13 Main Pros and Cons of Oriel Windows | Problems With Oriel Windows | Cost of Oriel Windows
Pros and Cons of Oriel Windows | Problems With Oriel Windows | Cost of Oriel Windows
Oriel Windows
An oriel window is a type of bay window that protrudes from a building’s main wall but does not reach the ground.
An oriel window, which is supported by corbels, brackets, or similar cantilevers, is most frequently found protruding from an upper level but is sometimes utilized on the ground floor.
The name “oriel” is derived from the Latin word “oriolum,” which means “porch.” Scholars aren’t clear where oriel windows came from, although they became more common in European and Middle Eastern architecture during the Middle Ages.
Oriel windows were particularly common in late medieval and early Renaissance English architecture.
Oriel windows may be found in Arab architecture as mashrabiya and in Turkish as şahnişin or cumba. In Islamic culture, these windows and balconies protrude from a house’s streetfront, offering a space for women to peek out and see the events below while staying inconspicuous.
The most evident distinguishing features of oriel window is a bay-type window that projects from a wall on an upper floor but does not extend to the ground.
A building may feature a sequence of oriel windows on upper levels that are stacked one on top of the other, but they do not touch the ground.
This distinguishes them from bay windows, which do touch the ground and are exclusively seen on the first story.
Oriel windows, which are often rectangular or semi-hexagonal in shape, are frequently supported beneath by a bracket or corbel made of wood, stone, or brick.
A corbel is a squat cone-shaped support that is narrower at the bottom and broader at the top.
Despite the fact that today’s oriel windows are constructed differently, the bracket remains—traditional, but more decorative than structural.
Today, Oriel windows are still utilized all throughout the world. They are found in a broad range of structures, from great palaces and public buildings to tiny private houses, and appear in a variety of designs.
Pros and Cons of Oriel Windows
Pros of Oriel Windows
1 Adding more interior floor space:
Oriel windows are a great way to add a good amount of extra square footage to a room.
Because the only thing they protrude from is the wall, they don’t extend past the foundation so they don’t have any extra load on the supporting structure.
2 Light and air:
Oriel windows bring in a lot of light and provide a lot of ventilation to a room. This is great if you need either more light or more air circulation in your home.
3 Charm:
Oriel windows add a lot of class to a home. They make your home look more elegant and sophisticated.
They also add a lot of character and personality to the room since they protrude from the house and make it stand out.
This is not common in most houses and is quite rare to find in other homes.
4 Increased lighting:
Adding oriel windows can increase the amount of light that comes into your home depending on where the window is situated. This is great for rooms that get little or no natural sunlight.
5 Functionality:
Oriel windows offer an attractive solution to interior space issues. They increase air flow and light while adding character to your home’s exterior.
6 Improve the value of a home:
Oriel windows add a lot of value to your home because they make it stand out and look more attractive.
They make the home look nicer and more appealing to buyers. This is great if you want to sell your house sometime soon.
7. Aesthetic value:
Oriel windows are great for aesthetic purposes. They can improve the appearance of a home dramatically.
They create a unique look that is not common in most houses and makes the house stand out from other houses in the area.
Oriel windows add a lot of charm and personality to a room, and they provide excellent function at the same time
Cons of Oriel Windows
1. Oriel windows are costly:
Oriel windows cost a good amount for installation and can cost even more depending on what material you use (wood, stone, etc). The cost of adding an oriel window is roughly $ 3,000 to $ 6,000.
2 High Maintenance:
Windows are a big part of the maintenance on your home. They need to be cleaned regularly and you also need to make sure they stay secure and secure from intruders.
If you add windows, this will add even more work for you and more expense into your budget that you will have to manage.
3 Energy:
Oriel windows increase air flow and light into your home which can also increase heating and cooling costs. This is especially true if the windows face the wrong direction or if they get direct sunlight.
4. Difficult to repair:
Oriel windows are not easy to repair. This is especially the case if the brackets or corbels break or fall off. Sometimes, it can be almost impossible to fix them correctly because of how thin they are.
5. Looks odd with some houses:
Oriel windows don’t look right on every house. They look best on older homes that have a Victorian Era design of architecture.
This is mainly because this style of house was built with oriel windows in mind. It also makes the house look more attractive and appealing to people.
6. Issues with sidewalks:
Oriel windows can sometimes create issues for other homes or sidewalks near your home. This is especially the case if the sidewalk slopes and if someone has an unstable foundation.
The oriel window can cause damage to another home’s foundation and could potentially cause someone else’s house to collapse as well as your own home if it isn’t constructed properly or properly maintained.
7. Oriel windows are outdated:
Oriel windows are not the latest trend in modern architecture anymore. They were popular in the Victorian Era but not so much anymore.
If they are not done right, they can look somewhat outdated and unattractive.
What Are Some Problems with Oriel Windows?
1. Oriel windows are costly:
Adding an oriel window can be quite costly depending on what material you want to use for it. You can use stone, timber or even steel which are all very expensive materials to use.
Wood is the cheapest option but still costs between $ 2,000 to $ 6,000 for installation depending on the size of the window and how much work needs to be done.
2. Oriel windows are difficult to maintain:
Oriel windows can be difficult to maintain. This is especially true if you live in a climate where it snows or rains a lot. The sills and the brackets can easily get worn down and damaged after much use.
3. Oriel windows add extra work:
Adding an oriel window will add even more work to your list of things to do around the house. This is especially the case if you have to take care of other parts of your home as well.
4. Oriel windows are difficult to construct and repair:
Oriels protrude from the wall below, thus they must be well-constructed.
Large cast iron plates were frequently inserted in the walls to support the oriel, but corbelling and other types of support were also possible.
Corbelling failures can lead some oriel buildings to collapse, however this seldom happens quickly.
Oriel Windows FAQs
What is the oriel window?
An oriel window is a bay of windows that protrudes from the front of a structure on an upper story and is supported beneath by a bracket or corbel.
Most people refer to them as “bay windows” if they are on the first floor and “oriel windows” if they are on a higher story.
Although they may be found in constructions dating before the 19th century, oriel windows were a defining feature of Victorian-era architecture.
Some architects have utilized both oriel and dormer windows on the same home to produce an intriguing and complimentary effect.
What are the purposes of oriel window?
Oriel windows not only enhance the amount of light and air that enters a room, but they also extend the floor area without affecting the foundation measurements.
Because the protrusion does not disrupt the line of the roof. Oriel windows are not dormers.
The bay is supported by brackets or corbels beneath the projecting structure—often these brackets were very decorative, symbolic, and even sculptural.
What is the difference between a bay and an oriel window?
A bay window is a window space that projects outward from a building’s main walls, producing a bay in a room.
Bay windows are a generic phrase for any projecting window structure, whether curved or angular, and whether it spans one or more floors.
Oriels are bays that begin on the first floor of a building. The oriel bay is supported by a corbel stone, which is a cantilevered stone. Bay windows are constructed all the way down to the foundation.
What is the difference between a oriel and a round arched window?
Oriel windows are a variant of the arched window. Oriel windows have a base, a lintel and an arch.
Round arched windows do not have a base, but rather rely on the weight of their stone to remain standing.
They have a center point in which they pivot from and therefore don’t need a lintel or support from below.
What does an oriel window look like?
An oriel window is a bay of windows that protrudes from the front of a structure on an upper story and is supported beneath by a bracket or corbel.
Most people refer to them as “bay windows” if they are on the first floor and “oriel windows” if they are on a higher story.
How much does oriel window cost to install?
Oriel window installation usually takes between 7days to 2 weeks days. The cost of adding an oriel window is roughly $ 3,000 to $ 6,000.
