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Windows Design Dilemma

What to do with dining room window? Double hung? Bay? Box bay?

3 years ago

I need to replace my dining room window that faces south east. In the winter months, we put many of our plants in there (they are usually on our covered porch in the summer months). I am trying to decide if I should replace this window with double hung windows, a bay window or a box bay window. I have had the bay window priced out at around $8000 for a marvin fibeglass bay with new hip roof. While this seems expensive, I cannot think of another option to extend the space in this small dining room other than a box bay. Is a box bay considered trendy? (I'd prefer to do work that will withstand the test of time) Would a box bay work in this space? Would it cost around the same as a bay window install? We only have about 41" on either side of the current 70"wide window, but would it make sense to reframe and make a box bay that would be a little larger? I have included a picture of the outside of the side of the house where the window is located. The dining room window is the window on the left. The window on the right is a window in our kitchen.

What To Do With Dining Room Window · More Info

What To Do With Dining Room Window · More Info

What To Do With Dining Room Window · More Info

What To Do With Dining Room Window · More Info

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Comments (4)

jck910
3 years ago
The Pros and Cons of Bay Windows

Most of us have heard of – and sincerely admire – bay windows. From the natural light to reading nooks, bay windows provide many dreamed-about home qualities. But, how do the pros and cons of bay windows stack up to bow windows?
- Pros of bay windows
- Less expensive and easier to install than bow windows, as bay windows have fewer panes
  Protrude further, adding more interior floor space
  The space they create can be transformed into an additional seating area
- Cons of bay windows
- Not as wide as bow windows, creating more limited views
  Provide less natural light than bow windows
The Pros and Cons of Bow Windows

Bow windows provide several home benefits such as unmatched wide-angle views, but there are some aspects that hugely differ from bay windows. How do the pros and cons of bow windows compare to bay windows?
- Pros of bow windows
- Receive views from two sides of the home
  Allow more light into the home due to having more panes
  Provides uninterrupted panoramic views via a narrow exterior profile
- Cons of bow windows
- More expensive than bay windows, as bow windows contain at least four panes
  More complex installation than bay windows
stressba11
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
So, we have no desire to get a bow window. We do not have any curved features to our home nor does the bow window allow enough sill space for us to put plants. Bow window is not even on the table.
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The link below shows corner connections that you could use to custom make your own curtain rods. I've seen other connectors online and you may be able to find them at stores such as BedBath&Beyond. For the dining area I wouldn't do more than adding panels on each side, hung on a short rod. In the bedroom, you could use a flexible traverse rod if you want draperies that can be closed, but then you'd need to add a cornice to hide the rod. I'd suggest calling a couple of mobile window treatment companies and getting their ideas on custom rods for the bedroom. All the ones I've dealt with will come out and do an estimate at no charge. Here is a link that might be useful: curtain rod connectors
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Thank you all! I'm glad you were able to enjoy our space. : ) The Chandy was new from ebay, and looked like it had leopard spots when it came. Yikes, nothing like the "antique bronze" type description. DH cured that with some spray paint. The chest in the window is from a local yard sale. Yes, we sit in these little chairs by the windows often. The secretary desk was my grandmother's. It looked fine in her low-ceilinged living room, but it needed a little extra height in our space, thus the basket of goodies and lights on top. The table was my mom's, and about a year ago we put laminate on the top out of desperation when the veneer got reeeally bad. I'm still looking for a larger table to replace it, but for now, it works, and it is super-wipeable for everyday use. :-) Just for kicks, some of you might remember When the dining room looked like this. (You can now sort of see that we put closets on either side of the window at one end of the room instead of how we considered doing them in this old discussion.)
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I like having a rotating bookcase and some comfy chairs. Or a big fern stand with fern.
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Yes, I agree nothing should be in front of that window! It really looks like there’s enough space between bench & china cab. I wouldn’t push the buffet any closer to corner either. Since you are adding another chandelier, why not slide table toward bay window so table is centered in the full length of room. This will eliminate the crowded feeling between end chair when table leaf extended. I would then also consider swapping positions of buffet & china - even though they have same sized footprint, the china is bulkier & might add to tight feeling behind bench. The buffet would also IMO be prettier to see from front door & that other room. You can easily test out this arrangement by moving furniture before installing new lights. Well, maybe not so easy as you’ll have to unload those pieces before moving! BTW, interesting table centerpiece! Surprised kitty doesn’t favor bench at window! 😉
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO bay windows are never really added sq footage and cost a lot. It also depends on the style of you house and why are there no other windows on that bare wall. I think if you need the window in the winter then try to install some removeable glass shelving instead of all those stands . What is the space next to that window?
stressba11 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
stressba11
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes, very true. It's a lot of money, no added square footage (Because it's literally a bay window and not a bay window bump out) or value to the home, just a bit of window space. From the inside, the room to the left is the eat in kitchen (where you see the window on the right in the pic of exterior). The room to the right is the living room.

We were originally thinking of adding an addition where those 2 windows are, but it's extremely expensive, especially now. While that would be the wisest choice because it will provide the best return on investment, it's just not a project we want to embark upon.

Any other ideas?

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