Buyers Guide to Garden Windows

What are Garden Windows?And Are They Right for My Home?

Shaped like mini greenhouses, garden windows feature an extended box shape that lets light in from all sides, including the top. The left and right side windows open and close with casement-style cranks, allowing for ventilation when needed. Many garden windows feature a tempered glass for plants or decorative items.

Unfortunately, not all situations are ideal for garden windows. These heavy window units must have the right amount of structural support for installation. Once installed, reaching the window cranks and display shelf for use and cleaning can be difficult – especially over a deep kitchen counter.

Keep reading for some additional considerations to make when considering garden windows.

the Pros & Cons of replacement Garden Windows

Garden windows are most often used in kitchens as an eye-catching design, but this window style has its pros and cons.

Pros:

Adds space, sunlight, and fresh air where installed

Tempered glass shelf for additional storage and display space
Unique design adds character to your kitchen or other spaces

Cons:

Challenging and expensive to install compared to their size and benefits
May require additional construction to add structural support
Difficult to reach for window operation and clean
When used as an herb garden, energy-efficient glass can prevent enough light from entering to support plants growth

Alternatives to Garden Windows

While garden windows have a distinct charm, we’ve heard many Improveit customers say their cost-to-value ratio doesn’t make them worth the investment in most cases. Instead, Improveit customers prefer to choose casement windows for to get many of the same benefits over their kitchen sink.

“Being a flower person, I have plants and flowers all over our house,” says Melody McCardle. “I hated the window we used to have over the sink because I had such trouble reaching across the kitchen sink to open it, clean it, and water the plants.”

When the McCardles worked with Improveit on their window replacement, their design consultant suggested a casement window for over the sink, which solved these problems. “With our new window, we can open the entire window all the way with a few cranks of the handle. And the view is so clear and not cluttered by knick-knacks like before. It opens up so easily, and lets in more light. Now I can see all the different seasons!”

Garden Window vs Bay Window

Another consideration some homeowners look into is choosing garden window vs bay window. This discussion usually comes from a desire for mroe light and space, but garden windows and bay windows have distinctly different structures and are not interchangeable. Here’s a look at the garden windows vs bay windows comparison:

Garden Window vs Bay Window

Similarties

Both let more light and ventilation into the home
Both extend out from the exterior wall, creating more space indoors
Both come as multiple windows joined into a single unit
Both may require additional structural support for proper, safe installation.

Differences

Garden windows are considerably smaller than bay windows, generally sized to replace a standard double-hung window.
Bay windows are sized to replace three double-hung (or simliar) windows, and can accommodate a bench seat.
Garden windows are most often used in kitchens, while bay windows are ideal for living, dining, and bedroom spaces.