Houses with a bay window are a certain distinctive feature of tall buildings, and a bay window also makes any building stand out well from the crowd of others if there are many other houses nearby. It is important to note that the bay window has a lot of advantages and disadvantages, and itself represents an additional extension to the house on the top floor.
It can come in a variety of forms and be used for different purposes, which is what we’ll talk about in this article. You can often see a photo of a house with a bay window, and also walk through country villages and see everything with your own eyes.
Features of a house with a bay window
Houses with a bay window have a number of their own characteristics. A one-story house with a bay window is less common, and there are explanations for this. First of all, it is worth noting that the houses themselves decorate the facade of the building quite well, complementing its composition.
The design of the house can be completely different; most often the bay window is used in a classic or more ancient style, it can be used as a balcony with a balustrade or perform completely different functions.
Often such designs can be seen in huge restaurants, hotels and other luxury establishments. Undoubtedly, a bay window is a demonstration of sophistication, solidity, as well as the taste of its owners.
The fact is that this approach in construction has been used since ancient times and was actively practiced in tsarist times. Today, this design element is complemented by communications and has become widespread due to the ability to make an additional room or even a workplace out of it.
It’s much better to look out a huge window from the second floor onto a beautiful pond or garden than to be cramped in the bedroom. This is an ideal place to relax at any time of the year, and in the era of metal-plastic windows, bay windows are becoming even more popular and real. The only thing is that it is difficult to do it yourself, but in practice there are always masters who can recreate a real masterpiece.
Layout options
The good thing about the bay window is that it is universal. There are many house designs with a bay window. It can be used for any needs if there are no problems with communications. Thus, a person will have a real corner for pleasure in his home, or an additional work space, as well as a living room where he can invite people for tea.
In general, a bay window is most often used for the following purposes:
- place to rest;
- arrangement of the dining room;
- tea area;
- winter garden;
- workplace.
Many will say that a house with a bay window is a living space with an ideal place to relax. So it is, since often an additional sleeping place, a corner is placed here, or a simple room is made where you can just lie down and relax, while looking at the beautiful view from the window.
Often a house is built with a bay window and an attic in order to further separate this beautiful place from the main structure of the house and position it even higher. In both cases it looks beautiful and it’s pleasant to be there.
In some layout options, it is not possible to create a sufficiently comfortable kitchen, so a bay window is attached separately to separate the kitchen and dining room. This gives a certain special squeak of fashion, since this layout option is found quite often in the world.
Moreover, dining in a separate, quiet area with a view out the window is much more pleasant than eating in the kitchen, where odors remain after cooking.
Lovers of sophisticated relaxation will definitely say that the bay window area can be equipped as the best place not only for relaxation, but also for negotiations. They even came up with a special tea area within the bay window, equipped with beautiful, elegant furniture that can emphasize the style, as well as bring peace and good mood to communication with the guest.
House designs with a bay window are the most common, but there are other options. Bay windows are used not only in the construction of houses, but also in small rooms that are located next to it. This could be a summer kitchen or a winter garden. It perfectly replaces a gazebo if a separate room has been equipped for these purposes.
It is important to note that this layout option is usually used only if a ready-made house was purchased and it is simply technically impossible to install a bay window there.
One of the best uses of space is to create a personal workspace. This can be a spacious room that is equipped with high windows. People who work from home often like to retire to places where no one will disturb them, and a bay window is the best option for such purposes.
If you carry out communications, you can easily install a computer and equip a place for an office. Projects of one-story houses with a bay window are most often designed to equip just an additional workplace.
Disadvantages of a house with a bay window
Despite all the advantages, houses with a bay window have a number of their own disadvantages; there are not so many of them to refuse such an elegant layout option. In fact, making such an extension is not an easy option, so it always depends on both technical and financial capabilities:
- difficulty in construction;
- high heat losses;
- additional costs.
Unfortunately, building a bay window with your own hands is not so easy. It's all about technique, this is not a simple extension that is simply assembled from bricks. Most often, the bay window has the shape of a cylinder, which requires additional skills.
