Bay Windows

Bay windows add architectural interest to the exterior of your home and bring a new look to your interior rooms. A bay window isn’t considered a single window, but a series of three windows. Bay windows usually have three glass panels that project outward at a 45-degree angle from a wall. Window units can be double hung which means the sash hangs up and down. Some bays have three casement windows that form a rectangle or polygon. Casement windows always open and close from the side. Windows are available in wood, vinyl, and clad varieties. Bay windows are often associated with Victorian architecture.

Bay windows are versatile and can be put in many areas of the home. They can make the space in a room look larger and create an open feel. They can also be the main living room window, or be used as side or rear windows. You can put a bay wherever you have enough exterior projection space. Many bay windows include a bench, booth seating, or open space inside. You can build your own seat if you prefer.

A nice thing about bay windows is that they bring the feeling of the outdoors into your house. They also add classic styling to your home. A room can be transformed from plain to beautiful. The exterior of your home can also change significantly with the addition of a bay window.

A bay window can make your room look larger. It’s an easy way to add more space without redoing the whole house. A cozy seat can be created with a bay window where you can enjoy the view while you sip your favorite drink. You can add cushions to the seat to make it more comfortable. It actually feels like a retreat when you sit in the window. You’ll get more of a view than you would from a single window and receive sunlight from three different angles. Bay window seats can also be decorated with plants, photographs, and collectibles.

Construction for bay windows is usually symmetrical. There are three panels, and the center one is wider than the two flankers. The center is parallel to the wall it protrudes from, and the outsides of the windows are tilted toward the wall. The individual windows are made with sash and frame corners mitered and welded. Angled connections between windows are structurally reinforced. This is done before windows are mechanically anchored to each other.
Angled bay windows are one of the most popular styles. They form a wonderful focal point in any room. These types of bay windows have a central fixed picture unit built out from the wall. They have operating windows that are angled out to meet it on either side. Angle bay windows bring in a lot of light and give an increased level of functionality. The box bay window is shaped like a box. There are two side windows that are vertical to the house wall. This type of bay window is available in wood, vinyl, or aluminum pre-assembled kits. There is a small roof or covering over the window box, but it doesn’t always come with the kit.

Window seats can be built with the bay window where you can sit and relax. Seats are situated inside the area of the outward window. If you’re going to build a window seat yourself, then you need to consider how much space you have. A seat should not be built any higher than the windowsill. A seat height of fourteen to nineteen inches is suggested to be enough. After you decide on a height, you need to figure out how deep you want the seat. There are directions to completely build your own window seat available on line. Window seat cushions will make your seat comfortable. They come in shapes such as rectangle, trapezoid, and rounded back corners.

Window seats can also give needed storage space. You can use a traditional hinged seat that you can lift up to put your things in. Hinges should be hidden from view. A more complex window seat is made of hardwood lumber with exquisite detailing. Pillows in shades of color that match your décor can be put on top of the seat. A simple idea is to put a bench or chaise in the bay window area. It looks better if it doesn’t stick out too much.

There are several different roof options for bay windows that you can choose from. Roof styles can accentuate the architecture of your home. A hip roof is a four-sided roof with sloping ends and sides. The hip roofs come with copper, painted aluminum, shingle, or shake coverings. Metal roofs have superior weather resistance and last a long time. They make a great accent over bay windows and balconies. You can choose from copper, color clad, galvanized metal, or aluminum.

One roof kit for your bay windows is the DeciRoof Collection. They have models available for almost every brand and size of bay windows. They are strong, watertight, and weatherproof roofs. The screws or fasteners don’t show, so the lines are clean. There is also a twenty-year warranty. Polymer window roofs are a one piece molded roof system. They fit bay and bow windows of selected manufacturers. This type of roof is lightweight, strong, maintenance free, and has a molded drip edge. It comes in white or coppertone.

Since bay windows have a unique configuration, it can be complicated to find curtains or curtain rods that fit suitably. Your options depend on how your bay is made. The right window curtain can make your bay window look even more stylish. Since there are so many shapes of bay windows, you need to choose which curtains look the best. Bay window treatments come in many styles such as pleated, panels with foam backing, velvet, simple valances, and detailed cornices. A cornice is something like a valance, but it’s made out of wood or a fabric covered foam. There are also tab curtains that show decorative curtain rods. Café style curtains look particularly good on bay windows. Flouncy styles hide the line of the bay.

