Garden Window Installation

Yes, with the proper construction, garden windows are energy efficient. The first thing to pay attention to is the framing material — choose wooden frames or insulated vinyl or fiberglass frames over metal for better thermal performance.

Equally if not more important are the glass panels themselves — after all, a garden window is essentially a glass box! Look for a low U-Factor, or lower rate of heat transfer, and a desirable SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) for your climate — in Northern Virginia, less than or equal to 0.40. Low-e coated glass might be worth considering for peak energy efficiency. 

Garden windows, like other window types, may be susceptible to leakage over time as a constant cycle of thermal expansion and contraction creates gaps. Garden windows may need a little extra care because of its three-dimensional shape — not only is there possibility for leakage around the rough opening, there is also possibility for leakage where the glass panels of the garden box meet one another. To offset this, be sure to follow our weatherizing tips. 

The differences between garden windows and bay windows are size, shape, and cost. Garden windows are about half the size of bay windows, and thus cheaper — although still more expensive than other window styles due to the need for additional framing and support. The sides of a garden window (which are venting casement windows) meet at 90 degree angles (rather than 45 degree angles) for a boxier shape than bay windows. A sloped pane forms a roof over the box to create a mini-greenhouse.

The best place to install a garden window in your house is an area that receives a good amount of sunlight — particularly if you are using as intended for indoor gardening. By far the most common installation site, however, is in the kitchen behind the sink. The kitchen garden window can be used to cultivate fresh herbs for cooking, store decorative mugs or glasses, and keep an eye on kids and pets while you're at work whipping up your latest piece de resistance. 

Maintaining and cleaning a garden window is a little more involved than, say, a more conventional double-hung window. First, you'll have to clear away any obstructions (plants or other items) and remove the shelf from its brackets. Vacuum or wipe away debris around the window base, then wipe down the interior panes. Clean shelf separately. The trickier part will be cleaning from the outside, which may require a ladder if the window is located on an upper story. Spraying down with a hose and/or scrubbing with a sponge is recommended, as there will likely be more buildup on the exterior. Maintain operation of the venting windows by oiling the hinges with a spray lubricant after cleaning. 

The kinds of plants popularly grown in garden windows include:

• Fresh herbs that flourish indoors with adequate sunlight, such as parsley, rosemary, thyme, chives, mint, and oregano. 
• Small potted plants, such as succulents.