
Bow window curve out from your home creating a unique focal point and a more rounded appearance.
Trusted by Thousands of Homeowners Across Northern California
A bow window is a row of four to six equal-width windows joined in a gentle curve that arcs out from your wall. GVD Renovations & Remodeling designs, supports and installs bow windows across Sacramento and the Bay Area, and you get a detailed fixed-price proposal before any work starts.
Get your free bow window quote and up to $750 off vinyl
A bow window is a curved assembly of four, five or six window units, each turned a few degrees from its neighbor so the whole run forms a smooth arc. Because the angle between units is small, a bow reads as one continuous sweep of glass rather than a box.
Manufacturers build the curve differently. Andersen describes its bows as casement windows arranged at 10 degree angles. Alside lists joint angles of 10 to 30 degrees for a four-unit bow and 10 to 22 degrees for a five-unit bow, with the angle shrinking as units are added. Anlin's Coronado bow uses three picture windows with a casement on each end.
The number of units follows the width of your opening. Each unit adds width, so a five-unit bow spans a wider wall than a four-unit bow built from the same size windows.
| Units | Typical layout | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Two fixed center units, operable ends | Medium-wide walls, bedrooms |
| 5 | Three fixed center units, casement ends | Living rooms, dining rooms |
| 6 | Fixed center, two or more operable | The widest walls, great rooms |
We measure your rough opening before quoting, because total width and projection depend on unit size, unit count and the manufacturer's angle options. A wider, flatter bow projects less than you might expect, which helps where eaves or a side yard limit how far the window can stick out.
Most bows keep the center units fixed for an unbroken view and put operable casement windows on the ends. Casements suit bows because the crank is easy to reach across a deep sill and the sash seals tightly against the frame when closed. Double-hung ends are possible with some manufacturers if you want them to match the rest of the house.
A bow uses four to six units in a curve, while a bay uses three units with sharper 30 or 45 degree side angles. A bow suits a wide wall and a softer, rounded facade; a bay gives a deeper, more defined seat on a narrower wall. For angled three-unit projections, see our bay windows page.
A bow needs a properly sized header across the full opening and a support system for the projection. Because a bow is usually wider than a bay, the header span is often the largest structural item in the job, especially when we widen an existing opening in a bearing wall.
Factory bows include a head board and seat board, and they are commonly hung from the header or rafters with adjustable chains or cables so the seat stays level over time. Brackets or knee braces underneath are an alternative. We assess your framing at the free estimate and insulate both the seat and head, since an uninsulated seat is a common source of drafts and condensation in older bows.
Widening an opening or adding a new header usually requires a permit. Our guide on when replacing windows needs a permit explains the rules, and when a permit is required, we handle it.
A bow spreads glass across a wide arc, so at least part of it faces the afternoon sun on most walls. In Sacramento's triple-digit summers, specify dual-pane low-E glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for any bow facing south or west.
Under California's Title 24 2025 code, replacement windows in Climate Zone 12 need a U-factor of 0.27 or lower and an SHGC of 0.23 or lower, with looser limits for projects of 75 square feet or less. Vinyl and fiberglass frames insulate better than plain aluminum; our energy-efficient windows page compares frame materials in detail. In the coastal Bay Area, the same glass helps more with traffic noise and winter heat loss than with heat gain.
A bow typically costs more than a bay of similar width, because it uses more window units and more mullions, plus the seat, head, roof and support system. The main cost drivers are unit count, frame material, glass package, and whether the header needs to be replaced or lengthened.
Replacing an existing bow in the same opening costs least. Converting a flat window into a bow costs most, since it adds structural framing, a roof cap and exterior patching. For per-window ranges by material, see our replacement windows page; for a bow, we give one fixed total after measuring.
A bow gives you more daylight, a wider view, a deep sill for a seat or display shelf, and a rounded shape that suits traditional, Craftsman and Mediterranean homes. The trade-offs are higher cost than a flat window, more joints to keep sealed, and structural work during installation.
Check the exterior caulk at each mullion and the roof flashing once a year.
Keep the roof cap clear of leaves so water does not sit against the head.
Refinish wood-veneer seat and head boards as needed; vinyl frames only need washing.
Lubricate casement cranks occasionally so the end units keep closing tightly.
At the free in-home estimate we measure, check the header and framing, and go over unit count, glass, color and seat options.
You approve a detailed fixed-price proposal with the full scope.
We file any required permit and order the bow. Lead time is 8 to 10 weeks, or 10 to 12 for custom products, excluding delivery.
Our crew removes the old window and completes framing and header work.
We set, support, flash, insulate and seal the bow and its roof, then finish the interior trim and exterior.
We clean up and walk through the finished work with you.
One dedicated project manager coordinates the framing, window and finish work, and our own trained crews do the installation. We are an Andersen Certified Contractor and an Anlin Certified and Authorized Dealer, and both brands build factory bow units. We are family-owned, hold California contractor license #989637, and carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
We hold strong ratings across hundreds of verified reviews on Google, Yelp and other platforms, plus an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. See frame samples at our Rocklin showroom, 6848 Five Star Blvd #6. Combo, senior and military discounts are available, and third-party financing lets you check eligibility without affecting your credit score; approval, rates and terms depend on credit.
We install bow windows across the Sacramento region, including Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Elk Grove and Davis, plus Oakland, Berkeley, Concord, Walnut Creek, San Jose, the North Bay and Lake Tahoe/Truckee.
Send a photo of your wall or book a free in-home estimate, and we will recommend a unit count and support plan and give you a firm total in writing.
Compare the window styles and brands we install across the Sacramento area.







