a fine home upgrade, finding the right type of bay window treatment for your home interior design can prove a unique challenge. Although large panels of windows look stunning without window treatments, some homeowners like the option of closing the curtains. As any interior design pro can attest, the right window treatment can help tie a room together.

Once you've decided on a design for your windows, it's time to start thinking about your window treatments. Here are a few of our favorite window treatment ideas for bay and bow windows.

White Roller Shades

Roller shades are available in almost every size and color, but our favorite for bay windows is a white roller shade design. Roller shades provide a clean, minimalist window treatment that doesn't overwhelm or hide the window's design, making them perfect for standout designs like bay windows. They're also much easier to clean than many other types of window treatments and cost-effective to install. 

Against a dark-framed bay window, white roller shades look absolutely spectacular. And because they're white, you'll get a lovely soft-filtered light effect rather than completely blocking out the sunlight when the shades are closed. 

Cafe Curtains

Usually reserved for the kitchen, cafe curtains are a half-length curtain used to cover only the bottom half of a window. They're perfect for breakfast nooks and kitchen windows because they allow just the right amount of privacy and glare reduction without giving up your sunlight. 

But cafe curtains aren't just great for kitchens. 

They also look great anyplace you want to allow plenty of light, like across the lower half of a large bay window in a bedroom, nursery, or office. 

Heavy Drapes

For a formal living room with a traditional aesthetic, heavy drapes are still a great window treatment choice for bay windows. They also work well in bedrooms since they're perfect for midday naps and privacy. 

Sheer Curtains

In a shared living space like a living room or kitchen, sheer curtains lend a breezy, effortless style while softening the midday sun. For a sweet look that complements a country kitchen, opt for a lovely, delicate floral pattern. Or create a warm look in your living room or den with off-white, beige, or greige sheer curtains. 

Roman Shades

The textured folds of a Roman shade add a layer of dimension and interest to a bay window. These attractive and elegant window treatments look lovely alone or paired with heavy drapes for a more traditional look. For a minimalist, modern look, go with a flat fold. A soft fold or European fold creates a charming, homey look. 

Order Your Minnesota Bay or Bow Windows Today

If you love the idea of a sunny bay window nook in your living room or breakfast nook, call our design team at Window World to schedule window installation services. Connect with a Window World Twin Cities window installation contractor at 651.770.5570 or contact us online to get your free quote today!