Bay & bow windows
Bay and Bow Window Installation in Scarborough
A bay or bow window pushes the wall out, adds light from three directions, and usually gives you a seat or a deep ledge inside. It is also the hardest window job on a house, because the unit hangs off the wall and has to be supported, roofed and insulated. Fortress Windows & Doors installs bay and bow windows across Scarborough with our own crew, led by an owner with 37 years on the tools.
Reviewed by Steve McCue and Steve Mercer, owners, Fortress Windows & Doors Inc.
Since 1989
Owner-run, family business
Canadian-made
Built for Ontario winters
Our own install crew
No subcontractors
Lifetime warranty
Covers product and labour
Bay or bow
Bay or bow: what is the difference?
A bay window is usually three units: a large centre window, often fixed, with two narrower side windows set at an angle, commonly 30 or 45 degrees. The shape is angular and it projects further from the wall.
A bow window uses four or more units of the same width set at small angles, so it forms a gentle curve. It projects less, and it suits wider walls and older homes where a softer shape looks right.
The side units in either one can be casements so the window actually opens.
How they are built
Why these jobs go wrong
Failed bay windows tend to show the same problems. The unit was not properly supported and has started to sag, pulling away from the wall. Or the space under the seat and above the head was never insulated, so the floor in front of the window is cold all winter. Or the small roof over the top was flashed badly, and water has been running into the wall.
A good install deals with all three. The unit is carried by support hardware, not just nailed to the opening. The seat and head board are insulated. And the roof over the projection is flashed into the wall so water has nowhere to go but off.
Good to know
What to know before you order
Who does the work
This is where experience matters most. Steve McCue has installed windows and doors for 37 years and is in charge of installation on every Fortress project. When an old bay has sagged or the framing behind it is out of level, he works out how to set the new one right before it goes in. The units are Canadian-made vinyl with Low-E 272 and argon glass, and the job is covered by the True Fortress Exclusive Lifetime Warranty, which covers the product and the labour.
Replacing an old bay
Many houses already have a bay with tired wood windows. Often the structure can stay and the windows inside it are replaced. If the seat, head or support is rotten, the whole unit comes out. Steve Mercer, who spent years as a home inspector, will check the condition during the measure so you know which job it is before you get a price.
Inside finish
A bay is as much an interior feature as a window. The seat board can be finished to match your trim, and the space underneath can become a storage bench. Some owners want a deep ledge for plants; others want a full cushioned seat. The ceiling above can be finished flat or angled. Decide this before the order goes in, because it affects how the unit is built and supported.
Bays and bows also change the outside of the house. The roof over the projection can be shingled to match or finished in metal, and the underside can be insulated and closed in so it does not look like an afterthought.
Where we install
We install bay and bow windows from our Scarborough office across the east GTA, and into York Region including Richmond Hill. For all window styles, see window installation.
Our process
How the job runs
From first call to final walk-through.
Book
Call (416) 291-5795 or use the quote form.
Assess
We measure the wall and check the existing structure, seat and roof.
Design and quote
Bay or bow, angles, operating units and finish, all on one written price.
Install
Old unit out, new one supported, insulated, roofed and flashed.
Finish
Seat, trim and a walk-through with you.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a bay and a bow window?
A bay window usually has three units, a large centre window and two angled side windows, and projects further from the wall. A bow window uses four or more equal units at shallow angles to form a curve and projects less.
Why is my bay window sagging?
Sagging usually means the unit was not properly supported when it was installed, or the framing has rotted. A new bay or bow window should be carried by support hardware and flashed so water cannot reach the structure.
Why is the floor cold in front of my bay window?
The space under the seat and above the head is often left uninsulated on older installs. A proper installation insulates the seat and head board.
Do you install bay and bow windows in Scarborough?
Yes. Fortress Windows & Doors installs bay and bow windows in Scarborough and across the GTA. Call (416) 291-5795 for a free quote.
Get a free quote on bay and bow windows
One written price, measured by an owner. Call (416) 291-5795 or book online.