Bay Windows: Victorian and Edwardian Oriel windows

In 1894 the Building Act changed the regulations, so that windows no longer had to be flush with the exterior wall. This enabled windows to stand proud from the facade. The late Victorian and Edwardian period took advantage of the change in new building regulations and now presented their windows in bays. Medium and larger houses would often display double bay or bow windows.

A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room, either square or polygonal in plan. The angles most commonly used on the inside corners of the bay are 90, 135 and 150 degrees. Wikipedia

A bay window creates the illusion of a larger room. It also maximizes the amount of light entering a room and offers a dryer alternative to a balcony.

Edwardian

The sash window would tend to have the upper decorative multi pane section fixed and a single sliding pane of glass below to allow for more light. Sash windows would often be painted in the Queen Anne style of white. The Arts & Crafts style would sometimes use metal casements set within stone surround called mullioned windows.

1920's - 1930's

Casement windows became the popular choice after the Edwardian period. These would be framed glass hung on hinges set within a frame made from wood or metal.

Oriel Windows

A oriel window projects from the upper story of a building, supported on brackets or corbels. The Oriel window became popular feature in the late Victorian Arts & Craft houses and soon became a regular addition to many Edwardian homes.

"They are a good means of improving a view that is not too special but where the street has a pleasant view at the far end. Good examples are in seaside towns, where terraced houses may be crammed in a street but the view of the sea at the end is well worth seeing." Homebuilding & Renovating