Bay window (97 photos): what is this in architecture? sizes of bay windows in a house and apartment, rectangular and triangular bay windows, other types

Review author: Terrari School of Design

Building private housing is beneficial from a practical point of view; it is not an easy, but interesting and exciting task. The home does not have to be large, but the originality of the exterior does not hurt, distinguishing it from standard buildings.

The usual standard “boxes” are becoming a thing of the past; recently, house designs with a bay window have become increasingly popular, the design of which is more complicated, but the results are worth it.

The bay window zone is a protruding part of the building with its own base and roof, placed beyond the plane of the facade. It is a convenient architectural element, having similarities with a regular balcony, the main difference being the absence of partitions. This is a continuation of the room, increasing its volume.

In the Middle Ages, such fortifications served as defensive turrets; Christian architecture placed an altar here; today it is a unique highlight of the cottage, giving it an aristocratic appearance and evoking an association with Gothic castles.

Types of bay windows

Over the centuries-old history, architects have learned to create different protrusions on the facades of houses. Conventionally, they can be divided into several types.

By location

Bay windows vary depending on where the bay window is located.

Number of storeys. Curly projections on the walls can be not only on the ground floor; they can decorate a building on any tier. Often, bay windows are built on several floors at once.
Facade. The ledge is located on the front, front part of the building.
Side. A shaped extension adorns the side wall of the house.
Angular. It can be located on the level of one or several floors. If the bay window is built to its full height, the corner of the building becomes rounded and takes on unusual shapes.
Symmetric. Several absolutely identical protrusions are located at a certain distance from each other.
Suspension. A bay window looks like a multifaceted or semicircular balcony, which can be located at any height.

By shape

The variety of geometric shapes makes buildings with bay windows unique. The corbel line, curved in different ways, allows the house to acquire its own personality. Based on their form, they can be divided into several options.

Round

Round bay windows are often located in the corners or in the center of the facade. Sometimes houses are decorated with miniature turrets. This form of protrusions is inherent in brick or block buildings; it is impossible for arranging log houses or houses made of timber. The smooth line of the protrusion adds special beauty to the building, but also creates some difficulties for the formation of the interior.

Semicircular

Venetian-style buildings are decorated with semicircular bay windows. Unlike round options, they do not protrude too much beyond the line of the facade. Smooth and soft lines of the house create an unforgettable impression outside and inside.

Rectangular

The rectangular shape of the projections is rarely used; its simplicity does not make it possible to make the facade expressive, as is the case with a semicircle or trapezoid, for example. But for interior design, straight lines are always practical - you don’t need to order special furniture.

Square

Like rectangular ones, square bay windows are also ordinary. They are simple to design and build, but their appearance resembles balconies. But inside the building, the owners acquire significant additional space, which they can easily furnish with furniture.

Trapezoidal

This form of protrusions is quite common. It is enough to bevel the side lines of a rectangular bay window, place them at an angle - and it loses its association with a balcony, and the building acquires an attractive appearance.

Multifaceted

A bay window with many sides is as common as a trapezoidal one. It does not require special curved glass; it is easily formed from any building material, including laminated veneer lumber.

Triangular

Such protrusions on facades are extremely rare. They were seen on some types of layouts of the Khrushchev era and in exclusive projects of private houses.

Design Features

When planning the design of a bay window, it is important to decide what goals are being pursued . It can be a continuation of the room, one with it. Then it uses the same design as the main room. Or vice versa, you can focus on the bay window and make it the main decoration of the space. For this, bright colors and unusual decorative items are used.

However, even if the bay window is emphasized, it should not look alien to the room, like a random “patch”. Therefore, you need to think about what will unite it with the room. These can be companion fabrics, identical sofa cushions.

Curtains occupy an important place in the design of a bay window . If there are windows somewhere else in the room, then the curtains should be the same. When choosing them, the degree of illumination is taken into account. For a sunny room you will need thick curtains, and if the windows face, say, north, then you can limit yourself to tulle. Depending on the style, you can choose blinds or roller blinds.

Bay window for all occasions

A cozy, bright corner has a magnetic attraction and even the smallest protrusion has a use. The list of possibilities for using useful space is quite impressive - from a recreation area to a workplace.

In the bay window you can arrange:

Winter Garden;
Song hall;
Handicrafts Corner;
Study;
Game room;
“Reading hut”;

Japanese sophistication in the design of a reading corner promotes concentration

Dining room;
Art studio;
Exhibition by placing souvenirs and handmade masterpieces on the windowsill;
Relaxation corner.

A tiny bay window, fitted into a corner, incredibly enlarges a cramped kitchen

Often, owners prefer to have a bay window in the living room or kitchen for the reason that this is where the family gathers and receives guests.

Therefore, it is especially important to maintain harmony of functionality and design, to maintain the overall style orientation

Bay window project in the living room. Identical lamps, pillows and a sofa that flows into a podium unite the spaces of the ledge and the room

Living room with bay window

The design options for a ledge in the living room are almost limitless and depend on its area, your imagination and capabilities.

