What Is The Average Cost Of Adding A Bay Window?

 What factors influence the cost of a bay window?

There are several factors which influence how much a new bay window for your home will cost and these include:-

• The size of the window
• The design and features of the window
• The brand
• Whether this is a replacement window for an existing bay or a new feature which will require some building works
• Wall reinforcement for large bay windows
• The type of glazing you choose
• The material for the frame
• Labor charges
• The size of the window installation company – larger firms will often charge more
• Building permits
• Third party costs like scaffolding hire if the window is not for the ground floor of the property
• Where you live – window installation costs vary quite considerably across the US and even on a more local level from state to state and town to country

What are the labor charges to install a bay window?

Labor is usually charged at an hourly rate and this ranges from $40 to $100 depending on lots of different factors. It is important to try and nail down the costs on your estimate rather than leaving them open ended. A good window installer should be able to price the cost of the window plus work out how long it is going to take to install it. However, it is also sensible to keep some spare funds available, usually around 10% of the overall cost of the project, to cover any unforeseen problems or expenses.

Bay window sizes

The great thing about bay windows is that they can be as large or as small as you want. An average small bay will be about 3ft 6” in width and around 3ft in height but you can go much larger than this.

Not every room in the house will work with a bay window and bigger is not necessarily better. When deciding on the right size of bay window to install, it is important to have a plan or at least an idea about what the bay window will be used for.

Large bay windows may require the wall to be reinforced which will add to the cost. Always be clear about how you want the window to work for the room and your lifestyle and this will help you determine the best size for your needs.

What are the advantages of bay windows?

Bay windows offer numerous advantages for many different styles and types of properties, hence their popularity. Here are just some of the additional benefits they can bring to your home.

• More living space – a bay window can make a surprising amount of difference to any room in terms of usable space. The concept is simple as the window projects into the garden adding as much square footage as you want
• Feature window – bay windows are just a magnet when someone walks into the room, even better if they have a view over a beautiful garden or landscape. Add a window seat which can have handy, hidden storage underneath or use this space for a dining table, a small library or even a home working station
• Add natural light – adding natural light to any room, even one which is already bright and airy, never fails in terms of enhancement to health and mental wellbeing. For a room which is small and gloomy, it can prove transformative
• Reduced lighting costs – maximizing natural light will mean you can switch off overhead ceiling lights and table lamps and let nature do all the work for you. Not only is natural light better than artificial light but it will save you some money on your household bills as well
• Increased ventilation – depending on the style of the bay window, there is the opportunity to really improve airflow when the weather is suitable
• Increase property value - a well-designed and aesthetically pleasing bay window is a feature which will increase the value of your home and add kerb appeal when it comes to sale time

Do bay windows have any disadvantages?

The main drawback of bay windows is the cost otherwise they really do tick all the boxes in terms of a feature with extra light and ventilation and very little intrusion into your outdoor space.

Some different types of bay windows

Angled bay windows – a standard angled bay window is the most common type of bay window design. This style juts out from the wall at an angle of between 30 and 45 degrees and is styled to provide a seating area or bench within the room.

Boxed bay windows – these are sometimes called a greenhouse garden bay window because they are squared like a garden window and stick out from the exterior wall at around a 90-degree angle. Boxed bay windows are popular to display houseplants.

Energy efficient bay windows – choose the right type of glazing and your bay window can be as thermally efficient as any other window in your house. Use energy efficient glazing for the flanker windows on either side and you can enjoy the benefits of light and ventilation without any compromise to the envelope of the house when it comes to harmful emissions. Best of all, this will protect your heating and cooling bills.

What is the difference between a bay window and a bow window?

A bay window has three windows which are angled out from the wall of the house. The center window is typically a large, fixed picture window with smaller windows on either side set at 30 to 40 degrees to the center. The side windows are smaller and will open to offer the maximum ventilation; they are commonly a double hung casement window but not always.

A bow window is similar but typically has four or five windows rather than three. These curve around to create a rounded structure on the exterior of the house.

How to fund the cost of bay windows

Bay windows are a significant expense by the time you add in the extra building work to create the bigger aperture and all the finishing work inside which might include a window seat and bespoke blinds or curtains. Here are some funding suggestions for your new bay window:-

• A bay window often forms part of a larger home improvement project and some homeowners will raise funds from the equity in their property. Adding to the mortgage in this way will lead to higher monthly repayments which are subject to an affordability test by the mortgage company. It is a good way of spreading the cost and new windows offer a decent ROI – Return on Investment
• Some householders will use a remortgage scenario as a chance to access a lower interest rate and an opportunity to release some equity to cover capital costs like window replacements and upgrades
• Most window installation companies offer finance subject to status via a third-party company
• Ask your contractor if there are any window grants available that might help towards the cost. This will depend upon the type of glazing you choose and usually only ever contribute a proportion of the costs

Finding out about window grants

Because a large proportion of heat loss from a home is via the windows, governments and environmental groups are keen to support homeowners in choosing better and more energy efficient glazing options for their property. This doesn’t just benefit the environment but also your utility bills with lower heating and cooling costs.

There are plenty of grants aimed at replacement window projects but no one central point to find out about them. Start by asking your window company as they are usually pretty familiar with what’s on offer as a grant can act as an inducement or a handy top up to a customer’s funds.

Research online as window grants originate from all sorts of different places including federal agencies, state organizations and even local schemes. If you have an old or historic property, then there can be schemes designed specifically for these properties to encourage homeowners to keep original windows but retrofit them with modern and thermally efficient glazing. Here are some key points to note about window grants:-

• Most energy efficient grants include windows but not all
• Your glazing and window construction will need to satisfy the specific criteria of the scheme
• Most grants will only end up paying a proportion of the cost not all of it
• Many schemes only release funds when the work is complete so you will still need to meet the total cost up front and then claim back the subsidy
• There may be restrictions and covenants contained within the scheme which might prevent you from selling the house within a specified time frame otherwise you will need to pay back the money. Always read the small print carefully
• Some schemes are aimed solely at families on low incomes or the retired who would otherwise struggle to afford replacement windows