To bay or not to bay, that is the question
Bay windows can add many benefits, like natural light and ventilation.
They can also have drawbacks like increasing indoor temperatures thanks to solar gain.
To decide if a bay window is worth it for your home, you’ll have to consider ROI and how often you’ll use the space.
If you’ve ever walked by a house with a window that seems to break out from the home’s exterior, then you were probably admiring a bay window. This window style, which includes a flat, center window flanked by two smaller windows at 30 or 45-degree angles, is popular for a reason. However, if you’re considering adding one to your home, you’ll have to consider its benefits and drawbacks.
Below we’ve rounded up some of the biggest pros—and cons—of adding bay windows to your home so you can decide if it’s a worthwhile investment.
Whether you’re building a new home, buying a resale, or renovating an existing house, bay windows are an excellent option for many. If you’re trying to decide between a bow window versus a bay window, the following pros apply to both.
Bay windows open interior spaces up to a flood of natural light. They allow sunlight to crisscross the room, adding an ethereal atmosphere. Natural light can not only boost your mood, but can also reduce dependence on artificial light, lowering energy costs.
If you’re looking to add a sunny reading nook or wake up to a flood of sunlight in your bedroom, bay windows can be a perfect touch.
A bay window extends out past the exterior wall of the home, so it provides a room with extra space and more ways to show your interior design chops. You can build a custom window seat or put a cozy settee in a bedroom bay window. A small bistro table and chairs can transform a large bay window in the kitchen into a breakfast nook. A comfy accent chair and bookshelf make a bay window an ideal reading space. You have endless options here, depending on your style and the location.
Bay windows come with fixed or operational windows that can open and close. If the side windows of a bay window open, this can improve airflow. Bay windows can also usher in the cool breeze on a hot summer day or the fresh floral scent from flower boxes mounted just outside.
You’ve likely admired a bay window on a home, so it stands to reason that potential buyers would appreciate it in your space too. Bay windows can add value to your home, not only because of their beauty but because they add some additional square footage. If you’re thinking of selling any time soon, adding a bay window can be a great investment.
Despite their unique design, you can actually choose from many fantastic window treatment options for bay windows. Roller shades, Roman shades, sheer shades, or even shutters—take your pick to deck out your bay windows.
Bay windows are a perfect choice for many, but the drawbacks may rule them out for your home.
More windows and glass can increase solar gain, which develops when sunlight generates heat as it hits or passes through different materials. Windows with higher solar gain make it more difficult to keep rooms cool. Using a higher grade of insulated windows can reduce solar gain. However, that will increase your cost.
If you don’t install a bay window correctly, you can have structural issues, including leaks, mold, and premature decay. Bay windows are load-bearing, and if structurally unsound, can impact the walls in the rest of the room. If the bay window is finished with brick, sometimes cracks develop.
The siding on bay windows may also loosen or buckle, which could also indicate serious problems with your foundation. Over time, some poorly installed bay windows may start to lean away from the main building.
However, this issue doesn’t have to come up at all. Hiring a vetted local window installer can ensure that a bay window gets installed correctly.
You will incur additional costs if you add a bay window as an upgrade in new construction or replace a flat window. Installing a new bay window costs an average of $2,350. However, this cost can be worth it, as bay windows
The bottom line is that bay windows are popular because they add curb appeal to a home’s exterior and extra square footage in the interior. Sometimes adding a bay window provides just enough space to make a tiny room more livable.
Also, if some extra square footage and natural light are what you’re after, then a bay window could be worth the investment. However, you’ll have to weigh how much you plan to use the extra space and then calculate if a bay window is worth the cost.
Yes, you can put a bay window in a normal window’s place. You may need a window contractor to install additional supports to the wall, since bay windows jut outward past the wall. A structural engineer can also help you determine how to safely replace an existing window with a bay window.
Bay windows do need a roof covering to protect them from the elements. This type of window extends out past the wall of the house, which leaves the upper part exposed. You’ll need to hire a window contractor to install a protective covering over the bay window, and this should include proper flashing for a tight seal.
Bay windows can stick out about 13 to 19 inches or more, depending on the angle of the side-flanking windows. For bay windows with 30-degree panels, you can expect the window to jut outward about 13 inches. Bay windows set at 40-degree angles will extend around 19 inches. Custom bay windows could extend several feet, so long as the window has proper support.