What can you turn a ledge into in the living room:

It has become fashionable to use wide window sills in niches for benches, on which beautiful mattresses and pillows are placed. Under the window sill you can make a place for drawers for things, covering them with a decorative panel. This place is simply created for gatherings with a cup of coffee and a book.

This window sill has enough space for the whole family.

An unusual living room design with a bay window can be achieved if you place a podium in the bright area. This zoning is successfully emphasized by narrow contrasting lambrequins along the windows. The raised platform easily transforms into a karaoke stage. And the piano in the bay window? It even sounds sophisticated.

Expensive finishing materials and a candle chandelier transform a modest ledge into a chamber hall

And how can we not mention a winter garden in a skylight, where any plants feel comfortable. Nearby there is a miniature table, an armchair, quiet music and a session of high-quality relaxation is guaranteed. For greater privacy, the living room is fenced off from the ledge with an openwork lattice/screen.

A green carpet in an improvised winter garden creates the illusion of green grass

Niche in the bedroom

In a child's room, a skylight is sure to become a play/learning space. On sunny days, kids can set up an impromptu solarium. A round bay window in a room, according to scientists, has a positive effect on the psyche and way of thinking of a child.

Cozy children's room with a round ledge

A niche in an adult bedroom is perfect for a mini-office. The question of how to design a workplace can be solved with the help of a window sill on which a laptop will fit. On the improvised shelves below, a briefcase and documents will be compactly placed. In order not to disturb the sleeper, the ledge is covered with thick curtains.

Office in the bedroom

kitchen ledge

A kitchen with a bay window is a unique duo that will significantly free up your work area. If the niche is modest in size, you can organize a vegetable garden in pots and grow onions, dill, strawberries, and lemons. Fresh produce will not lose a single vitamin on the way to the plate.

An original solution - a light lantern in the kitchen work area

A larger niche turns into a dining room with a table, chairs or even a sofa along the perimeter. Here you can safely experiment with colors, select furniture of a different “style”, flooring. Roman blinds made of fabric/bamboo are ideal for the windows of such a dining room.

Transparent chairs and a sparkling tabletop expand the dining room space

Staircase in a niche

Increasing the area of the room due to the ledge loses its meaning if the same useful meters are “eaten up” by the staircase. Therefore, in bay windows, located one above the other and united by a common space, you can make a staircase.

Staircase in a niche. Exterior view

This saves vital space in small rooms

The smaller the volume of the bay window, the steeper the staircase will be, so special attention is paid to safety precautions. Work must be carried out in accordance with GOST by qualified specialists

Staircase in bay window

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JkUAmDAB_io

Extra space in the nursery

One popular use is to create a podium or window seat.

This will be especially true in a children's room. For added comfort, you can add a few decorative pillows or a small mattress.

Also, the bay window space can be turned into a workplace for a schoolchild, and large windows will only be an advantage.

You might consider incorporating some built-in bookshelves to create an intimate reading area.

Most ancient city buildings are houses with bay windows, which are rectangular or round projections on the outer sides of the structure. Most often, bay windows become the property of the kitchen or living room, so if you are lucky enough to have such a design element, then try to make the most of it. In fact, there are a huge number of options for arranging this corner, and we will consider only a few of them.

A place to relax and dream

If you have a country house made of timber with a bay window, then it would be quite advisable to arrange a personal cozy “nest” in this niche. Here you can sit alone, read, watch the birds and clouds. A wide window sill should be covered with a mattress and supplemented with numerous pillows and bolsters. It is quite possible to turn the space under the windowsill into storage for books and things dear to your heart. The glass walls of such a bay window will look very unusual, as they will give the room additional sunlight.

Sofa as an option for furnishing a bay window

It would be logical to complement a bay window in a wooden house with a sofa. Typically, such upholstered furniture has to be made to order, since houses made of timber are built according to the customer’s dimensions. Placing such a piece of furniture in a bay window allows you to obtain the following advantages:

overview of the entire room;
light from the window provides additional lighting for reading or needlework;
a sofa in a bay window frees up the space of the room from the most bulky piece of furniture.

Arranging a dining room in country houses with a bay window

If you manage to build a bay window in the living room of a country estate, then it is quite advisable to equip it with a full-fledged dining area. To do this, just install chairs and a dining table. It is possible to increase the number of seats if you build a narrow bench or a wide window sill with mattresses and pillows along the window.

Tea area in houses with round bay windows

If the table for treating guests is in another room, or is completely folded, and the family dines in the kitchen, then the bay window can be equipped with a coffee table and a pair of comfortable armchairs. Before you know it, you will get used to drinking tea here in the evenings, confiding in secrets with a friend, or simply enjoying the sunset.

Winter garden in houses with a bay window and attic

The combination of a bay window and a bay window in a house is considered a very successful architectural tandem.

