3 Easy Steps in Choosing Window Treatments for Bay Windows

Many people are intimidated in choosing window treatments for Bay Windows

They are usually three or more windows that jut out from the wall of our house, and their main intention is to allow more light than a typical window that is flush with the wall.

The sheer size of bay windows and sometimes that their location is a focal point tends to scare people as to which window treatments they should choose.  Bay Windows are not much different from other windows, but having a set guideline for which to follow can help your decision. View, Heat (and UV), and Function will be the main determining factors. Let’s look into these 3 Steps outlined here to navigate through the fear and make it super easy.

#1) What is the View like?

In the first step we need to take a look at what view is outside of your bay windows.  If it is a breathtaking view and you’re looking out over the ocean, a heavy treatment may not be the way to go.  However if you’re looking at the side of your neighbor’s house a different treatment may be in order.

To keep as much of that beautiful view as possible, sheer shades will be the best option. Allowing for as much scenery that we can enjoy.

Woven fabric roman shades without a liner offer a light and airy feeling as window treatments for bay windows. They can offer a little better concealment depending upon how tight the weave.

* consider a top down bottom up treatment if privacy is needed but you may still want to keep half of your view.

If that view is not really desirable, we will move on to steps two and three and choose a heavier treatment to cover the bay windows.

#2) How is Heat and UV affecting this area?

Bay Window areas can be prone to excessive heat and UV rays simply because of their size.  Most of them stick out beyond the walls of the house therefore acting like a magnet for the rays of the sun.

If heat is a major factor in your consideration you should look into cellular shades, as they are one of the best for trapping Heat within the cells and holding it between the back of the treatment and the window.

Go with top down bottom up cell shades to open up the View as we discussed in step 1.

Plantation shutters for bay windows is also a great option when excessive heat is involved.  You can still maintain a great view by going with bigger louver sizes.

Both of the treatments mentioned above are beautiful and can be layered with panels or draperies for that added “wow” factor.

#3) How do the bay windows function?

We wanted to put function as the last step, because most people will forgo a function to address view and heat first.

But a very important factor to think about is, how do the windows function and is there any cabinets or seating involved in this area?

What we mean is that some Window Treatments for Bay Windows may eliminate functions of a window and their surroundings.

Such as with tilt in windows, and seating that has storage underneath you have to be aware of window coverings that may impede any functionality. Projection of a treatment can block the opening of a cabinet door or a hinged seating with storage underneath.

Carefully go over frames and how the shade will be mounted / fixed to the window to avoid this!

Here are 5 Window Bay Treatment Ideas

1) Sheer Shades – Pros – Great for Views and Function

Cons– No Insulation – Poor Heat

2) Woven Roman Shades– Pros- Good for Views without a liner -light weight

Cons – Limited Heat deflection

3) Shutters – Pros – Good for Heat Deflection

Cons   Less visibility with smaller louvers

* May impede functionality – depends on frame that can be used and louver size

4) Cellular Shades – Pros -Best for Insulation and keeping heat out!

5) Blinds –          Fair in keeping Heat and UV out.

Cons – smaller louver takes away from some view.

Hopefully you are seeing that it is easy to choose Window Treatments for Bay Windows, and this guideline can be a source of help for you.

Let us know what treatments you have used by leaving us a comment below.