Bay windows offer fantastic views, natural light and a touch of elegance to any room. They become the highlight of the area, making rooms appear larger and friendlier while increasing your home's value and curb appeal. With large glass surfaces and a range of styles, bay windows can be custom designed and built to meet any combination of aesthetic, energy and security requirements. They first became widespread in Victorian architecture in Great Britain and spread from there to other English speaking countries. Today, they are found worldwide.
An Overview of Bay Windows
Bay windows fit nearly any style of home and location and are available in various shapes, angles and types. Whether for bedrooms, kids' rooms or living rooms, they add light, space and a great view anywhere. While sometimes confused with bow windows, bay windows have three sections, the middle of which is fixed (also called a picture window). The two side windows usually open and can be individually configured, for example as basic casement windows or as tilt and turn. Bay windows also take a more angular form, while bow are rounded as the name suggests. They protrude outwards forming a small bay and adding a little extra space to the interior.
When configuring your custom made bay windows, there are several factors to keep in mind:
- Design – Bay windows are decorative elements to some degree. It is important to ensure they perfectly match the existing architecture.
- Thermal insulation – Proper insulation ensures that your heating bills won't rise and that the room's temperature remains consistent.
- Sound reduction – With large glass surfaces, ensure that you choose the proper amount of sound reduction based on your home's location (urban, suburban, rural etc.)
- Burglary protection – Particularly for ground floor installations, it is important to select additional security features.
For additional privacy and security, roller shutters can easily can be mounted onto bay window systems so that sunlight may still enter while your privacy is still protected when necessary.