One more question on this.......

With a staight window, should we go with one big window with the sides being able to be opened? Or should we put more than one window in? What would look best?

I think its a great feature. Lovely to grow some herbs there. Maybe plants around the outer bottom to deemphasize the pop out.

I agree I like the idea of a bay window but I see how it doesn't link with the house style. I'm just wondering what kind of straight window I should put in.

Any ideas of replacement?

I think what kind of window you want does also depend on the inside.

I agree about getting rid of the bay window.

Are you talking about incorporating the smaller window into one large window?

In my other house I had a large picture window and two smaller windows that opened on either side...that was the best for me.

I'm kind of open to any possiblities right now. The inside is the kitchen. I didn't know if I should replace it with one large window or put more than one in there. The main thing I need is something that opens because the two smaller ones don't. I think the bay doesn't link with the style of the house but I'm not sure what would look best in it's place.

I can't believe no one has an opinion on this.... :)

I would put 3 smaller windows in the opening, so you can get ventilation and for consistency. Opening side windows and a picture window in the center are very 1960's.

060389,

You mean as in 5 windows? Do you think it'll look ok with the rest of the house style?

Yes- have the space filled with Windows the same size as the two next to the bay, so it's 5 windows all side by side. I can't tell that much from the 3 pictures you posted about the style of the house, but if the windows were the same as what you currently have, it should blend in well.

It would have to be grouped 3 and then the 2 because of the opening. I'm a bit worried that it would end up being less light coming in. The house has quite a variety of windows.....long horizontal ones, long vertical ones, huge rectangles....etc

I think the problem is the style of bay window rather than the bay itself. A boxy square bay that is better integrated into the house might just work. The current one looks glued onto the house as an afterthought. Here's too thinking outside the box!

It has to go. Your window installer should be educated in the art of fenestration. He should guide you well in this discussion. If he acts like he doesn't know what fenestration is, say goodbye & find someone more professional.

mramsey, Thank you, I love those types of bay windows! I think I'll save them for future reference. You're right, the bay was an afterthought. A lot of the add ons over the years were not kept in the style of the house. We plan on adding on and have not yet decided which way to go. I don't want to spend too much on a window replacement there as that is one of the areas we might add on to.

Oasis,

My husband is installing himself. We could ask at the place we order the windows from but don't know how much that would help.....

I think the suggestion for a new 3 section window will be best with the one that is existing (so visually 5 verticals from the outside).

It would have to be 3 than the 2. Would that look ok?

Has your husband ever done that before? Now that you say you may remodel in that area, I still really think you should leave it alone for now. Its going to be tricky to get that window out and you'll have to reframe and redrywall and probably do something to the siding on the outside. And you'll probably end up with something that still looks odd because of how these windows are spaced. When you remodel you may want to put in french doors and a patio or something. Can you post pictures of the inside layout by these windows please? Its hard to comment without knowing that.

I'd sincerely have a consultation with a contractor on this.

Suzy, I'll post one of the inside soon. It can NOT just be left, one pane already fell out and smashed all over the kitchen and the pane that's in there now has a 1" gap at the top that is covered in tape! Very hazardous!

I know it might seem tricky to replace for most, but trust me, there's very little my husband can't do when it comes to construction! We're almost finished our entire house renovation of which he (and friends) have gutted, replaced and updated pretty much everything in the house. He's very up to date and careful about everything being done properly and within code. We've already had the inspectors etc through and this window is one of the last major improvements on the list for immediately.

There's more to do but they are on the 2-5 year plan.

My main concern about the window is what will look best. I have no worries at all about installing ourselves! We've already replaced a few in this house and many in previous houses.

Well a slider would look nice if the opening is big enough. Even if you don't go out much it would provide a lot of breeze. Otherwise one big window with larger fixed center and two smaller sliding towards the middle. How wide if the opening?

Forgot to mention that we have three bay windows. We have replaced two of them with new bay windows. They all slide up on the side angles.

Maybe consider French doors with fixed panel Windows on each side. You could build a simple patio slab on the outside with an herb/flower garden to bring the outside into your kitchen. It will probably make the kitchen feel bigger too. Good luck with your selection.

Thank you all for your suggestions. The window opening is just over 8 ft wide. You can't see from the photo, but there is already a patio door on the end wall of the house around the corner from the bay window. Just off the end of the kitchen where we our table is. The kitchen is quite large already, I'll post a photo.

suzy, I know someone in an earlier post said the large window with sides that open are dated but I might have to go with that for now.

Not so dated. I just put a 6' one in last year. Had to because its above the stove. Whole new development with sliding Milgard 3 pieces nearby. Going for upwards of $1.5 million.

Thanks for that suzy! I guess "dated" to some is "timeless" to others, right? As long as it the replacement window opens and looks ok for now, I'm good with it. I just don't want to ruin the look but also don't want to put too much money into it if we end up extended that wall in a few years.

I've been a contractor and designer for over 27 years and I agree with your husband, the bay window needs to go. Not only doe the style not fit the house it looks crowded with the casement window right next to it. I would replace it with a matching casement for symmetry purposes.

Thank you Skydell! My husband will be pleased.

There was nothing "dated" about my house...it was a new build. The large picture window gave me a great view, but I stall was able to have plenty of ventilation from the side windows.

It does really depend on what the entire house looks like from the outside, though.

Here's some random outside photos of the house. The last one is when we were in the middle of construction still..

I would add either one more double casement window or two double casement window depending on interior space. The bay is not consistent with the contemporary feel of the house and was installed in an economical manner of not pouring a footing and foundation to integrate it into the house, and looks like an afterthought.

Bay done substatially

Casement options

Interior kitchen with operable sides and fixed center.

Keep with the look of the windows next to it. Eliminate the bay. Husband will be please, it will be less expensive & be more suitable. I love the lighting used outside of your lovely home. Very nice.

Thank you all for your advice. I've just got to get a inside photo of the kitchen now to post.

Before I decide can you post pics from the inside?

If you have already decided don't worry about posting pics.

I say keep I like bay windows

So do I if they are done in a coordinated manner with the wall and structure they are on.

Sorry, will post inside picture. Had a few kids needing help with homework tonight.....

OK, finally back to this dilemma.

Very funny thing, my husband was talking to a builder and his wife over the weekend and they suggested a patio door as replacement! He thought it was a GREAT idea! My sincere apologies to the ones who suggested it to me and I didn't think it would work. I think that's what we will go with.

Here's the inside photos for the ones who asked

So, everyone think patio door is a good replacement for now?

Yes, patio door is a good idea IF you are going to put a patio outside of it. From the pics it looks like this bay window is in the front of the house. Do you want a patio in front? Some people like that look some don't. Will the patio door confuse people approaching your house? With the patio door and patio will people think it is the entrance? Really nice house, inside and out.

Thanks for your comments joy,

We're not planning to put a patio right there but the whole area will be changed when we landscape. This is just a temporary solution for a few years. The walkway will be redone and I was thinking we could put a little space for a bistro set. As you can see, the outside is a major work in progress at the moment. We were planning on running a walkway from the front of the house along the side where it will open to a wider patio for the barBQ's and then it will keep going to the back of the house where we will have our sitting area.

But then you will have 2 patio doors in one room...Personally, I think it's one too many but it's just a preference.

From the inside it just look weird to me... Changed my mind, now I say take it down!!!

Post after pics if you decide to take it out.

Ok, here's the patio door in. As you can see, we still have the painting to do.

It looks great. Do you like it better?

Big improvement, enjoy.

It looks great, huge improvement.

Yes, I love it! Makes everything a lot more open feeling. Can't wait to do the landscaping around it.

Love it :)