Bay and Bow Window Replacement in Pittsburgh

Bay and bow windows project out from the wall of your home, pulling in light from several directions and adding a little extra room inside. A deep sill becomes a reading seat, a plant shelf or a spot for the cat to watch the street. For a living room or dining room that feels dark or cramped, a bay or bow window can change the whole space.

Our published range for quality vinyl double hung windows is $450 to $1,200 per window installed. Bay and bow windows cost more than that standard range, and we price them at your free in home quote so the number reflects your exact openings, glass and trim.

Bay vs Bow Windows

Both styles are built from several windows joined together and projected outward. The difference is the shape.

• Bay windows usually use three windows: a large center unit that sits parallel to the wall and two smaller side units set at an angle. The result is a crisp, angular projection.
• Bow windows use four or more windows of similar size set at gentle angles to form a soft curve. A bow projects a little less than a bay but spreads the view across a wider arc.

The center of a bay is often a fixed picture window, with operating windows on the sides for ventilation. Those side units are usually double hung or casement windows. On a bow, you can choose which panels open and which stay fixed.

Replacing an Existing Bay or Bow

Many Pittsburgh homes already have a bay or bow window that has seen better days. Common problems we find include:

• Sagging, because the projection was never properly supported from below or above.
• Rotted seat boards, head boards or exterior trim from years of water getting in.
• Leaks at the small roof or cap over the window, where flashing has failed.
• Foggy glass and drafty side units.
• Cold floors and walls near the window because the seat and head were never insulated.

Replacing a bay or bow is more than swapping glass. We remove the old unit, inspect the opening and framing, install the new unit with proper support, insulate the seat and head, and flash and cap the exterior so water stays out for good.

Converting a Flat Window to a Bay or Bow

If you have a large flat window or a pair of windows in a living room, converting the opening to a bay or bow is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make to your home. It adds light, depth and curb appeal. Whether a conversion works depends on the size of the opening, the wall framing and what is outside the window. We assess all of that at the quote and tell you plainly if it makes sense.

The Roof Over Your Bay or Bow

A projecting window needs protection on top. Some bays tuck under an existing overhang. Others need their own small roof or a formed metal cap. This is exactly where many bay window leaks begin, and it is where being a roofing and exterior contractor matters. We tie the top of the unit into the wall with proper flashing and finish it with a cap or roof that matches your home. Because we also do roofing, we look at the small roof over the bay during the same visit.

Energy Performance

A bay or bow puts a lot of glass in one place, so glass choice matters. Double or triple pane low E glass keeps the space comfortable. Insulating the seat and head boards, which many older installs skipped, is just as important. A properly installed new unit should feel far warmer than the old one.

Cost of Bay and Bow Window Replacement

Bay and bow windows are priced individually because every one is different. The number of windows, the size of the projection, the glass, the interior seat and head finish, support hardware and the roof or cap all factor in. They cost more than a standard window, and we give you a written price at a free in home quote. If you are replacing other windows at the same time, the window price estimator gives you a range for the standard units.

See every style we install on our main window replacement page.

Why Homeowners Choose Bella for Windows

Bella Construction has worked on Western Pennsylvania homes since 1995 from our shop in Irwin. We have completed more than 10,000 projects, hold a 4.7 star Google rating and an A+ BBB rating, and we are licensed under PA050898. As a full exterior contractor with Owens Corning Platinum Preferred and James Hardie Master credentials, we handle the window and everything around it: flashing, exterior trim capping and the siding that ties into the opening. You get published pricing, a written quote and no pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A bay window usually has three windows: a large center unit and two angled side units, creating an angular projection. A bow window uses four or more similar windows set at gentle angles to form a curve.

How much does bay window replacement cost?

Bay and bow windows cost more than a standard window and are priced individually at a free in home quote. The number of units, size, glass, seat and head finish, support and roof or cap all affect the price.

Why is my bay window leaking?

Most bay window leaks start at the top, where the small roof or cap meets the wall and the flashing has failed, or through rotted exterior trim. We correct the flashing and cap the trim when we replace the unit.

Can you turn a regular window into a bay window?

Often, yes. A conversion depends on the size of the opening, the wall framing and what is outside the window. We assess it at the quote and tell you if it makes sense.

Do bay windows open?

The side windows of a bay usually open, as double hung or casement units, while the center is often fixed. On a bow window you can choose which panels open.