Which Type of Bay Window is Best For Me?

Bay windows open up your home with natural light while providing a practical space for you to use to create a window seat, garden ledge, or multi-use area. What many people don't realize is that there are several types of bay windows, not just one kind. Explore the different types of bay windows so you pick the right kind of window for your needs.

Different Types of Bay Windows

When you're looking into bay windows in Columbus, here are the types of windows you'll find.

Canted Bay Window

The canted bay window is the classic shape that most Columbus homeowners imagine when they think of a bay window. The front pane of the window is flat, parallel to the home exterior, and the sides slant out. Canted bay windows have at least three (and often four) individual windows. Canted bay windows are frequently found on Victorian homes, as building codes changed in the 1890's so that windows no longer needed to be flush with the home exterior.

Bay Window Oriel

Oriel is related to the Latin word for porch, and once you know this you'll always remember what sets a bay window oriel apart. These windows are typically found over the entrance to a building—basically where the porch would be, but are not connected to the ground.

These windows lend a Gothic-style appeal, so may be appropriate for an older home.

Oriel bay windows are unique among other types of bay windows for almost always being on the second story. If you have a narrow, dark hallway on the second floor, a bay window oriel could open up the sense of space and add much-needed natural light. This is a nice place to put a reading nook by adding custom cushions to the interior of the bay window.

Box Bay Window

Box-style bay windows are popular among homeowners who want to install a bay window, but don't want to mess about with the positioning of the walls.

Box bay windows have a boxy shape: they look like three windowpanes with a small roof overhang. When seen from the home exterior, box bay windows are flat. The effect is as if the home siding were bumped out to accommodate the bay window.

These are a flexible type of bay window that can be placed anywhere in the home. Since you won't need to move the walls, box bay windows are less expensive to install than larger bay windows.

Bow Bay Window

The name of this window suggests the shape. Bow bay windows have a gentle curve to them, unlike boxy windows. Bow bay windows consist of four or more casement windows gently curved to create an arch shape.

These tend to be larger than box-style bay windows, which means more space on the interior, more natural light, and a more noticeable footprint from the home's exterior.

Bow bay windows can be used for any purpose that you would use a linear bay window.

Get a Custom Bay Window

With any of these styles, custom bay windows can match the size of your existing windows or run floor to ceiling for a dramatic visual effect. Talk over your needs with our service team in our Columbus showroom to learn more about custom bay windows.