Bay & Bow Windows in Chicagoland

A bay or bow window pushes the glass out past the wall, so you gain light from three or more directions, a little extra floor space inside, and a real lift in curb appeal from the street. The difference between the two is shape: a bay window uses a wide center pane with two angled side units, while a bow window curves gently through four or more equal panels. McCann Window & Exteriors has fit both across Chicagoland for more than 30 years, most often in living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchen nooks where homeowners want the room to feel bigger and brighter.

Because these windows project outward, the part that separates a good result from a callback is the support and the seal behind the trim. That is our end of the deal. If you want a real number for your home, book a free in-home consultation or call (847) 562-1212. First, the details worth knowing.

Bay windows vs. bow windows: the plain difference

A bay window is usually three units: a large fixed or picture window in the middle, flanked by two smaller windows set at an angle, often 30 or 45 degrees. The side units are frequently operable, either casement or double-hung, so you still get ventilation. Bays project further from the wall and create a defined nook, which is why they are the classic choice for a window seat.

A bow window joins four, five, or more equal-size units in a gentle curve. It spans wider, brings in even more glass, and gives the room a softer, rounded feel. Bows suit wide walls and traditional or historic homes, which you see all over Winnetka, Highland Park, Evanston, and Glencoe.

Neither is “better.” A bay makes a stronger architectural statement and a deeper nook; a bow spreads more light across a wider opening with a curved, period-friendly look. On the visit, we bring the trade-off down to your actual wall and how you use the room.

Where bay and bow windows shine in Northshore homes

•       Living rooms, where a bay creates a bench-depth nook and a bow floods the space with daylight.
•       Dining rooms, where the projection makes the table area feel larger without a full addition.
•       Primary bedrooms, for a reading corner with light from several angles.
•       Kitchen nooks and breakfast areas, where a bay shelf holds plants or morning coffee.
•       Traditional and historic facades in Barrington, Libertyville, and Lake Forest, where a bow’s curve matches the era of the home.

The installer matters more than the label on the glass

An average window installed well outlasts a great window installed poorly, and that is doubly true for a projecting window. Our production team carries 20-plus years of experience, and our install crews 10 to 15 years. They support the unit properly, air-seal behind the trim, and leave the site clean. We show up, we clean up, and we deliver what we promise.

Materials and brands we install

We fit bay and bow windows in vinyl, fiberglass, and wood-clad units from Pella, Marvin, and Andersen, and we match the material to the home rather than push one brand.

•       Vinyl keeps maintenance low and cost reasonable, a practical fit for most homes.
•       Fiberglass is dimensionally stable and handles Chicagoland’s temperature swings well, a strong pick for a large projecting unit.
•       Wood and wood-clad deliver the warm interior sightlines that historic Northshore homes call for.
  
  

As a Pella Platinum Elite Certified Contractor, an Andersen Premier Certified Contractor with Marvin also available, we can show you real examples of each on the consultation, side by side, so the comparison is honest instead of one-sided.

What goes into the cost of bay and bow windows

Bay and bow windows cost more than a single window because they are several units combined, plus the projection, the interior shelf or seat, and the exterior finishing that ties it back into the wall. The main cost drivers are the number and type of units, whether the side windows open, the frame material, the glass package, and the width of the opening. A bow with six panels naturally runs higher than a compact three-unit bay.

We do not post fixed prices, because an honest quote depends on your wall and your choices. For a fuller picture of window pricing in our market, see our guide to replacement window costs in Illinois. When you are ready, we measure in person and hand you one or two written proposals that show the price against exactly what you get. We also offer no-interest and no-payment financing options through several lenders.

Why homeowners across Chicagoland choose McCann

We are a family-founded company out of Northbrook, and roughly half of our business comes from past customers and their referrals after more than 30 years. We are BBB A+ accredited, Energy Star partners, a Guildmaster Award winner, and were named a Top 500 Qualified Remodeler and a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave in 2023. We serve homeowners across about 82 zip codes on the Northshore and the northwest suburbs, including Northbrook, Glenview, Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park, Evanston, and Deerfield.

Bay and bow window glossary

•       Bay window: a projecting window made of a wide center unit and two angled side units, usually three windows total.
•       Bow window: a projecting window made of four or more equal units joined in a curve.
•       Projection: how far the window reaches out past the exterior wall.
•       Picture window: a large fixed pane that does not open, common as the center of a bay.
•       Casement window: a side-hinged window that cranks outward, often used for the operable sides of a bay.
•       Double-hung window: a window with two sashes that slide up and down, another common operable side unit.
•       Window seat: the interior bench or shelf created by the depth of a bay or bow.
•       Head and seat board: the top and bottom interior surfaces that finish the inside of the projection.
•       Low-E coating: an invisible glass coating that reflects heat to keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
•       U-factor: a rating of how well a window keeps heat in; a lower number means better insulation.

Frequently asked questions

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

A bay window is typically three units: a wide center pane with two angled side windows, and it projects further to create a defined nook. A bow window uses four or more equal units in a gentle curve, spans a wider area, and brings in more glass with a softer, rounded look.

Do bay and bow windows open for ventilation?

They can. The center of a bay is usually a fixed picture window, but the angled side units are often operable casements or double-hungs. A bow can be built with several operable units. We spec the mix of fixed and operable to match how you use the room.

Are bay and bow windows a good idea in Chicagoland’s climate?

Yes, when they are built and installed correctly. The operable units seal by compression, the fixed panes are set tight, and an energy-efficient glass package keeps the cold off the glass. The projection has to be supported and insulated properly so it stays square and sealed through Chicagoland’s freeze-and-thaw seasons.

Do bay and bow windows add usable space?

They add a shallow but useful amount. Because the window projects past the wall, you gain a shelf or bench depth inside, which is why bays are so often used for window seats, reading nooks, and kitchen breakfast areas.

Does McCann install bay and bow windows across the Northshore?

Yes. We replace bay, bow, and every other window style throughout Northbrook, Glenview, Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park, Evanston, Deerfield, and the surrounding Northshore and northwest Chicagoland suburbs.