Picture windows are common in homes, but they aren’t always the best choice. Yes, they offer expansive views — but what if there was a better type of window for your living room?
Bay and bow windows offer a variety of advantages over simple picture windows. For example, they offer wide views while also creating space for improved interior lighting and fresh air. Learn more about why you might prefer a bay or bow window to a picture window in your home.
Picture windows offer beautiful, uninterrupted views because they’re made of a single large pane of glass. Some picture windows may have additional panes of glass along their sides for an even wider view. Unlike bay or bow windows, picture windows are flat and aren’t built to open.
Bay windows are made of three panes of glass that angle out from an external wall to create more space inside. In a bay window, the center pane of glass is usually larger than the rest and creates a stunning focal point for viewing the outdoors.
Bow windows are larger than bay windows and have a different architectural feel. They typically have four or more panes of glass that are all the same size and shape. Instead of creating an angled bay, they make a smoother, rounded shape that extends out of a building’s wall.
Trying to decide between a picture window vs. a bay window for your home? Here are five reasons why bay or bow windows could be a better option for your home.
Bay and bow windows both project outward into the yard. More glass means more light entering your home. These windows capture daylight that some picture windows can’t capture, which makes your home’s interior brighter and more lovely.
Improved natural light indoors makes your home seem more cheerful, welcoming and spacious. Plus, if you ever decide to sell your home, a bright interior will be an important feature. More light can help make your home more appealing to buyers.
Unlike picture windows, bay and bow windows can include vented windows, which means improved ventilation. Being able to open windows in your living room during moderate weather can make it easier to allow breezes into your home on a warm spring or autumn day.
Picture windows are actually designed never to open, which can make it more challenging to clean them. However, it also means you can’t ever crack them open to enjoy a summer breeze or the cool air after rain.
Bay and bow windows both offer beautiful views. Since both windows peer outward into the yard, they each allow for a different perspective than you would get from a picture window. You’ll love the scenes you can see from your bay and bow windows – and you might see something you never would have noticed from a picture window.
Do you have pets who love to watch for critters outside? A bay or bow window provides a perfect space for pets to sit or lay and enjoy the sunshine. Many homeowners hang a birdfeeder outside this type of window because it offers such great views of wildlife.
Bay or bow windows provide prime views for your pets to entertain themselves — and you — by watching and reacting to squirrels, birds and even the mailman. Adding a bay or bow window to your home can enrich your pets’ happiness.
Do you love to decorate for the holidays? You can decorate your bay or bow window by setting up a scene on the sill in front of the window. Consider placing a stuffed snowman or a short holiday tree on your bay window sill. Even just scattering holiday lights on the sill of your bow window can create a lovely effect when the lights reflect on the many angled windows.
New windows can improve your home’s value and your quality of life. If you’re ready to install bay or bow windows in your home, contact Renewal by Andersen. We use the highest quality windows and offer a seamless customer experience that includes installation and post-installation clean-up.
At Renewal by Andersen, we consider it a privilege to improve your home through window replacement. We offer many types of windows, including bow and bay windows, picture windows and more. Call today at 510-391-5115 to learn more!