In addition to all this, the bay window is completely separated from the building frame and its construction will require additional time, as well as a separate layout. Due to the fact that more time is spent on building an element than just erecting walls, many builders refuse to take on such projects.
Also, one of the disadvantages of a bay window is its low heat resistance. This is often a structure with thin walls, so the bay window needs to be additionally insulated. In addition to all this, the extension is often equipped with very high floor-to-ceiling windows, which ultimately leads to high heat loss.
Experts recommend installing windows that are not too high, a maximum of half the height of the bay window. We must not forget that the glass itself also allows heat to pass through, which is unacceptable, especially if you plan to build a house with two bay windows.
Building a bay window means adding additional costs to construction. Houses made of timber with a bay window incur even more costs. Additional finishing materials may be needed, since the cost is equivalent to the cost of finishing an additional room.
In general, a bay window is an element of sophistication and luxury, and if it is really made, it will emphasize the solidity and status of the owner.
Photos of houses with a bay window
Modern house designs have many different variations and interesting features. Including stylistic elements of the past, such as, for example, are often used. The presence of a bay window at the house makes the building original, unusual, a little vintage, and very cozy.
In addition, a bay window is functional, it expands the usable area of the house, and rooms that have this element are distinguished by their unique elegance. In the article we will look at the features of two-story houses with a bay window and find out what their advantages and disadvantages are.
Description of projects of two-story houses with a bay window
A bay window is a protrusion of a building protruding outward, giving the house an original, slightly antique appearance. A huge advantage of this element is its ability to transmit abundant amounts of sunlight into the house due to panoramic glazing.
Having a bay window in the house is very convenient: in this niche you can equip a comfortable, bright workplace, use it for relaxation, arrange a winter garden: many other uses are possible. The presence of a bay window significantly expands the room: both visually and in reality.
The video shows a version of a house with a bay window:
Typically, a two-story building has a bay window built into the wall of the first floor, and its roof is the balcony of the second. This option is the most popular solution in private housing construction. But sometimes the bay window has a length of two floors and a separate small roof. This is a more original solution, and it can significantly improve the lighting of interior spaces.
Pros and cons of 2-story cottage plans
Let's find out what advantages and disadvantages are inherent in two-story buildings with a bay window.
Pros
- Thanks to the bay window, the usable area of the house increases, which is important.
- Due to the almost complete glazing of these architectural details, the interior spaces are literally flooded with light: especially if there are several bay windows in the room.
- The ledge allows for a panoramic view of the surrounding area. This fact is of particular importance if the house is located in a beautiful natural area or on a picturesque street.
- This stylistic detail gives the house a unique, unique look and sets it apart from many boring analogues.
- The presence of a bay window adds coziness to the interior spaces.
- Such a glazed ledge can easily replace a veranda, which is also very convenient.
- The presence of this element makes the ventilation of the building more thoughtful, and thus improves the internal microclimate.
The video shows the advantages of a house with a bay window:
A bay window can give an aristocratic, noble look to a building. Its presence enlivens the appearance of the house, giving it an original, sophisticated look. The very appearance of such a building speaks of the material wealth and status of its owner and makes a favorable impression on guests and everyone who sees it.
Cons
Having considered the positive aspects, it is necessary to pay attention to the existing disadvantages: we will consider in more detail the negative aspects of such projects.
Two-story houses with a bay window are complex projects: their development, as well as construction, can only be entrusted to competent specialists. Due to the complexity of the task, the cost of the project also increases significantly, which sometimes becomes an obstacle on the way to that dream home.
Due to the increase in the number of corners, the house somewhat loses its rigidity and loses its strength characteristics.
Due to the protrusion and its panoramic glazing, rooms with a bay window become vulnerable to the penetration of cold. Therefore, additional insulation will be required, which also leads to costs.
Types of bay windows
These architectural elements vary in their structure and location on the building. Let's look at what types of bay windows there are.
Corner front of house
In this case, bay windows are located at the corners of the building. Most often, not in all corners, but in two opposite ones.