This option is just a dream for those women who like to grow indoor plants. And if all the window sills and supplies are already occupied, then think about turning a house with a balcony and a bay window into a real green corner. Those of your plants that need a lot of natural light will be very happy about this. The floor can be covered with pebbles and even sand, patterned tiles or parquet that imitates wood can be laid. The interior of the winter garden will be complemented by a fountain, devices for storing plant care items, soil, fertilizers and other needs. Here you can place a small table with a couple of chairs to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Arrangement of a workplace in a house with a bay window and a terrace

We are all accustomed to the fact that a country house is a room with numerous bookcases, leather furniture and a fireplace. You can radically change this opinion by placing your workplace in a bay window. Here you can install a desk, hanging cabinets and other necessary items. At the same time, work processes will be accompanied by a constant flow of fresh air and sunlight. And the terrace in front of your eyes will delight you with an abundance of green plants in hanging pots. You can relax in a wicker chair or hammock at any time.

Cozy, bright, unique - these are the qualities that are sure to be found in the description of a dream home. Everyone wants to create a family nest, make it truly fabulous, at the same time reliable and practical. House designs with a bay window are more suitable for these purposes than others.

A unique extension will definitely give the house an unusual appearance. He will also help you create a unique interior. New forms - new opportunities, more space - more freedom of expression.

Functional purpose

A bay window is, to a greater extent, an additional element that primarily performs a decorative function. In addition, the presence of this design in a country house can significantly improve the illumination of the interior (especially if the house is multi-story). That is why the main function is to change the shape and increase the area of the interior, albeit slightly, to decorate the interior of the room and increase illumination due to the large number of windows.

Bay windows can be found quite often in country houses that are built in regions of our country with an unfavorable climate and in areas where there are a small number of sunny days throughout the year. Their presence in buildings provides psycho-emotional comfort for residents. The bay window allows you to expand your view of the street, improve communication with nature and the environment, and increase the illumination of the room.

Over the years, multi-storey apartment buildings with bay windows have been built in dense urban areas. At the same time, many owners of apartments in which this structural element is present do not know what a bay window is.

Very often, a bay window in multi-storey buildings is combined with balconies or mezzanine loggias, which makes it possible to give the structure functional and compositional advantages.

Any bay window in an apartment or private house, regardless of the design plan, size and what types of building materials are used, must have a base that will accept the payload from the floor and enclosing structures. In suburban construction, it is possible to use two technological solutions in this case:

Loads from the bay window can be absorbed by the load-bearing structures of the structure. In this case, the project provides for the installation of special systems and the use of suitable building materials and fastenings that will ensure safe operation.
At the same time, the optimal solution will always be to have an independent foundation, regardless of the size and height of the bay window. Foundations for bay windows are almost always designed in complete analogy with the foundations of the base buildings. In addition, an option is often used in which cantilever slabs act as the base of the bay window.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like all design solutions, bay windows have positive and negative sides.

The positive qualities of such protrusions include the following factors:

natural light

premises, which reduces energy costs;

volume is added

rooms;

creates a beautiful panoramic view

from the window;

it becomes possible to create a special zone

in the room;

the building looks beautiful

House designs with a bay window on the upper level must take into account the load on the floor. In such options, strengthening of the lower part of the extension is provided. The big advantage of these models is that the area of the premises increases without building up the land.

On our website you can get acquainted with the most popular house projects from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses “Low-Rise Country”.

A wooden house with a bay window on the second floor is reinforced in the lower part Source toporok-m.ru

Bay windows have fewer disadvantages, but they must be taken into account:

When building a structure, additional calculations

for roof and walls;

houses with bay windows are more expensive

ordinary;

the risk of cold air entering the room increases, which means additional insulation

Color spectrum

The color palette can create a special atmosphere in the room.

Beige. They bring warmth, regularity and comfort to the room, and create a peaceful atmosphere in it.
Blue. They saturate the space with air and fill it with lightness and purity.
Reds. Red curtains will emphasize the significance of the interior and help achieve a stunning effect in the room.
Pink. Cloudless pink color creates a sophisticated and inviting room design.
Gray. They go well with both cold and warm shades and harmoniously connect them into a single whole.
Green. They evoke pleasant emotions and add brightness and freshness to the room.
Brown. They warm the interior, make it more rich and unusual.

Features by room type

Usually, a bay window is made in the kitchen to increase the functional space. The favorite formats are: a kitchen combined with a living room or a small winter garden.

Bay window in the kitchen

The ledge is furnished as a dining room or compact living room. Interior designers often add a sofa with the same geometric shape. A more expensive zoning option is an individual set along the bay window walls. Together with natural light, these formats create a unique atmosphere.

Bay window in the bedroom

A bed is installed in the geometric part of the private room, with the headboard by the window. Symmetrical bedside tables fit perfectly on the sides. The space above them is sometimes (if there are no windows) reserved for shelves.

Bay window in the living room

The classic option is to fill a geometric space with a large sofa and a coffee table. When the room has thick curtains, a TV is placed opposite. A rarer way to use meters with a bay window in the living room is in the winter garden.

Bay window in a children's bedroom

There are a lot of fantasies here: they place a children’s tent and a play castle with stairs and towers, they make beds of extraordinary shapes (to match the walls) to order

In the nursery, it is extremely important to take care of the safety of panoramic glazing

Particular attention is paid to the possibility/impossibility of opening windows

In the bay window area it is possible to equip a cornice and a computer desk, a home theater, and a cosmetic table. Then, the windows are complemented with curtains for the convenience of being in this area.

