If you are looking for a way to give your home a fresh new look, both inside and outside, then a bay window may be the solution. This ornate window style is common in older homes, but it has also experienced a bit of a renaissance, appearing in more modern homes as of late. Read on for a closer look at bay windows to help you decide if this is the right window style for your home.

What Is a Bay Window?

A bay window is actually an arrangement of several windows that protrude from the home at an angle. They create a bay inside the home — thus the name. Most bay windows designs consist of three side-by-side windows, but there are bay windows with four or five windows, too. These windows may be double-hung, casement, or fixed windows.

If the windows are arranged at more of an arc than at distinct angles, then the arrangement is technically known as a bow window rather than a bay window. Yet, many people use the term bay window colloquially to refer to both bay and bow windows.

Where Do Bay Windows Work Well?

Bay windows are often used in living rooms, but they can make for a dramatic master bedroom design as well. Some homeowners choose a half-height bay window, which creates a shelf-life bay half up the wall, for their kitchen.

What Are the Benefits of a Bay Window?

In addition to serving as a centerpiece of your home’s design, a bay window will also accentuate your interior design by letting more sunlight into the room. Since each pane of glass is placed at a different angle, the bay window captures sunlight for more hours of the day than a single window does.

Bay windows also create a lovely space for you to relax. The floor space that protrudes past the wall is a great place for a window seat. With a half-height bay window, you gain an extra space to use as a counter, chopping station, or even for storage in the kitchen. Plants also grow well in a bay window since they get plenty of sunshine.

What Challenges Do Bay Windows Present?

Bay windows are a great choice for many homes, but they are not perfect. Here are a few challenges you may encounter when adding one to your home:

• You may need custom-made curtains because finding drapes that fit the unique shape and design of bay windows is tough.
• Your window installation professional may have to extensively modify your walls and even ductwork to accommodate a bay window.
• You must choose energy-efficient glass, since the windows contain a lot of glass, to prevent heat loss through a bay window.

Your window installation professional can look over your home and let you know which, if any, of these challenges you are likely to encounter during a bay window installation. 

What Are Some Alternatives to Bay Windows?

If you ultimately decide a bay window is not the best choice for you, then here are a few other window styles will bring light into your home while also adding character.

Picture Windows

A large picture window also makes a huge statement in a living room or even a master bedroom. It does not let in quite as much light since the window is placed flat against the wall, however, you should still be able to grow plants and enjoy a sunny interior.

Combination Windows

Combination windows are arrangements of several smaller windows placed next to one another. You can choose almost any shape or arrangement of windows you prefer. The space between the windows adds a bit more detail than you get with a picture window, but you get a similar amount of light. 

A bay window can be a lovely accent for your home, but so can a picture or combination window. To learn more about these window styles and how they may work for your home, contact Fischer Window & Door Store.