A normal size window 28″x36″‘that is not installed at the middle of wall should maintain a gap of 12 inches from the corner if the wall is load bearing whereas if the wall is not load bearing then the window can be placed more closer to corner i.e around 4 – 5 inches.
Does window at the corner weaken the wall?
The short answer is yes. Making a window hole on a load bearing wall reduces its capacity to hold the load. That’s why whenever any window area is created on a load bearing wall additional supporting studs and a header is attached near the weak spots of the wall.
The studs/posts and header themselves bears the weight and maintains the strength of the wall.
Supporting studs should be attached to the frame before any hole is made on the load bearing wall.
Below is a helpful video from THISOLDHOUSE demonstrating how to cut a hole through a load bearing wall while providing proper support to the wall.
On the other hand if the wall is not load bearing then no supporting studs are required at all.
Now its time to ask the question how to know if the wall is load bearing or nor ?
To identify whether the wall is load bearing or not look for the direction of ceiling joists. All walls that runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists are load bearing walls whereas all other walls that are parallel to ceiling joists are non load bearing.
What size window should be installed near corner?
Architecturally with proper support to the load bearing wall it is possible to install any size window near the corner of wall. But,
From design standpoint, if only a single window is to be installed at the corner then it should be around 24 to 28 inches in width and around 36 inches in height. Bigger size windows should be avoided near corners because they don’t fill the room evenly with light.
Also in living areas, bigger size window would require proper curtains. The curtains if installed at the corner instead at the center of wall looks asymmetrical when all the furniture is arranged more towards the middle of walls.
In the above example if a small size window was installed then it could easily be covered with blinds and would look much better with the overall furniture.
What height to install a window near corner?
Ideally a window near thr corner in bedroom, living room and kitchen should be installed at a height of 40 inches from the floor. In a bathroom the window is required more for ventilation purpose which is favoured by a window at a higher height from the floor i.e around 56 inches from the floor.
It is however important to note that if there are windows already present in the room and a new window at the corner is to be installed then this corner window should also be installed at the exact same height as the other windows in the room are at.
Which rooms should have corner windows?
Corners windows are best suited in compact places like a compact bedroom in which the furniture takes up the space on wall and only small corner area is left open for window.
Kitchens with sink placement at the sides also require window at the corner.
Corner windows makes the crowded indoor space more airy thus it is only when there is a shortage of space on the middle part of wall that the corner of the wall should be used to install a window.
Can there be window at both corners of a wall?
Yes, in a big size room there can be two windows at both corners of a wall provided the middle part of wall is covered by either fireplace, tv, closet or other furniture.
When the size of room is small <9ft in length and breadth then there should be only one window at any corner of the wall where light is required the most.
Functionality-wise, a big window at the middle of wall outperforms two small corner windows. If there is choice available for installing a window at the middle of wall or installing two windows at eh corner leaving the middle part of wall blank then, always the window should be installed at the middle of wall.
What style window is best for corner?
For bathroom hopper window, casement window, awning window are the best type of windows whereas for bedroom, single hung, double hung window type is suitable and for kitchen, oriel, cottage, casement window types are the most functional.
In a big size bedroom (>12 ft in length and width) and in big size living area if proper space is available then a proper sitting area can be made near the corner with bay window type.
