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Windows Design Dilemma

Replacing a bay window and front door - need help!

3 years ago

I am replacing the bay window and front door and am having decision paralysis with regards to both!

The wall with the bay window (picture) is 28 feet long.

Picture window is 5 ft. 9 inches wide by 3 ft. 4 inches tall (keeping this window)
Bay window is 6 ft 8 in wide by 4.8 ft. high. I will replace this with regular windows.

The front door wall is 21 feet wide.

The window will be replaced with one that is 5 ft * 5 ft (double casement)
Front door will remain same size but I'm open to door and single, wider sidelite as well as traditional single door / double sidelites.

I will keep the new windows at the same height as the current ones as I have standard 8 ft. ceilings and a header to consider.

Questions:

How much bigger could I go when I replace the bay window? There are 2 ft. 8 inches of wall on either side of the bay window on the inside (dining room, no furniture obstruction)
Would it look ok to bring the new window closer to the ground?
Given that I have one picture window and will have a square double casement to the left of the door, what 'rules' should I consider when choosing a replacement window for the bay window?

Other considerations:

I love the look of triple casement windows
LOVE single grids with panes across the top of windows and would like to incorporate them into the replacement window. If I do this, I'll add them to the casement windows in the existing picture window.
Thoughts on awning windows? If so, top or bottom?

Front door: I thought I was set on a single door with 3/4 glass and two sidelites, but more recently have been considering a single door and larger, single sidelite. Front door could be wood or painted.

I'll be painting the house a dark color, considering 'secret' by Benjamin Moore. Possibly new gutters.

Thank you so much!

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Comments (6)

Anne Gibson
Original Author
3 years ago
Pics of house
PRO
toddinmn
3 years ago
The Maximum width of the window replacing the bay window will Determined by the header Above it. more than likely it can’t be made much wider without surgery. Lowering a window without going wider is typically much simpler, visually. I’m not sure. I would though. The rules are that the window should match the others. Don’t think I’d do grids. What is the width of the current door? The style police will be here shortly to help you with those items. I’m not sure what picture Window you are keeping And can’t see the rest of the house To complete a visual. The second unit to the right looks out of place with larger glass in the middle and smaller sidelights.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If you want a bigger window then you need a bigger header so are you willing to rip out the wall and add the larger header. IMO keep the header the same and just replace the bay with a picture window. I see not reason to make it lower but that can be done with some work and mess. I do think you should draw out what you are thinking to see the look I llike windows to be the same ideally or very similar in height and style. or else the exterior gets very busy looking New front door is needed for sure as the one you have in no way works with the house and I happen to like double doors at entries just for the practical reason it is easier to move stuff in and out a simple double door with glass would be my choice. As for color of siding I think you need to wait until all the windows are in and the new door chosen. For sure no grids in the windows and you need to decide what style of exterior you want. IMO you could go cottage ot MCM so take some time to think about the style since the windows will need to reflect that IMO.Your fence idea book says contempory or MCM so is that the road you are travelling. If so then all the windows IMO should also be the same style and the same height off the floor along the front of the house and it would be good to see the whole house.
Anne Gibson
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you very much. With fresh eyes I can see what you both mean...picture window would make the most sense. I’m tempted to go lower for the visual impact of a bigger window and more light.

If I went with a picture window so that the styles are the same but went lower, could I add awning windows to the bottom for ventilation?
Anne Gibson
Original Author
3 years ago
This is the rest of the house.
Anne Gibson
Original Author
3 years ago
I’m meeting with a landscape designer today to figure out a plan for the front yard. If I replace bay window with a picture window and replace the window to left of front door double casement of the same height as the replacement picture window I think I’ll achieve a uniform look.

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