Allow More Natural Light in Your Home with Bow Windows

When it’s time to upgrade your windows, consider adding an extra dose of charm to your home with bow windows. These neat features within a home are comprised of four or more windows installed together to form a gentle curve, adding abundant natural light to any room and stunning visual appeal to both the interior and exterior of your home.

Adding a large bow or bay window can feel intimidating and a large decision in the design and maintenance of your home. Make sure you’re prepared for the change by reading up on the design options, benefits and common questions people ask about installing these windows.

About Installing Bow Windows

Bow windows are sometimes called compass windows. You’ll find these windows often labeled with the number of windows included, such as a four-lite bow. But you have many design options for bow windows.

To have the greatest flexibility in how and where you use a bow window, you should have 80 inches or more to work with for window installation. However, if you don’t have enough space and need your window to wrap around a corner, this is possible and can make for a cozy, unique corner of your home.

If you’re considering whether installing a bow window is right for your home, evaluate these use cases:

Add space to your home
Improve outdoor views by creating a panorama of the outdoors
Increase natural light within your home
Add storage or seating to a room

Can’t decide between a bay window and a bow window? Bow windows offer more light, increase the visual appearance of a room, and offer various window pane sizes to create the look you want within your home.

Bow Window Options

As you look for bow windows to fit your home, you have two material options: vinyl and wood. The appearance of the window can be anything you want because they are fully customizable.

The size of the window can match your space and the number of windowpanes is up to you and your needs.

Materials: wood or vinyl
4-lite, 5-lite, 6-lite
Casement, double-hung or picture windows
Variety of interior colors, including woodgrains
Tinted or obscured glass for privacy
Fixed or vented windows
Double-pane or triple-pane glass
Grids and grille patterns

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Benefits of Adding a Bow Window to Your Home

Bow windows offer many great benefits, including:

Increased natural light into your home because they are larger than standard windows. All that added natural light can make your home feel larger.
Panoramic views outside thanks to the multi-lite design of bow windows.
Charming traditional home style as bow windows were used frequently in older homes.
The illusion of a curved wall, which adds visual intrigue to a home.
Fully customizable based on the size and style you want with four to six lites based on the size and scope of the space where you’re placing the window. But you can also choose the height and placement of the window.
Improved curb appeal. Most people think about how attractive these windows are from the inside, but they also add a great deal to the home’s exterior. Part of the reason for this is that they are bigger than regular windows and can make the home look more elegant.
Increased energy efficiency by allowing in more light to heat your home. Plus, new windows with better seals will hold your home’s heat to keep your home comfortable year-round.

Are Bow Windows Outdated?

Bow windows are not a popular design in modern homes, but does that mean they are outdated? These windows are still extremely popular in many parts of the country because of the natural light they allow into homes and the curb appeal. So if your home’s architecture matches the design of a bow or bay window, you should still consider these styles.

Bow windows are still fashionable and highly sought-after features for homes. And with updates to window designs, these windows are more energy-efficient, which used to be one complaint homeowners had about installing them. The added surface area of glass used to be a source of heat escaping. Now bow windows feature new coatings, panes, and higher performance designs.

You can add a bow or bay window to your home even if one does not exist now by contracting with a window installation expert.

What’s the Difference Between Bay Windows and Bow Windows?

The biggest difference between bay and bow windows is the number of sections the window has. Additionally, bay windows have a picture window in the middle with windows on either side. In contrast, bow windows use the same windows in each section. Bay windows have hard angles, whereas bow windows offer a more curved look.

Want to learn more about bay window replacement? Read up on our article that covers everything you need to know about bay window replacement in Puget Sound.

How Much Do Bow Windows Cost?

The total cost of bow windows will vary based on the style selections you make and the window manufacturer you choose. Average costs for bow windows are generally $5,000-$8,000. Depending on where you live, you might qualify for energy efficiency rebates and incentives as well as possible tax credits. Ask your window contractor if these might apply to you.

Bow windows often cost more than bay windows because they are often larger than bay windows. The greater surface area means more window materials and longer installation timeframes.

Getting the Best Bow Windows Installed in Your Home

If your windows are outdated, you’re likely spending far too much on your heating and cooling bills and missing out on a great deal of charm that bow windows offer. Take the first step toward upgrading your home’s windows by contacting us for a free, no-obligation estimate. Give 2FL Windows, Siding & Roofing a call at 253-243-8377, or fill out our online contact form.

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