How To Choose Between Bow And Bay Windows
If you are looking to add a more textured window to your home that will look great from both the inside and out, then you have probably stumbled across bow and bay windows by now. These are two popular ways to create a unique feature on your home that will draw a lot of jealous attention from your neighbors and can be the cherry on top of your overall home's design. However, you do need to choose which option you are going to pick, as they are not completely the same. Here are a few key differences that should help you narrow down your choice to just one.
Curved vs. Angled
Bow windows look from both the outside and in, as though they are a curved semi-circle-like shape, whereas bay windows are much more noticeably angled. The reason why this matters so much is that modern homes often are built with sharper angles in mind, so a bay window can look more natural with them. However, bow windows can be made to fit into just about any type of home as long as you plan it well in advance and make it symmetrical. Still, it is important to note the major structural difference that is the easiest way to differentiate them.
Protrusion
Bay windows protrude much farther out into the open than bow windows because of their more angled nature. They generally only use three windows (one main one and two sides that angle out towards it) which is why they reach out further. On the other hand, bow windows can have more than four, smaller windows that are all roughly the same size and have less of a dramatic angle change between them. If you want a little nook to sit on then a bay window is the better option, but if you want a less imposing figure, then bow windows probably suit your design more.
Length
Bay windows generally do not span the same length as bow windows because they contain fewer panels and no one really likes the look of extra-large glass windows jutting out from the house. Bow windows, on the other hand, can span the whole side of a room because the change between each window is so minor. If you want a feature for your living or dining area that is more than just regular windows, then a bow window could be the best option to stand out from the crowd.
For more information, contact a company that supplies bow and bay windows.