Bay and bow windows
A bay or bow adds light, a seat and a little floor space. Built with real support underneath and an insulated seat.
- Installed, vinyl bay
- $3,800+
- Bay is 3, bow is 4 or 5
- 3–5units
- Typical install
- 1–2days
Overview
More light, a seat, and no cold draft underneath.
Rochester has a lot of old bays: Victorian houses in Corn Hill, 1950s ranches with a picture-window bow. Many sag a little, leak at the roof, or have an uninsulated seat that is cold to the touch.
We rebuild them properly: new units, a seat and head board with insulation, cable or bracket support sized for the weight, and a roof cap that sheds water.
Side by side
Bay or bow, at a glance.
Prices
Published price ranges, installed.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Style | Series V · vinyl | Series F · fiberglass | Series W · wood-clad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay, 3 units30° or 45° sides; center picture window | $3,800–$6,500 | $5,500–$8,500 | $6,500–$10,500 |
| Bow, 4 unitsGentle curve of equal windows | $4,500–$7,500 | $6,500–$9,500 | $7,500–$11,500 |
| Bow, 5 unitsWider walls, more glass | $5,200–$8,500 | $7,200–$10,800 | $8,500–$13,000 |
Options and add-ons
- Insulated seat and head board Included
- Cable or bracket support Included
- New roof cap (shingle or metal) $400–$1,200
- Stain-grade seat and interior trim $300–$900
Ranges assume an existing bay or bow opening. Turning a flat wall into a bay needs framing changes and usually a permit, and is quoted after we see the wall.
From $3,800: 3-unit vinyl bay, installed. USD.
Full price guide and estimatorSpecs
Bay or bow?
- Units
- 3: a large center, two angled sides
- Angles
- 30° or 45° sides
- Projection
- About 12 to 24 in. from the wall
- Look
- Crisp, angular, more traditional
- Opening
- Side units usually open (casement or double-hung)
- Best for
- Seats, dining nooks, Victorian and colonial homes
- Units
- 4 or 5 windows of equal width
- Angles
- A soft curve, about 10° per unit
- Projection
- Shallower than a bay
- Look
- Rounded, wide and open
- Opening
- End units usually open
- Best for
- Wide living-room walls, ranch homes
Straight answers
Is it the right call for your home?
A good fit when
- An old bay that sags, leaks or has a cold seat
- A living room that needs more light
- A spot for a reading seat or plants
Think twice when
- A narrow wall. Under about 6 feet wide, a large casement or picture window gives most of the light for less
Every quote includes
- New units, seat board and head board
- Insulation under the seat and over the head board
- Cable or bracket support sized for the weight
- Flashing and sealant at the wall and roof
- Interior trim; 10-year labor warranty
Why is my old bay seat so cold?
Most older bays have no insulation under the seat, just a board over open air. We insulate under the seat and above the head board as part of every bay or bow.
Do I need a permit?
Not usually for a replacement in the same opening. Building a new bay into a flat wall changes the framing and normally does. We pull it when it's needed and show the cost on your quote.
Other products
Free, in writing, no pressure
Ready to price your bay & bow?
An installer measures every opening, and you get a written quote with each item on its own line. Good for 60 days, with no pitch and no deadline.
Rather talk? (585) 555-0136, weekdays 8 to 5:30.