Two-story house with a corner bay window
This option is ideal for creating a bright, sunny space in a room and visually expanding it. This room will make a great relaxation room. But what typical designs of houses made of foam blocks exist, and how their construction takes place, is described in great detail in this
Wall or square
The most common option. Here bay windows protrude from the wall of the building, replacing windows.
With wall bay window
Fit into a corner
Such details also belong to the corner ones, but they do not protrude, but are neatly built into the building. They represent a very original architectural design.
Two-story house with a bay window inscribed in the corner
Usually the bay window is strictly geometric and symmetrical: in this way it fits most advantageously into the overall appearance of the house. However, there are also structures of atypical shapes and sizes: however, in this case, the development of an individual project is required, sometimes very expensive. But how to make a frame house with a pitched roof with your own hands will help you understand this
Form
This decorative architectural element can have several forms - let's look at the features of each of them more closely.
Square and rectangle
This is the simplest form, and it is also the easiest to perform. Despite their simplicity, square and rectangular bay windows look great and make your home more comfortable and stylish.
With square bay window
Circle
The round ledge is an elegant solution for real aristocrats. This is the so-called European version. More often it is located in the corners, but sometimes on the front of the building.
With round bay window
If the building is built of wood, it is impossible to build such a round ledge: it is only suitable for brick or foam block buildings. But what they exist and what they look like can be seen in this video.
Semicircle
This protrusion gives a special elegance to the house. A part of this form requires especially careful and accurate calculations: this cannot be done without the help of a professional architect.
With semicircular bay window
Polyhedron
This is a very beautiful, but also the most complex form. Usually it is chosen if the building is built from timber.
With multifaceted bay window
Projects
Let's look at some popular designs of two-story houses with a bay window, and get acquainted with the features of these buildings.
With balcony
The design of a two-story house with a balcony and a bay window is quite complex, but it can provide real comfort. The balcony is located on the second floor and has a fairly decent area.
With bay window and balcony
The ledge in this case serves as an additional stylistic decoration and gives the exterior of the house a decorative, original look. Most often, a bay window leads to the bedroom, making this room truly elegant. Thanks to the balcony, the external appearance of such a building looks presentable, solid and beautiful.
Perhaps you will also learn more about existing projects of country houses made of 6x6 foam blocks
House 6x6
A building of such a modest area can also be equipped with a bay window, and even be two-story. Such a project is ideal for one person, and if the site has a limited area.
House size 6 by 6
Despite the fact that the parameters of the house are only 36 m2, its internal premises include everything you need: a kitchen, a hallway, a studio, and on the second floor there is a bedroom. But this article will help you understand how to choose the right material.
A house with a bay window and a garage is the right choice for those who appreciate comfort, practicality and non-standard solutions.
However, such projects require a special approach to development, taking into account the characteristics of the site and compliance with construction technologies.
They call the part of the room that extends beyond the plane of the facade wall of the building. The term comes from the German erker (lantern): the projection on the facade with large windows is similar to a medieval street lamp, especially when the lights are turned on in the house.
Nowadays the following structures are considered bay windows:
- with load-bearing walls on a foundation (they are also called risalits);
- with cantilever bases.
In form, these architectural elements are:
- multifaceted;
- rectangular;
- rounded;
- triangular;
- trapezoidal.
Niches vary in size:
- a slight protrusion, which is a window protruding beyond the wall;
- a small niche is part of the main room;
- a separate part of the house, a separate room.
They can be an element of the first or any other floor of the building. They occupy one or two or three floors, are two- or three-light (according to the number of windows). There may be several bay windows in one house and even in one room.
The top of the ledge is arranged:
- multifaceted;
- domed;
- as a base for a balcony or part of the upper floor.
A distinctive feature is the large glass area, windows are placed on each wall of a niche, made panoramic, often “floor-length”.
Bay windows become a spectacular architectural element of any home, giving a respectable appearance and distinguishing it from other buildings.
Advantages and Disadvantages
When choosing house designs with a garage and a bay window, you should take into account some significant features.
Bay windows are valued for the properties they add to a home.
- The room receives more natural light by increasing the number and area of windows. Here you can create a bright, cozy corner for reading, socializing or working.
