What Are Garden Windows and Are They Right For Your Home?

If you’re a homeowner with a green thumb, you can save yourself a trip outside when you want to cut some fresh herbs by installing a garden window. You’ll have your plants right at your fingertips. These windows resemble little greenhouses and provide a perfect place for all your plants. Learn what a garden window is and what these useful and attractive windows can offer.

What Is a Garden Window?

A three-dimensional garden window is structurally similar to a bay window—but much smaller. Most garden windows extend out from your wall by about 18 inches. Garden windows are both decorative and functional because you can grow plants and flowers on them, including tomatoes and herbs, for cooking, making them a perfect type of window for the kitchen. They also help add more natural light to the room.

If you don’t have a particularly green thumb, you can decorate a garden window with fish bowls, cookbooks, photos, and various decorations. These styles of windows aren’t hard to come by—most window companies include garden windows in their product lineup.

Garden Window Features

A standard garden window uses 1-inch-thick insulated glass that helps heat or cool your home. Most are designed with a fully welded virgin PVC vinyl frame to create strength and rigidity. Frames are designed to prevent any chipping, peeling, or blistering. You can open and close some varieties of garden windows using sealing side vents.

Garden windows come in a variety of standard sizes, ranging from 24 inches by 24 inches up to 72 inches by 60 inches. Most garden windows, regardless of size, extend out from the house at a depth of 16 to 24 inches. The bottom of a garden window forms a shelf extending out from the house, making it a perfect place for herbs and other plants. These types of windows also feature a sloping “roof” panel to encourage rain run-off. 

Pros and Cons of Garden Windows

A garden window may seem like an easy choice for any homeowner who loves to display the results of their green thumb, but these windows do have some drawbacks to consider as well. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros

Garden windows aren’t just a display case for plants—they’re also a great way to add lots of light to a kitchen or other room. If it’s a style of garden window that opens, you’ll also enjoy added ventilation and improved airflow. Garden windows also add value and beauty to your home, giving your space a custom, charming look.

Cons

Garden windows, like most modern windows, are energy-efficient, but the increased glass area can lead to increased solar heat gain on sunny days. They’re also pricier than standard windows and require specialized installation because they need additional support and stability that traditional windows don’t/ You may want to hire a local window contractor to handle the installation.

Things To Consider Before Installing Garden Windows

If you have your heart set on a garden window, make sure you’ve considered all the following factors so you know you’ve made the right choice.

Placement

Garden windows can’t be installed just anywhere. You’ll need to consider that these windows extend out from the house, so they can’t be installed in the path of walkways. You’ll also want to avoid installing a garden window in a spot blocked from the sun by overhangs, architectural features, or even landscaping since you’ll lose one of the main advantages of having a garden window.

Type of Glass

The type of glass you choose for your garden window can make a big difference. Since these windows act as small greenhouses, energy-efficient glass like low-E glass can help protect your plants from burning or drying out. You may also opt for privacy glass that lets in light but keeps passersby from peeking in.

Window Material

Garden windows that hold plants are exposed to a lot of moisture, not just outside from the elements, but inside from frequent watering. Choose a window material that can hold up to moisture—wood may not be the best choice. Instead, opt for water-resistant materials like PVC vinyl. 

Budget

The cost of a garden window can range from $1200 to $4000, including materials and labor. These windows are more expensive than traditional windows, so make sure your budget has room for this kind of upgrade. A window replacement contractor can guide you through the opinions and pricing for your new garden window.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro To Install a Garden Window

Installing a garden window is not an ideal DIY project because of its complexity. You have to make sure you have a secure fit to prevent air seepage, water leakage, and other potential issues. If you do decide to install one yourself, the cost and level of ease depend on window size and positioning. 

A standard-sized garden window is often the most budget-friendly option. Unique and custom-shaped windows are more suited to a pro and cost more due to both material and labor.

If you are replacing an existing window, you might have to do some extra structural work to make sure it can handle the extra weight of a garden style. The project gets a little more complicated if you’re creating a whole new opening to install a garden window where there was no window before.

A new window installation often requires the help of a structural engineer or general contractor to make sure you don’t open up a load-bearing wall. You also don’t want to cut through any piping or electrical wires when building your garden window.

Regardless of window type, one thing to note about building a new window in your home—you’ll likely need to get a building permit.

Scott Dylan Westerlund contributed to this piece.