Video description

For an example of decorating a house with a bay window, watch the video:

Choosing furniture

In the bay window niche of the children's room there is a work area where the child does homework and plays.

In the living room there is a winter garden, a place for drinking tea and private conversations. In such a bay window, a small table with armchairs and a sofa with a large number of pillows are installed.

There is a recreation area in the additional space Source yandex.ru

A kitchen bay window allows the housewife to be distracted from cooking without leaving their room. In this segment you can arrange a dining room, visually separating it from the kitchen.

A bedroom with a bay window looks especially intimate.

It has become fashionable to install a bathtub in the bay window. This option is designed on a wall located in the inner part of the yard. This allows you to combine relaxation and hygiene procedures.

Do not block the ledge with bulky furniture - cabinets, furniture. They will make the room uncomfortable and dark.

Curtains

Bay window curtains require special attention. For the option with a round or semicircular perimeter, order special cornices or stretch strong wire. On walls with corners, curtain rods are hung separately for each straight section.

Curtains for the bay window extension are selected in the same color scheme as the room design. Light, functional curtains are appropriate for the kitchen. Bright kitchen curtains will make the room more original and memorable.

In the living room they hang thick curtains in noble shades, and roller blinds in neutral light shades.

Roller blinds on each extension window Source karkasblog.ru

Curtains in pastel colors are appropriate in the bedroom. They can be transparent, but in this case other elements are installed on the windows - roller blinds, Roman shades, blinds.

Types of structures

When constructing a building, you can build a bay window of any shape; you can only be limited by your own imagination. But there are still classic, common forms that will suit almost every building.

You should definitely remember about the supporting structures, the materials from which the building is made, and other important details.

Square and rectangular shapes are the simplest and most understandable way. It can fit into any interior; it will not cause any difficulties when decorating. In addition, it is easy to construct, design, make from bricks, blocks, panels or frames. The illumination in such projections will be sufficient, since windows can be installed on three sides. To summarize, we can say that this form is beautiful and simple, but because of this it is no less practical and effective.
The semicircular option gives the façade of the building tenderness, smooth lines and softness. It is classified as a Venetian style due to its inherent lightness and neatness. It can be installed in any part of the building, even on a corner. There is a semicircular bay window on buildings made of brick and concrete, less often on panel or frame houses. This is due to the fact that the latter are more difficult to design and build a bay window. On wooden beam houses, a semicircular model is not possible.
Trapezoidal. This method is also interesting because of its shape, suitable for those who want to choose something more interesting than a rectangular shape, but are not ready to arrange a round one. It also consists of three walls, two of which are adjacent to the facade at an angle of less than 90 degrees. The lighting in such bay windows is especially good, since the more sides of the exit, the brighter the room will be.
Polygonal facades. Of course, the number of sides and angles during construction is not limited by anything except your own imagination. This type allows you to fulfill the most daring, unusual ideas. Polygonal complex bay windows are most often used in wooden houses built from timber.

From mass standard development to individual projects

When building a private house, future owners try to get away from the standard templates used in mass construction. But at the same time, preserve and bring into your cottage the best that ordinary high-rise buildings have.

Project of a one-story house with a bay window

The individual design of a one-story house with a bay window will not only make the house unique in appearance, attracting the views of passers-by. But it is also very wise to use the emerging advantages from the attached porch.

Different types of houses use different shapes and types of bay windows. This is due to the ability of the main building materials to take the desired shape, as well as the design features:

In typical mass developments, you can most often find the latest versions of bay windows.

Simple, accessible, elegant.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any other design invention, a bay window has a number of advantages and disadvantages that are worth remembering when planning a building. The advantages include:

Increase in living space. With this simple solution you can significantly increase the space. At first it seems that such a small area is unable to significantly affect the layout, but several massive parts of the interior can be placed in the bay window. Everyone can decide for themselves how to use the extra meters, but many owners will definitely like this method.
Additional lighting. From one to three windows can be installed in a bay window, and, as you know, windows located outside the facade provide more light. A bay window located on the southern, sunny side will provide more insolation and warm up the room. The room automatically becomes brighter and warmer, but you don’t need to spend extra money on heating or artificial lighting.
Aesthetic and design component. Even in our time, a bay window in a private house or apartment will look unusual. Such an interesting protrusion can change the house and add relief. It is especially interesting when the bay window continues the overall style of the house, and does not stand out from it. This creates a cozy, thoughtful look.

But this design has a number of disadvantages that should be taken into account during construction:

High price. In fact, a bay window is a very simple, cheap design to build, but expensive to decorate. Bay windows of unusual, bizarre shapes can become a real challenge when filling a room with furniture. Sometimes it can be difficult to find sofas, wardrobes or beds that will fit such an overhang. In addition, in order for the ledge to keep cold air out in winter and to last a long time and with high quality, you need to invest a lot of money during construction or first look for a house with a “lantern”.