- The area of the room increases.
- The interior becomes more interesting, especially if there are beautiful panoramic views outside the window.
- New opportunities for decoration and zoning are emerging.
- The exterior of the house acquires individuality and style.
The following two are considered the main disadvantages.
- Increased project development and construction costs because such a protrusion is a complex structure.
- Extending part of the building and increasing the glazed surface entails heat loss and additional heating costs.
The garage in the house is also convenient.
- you can go from living quarters to the garage and back without going outside, this is especially important in bad weather;
- significant savings on the installation and maintenance of plumbing, electricity, and heating.
The disadvantages include an increase in the construction area and an increase in the cost of the project if the garage is located in the basement.
One-story house with a bay window and a garage often built with an attic. When choosing a house project with an attic, a bay window and a garage, you need to take into account the features of the attic space.
The attic adds advantages:
- with minimal additional costs - an increase in living space, the attic occupies all or part of the area above the first floor, sometimes it is expanded due to cantilever extensions;
- reducing heat loss from the main structure.
The disadvantages include:
- sloping and low ceiling height in the attic;
- complexity of the thermal circuit design;
- lighting difficulties;
- difficulty of maintenance in winter.
The project of a two-story house with a garage and a bay window assumes the presence of a full second floor of the building, as well as taking into account all the strengths and weaknesses of the complex solution. A bay window in a two-story house can be located on any floor, or occupy both (two-light bay window).
It is useful to get acquainted with information on how to build a two-story brick house with a bay window and a garage; you can watch the video below.
Features of design and construction
The garage and bay window are designed simultaneously with the main house.
When designing a garage, unified communications, a ventilation system, foundation and roof construction are provided. The advantage is saving money, time, and reducing heat loss during operation. Cheaper materials can be used for the external walls of the garage.
It is convenient to place a garage in a house if the plot is wide. If the front part of the plot is narrow, combining a garage and a house can become problematic due to the complexity of organizing access roads.
If the project did not initially include a garage, you should not rush to add one to avoid risks:
- violation of the thermal contour of the building;
- poor ventilation, when exhaust gases can enter living spaces;
- improper roofing;
- change in load on the foundation.
When designing a bay window, the following is provided:
- a single foundation with the main building or remote cantilever structures;
- calculate the heating and heat conservation system;
- plan lighting and ventilation.
Errors in the installation of bay windows lead to divergence of seams, heat loss, and destruction of elements.
How can you use a bay window?
Better than others, the bright space of a bay window is suitable for arranging a workplace or reading corner. To do this, a work desk, cozy armchairs and a tea table are placed here. If the niche is just a wide window sill, you can put soft pillows on it and get a small sofa on which it’s nice to dream while looking out the window.
Armchairs facing the windows create a place for private conversation. They place indoor flowers and trees in tubs here and get a real winter garden.
In the kitchen bay window, depending on the size, there is a work area, a dining group with a table and chairs, a comfortable sofa or a tea table.
A pleasant place to relax with a sofa is organized in the bay window of the bedroom or living room.
Bay windows are also left free, decorating them with beautiful curtains and curtains. They use this space as a stage for children's performances, install a New Year tree, and organize home exhibitions.
Among the projects of houses with a garage and a bay window, photos of which are presented here and on other specialized resources, everyone will find their own, one that will make life comfortable, joyful, and beautiful.
Original house designs with a round or square bay window are in constant demand among our customers. This architectural element is a part of the building - a columnar or polygonal protrusion extending beyond the boundaries of the facade, and glazed on all sides. It gives any, even the simplest building, an elegant look.
Stylish modern facade
The prototype of the bay window can be called watchtowers that vaguely resemble it, which were built in medieval castles. Niches open on three sides made it possible to notice the approaching enemy from afar. Over time, they lost their combat significance and became a decorative element. In Gothic architecture it was called a “lantern”; in Russian architecture hexagonal “drums” were common.
In modern cottage designs with one or two bay windows in front, columns, they are assigned not only a decorative, but also a functional role. They improve the insolation of the building, especially on the north side, where the sun enters the side windows from the east in the morning and from the west in the evening. They are often built several stories high - this technique is used in buildings with second light.
