What Are Bay Windows?

Few window types make a more dramatic difference in a room than a bay window. Bay windows are angled windows that protrude from the external surface of your home, leaving a larger space inside the room that many homeowners use for extra seating. Not to be confused with a bow window (which is actually a type of bay window) a bay

window has three window panes, whereas a bow window has a more curved, sometimes softer semi-circular look. If you're still not sure of the difference, the simplest way to think of it is that bow windows, often called 'compass' windows, are simply curved bay windows. Bay windows have many advantages, including adding beauty, living space, and extra light to a room. If you're considering installing one of these

beauties to your home, here's more information on bay windows that might help you make that decision.

A bay window is a window that extends out from the house. It's a large, angled window that typically contains three or five panels. Bay windows are distinctive because they can be seen as a protrusion on the outside of the home, almost as a part of the architecture itself. Bay windows have been impressive additions to homes dating back to the Victorian era of the nineteenth century. Bay windows can be either square or polygon (a plane shape that has three, five, or more angles). Bay windows can be set an angle of 90, 135, or 150 degrees.

The advantages of a bay window are many. First, bay windows add beauty and drama to a home, both on the interior and exterior. Because they typically are very large, sometimes to the ceiling, bay windows provide an impressive amount of natural illumination and wider view of the outdoors. They also can provide an extra seating area for a room, expanding its living space significantly. Bay windows also can cut down on electric usage, due to the fact that they provide additional sunlight. They can also help to cut down on summer cooling bills due to the fact that, although the center window typically cannot be opened, the two side windows can, meaning they can provide a cool cross breeze. One of the most popular, and therefore beneficial, reasons for adding a bay window to a home is to increase its value. Bay windows bring an aesthetically beautiful effect to a home that adds curb appeal. Potential home buyers often see a bay window as an added reason to purchase a home.

There are a number of different types of bay windows. The most popular types are box, bow, oriel, and circle bay. A box bay window is a window that has a 90-degree angle forming into a protruding box shape. Most conventional bay windows have a double-paneled window in the middle with smaller windows on either side. They often are built with additional seating, storing, or shelving on the interior of the home. Bow windows are semi-circular-shaped bay-type windows that have four or more paned segments formed into a rounded pattern. Oriel bay windows are rounded structures that typically are built on the upper levels of buildings and are supported by brackets. Circle bay windows join a combination of windows together into a smooth circular-shaped area. These windows are often used wrapping around building corners.

Window replacement in Arundel County often is a major home improvement project. And, when it comes to bay windows, that's often the key word ... improvement. The simple truth is that no other window has the power to make a more dramatic impact on the look and feel of your home than window replacement that includes a bay window. Bay windows add extra space that can often include an extra seating and storage area. They add extra sunlight that can better illuminate any room of your home. And they add can even help to make your home more energy efficient because of that added sunlight that you didn't have before. If you're considering adding a bay window to your home, contact a top window replacement contractor in your area to schedule a consultation to learn how a bay window can transform any room in your home from dull to dramatic in no time!