An effective element for solving specific problems

For a Russian person, a bay window sounds more exotic than it actually looks. If the name hurts the ear and is associated with something expensive, bourgeois, then in practice this architectural solution is familiar to every Soviet citizen: most multi-storey buildings built by Stalin have such sophistication.

It's not just a matter of the desire to stand out and individualize your home - where were such needs in the 30s-50s. It’s just that houses with a bay window differed favorably in terms of performance from buildings of the same type without external structures:

the bay window increased the usable area of the premises with the same layout and building area;
allowed for more efficient use of natural light in the apartment, extending daylight hours and saving energy;
with standard layouts and lifestyle, created the opportunity to stand out and implement individual solutions;
finally, in the era of total surveillance of everyone, it provided an excellent overview opportunity.

Stalinist apartment building with bay window

Today, times and customs are different. Erker, having rethought its historical tasks, returns to the construction market for peaceful purposes. Houses with bay windows are increasingly being chosen for construction and are being ordered or chosen from ready-made ones. If we compare the number of such orders 15 years ago and today, we can say with confidence that their share has increased significantly.

Interior design

The interior of the rooms only benefits from the presence of a protruding bay window platform, as this leads not only to an increase in usable space and adds natural light, but also radically changes the approach to interior design of rooms, allowing them to be decorated in any style.

It is most convenient to use a bay window in the interior of rooms such as:

children's;
bedroom;
kitchen;
living room.

A bedroom with a huge round panoramic window, a living room with a bay window with access to an open balcony, or a children’s room at the very top of the tower is a limitless field of activity and the realization of the designer’s wildest fantasies and ideas. The main thing is to approach the interior design of rooms with a bay window creatively.

Unique and original ways to create an interior style and divide a room into zones include decorative passages from a cascade of arches or false columns, built in an antique style. The design of a kitchen with a bay window filled with sunlight adds lightness to it and makes cooking easy and enjoyable.

To decorate the second floor in a modern style, many designers recommend using cool shades, which, combined with an abundance of natural light, will emphasize the individuality of the room and create a feeling of limitless space.

The bay window is often glazed to its entire height. However, not everyone will like this option, especially when glazing the first floor. In this case, the view will be not only from the house, but also any passerby, if there is no solid fence on the site, can see what the owners are doing.

When developing a project for a large building, the main task of civil engineers is the rational distribution of the area of the future premises that would meet the customer’s requirements.

A bay window in a wooden house, as in any other building, will be an excellent solution for increasing the size of rooms, giving them an unusual shape and design.

It is a part of a structure that protrudes beyond its entire perimeter. Translated from German it means a lantern, or a ledge in the wall.

It has a long history. Buildings with such an architectural design have been seen since the time of the Roman Empire. At that time, bay windows were attached to the upper floors, so as not to block the passage on the already narrow streets. They served as a convenient place for shelling the enemy.

In the modern world, becoming an integral part of the building, it performs such functions as:

increases the area of the room;
improves the quality of lighting in rooms;
there is more space for viewing;
the right design and interior style will make this corner of the house an exquisite part of it.

Most often, large windows are used as decoration for bay windows, which significantly increases the quality of natural light.

and reduces the cost of using artificial.

What is a bay window and how is it designed?

A bay window is a structural element on a facade wall, suspended at ground floor level or extending to the ceiling above it. It can extend through the upper floors or be “suspended” from the upper floor. Sometimes this is a small niche, and sometimes even a small room with windows protruding from the wall of the house.

The bay window is an architectural form that was previously very often used in the Middle East (in Islamic culture). It served a defensive function here, as it served as a shooting range in the buildings. From there they watched and shot at the enemy - not only directly, but also along the wall (which made defense easier).

The bay window was most popular during the Renaissance, when it was adapted for the construction of castles. Having joined them, it acquired splendor and at the same time lightness, spaciousness and a carefully thought out architectural ensemble.

After some time, this overhanging building element ceased to be a place for the guardians of the fortress. However, it became an elegant element of the castle, making social life more enjoyable. In the bay window, people relaxed, talked and admired the views from the window.

Later, classic bay windows (modeled on those in the Middle East) appeared in family homes in England, and then in the United States (where they spread quite quickly, becoming open spaces).

In Russia, the bay window appeared around the 1980s, but it is not very common in houses. In addition, it is confused with another form of construction - avant-garde. It also protrudes from the body of the house and adds space to the interior, but it is installed on the foundation and is an integral part of the house.

In the homes of people who care about the appearance of their home and increasing its functionality, you can find a bay window. It has now become an ideal way to enhance the curb appeal of a home design and is very popular in traditional construction. Such an additional structural element can have a different shape, depending on the function chosen for it:

square.,
rectangle (with horizontal section),
semicircle,
polygon.

Today in houses you can most often find polygonal bay windows, that is, multi-walled: with three to five walls connected at a large obtuse angle. Such bay windows significantly increase the space of the adjacent room. At the same time, they do not protrude much from the wall, but effectively dilute the plane of the facade.

In addition to the shape, the bay window can be of different sizes. Some are small and narrow, turning into a slightly larger window with a bench. Others are the size of small rooms, becoming a place for a dining room, a relaxation area or even a winter garden.

