The bay window is one of the most exotic design elements used in architecture. It traces its ancestry back to the defensive towers of medieval castles. Therefore, the simplest frame houses with this element are distinguished by a noble and solid appearance.
The popularity of such projects is growing every year. It is not surprising that their number is increasing and they are increasingly found in ordinary summer cottages.
What is a bay window?
A bay window is the protruding part of a building's façade. The second name for this design is an architectural lantern. If earlier the element was used for military purposes, now it is intended to increase the illumination of the rooms and improve the facade of the cottage.
Frame construction technologies allow the construction of a bay window. At the same time, in terms of strength and reliability, it will not be inferior to brick.
Options for architectural lanterns
Projects of such buildings are divided not only by their appearance, but also by their location on the façade of the cottage.
Architectural lanterns have the following geometric shapes:
- Rectangular.
Most often used. Suitable for increasing the area of rooms or for installing panoramic windows. Easily built using frame technology.
- Multifaceted.
An exotic type of bay window. Used in design projects. Used for installing large windows. An undoubted decoration for the whole house.
- Round.
They serve only a decorative function. By and large, this is an extension to the house. It cannot be used for practical purposes.
Depending on their location on the facade, bay windows can be wall or corner. 80% of all existing architectural lanterns are wall lanterns. They are easily implemented without having a serious impact on the frame. Corner ones require complex calculations and a revision of the entire structure of the house.
Advantages of cottages with an architectural lantern
A significant advantage is the increase in natural light. Large architectural clerestory windows provide excellent natural light. It is an order of magnitude better than in ordinary houses.
In addition, this element increases the usable area of the rooms and improves the façade of the building, making the cottage visually attractive.
The beauty and functionality of a home is in the details and details
A private house is a practical solution. It has more living space, and the comfort is not inferior to apartments. You can, of course, huddle in a small apartment all your life, consoling yourself with the words: “in cramped conditions, but don’t be offended,” or you can take it and change your life. Building a house is not an easy task, but it is interesting and exciting. After all, there is nothing better than planning and furnishing your own house. And it all begins with a plan, or rather with a project. The project helps you correctly calculate your strength and budget. In many families, the budget is limited, so initially it is not worth designing a large house with several floors. A house with an attic and a perimeter of 10 by 10, give or take, will be quite enough for a full and comfortable life for a modern family. The house does not have to be big, but it must be beautiful and original. Therefore, we present to your attention projects of houses with a bay window that have successfully taken root in Russia.
What is a bay window?
A bay window is a very convenient architectural solution. Outwardly, it is very similar to an ordinary balcony, but the significant difference between a bay window is that there is no partition between the room and the space of the bay window itself. It is a continuation of the room and increases its area. Bay windows are rectangular in shape, but those with more than three sides look much more interesting. Previously, bay windows were mainly used in multi-storey buildings to enlarge rooms, but today they have also successfully taken root in private homes. The bay window can be on one floor or on several at once. Another important function of a bay window is that it improves the natural lighting of the room. This effect is achieved by using a large number of glasses. As a rule, all edges of the bay window are glazed, without exception. A house project with a bay window is the best option for a small house in which every corner matters.
Why is the project needed?
The project is an integral attribute in construction. Without it, you won’t be able to obtain a construction permit or hire a contractor. It, like an instruction, gives information about what, how, and from what to build. In the project, calculations are carried out on permissible loads on the walls and foundation, diagrams of beam attachment points are made, and sections of the roof and floors are drawn. Since a bay window is a structure that is supported by beams in the wall, house designs with a bay window are of particular importance. In order for the bay window to be not only beautiful, but also safe, calculations must be made. And it’s easier to control the consumption of building materials along with the project. But if builders take on work without a project, then it’s worth thinking about their competence. It’s better not to mess with such would-be masters.
Project of a house with a bay window: how to make a purchase?
Today, a finished house project with a bay window is not a problem. Our company offers its clients a wide range of projects, including those with bay windows. The purchase can be made without leaving home on the company’s website. Dom4M means high-quality work and a professional approach to business. Our employees will advise and help you make the right choice. In addition to the main sections, the project can be expanded with additional packages, such as interior or landscape design. The price, of course, will be higher, but the point is that the customer can control the cost of the project himself, choosing only what he needs. If necessary, an individual approach to the order is possible. If you don’t like the standard designs of houses with a bay window, you can order an individual one. In this case, the house is designed based on the wishes and capabilities of the customer, and the design is preceded by an analysis of the site, the soil on it, and the landscape.
Original house designs with a round or square bay window are in constant demand among our customers. This architectural element is a part of the building - a columnar or polygonal protrusion extending beyond the boundaries of the facade, and glazed on all sides. It gives any, even the simplest building, an elegant look.
