When comparing bay vs. bow windows, bay windows consist of three window pieces and an angular structure, while bow windows usually have at least four window pieces built into an arched structure. Bow windows extend further from the house, letting in more natural light and views.

Whether you’re upgrading your home or simply want to take advantage of all that beautiful natural light, swapping your windows for bay or bow windows is a great place to start. But when it comes to choosing between the two types, it may be hard to figure out the difference.

That’s why the

super app

for car and

home insurance

Jerry

, is here to help you decode the differences between bay vs. bow windows. Here are the pros and cons of each, whether home insurance covers the costs of window upgrades, and how to save money when remodeling your home.

Differences of bay vs. bow windows

Take a look at your window (or imagine your future window). How many sections does it have? The answer to this question is key to deciding on a bay vs. bow window.

Bay windows

have a central picture window with two different windows to the left and right.

Bow windows

often use the same window type but have a more rounded structure.

What are bay windows?

Bay windows consist of

three window sections

that extend out from the house. The center window is a picture window, and it’s surrounded by different side windows. Keep in mind that these

side windows are often the same

One of the hallmark features of bay windows is their angled lines. Often, the side windows extend from the house at

45 to 90-degree angles

. Bay windows are a great way to add extra floor space to a room since the angular shape can be used for a range of purposes.

Whether you opt for bookshelves, a reading nook, a seating area, or space to keep your plant collection, know that a bay window adds to a house’s square footage.

MORE:

How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you

Pros

Bay windows are beautiful and tend to add to your home’s curb appeal. But they bring other benefits outside of adding to a house’s aesthetic!

Here are some of the

pros of bay windows:

Add to the square footage of a house

Increase the amount of natural light

Provide additional ventilation

Create additional space that can be used for a variety of purposes

Increase the house’s resale value

Cons

Like all good things in life, bay windows aren’t for everyone. One of the biggest downsides is the price. Installation can be expensive, often setting you back

$4,000

$7,000

depending on where you live.

What’s more, this window type requires having enough space outside of the window. Remember that the window extends outward from the house, so your property needs ample space to allow for this.

The biggest problem that comes up even after the windows are installed is finding the right

window treatments

. Not only are they expensive (you’re buying treatments for three windows!), but it can be difficult finding treatments that fit your space.

MORE:

What is the cheapest way to build a new house?

What are bow windows?

Unlike bay windows,

bow windows

feature an

arc shape

with at least

four casement windows

. The key difference when comparing bay vs. bow windows is the shape—unlike the angular bay windows, bow windows are rounded.

Like bay windows, bow windows increase the square footage of your home and allow more natural light in—but they’re even more expensive. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.

Pros

So, what are the good things about bow windows? Here are the biggest pros of this window type:

Increases the square footage of the house

Allows more natural light

Can help improve your view

Provides additional ventilation

Adds to the house’s resale value

Adds curb appeal to the house

Cons

The biggest downside to bow windows is the expensive installation costs. Be prepared to pay anywhere from

$5,000

$8,000

depending on where you live.

Why is the price so high? Unlike bay windows, bow windows require windows that can accommodate the

curved window structure

. Not just any window will do! Plus, the curved structure makes installation more complex and drives up the overall cost.

Also, be ready to face the challenge of finding window treatments. The arc shape makes this difficult but you will also need to get treatments for at least four windows (potentially more, depending on the number of window panels in your structure).

MORE:

How to decipher home insurance quotes

Does home insurance cover window replacements?

It depends. If your windows were shattered during a storm or vandalism damaged your home, for example, then

home insurance

may help cover the repair costs.

However, if you’re needing them replaced due to

general wear and tear

, you’ll need to pay for the replacements out of pocket. The same goes for upgrades—home insurance

will not cover

the costs of upgrading your standard picture window to a snazzy bow window.

Since window replacements aren’t cheap, switching to a more

affordable homeowners insurance policy

is a fast and fool-proof way to start saving money to put towards your new windows.

All you need to do is download the insurance

super app

, Jerry. In minutes,

Jerry

will find you the

best policies

out there. Once you’ve made your pick, Jerry will deal with the hassle of canceling your old plan and buying your new one. There’s no faster way to save money than that!

“
Jerry
makes choosing new insurance as easy as grocery shopping. Even though I had a car accident within the past 2 years, Jerry found me a great deal with Nationwide–I went from paying $340 to $90 a month!”—Pan N.

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

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