The Box Bay
A box bay is, quite literally, a box attached to the ground floor of a house. It is a simple, rectangular form that has side walls perpendicular to the wall of the house. While a box bay typically has a group of windows at its front, windows on its two sides aren't a requirement.
And don't think of a box bay as just a box. A gently curved roof over a bay, as shown here, can add style and elegance.
by Huestis Tucker Architects, LLC
A box bay is, quite literally, a box attached to the ground floor of a house. It is a simple, rectangular form that has side walls perpendicular to the wall of the house. While a box bay typically has a group of windows at its front, windows on its two sides aren't a requirement.
And don't think of a box bay as just a box. A gently curved roof over a bay, as shown here, can add style and elegance.
Not only will a box bay add an abundance of light to the interior, but it will maximize the amount of floor space added. So if you're thinking of adding a sitting area, space for a desk, room for a piano or a nook for a game table, a box bay is something you should consider.
Budget: While bow and angled bays come preassembled, a box bay is typically built onsite. While this will give you latitude in size and other design considerations, it also means that a box bay will cost more. You could invest as little as a few thousand dollars, but a reasonably sized box bay with good- to better-quality windows and a simple structure will cost around $10,000 to $15,000.
by Huestis Tucker Architects, LLC
Budget: While bow and angled bays come preassembled, a box bay is typically built onsite. While this will give you latitude in size and other design considerations, it also means that a box bay will cost more. You could invest as little as a few thousand dollars, but a reasonably sized box bay with good- to better-quality windows and a simple structure will cost around $10,000 to $15,000.
The Oriel Window
A bay window of any type that doesn't reach the ground is typically called an oriel window. The shape isn't as important as the upper-story location. So an oriel can be referred to as an angled, box, bow etc. bay window.
Keep in mind that an oriel is not a simple second-floor cantilever. It has a visually distinctive appearance that will be compatible with the structure while not being exactly the same. And an oriel is typically supported on brackets or something else that gives it the appearance of being hung on the house.
An oriel window, because it's located at an upper floor, is a terrific way to expand a second-floor bedroom or study. And by strategically placing the oriel, you can provide a covering to the first-floor entry area.
by HBF plus Design
A bay window of any type that doesn't reach the ground is typically called an oriel window. The shape isn't as important as the upper-story location. So an oriel can be referred to as an angled, box, bow etc. bay window.
Keep in mind that an oriel is not a simple second-floor cantilever. It has a visually distinctive appearance that will be compatible with the structure while not being exactly the same. And an oriel is typically supported on brackets or something else that gives it the appearance of being hung on the house.
An oriel window, because it's located at an upper floor, is a terrific way to expand a second-floor bedroom or study. And by strategically placing the oriel, you can provide a covering to the first-floor entry area.
The interior of an oriel can be finished as an expansion of the floor area or with some built-in seating and cabinetry.
Budget: An oriel can be a very cost-effective way to expand your home, especially if the bedrooms are small. In fact, if you have carpentry skills and some help, an oriel can be a nice little DIY project. Like other bays, it can cost a few thousand dollars to much more, depending on size, structure, materials etc. It should, however, cost less than a first-floor bay, as an oriel doesn't need any foundation work. And a good tip is to place an oriel in a location where a group of windows exist, so there's no new header requirement.
by HBF plus Design
Budget: An oriel can be a very cost-effective way to expand your home, especially if the bedrooms are small. In fact, if you have carpentry skills and some help, an oriel can be a nice little DIY project. Like other bays, it can cost a few thousand dollars to much more, depending on size, structure, materials etc. It should, however, cost less than a first-floor bay, as an oriel doesn't need any foundation work. And a good tip is to place an oriel in a location where a group of windows exist, so there's no new header requirement.
The Angled Bay Window
Named because the side walls of the bay are angled, an angled bay is probably the image that comes to mind when someone says "bay window." It's just about the most ubiquitous bay window there is, especially as versions of it, at least the smaller, preassembled ones, are sold by the scores by the big-box retailers. A bigger angled bay will have to be built onsite and will likely require a foundation.
by Joseph B Lanza Design + Building
Named because the side walls of the bay are angled, an angled bay is probably the image that comes to mind when someone says "bay window." It's just about the most ubiquitous bay window there is, especially as versions of it, at least the smaller, preassembled ones, are sold by the scores by the big-box retailers. A bigger angled bay will have to be built onsite and will likely require a foundation.
Certainly a larger angled bay will work wonders for a room. And the beauty of these types of bays is that they really do reach out to the landscape, bringing in all of that wonderful natural light and views.
by Joseph B Lanza Design + Building
While an angled bay that's large and can be walked into will work magic in a home, a small, preassembled angled bay above a kitchen sink will totally change the dynamics of a kitchen.
Budget: While site-built, custom angled bays can cost well into five figures, a smaller, preassembled bay can be a cost-effective way to get some extra space and light into your home. Many preassembled angled bays sell for less than $1,000, so it won't take much to change your interior with one of these.
by Jason Ball Interiors, LLC
Budget: While site-built, custom angled bays can cost well into five figures, a smaller, preassembled bay can be a cost-effective way to get some extra space and light into your home. Many preassembled angled bays sell for less than $1,000, so it won't take much to change your interior with one of these.
The Bow Window and Circle Bay Window
Aptly named because of its bowed shape, the bow bay introduces a soft and relaxed geometry to an overall scheme. Bow bays are typically large to provide for a generous and sweeping arc of an exterior wall. A circle bay, on the other hand, will have a tight radius and so is typically smaller.
Note that the second-floor circle bay above the entry steps here is an oriel window. If it had been placed at the first floor, it would be called a circle bay.
by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
Aptly named because of its bowed shape, the bow bay introduces a soft and relaxed geometry to an overall scheme. Bow bays are typically large to provide for a generous and sweeping arc of an exterior wall. A circle bay, on the other hand, will have a tight radius and so is typically smaller.
Note that the second-floor circle bay above the entry steps here is an oriel window. If it had been placed at the first floor, it would be called a circle bay.
Bow bays and circle bays are typically all window, bringing a lot of light and view into the interior while expanding the footprint just enough to prevent a space from feeling too small.
While the bow and circle bays shown here are definitely site-built, custom pieces ...
by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
While the bow and circle bays shown here are definitely site-built, custom pieces ...
... you can buy a preassembled bow window from just about any big-box home improvement retailer. These bow windows will be smaller and typically will have a shallow arc, but they are very cost-effective ways to get that extra space, light and view.
Budget: If you're looking to dramatically change a room and are handy, you can install a bow bay for around $1,500 to $,2000.
Tell us: Have you added a little more room with a bay window, dormer or bump-out? We'd love to see what you did.
by Chic Decor & Design, Margarida Oliveira
Budget: If you're looking to dramatically change a room and are handy, you can install a bow bay for around $1,500 to $,2000.
Tell us: Have you added a little more room with a bay window, dormer or bump-out? We'd love to see what you did.
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And a circle bay window? Yes, please!