Our architectural solutions
Our catalog contains photos of cottages with full documentation of different sizes, with an attic, a balcony and other interesting elements. They are built from different building materials.
- Projects of wooden houses with a bay window made of logs, laminated veneer lumber. An example is a building stylized as a “Russian estate” - photo No. 10-33 with a protruding part of the building in the form of an elongated rectangle. No less interesting is option No. 10-25 with a triangular ledge in a modern style.
- Cottages with brick and combined walls. The plasticity of this material allows you to create facades of complex shapes. The catalog includes many such buildings, for example: No. 48-21 with a semicircular and No. 48-24K with a square projection.
- Projects of 2-storey houses with an oval or rectangular bay window made of aerated concrete, foam blocks, gas silicate blocks. These economical materials are widely used in modern construction. An example of such a cottage is shown under No. 48-31G.
Facades with a porch in the form of a bay window, or with its location in the corner, look very stylish and modern. They draw attention to themselves, forming the compositional center of the architectural ensemble.
Beautiful house designs with a bay window: photo, catalog
The external beauty of the cottage is certainly important. It is achieved not necessarily by a complex design of the house and roof. An architectural element such as a bay window will diversify the boring rectangular shapes of a private house, making them more original and presentable. This section of the catalog is dedicated to such houses, which were supplemented with new interesting projects in 2018. You can buy house designs with a bay window from us (photos, videos, preliminary designs, drawings can be viewed in this section) at average market prices.
A bay window is a protrusion in the external wall of a house, most often of a quadrangular shape (having studied our standard designs of cottages with a bay window, you can see that it is based on a rectangle or trapezoid). But there are also less popular triangular, round, or multifaceted bay windows (the author’s design of a house with a round bay window is quite interesting).
The bay window extends to the entire height of the floor. This design is characterized by large glazing areas: as a rule, a window is located in each wall of the bay window. A balcony is placed above the bay window, a roof is arranged over it, if this is provided for by the designs of two-story houses with a bay window, as well as designs of attic houses with a bay window, or fit into the roof structure of the entire house (project of a one-story house with a bay window).
House project plans with a bay window: the advantages of an architectural element
A bay window is not only an exterior decoration, it also has a number of other advantages:
- Windows located in the bay window will help increase the level of illumination in the room. In this case, the light source can be located not only in a direction at right angles to the facade, but parallel to it. The design of a country house with a bay window, thanks to its design, adds beauty to the interior and increases the time the sun's rays penetrate inside.
- Bay windows increase the living space of the house. Although not much, it is functional.
- The bay window helps to zone the interior. Even a small recess in the wall will help to visually separate the area adjacent to it from the rest of the room, while the absence of visible delimiters (walls or other partitions) will visually increase the area of this zone (the layout of house projects with a bay window, both a one-story house and a two-level one, is very convenient). The dining room located in the bay window will be much more comfortable:
- A bay window will best separate it from the daytime area,
- a small dining area will seem larger,
- it will be lighter here than in the living room,
- In addition, large bay windows will give you a good view of the beautiful landscape design of your garden, unless, of course, ready-made house designs with a bay window include landscape design. House design with a bay window and landscape design can be ordered separately. Also, for an additional cost, the layout of houses with a bay window can be changed.
House plans with a bay window: features
Architectural designs of houses with a bay window are endowed with the following individual features:
- Rooms with a bay window require additional heating costs in winter. This is due to the physical characteristics of the distribution of warm air in the house and large areas of glazing. The most economical house design option in this sense is rectangular (a two-story or one-story house with a bay window should not be square or too elongated in plan). Any protrusions or complex shapes will require additional energy for heating.
- A bay window is more difficult to build than just the wall of a house (which you would build if there was no bay window). It is necessary to correctly lay the walls, provide window structures in them, erect a roof over the bay window and ensure its correct fit to the wall of the house (if this is required, for example, by the design of a one-story house with a bay window). Completing all these construction features results in an increase in the estimate.