A bay window with fairly durable glazing. It is often built in such a way that as much sunlight as possible (falling from different directions) penetrates into the interior. Therefore, windows become a very important element here.

The bay window often has the shape of a polygon open in different directions, due to which the sun shines through the glazing longer. Therefore, it is a solution to illuminate a room, especially when it is located against the southern wall of the house. The bay window on this side also provides additional heat. However, windows facing south should have appropriate blinds to prevent the interior from overheating in summer.

The glazing in the bay window can be done arbitrarily - it does not have to be on all its walls. It can be placed only on the front or on the sides, or even on only one side. A frequently chosen option is windows whose bottom edge is approximately 40-50 centimeters above the floor. Then strong, wide window sills are built next to them, which serve as seats.

As for the design, a bay window (overhanging the ground or upper floor) can take different forms. The lightest span is considered to be one in which both ceilings (lower and upper) are self-supporting supports. Then the racks between the windows (if they appear) do not have load-bearing functions, so they can be delicate.

With this solution, you can even decide to glaze the entire surface. Thanks to this, it acquires clarity and a feeling of real lightness. This option is used as a place for a winter garden or for glazing connecting the inside of the house with the outside garden (looks very good, for example, in the living room).

The bay window walls can be made of the same masonry material as the entire house. When installing windows, these can be narrow pillars made of reinforced concrete. Then, however, good thermal insulation is important - a material with a low thermal conductivity coefficient λ. This can be extruded polystyrene foam.

It's a little easier when the racks are made of a wooden frame. Then they have much less influence (than brick ones) on the design of the bay window. They can be quite thin, so they will not significantly change the nature of the glass structure. Wooden or aluminum profiles are filled with thermal insulation made of mineral wool.

So, as you can see, the span structure must always be rigidly connected to the load-bearing part of the building. The base here is a protruding concrete building slab. It is fixed in the ceiling or load-bearing wall and reinforced with reinforcement. However, the structure can also be based on pillars or external load-bearing walls.

Another option for creating a bay window base is to build it on steel or wooden beams fixed in the ceiling. Then, however, a stable connection of the structure is required. There is always a second element at the top - the ceiling of the span. It is often covered with a separate roof, naturally in accordance with the style of the house and the shape of the superstructure.

Bay window in the interior

In the kitchen

To decorate a kitchen space with a bay window, you need to make it the main part of the room, and pay all attention to it. This will be the success of the design.

For example, it is a good idea to face all work surfaces towards the windows. Then it will be much more interesting and easier to work in the kitchen. Many people claim that washing dishes is much easier if the sink is facing a window. Another good way to brighten up your kitchen space is to move the dining area out onto a ledge. Of course, it all depends on the shape and size of the bay window, but if the design allows, then this is a good way to dine with the whole family. Since the ledge will be illuminated most of the time, having dinner or breakfast there with your family is a pleasure. In halls or living rooms. In such rooms, it is best to make a seating area from the ledge. It is not necessary to load the bay window with massive sofas; it will be enough to put a few cozy armchairs and a small table. Then such a place will become a favorite for cute parties and conversations. If there is some beautiful view of the garden or courtyard outside the window, then you should not heavily drape the windows with massive curtains. It is better to give free rein to light, light fabrics, textures. If you still want to highlight the bay window in a special way, you should put a bright rug on the floor, several flowerpots, fresh flowers, and add more bright flowers when decorating. In the bedrooms. For those who love to soak up the sun, a bay window in the bedroom is a good choice. The bed can be placed exactly on the ledge and then, when you want, bask in the rays of the sun. Otherwise, you should choose “total black” curtains, which provide up to 90% protection from rays. You should not place cabinets or chests of drawers in the bay window, which will clutter up the space. It is better to place a desk or something that will serve as a workplace. Then it will be pleasant to spend working hours with a good view of the street. In children's rooms. It is not always necessary to make a continuation of the room out of a bay window. You can separate this space for additional sleeping space or a play area using curtains or drapes. But in this case, it’s worth thinking through the concept, creating a layout or plan for separating the bay window from the main room. Today this can be done with ordinary curtain panels, practical horizontal roller blinds or rolling doors. In the bathroom. A bay window area in bathing rooms is a rarity; not everyone is ready for such audacity. You can afford a bay window in the bathroom only in private houses if the room opens onto a deserted area, a forest. But even in such cases, not everyone can dare to use panoramic windows. Having decided to carry out such a construction, you can achieve good views when bathing if you move the bathtub itself closer to the windows. It looks very unusual, beautiful, you just need to think through the details in advance.

What functions does it perform?

The bay window performs various functions both inside and outside the house.

In the latter case, the bay window is a truly unusual and original decoration and type of facade. This allows the home to stand out and add true elegance.

Breaking the straight lines of the body by adding a bay window will change the proportions of the house, and the facade will appear more open, warm and inviting to visit.

In addition to its decorative function, a bay window also performs important and useful service functions. In interiors, the main functions of a bay window are to let plenty of sunlight into the room while at the same time providing an additional and expansive view of the surrounding area.

The effect will be better the lighter the design of the supporting columns between the windows and the lower the window sills are placed.

