Bay & Bow Windows in Meridian, ID
We build bay and bow windows out from the wall in homes across Meridian, Idaho.
- Quotes in writing
- 16 areas covered
Meridian Window Pros builds bay and bow windows in homes across Meridian. We replace old bays that leak or sag, and we build new ones where a flat window is now.
Bay windows and bow windows
The bay and bow windows we build stand out from the wall of the house, so they give the room inside a little extra floor space.
We usually build a bay when you want a deep ledge or a window seat, and a bow when you want a wide, rounded view across the yard.
Which windows go in a bay or bow
In the middle of a bay we usually fit a picture window. ENERGY STAR says fixed or picture windows do not open at all, so we fit windows that open on the sides.
ENERGY STAR says fresh air on a nice day, or on a cool evening after a hot day, can reduce energy costs, and windows that do not open stop you from enjoying it. That's why every bay or bow we build has at least one window that opens.
ENERGY STAR groups three window types that push out from the wall, often opening with a crank. It says casements open from the side, awning windows from the bottom and hopper windows from the top. For the side windows of a bay we use casement windows or double-hung windows, whichever way you'd like them to open.
We build bays and bows with vinyl frames and with fiberglass frames.
Glass for a bay in Meridian
A bay or bow gets sun from more than one direction, so your quote from us lists two numbers for every window in it.
The first rating, the U-factor, tells you how fast heat passes through a window. The lower the U-factor, the less heat gets through, so you want it low.
The solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, is a rating for how much of the sun's heat gets through the glass. The lower the number, the less heat comes in.
The National Weather Service office in Boise calls the Treasure Valley a high desert, where nights cool down fast and days heat up fast. For the Northern part of the U.S., ENERGY STAR recommends windows with a U-factor of 0.22 or less. ENERGY STAR's advice for colder climates is a low U-factor and a higher SHGC on a south wall, a low SHGC or shade on east and west walls, and the lowest U-factor you can afford on north walls. On a bay that faces south, the two side windows face southeast and southwest, so we choose the glass for each window, not just for the bay.
Permits for bay and bow windows in Meridian
The City of Meridian's handout on residential projects lists window size changes among the jobs that need a permit. When we build a bay where there was a flat window, we usually have to widen the opening, so that job needs a permit.
The City of Meridian says its residential remodel permits cover changes to the inside or outside of an existing home, and can include replacing windows. If we put a new bay into the same opening as the old one, we tell you before we start whether it needs a permit.
Older homes and lead paint
If your home was built before 1978, ENERGY STAR says the installer will likely have to take precautions because of possible lead paint. Under the EPA's lead paint rule for renovations, window replacement in those homes is always covered, and the firm doing the work must be certified.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The exact U-factor and SHGC of each window, written into the contract.
- A line saying the windows are ENERGY STAR certified for where you live.
- Who pulls the permit, if the job needs one.
- The product warranty and the installation warranty. ENERGY STAR says a decent product warranty should be at least 10 years, and preferably 20 years or lifetime. It says installation warranties are typically less than 5 years.
Questions about bay and bow windows in Meridian
What is the difference between a bay and a bow window?
On the bays we build, three windows meet at angles, with a large fixed window in the middle and a narrower one on each side. Our bow windows use four or more windows of the same width set in a gentle curve, so we can give you a rounder look from outside.
Can you add a window seat?
Yes, we can build a seat or a deep ledge into the base of a bay or bow when we fit it.
Does a bay window need a roof?
On the bays and bows we build, we cover the top with a small roof or a cap, and seal it to the wall of the house so rain and snow run off.
How much does a bay or bow window cost?
We price each one once we've measured, because the size, the number of windows, the roof and any framing work all change the price, and we give you that quote in writing.
Will a new bay window lower my energy bill?
ENERGY STAR says upgrading to ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by an average of 12%.
Can you replace an old bay window that is sagging?
Yes, we can. We take the old bay out, check the framing under it and build the new one on a solid base.
Why does a bay window get wet on the inside in winter?
ENERGY STAR says water forms on the inside of a window when the glass gets cold enough for the damp air in the room to turn to water on it. It says certified windows resist this better but can still get it in cold weather. ENERGY STAR advises insulating the space between the window frame and the wall opening during installation, and keeping indoor humidity in check.
What happens to the window labels?
ENERGY STAR says the installer should keep each window's NFRC label, which it calls basically a big sticker, for you, so you have an exact record of what went in, and we hand those labels over.
Get a quote for a bay or bow window
Call us, or send the quote form with your ZIP code and a note about the wall where you want it. We'll measure, go through the options with you, and give you a written quote. To see the other windows we fit, go to the Meridian Window Pros home page.
Ready to talk about your window job?
Send the quote form with your ZIP code and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.