BAY/BOW which way to go?

I really don't know if there is a difference between the two types other than "What you like". If so please let me have your wisdom on the subject.

Part two: I have been looking at Pella, Simonton and Certainteed. Anderson has just plain priced themselves out of the market in my opinion. I would really appreciate comments on these companies if you have personal knowledge. I am really interested in the quality of there "Guarantee's" , I ask this because I own a Larson storm door and had to deal with them!
Changeling

 

I install Pella's bays and bows and they are quite nice. A bay has 3 windows (obviously) and a bow has 4 or more windows. Many people prefer to have 4 windows that are exactly the same size, which is one of the benefits of a bow. With a bay, often the center window will be a different size than the sides, and can even be square, like those old picture windows used to be. The benefit of that is an unobstructed view right out the center of the bay. A 4 lite bow would have a mullion directly in the center, with 2 windows on each side (all windows the same width). A 5 lite bow would have a window right in the center, with 2 more windows on each side of it.

Bays come in 2 types- 30 degree and 45 degree projection. The farther out they project, the larger the side windows will be, and the smaller the center window will be. 45 degree bays often look a little "box-ish" since they sharply protrude from the home, while 30 degree bays are a little more gentle and less obtrusive.

The amount of angle a bow has depends on the distance it projects and the number of windows it has. A bow looks more like a curve from the exterior, since the angles are less than even a 30 degree bay's. The more windows in a bow, the more it will appear to be curved from the exterior of the home.

So what you decide is up to you, but I'd suggest that if you have a narrow opening (72" or less) a 3 lite bay would probably be best. If your opening is 72" or more, you could think about a bow. If your opening is 96" or more, you definately want a bow. But that's just my opinion based on my personal tastes.

We order our bays and bows with cable kits and with the head and seat factory installed. It keeps everything together that way. Some guys build their own by putting the windows together on site, but I prefer to have them preassembled.

 

Xsleeper, you really gave me some excellent advise!
As usual though i have more questions.
You say that if my window is 95 inches or more I should definitely look into a "Bow", well mine is 95 inches.
Why would you definitely look into a "Bow" rather/over a Bay?

Which is more expensive, a Bay or a Bow?

I really appreciate your help on this!!

Changeling

 

Well, it's purely personal preference, and it kind of depends on how much projection you'll have. If your side casements are narrow and tall, a super wide picture window in front of a bay looks unbalanced, in my opinion. If it were a bow, all 4 or 5 windows would be the same size and everything would be symetrical.

Bows are more expensive because you are basically buying more windows when you get a bow.

 

I don't have a lot of bow pictures on my home computer, but heres the link to a few bay's I've done in the past. Maybe looking at a few pics will help you visualize what you'd like to do on your house. Some people want the wide window in the middle of a bay, so if you like the way it looks, that's all that matters.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/thexsl...&.dnm=876f.jpg

Don't look real close at #8 and #9... I broke that one, so I had a temporary piece of glass in there! It's a long story.

 

XSleeper, that appears to be some really nice work! Where are you located?
I still don't know what I want, though your pictures really helped in seeing class a work done!

Is there some way I can email you at your home address?
Changeling

 

After looking at your pictures, I think I am going to go with the "Bay Window with 30 degrees' from Pella. They seem to offer a very good product and guarantee. What do you think?

Changeling

 

That seems to be what most of our Pella customers choose. I'm sure you'll like it.

 

XSleeper, sorry for the slow comeback, I had a login problem.
The Bay just looks a little for refined than the Bow for "My" house. It would give a great point of interest to the house.
However, I have been nursing a failing heat pump for two years now! It finally bit the dust, so I am going to have that in my budget also. Why do things happen all at once?
Take care and thanks for all the great advise. I'll let you know.
Changeling