Sometimes bay windows reach the floor, but it is more convenient when they protrude 50 cm above the floor. You can then install a heater or seat underneath them, and above them they will provide a panoramic view (like a garden).

It is important to note that, if necessary, a bay window can become a barrier from unwanted views. Windows are then placed on only one side (the one you want to see). Depending on the needs, they can be directed towards the garden or towards the entrance of the property.

The bay window also allows for unusual interior lighting. The light here will fall not only classically, that is, from a direction perpendicular to the wall, but also from the side and from above. Building a bay window parallel to the facade will allow you not to look “against the light,” which can often increase the comfort of using the room.

It's important that a bay window enhances your living space, so - depending on its size - you can fit a variety of functions into it and create a special, stylish space. You can opt for a small bay window, which protrudes only slightly beyond the front of the house and has three-part windows.

Another option is a much more impressive compartment that can create a large usable space, sometimes even a separate room. A heavily glazed area can define a representative dining area. The table next to it will be beautifully displayed and well lit.

In a situation where the polygon-shaped bay window has dimensions that make it look like an additional room with open space, you can place a round table with chairs in it. Then the dining area is completely separated from the living room.

A bay window with slightly smaller windows, located in a bedroom or office, can become a corner for relaxing (with a soft seat) or for working (with a desk) and reading (with an armchair). A bay window is ideal for the last activity as it provides excellent access to daylight.

When the window sill is installed low and wide, it can become the aforementioned seat. It is very functional that the space under the large window sill can be extended to the floor. This will give you extra storage space.

A bay window can also be made where you need to give rank to a fragment of the interior or display particularly valuable items. So it can turn, for example, into a small winter garden or a mini-gallery of sculptures, decorative glass or family souvenirs. Placing certain things in such a special space - even though in this case they will at least partially extend beyond the contour of the wall - will increase their importance due to the unusual location.

There are many possibilities for using this protruding element of a building structure. One of the very practical functions of a bay window is to designate it as a place for a staircase that might not fit into the rest of the house. Moving them outside the main contour of the wall means that they do not take up any useful space or corridor.

History of origin

There are quite a few versions of the appearance of the bay window. But there are three main ones. First of all, it is believed that the origins of this element in architecture go far back to the Middle Ages. In castles and other buildings, a special ledge was equipped, increasing the area for archer fire and, accordingly, improving defense.

The second version is the altar of the Catholic Church, which was made in the form of a protrusion beyond the plane of the wall, because according to Catholic laws there should not be any other premises above it.

In the castles of the Middle Ages, there was another purpose for this structural protrusion. According to one version, the bay window even served as a toilet.

As for the Russian-language term, it comes from the German erker - translated as “protrusion, lantern”. True, other researchers believe that the name comes from the ancient French term arquier - “defender, archer.” Most likely, both versions are correct.

Therefore, bay windows as an architectural device have long settled in the arsenal of all architects in the world. The desire to separate a certain protruding part of the room came to many at the same time. For example, today it is impossible to even imagine not only ancient castles, but also palaces in Europe without such architectural solutions. Here you can often find bay turrets that rise above the eaves line of the house.

In Rus', in the most elevated places of the walls in fortresses, log houses, the so-called oblams, hung and were used in the same way as in the Middle Ages to repel enemy attacks with archers. And on the 2 floors of the boyars' towers, lockers-balconies were erected to admire the beauty of the surroundings; a platform erected above the porch served for the same purpose.

Bay windows became especially popular in Victorian England. And now there are entire blocks of London, left over from those times, where you will not find a single house without a bay window.

In the Soviet Union, bay windows became popular during the Stalin era. It was rare that a residential building did not contain this element. We didn’t think much about its use. The bay window projection, usually trapezoidal, was mainly located in the so-called hall. A round table was placed at its location, most often covered with a fringed tablecloth. For many, this was considered a sign of prosperity and comfort. In winter, a Christmas tree was installed in the bay window, a real one, of course, in a bucket of sand. And it looked amazing both inside and outside, especially in the evenings when the lights came on.

Then “Khrushchev” buildings appeared, panel housing construction and bay windows were forgotten for several decades. And the current revival of these elements has given us their tremendous diversity.

Functional purpose

Very often, a bay window in multi-storey buildings is combined with balconies or mezzanine loggias, which makes it possible to give the structure functional and compositional advantages.

What to consider?

Typical house designs do not include a bay window. Therefore, it must be designed individually.

This design is an additional load on the foundation ; this must be taken into account at the design stage. If it runs the entire height of the building, then a foundation must be laid under it. Some types of bay windows “hang” above the ground on the second, third or higher floors. In this case, auxiliary supports and cantilever beams will be needed.

When creating a house project with a bay window, you need to take into account some more factors . Where does he go? On a crowded street or in a quiet courtyard? To the south or not to the north? If you are facing south, then you should think about whether it is necessary for the sun to shine through the windows all day, especially in summer. And either change the direction of this building, or think in advance about ways to protect it from the scorching summer heat and bright light.