For bay windows with distinctive features, you can complement or match them with individual inside-mounted café curtains, shades, or blinds. If your windows are closely spaced, you can add a simple set of shades or a sequence of shallow swags. The whole window area can be flanked with a pair of panels that is topped by the treatment with a cornice. Bay windows that are farther apart will look good with a stationary panel between the windows or at each outer window. The angles of your bay window can be softened by an airy and lighter fabric.

You can also choose shutters instead of curtains. Shutters follow the lines of the windows. They are made with a variety of materials and have different performance levels. There is the option of staining your shutters in any color you want, or keeping them in their natural wood finish. They can also be painted white. Shutters give protection from the heat and the sun. They also give light and ventilation. Shutters come in UV resistant paint colors and stains. There are several different blade sizes to choose from. You can have shutters custom made for your bay window.

There are a variety of stylish bay window or replacement bay window blinds that will match your décor. Wood, fabric, or vinyl blinds will look beautiful on your bay windows. You’ll need to measure the blinds and calculate the intersecting points to determine the width of each blind. There will be a slight gap where the blinds meet, so you may not have complete privacy. Adding a valance may give you privacy.

Vertical blinds are an affordable blind that looks very attractive on a bay window. These blinds offer 90% to 99% UV-protection. Hunter Douglas has vertical blinds with a variety of textures, colors, and patterns. The blinds have textured vanes that are molded and colored to look like fabrics. They are easy to clean with soap and water. Wooden blinds are another option for a bay window covering. You can have them custom made for a perfect fit. They can be made with safety features for manual cord function. They also come with remote control, motorized opening and closing, and slat angle shift. Accordion shades look like accordions. They can be raised from the bottom or lowered from the headrail or both. Roman shade is a fabric treatment that folds up accordion style from the bottom. Roman shades are available in many fabric types, which include darkening, translucent, and sunscreen.

Duette blinds are top quality blinds that are made from a honeycomb cellular fabric that is crisp with horizontal pleats. Duette blinds give a nice contemporary look. These blinds are suited for difficult window shapes. They fit sloping, arched, dome, triangular, round, and bay windows.

Glass windows come in different materials, styles, and colors. Low-emissivity glass is great for replacement bay windows because it has insulating properties. It blocks most of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and infrared heat, so your carpet and drapes will be protected. Low-emissivity glass will not keep the normal amount of light from coming into your house. Gorell V-groove glass has beautiful patterns that split incoming light into a full spectrum of colors. This type of glass is very elegant. Heat-absorbing glass is a good choice for bay windows. It has special tints which absorb up to 45% of solar energy and reduce heat gain. A small percentage of absorbed heat will still pass through.

Vinyl replacement windows are not only durable, but they’re energy efficient. They are reasonably priced and will reduce heating and cooling costs. These windows can reflect or transmit both visible and infrared light. This means your home will be better heated and insulated. There is a “Class 111” vinyl replacement window that is backed by a lifetime transferable manufacturer’s and glass breakage warranty. These windows are pure virgin vinyl that’s fusion welded to eliminate all open joints and create more strength and durability. Vinyl replacement windows are a good option to use for a bay window.

Before you have a bay window installed, there are some things you need to consider. Make sure you check with your city or community construction codes before you build, or have a contractor build a new bay window. You might need a building permit. If you’re building a bay window yourself, you also need to have proper tools. You or your remodeling contractor should have some experience installing bay windows.

It’s important to plan where you want to install the bay window. Then decide on what size window you want. If you want to put the bay window where there’s an existing one, then you need to know if you want it the same size or larger. A larger window will cost somewhere between $300 to $500 and more. Pick the style sash you like. Sash or double-hung windows provide maximum ventilation. Bays that are tall and narrow look good with a casement sash. A double-hung sash looks better on a shorter bay.

Support cables are recommended to support the window. They can be bought separately if the manufacturer doesn’t have them. There are also Straight Line Kits available that support 1500 lbs. per cable with zero slip. If there is an eave above the window, then the depth of the eave needs to be measured horizontally before choosing a bay. It’s best to have a unit that fits under it. A roof overhang will need to be built if there isn’t any eave. You’ll also need a roof skirt for windows that come out beyond an overhanging area.