Stylish modern facade
The prototype of the bay window can be called watchtowers that vaguely resemble it, which were built in medieval castles. Niches open on three sides made it possible to notice the approaching enemy from afar. Over time, they lost their combat significance and became a decorative element. In Gothic architecture it was called a “lantern”; in Russian architecture hexagonal “drums” were common.
In modern cottage designs with one or two bay windows in front, columns, they are assigned not only a decorative, but also a functional role. They improve the insolation of the building, especially on the north side, where the sun enters the side windows from the east in the morning and from the west in the evening. They are often built several stories high - this technique is used in buildings with second light.
Our architectural solutions
Our catalog contains photos of cottages with full documentation of different sizes, with an attic, a balcony and other interesting elements. They are built from different building materials.
- Projects of wooden houses with a bay window made of logs, laminated veneer lumber. An example is a building stylized as a “Russian estate” - photo No. 10-33 with a protruding part of the building in the form of an elongated rectangle. No less interesting is option No. 10-25 with a triangular ledge in a modern style.
- Cottages with brick and combined walls. The plasticity of this material allows you to create facades of complex shapes. The catalog includes many such buildings, for example: No. 48-21 with a semicircular and No. 48-24K with a square projection.
- Projects of 2-storey houses with an oval or rectangular bay window made of aerated concrete, foam blocks, gas silicate blocks. These economical materials are widely used in modern construction. An example of such a cottage is shown under No. 48-31G.
Facades with a porch in the form of a bay window, or with its location in the corner, look very stylish and modern. They draw attention to themselves, forming the compositional center of the architectural ensemble.
A bay window (from German “protrusion in a wall”, although another interpretation gives a clearer idea - “lantern”, because a bay window illuminated from the inside really strongly resembles it) is a glazed protrusion on facade of the building. The facades of houses with bay windows not only look impressive, stylish and solemn, they allow you to add uniqueness to the interior design of the building.
- it helps to increase the usable living space, which is especially important for small houses (apartments)
- thanks to the large glazing, it helps to extend daylight hours in the adjacent room, saving on electricity due to natural lighting
- allows you to effectively carry out zoning of premises
- it offers an excellent view of the surrounding area
Project of a house with bay windows: variability of architectural solutions
The bay window in itself is a dominant element in the external decor of the house, which allows you to turn a simple project into a kind of medieval palace, with its own history, secrets and atmosphere. Meanwhile, a bay window can be quite simply combined with other architectural elements of facade decoration:
- with balcony – project two-story house with a bay window on the first floor, which goes into a balcony on the second - one of the most popular in suburban construction. Outside, from the very foundation, the bay window protrusion begins, which, upon reaching the second floor, smoothly turns into a balcony that exactly follows the contours of the bay window. The balcony itself can be an enclosed space, be glazed or simply covered
- With attic- an option for a small plot, when, despite the lack of space, you can get a compact, but at the same time very functional house. In this case, there may be several options for placing a bay window - either a more traditional one, for example, on the ground floor, or a less rare one - in the attic. And since the attic is often used as a bedroom, this option looks quite organic
- two bay windows - this option will allow you to get a unique look for the building. As a rule, in this case, bay windows are equipped kitchen/dining room and living room. This combination will not look excessive only on fairly large houses. It is desirable that the bay windows be of different heights - for example, one for the entire height of the house, the second smaller, for just one floor. The design of a house with two bay windows will require careful and comprehensive study - correctly fitting two such architecturally complex elements, while maintaining the overall structure of the house reliable and safe, is a very difficult task
Depending on the general style of the building, bay windows can be of different types and shapes:
- square (rectangular) - the easiest to implement, therefore - the most common. It will not require the construction of complex structures; the design of a one-story house with a bay window will add little to the original cost, but will significantly add to the exterior of the building. In addition, this version of the bay window is very easy to intelligently fit into the interior of the house. Despite its external simplicity, a square bay window is practical and convenient
- round - this option is also called “Venetian”; it will look harmonious both in the middle of the wall and instead of one of the corners of the house. At the same time, it immediately becomes the dominant element in the entire architectural ensemble. And so that the Venetian bay window does not turn into a tasteless, tawdry spot, it will require a competent and balanced design approach - both in the exterior and in the interior
- multifaceted - due to its complex design it looks very interesting. Project country house with a multifaceted bay window can be seen as a compromise between the simplicity of a rectangular and the sophistication of a round bay window.
A house with a bay window and a garage is the right choice for those who appreciate comfort, practicality and non-standard solutions.
However, such projects require a special approach to development, taking into account the characteristics of the site and compliance with construction technologies.