Most of the extension is glazed, so you need to take care of its energy-saving glazing (preferably triple) and insulation , otherwise the room will cool down greatly in winter. In principle, the bay window is built from the same materials as the entire house. It can be either classic wood, stone, brick, or modern panels.

It is also worth considering in advance how the bay window will be arranged from the inside. It depends on which room it is located in. And there are a lot of options for using this additional space.

Features of planning and construction

The quality of the design directly depends on strict adherence to all stages of construction, which are identical to the construction of an entire house. Drawing up a project and preparing related documentation

. If this kind of extension was planned along with the construction of the entire house, then no additional permits will be required in this case.

If the owners of the house wanted to embellish their estate after a certain period of time, then it is necessary to make appropriate amendments to the house design and obtain permission for the extension from the competent authorities

. The layout of the bay window depends on how the owners want to use this additional space. At this stage, do not forget about the shape of the structure.

Builders who do not have much experience in assembling spherical buildings are better off not taking on a Venetian bay window. It is much easier to build a square or rectangular bay window.

Laying the foundation

. In terms of structure and constituent elements, it should not differ from the main foundation. Monolithic tapes that have gone through the cladding stage are best suited here. Don't forget that the procedure remains the same:

first a trench is dug;
then formwork is made;
insulation work is being carried out;
reinforcement;
the final stage is pouring.

When the pouring process is completed, the finished foundation is given time to shrink and only then the finished platform is treated with waterproofing materials (roofing felt, bitumen mastic).

Construction of the structure

. The substrate of the entire building should be protected from moisture as much as possible. In a situation with a wooden house, larch boards would be a good solution. In addition, the house will receive additional support, which will make the building more stable.

The most important work at this stage is cutting corners.

After all, cutting corners for a semicircular bay window should be carried out at an angle of 450. But from the correct geometric figure it is much easier to obtain the expected result.

After adjusting the corners, you can begin fastening all the elements. The crowns of the extension are covered with a sealant, and the already assembled structure is covered with caulk. The entrance and openings in the extension are cut out when all the necessary elements are assembled and secured together;

Bay window roof

. The simplest roofing option would be to simply extend the roof of the main building. If the customer wants a separate roof, then it can easily be made in the form of a dome or umbrella. Since the amount of work and materials becomes small, a do-it-yourself bay window roof is an excellent option for saving financial costs on labor.

When all roofing work is completed, there is no need to rush to install double-glazed windows. It is necessary to wait until the end of the shrinkage. Based on its results, shortcomings made during construction will be visible, which must be eliminated before finishing work begins.

Bay window in the house - a source of inspiration

Nowadays, multi-storey buildings with bay windows are increasingly being built. However, many residents do not know what a bay window is. It is often confused with a glazed loggia or balcony. Although there is some truth in this. Some houses are built in such a way that the bay window in apartments looks like part of a glazed balcony, and moreover, has access to the balcony. In such apartments, the bay window is separated from the main space by a stiffener in the form of a small arch.

What is a bay window

To be clear, you should understand what a bay window is. This architectural element is a protruding glazed volumetric part of the building adjacent to its outer wall, extending beyond its plane. At the same time, the bay window, being part of the room, expands its internal space, adding functionality to the room.

There are many forms of bay windows in modern architecture. They can have a simple rectangular design or consist of three or five walls connected at a large angle.

Thanks to the bay window, the usable space in the apartment increases significantly. The large and sometimes panoramic (from floor to ceiling) windows installed in it perfectly illuminate the interior of the apartment, and sunlight heats the room. A window that is mounted into the walls protrudes and provides much more light than a window built into a flat wall.

Features of buildings with attics and terraces

The design of the premises allows for a total area of 161.16 square meters of rooms with a residential area of up to eighty meters. There will be five rooms, of which four are bedrooms. The ground floor accommodates: garage (18.54), boiler room or gas boiler room (4.92), huge porch (22.53), hall (7.06), bathroom (3.02), kitchen (7.32), guest room (8.37). On the ground floor there are also two large rooms: a living room (25.08), a hall-dining room (22.01).

Note!

Do-it-yourself porch to the house - the best projects and construction ideas (125 photos of new products)
DIY brick barbecue: diagrams, drawings, photos, dimensions. Review of simple and complex structures on a summer cottage!
Do-it-yourself tandoor made of brick: ready-made drawings, dimensions, step-by-step instructions + 100 photo ideas

The attic and terrace accommodate: two versions, three bedrooms - 17.33 (24.80), 14.08 (20.10), 14.60 (20.90), three balconies, all with bedrooms 0.66 (2.20), 0.96 (3.12), 0.94 (3.10), bathroom 8.78 ( 12.50), hall 5.11. On the balconies, full-height glass doors to the floor gracefully open outwards, wood trim due to the bay window. The convenience of the layout allows a staircase to the attic to be attached to the main blank wall of the garage in the middle part of the house.

The design of the bay window on the outside of the house allows you to create two closed walls for a voluminous porch of the central entrance. One side is adjacent to the bay window, the second part is closed by the blank wall of the garage. When finishing with wood on top, brick or clinker 0.5-1.0 m below, it decorates the appearance of the house beyond recognition.