Standard Window Height of a Floor Bay Window

Dimensions

• Bay windows are available in standard sizes or can be custom designed to fit any space. Standard-size bay windows range in height from 3 feet to 6.5 feet and come in widths between 3.5 and 10.5 feet. You can build bay windows that extend from the floor to the ceiling or leave 3 to 4 feet of wall space between the bottom of the windows and the floor.

Styles

• Bay windows consist of three separate windows and come in two basic styles. Box-style bay windows extend outside from the opening in the wall a few feet at a 90-degree angle and resemble a glass box attached to the exterior of the building. The window might have three stationary windowpanes, or the two on either side of the middle pane might be adjustable, opened with hand cranks or clamps. If this style has a transparent top on it, it is called a greenhouse or garden bay window, and plants are typically displayed in the interior alcove. The other style has a large window in the middle that sticks outward about 2 feet with two flanking windows positioned at 35 to 45 degree angles in relation to the center pane or the wall of the house. Some bay window manufacturers make style with 60-degree bays. A bench seat is often built beneath the center window where people can sit to soak up the sun and enjoy the sweeping views.

Materials

• Like regular windows, bay windows frames are usually made from wood or vinyl. Vinyl window frames are less expensive than wood and easier to maintain but don’t offer the rich look of wood. Since bay windows are large, with heavily exposed panes, they are often installed with insulated, glazed double-pane glass to conserve energy.

Construction

• Bay windows can be supported with steel cables attached to the framing above the window opening and concealed by the window frames. They can also be held up with braces beneath the windows that are concealed by a window seat or other framed enclosure. The latter option is more commonly used in bay windows installed to replace existing conventional windows.