Make sure you can meet the electric code for outlet spacing.

Thanks for the reminder!

I think the existing outlets will remain and I suspect meet code. I've got more outlets than I know what to do with! :)

I had wanted to widen the window as well, but just couldn't justify the extra cost.

We are doing the exact thing. Architect spec'd 40" awnings flanking the range. We wanted it this way so we can open the windows a little even when it is raining. Yes, code for outlets might be a problem so we are looking into mockets. Still need to verify the code.

I wish I had waited and done this - I like my garden window but the counter height is awesome!!!

Definitely verify the code for your area - sometimes the sink area is an exclusion but not always - Just in case, I had the electrician meet the outlet every 2 feet (or a double every 4 feet)

Can't wait to see pictures!!

Thanks for the info!

laurat88 - have you picked out the window yet? I'm wondering if you know whether it will be Marvin/Andersen/etc. Also, are you planning to put a transom above, or the whole window will just be the awning window? And just curious whether you will be getting grilles.

Thanks!

I moved my garden window down to counter height. It gives more depth to the kitchen

I had awning windows in my kitchen and dining room in our last house. I really liked them. Easy to open and good ventilation. Only the bottom half that opened, the top was a fixed window.

Leaning toward Eagle. I priced and would LOVE Marvin, but it's well beyond my budget. We will have transoms above. Windows measure 40" wide and 48" tall with an 18" transom. The wall height will be 9.5'. The tricky thing for me in this design is how to deal with the range hood and backsplash. Wondering how it will all line up and whether or not to put backsplash to the ceiling or not. Also in this picture you see where the outlets are placed - right in the backsplash for the range - which I'm sure is not going to work. We may rely on mockets.

(note: This is not the best picture because the island is transposed over the stove. It's a direct view to the South part of the room. The sink is on the East wall).

I like the idea of awning windows here because we can keep them open when cooking even if it is is raining. The transoms are fixed.

Thanks for all the information!

laurat88 - Were you planning on boxing out your windows, where they will be set back some number of inches, and the counter extends into that box?

At this point, the only quote I have for an awning window is Marvin due to the width. So I think I will just go with that. It is getting expensive though since the quote didn't have grilles, and I need grilles to match the rest of the house. And it didn't include a transom, and I think an awning window would look better with a transom above (my sliding french doors and front door both have transoms above). I'm waiting to hear back with some new numbers!

I have existing outlets which are to the "somewhat> immediate left and right of the window... And there is an outlet under the sink for the disposal (not sure that counts).

No, the windows will not be boxed out. They will be flush with the counter. We may have to make the counters a few inches deeper (by just setting the cabinets a few inches from the wall and making the countertop deeper).

From what I can tell, Marvin looks like it is a beefier, more solid window, but they are quite a bit more than I can spend and the Eagle windows actually have comparable, if not better U and Solar Heat Gain values.

About the grids, I'm not sure we will put them on all the windows. This picture shows the windows in the breakfast nook (also 40" awnings) to be plain with no transom. We can't put transoms there because the wall height is barely 8'. Not sure it would look right. Since we can't put the transoms, we may put grills there.

I opted for casement and am glad I did as they are so energy efficient, yet allow for so much ventilation in the good weather....casements act like fins on the house, capturing and bringing in every breeze.

Our architect encouraged us to go with eagle windows, but we cheaped out and went with Bonneville and are sorry we did. The windows are ok, but I can see where they don't function as well and aren't built as soundly. Worst of all, they are now out of business so we are SOL.

As long as no one will be walking by the outside of the window?

We went with double hung for the counter height window because there is a porch on the other side. I know that I'll need a step-stool to open them, but I'll be able to keep them open without worrying that someone will injure themselves on the other side.

laurat88~ If you're not boxing out, will you have enough space between your faucet and window edge to avoid water damage? Splashes against the glass?

Our windows are going to be Eagle (metal/wood clad with some divided lites)

The electrical outlet issue must be a US thing. My electrician here said we'll just put one on either side of the window and that will be fine. I'm in Southern BC.

The windows over the sink (the set of 3 in the picture) will be casements as I too wanted the open "fin" feeling. I was concerned about people injuring themselves but in our current configuration we have a really nice redwood planter box underneath the window so it acts like a shield and we will do the same with this project.

We opted for awnings flanking the range (where you see window-wall-window) because we wanted to have them open even during the rain.

About the sink splash - yes, that will be an issue so my architect is trying to come up with a decorative detail (stainless steel rim of sorts) that can help a little. Our motif is contemporary so it could work. Our friends have that configuration and she did say water is a bit of a problem but you just have to be sure to wipe it up. That detail is still TBD along with the outlets.

I think the Eagle windows offer a good price/value. I compared all U factors, etc and for the price it feel right. I would LOVE the Marvin or Loewen but they are simply out of the budget and windows were one of the higher priority items (certainly over cabinet materials and appliances).

Hope that helps!

AnnieDeighnaugh - may I ask how wide and how tall your window is? I think it's beautiful, by the way :). Have you posted an outside picture in the past? I will have to check! I'm curious how your boxed-out window looks from the outside. Mine will only be around 40" (maybe even less). I did not want to put in 2 casements since I don't want the window pane broken up in the middle (where the 2 casements would connect). Otherwise I would consider casements too!

laurat88 - your home looks beautiful! Looks like quite a project!

The kitchen window doesn't have any deck/walkway on the outside, so I'm good in terms of an awning window getting in the way. That is a very good reason to go with the double-hung for sure!