They call the part of the room that extends beyond the plane of the facade wall of the building. The term comes from the German erker (lantern): the projection on the facade with large windows is similar to a medieval street lamp, especially when the lights are turned on in the house.
Nowadays the following structures are considered bay windows:
- with load-bearing walls on a foundation (they are also called risalits);
- with cantilever bases.
In form, these architectural elements are:
- multifaceted;
- rectangular;
- rounded;
- triangular;
- trapezoidal.
Niches vary in size:
- a slight protrusion, which is a window protruding beyond the wall;
- a small niche is part of the main room;
- a separate part of the house, a separate room.
They can be an element of the first or any other floor of the building. They occupy one or two or three floors, are two- or three-light (according to the number of windows). There may be several bay windows in one house and even in one room.
The top of the ledge is arranged:
- multifaceted;
- domed;
- as a base for a balcony or part of the upper floor.
A distinctive feature is the large glass area, windows are placed on each wall of a niche, made panoramic, often “floor-length”.
Bay windows become a spectacular architectural element of any home, giving a respectable appearance and distinguishing it from other buildings.
Advantages and disadvantages
When choosing house designs with a garage and a bay window, you should take into account some significant features.
Bay windows are valued for the properties they add to a home.
- The room receives more natural light by increasing the number and area of windows. Here you can create a bright, cozy corner for reading, socializing or working.
- The area of the room increases.
- The interior becomes more interesting, especially if there are beautiful panoramic views outside the window.
- New opportunities for decoration and zoning are emerging.
- The exterior of the house acquires individuality and style.
The following two are considered the main disadvantages.
- Increased project development and construction costs because such a protrusion is a complex structure.
- Extending part of the building and increasing the glazed surface entails heat loss and additional heating costs.
The garage in the house is also convenient.
- you can move from living quarters to the garage and back without going outside, this is especially important in bad weather;
- significant savings on the installation and maintenance of plumbing, electricity, and heating.
The disadvantages include an increase in the construction area and an increase in the cost of the project if the garage is located in the basement.
One-story house with a bay window and a garage often built with an attic. When choosing a house project with an attic, a bay window and a garage, you need to take into account the features of the attic space.
The attic adds advantages:
- with minimal additional costs - an increase in living space, the attic occupies all or part of the area above the first floor, sometimes it is expanded due to cantilever extensions;
- reducing heat loss from the main structure.
The disadvantages include:
- sloping and low ceiling height in the attic;
- complexity of the thermal circuit design;
- lighting difficulties;
- difficulty of maintenance in winter.
The project of a two-story house with a garage and a bay window assumes the presence of a full second floor of the building, as well as taking into account all the strengths and weaknesses of the complex solution. A bay window in a two-story house can be located on any floor, or occupy both (two-light bay window).
It is useful to get acquainted with information on how to build a two-story brick house with a bay window and a garage; you can watch the video below.
Features of design and construction
The garage and bay window are designed simultaneously with the main house.
When designing a garage, unified communications, a ventilation system, foundation and roof construction are provided. The advantage is saving money, time, and reducing heat loss during operation. Cheaper materials can be used for the external walls of the garage.
It is convenient to place a garage in a house if the plot is wide. If the front part of the plot is narrow, combining a garage and a house can become problematic due to the complexity of organizing access roads.
If the project did not initially include a garage, you should not rush to add one to avoid risks:
- violation of the thermal contour of the building;
- poor ventilation, when exhaust gases can enter living spaces;
- improper roofing;
- change in load on the foundation.
When designing a bay window, the following is provided:
- a single foundation with the main building or remote cantilever structures;
- calculate the heating and heat conservation system;
- plan lighting and ventilation.
Errors in the installation of bay windows lead to divergence of seams, heat loss, and destruction of elements.
How can you use a bay window?
Better than others, the bright space of a bay window is suitable for arranging a workplace or reading corner. To do this, a work desk, cozy armchairs and a tea table are placed here. If the niche is just a wide window sill, you can put soft pillows on it and get a small sofa on which it’s nice to dream while looking out the window.
Armchairs facing the windows create a place for private conversation. They place indoor flowers and trees in tubs here and get a real winter garden.
In the kitchen bay window, depending on the size, there is a work area, a dining group with a table and chairs, a comfortable sofa or a tea table.
A pleasant place to relax with a sofa is organized in the bay window of the bedroom or living room.
Bay windows are also left free, decorating them with beautiful curtains and curtains. They use this space as a stage for children's performances, install a New Year tree, and organize home exhibitions.
Among the projects of houses with a garage and a bay window, photos of which are presented here and on other specialized resources, everyone will find their own, one that will make life comfortable, joyful, and beautiful.
