Which of These Specialty Windows Fit the Design of Your Buffalo Home?

When installing windows in Buffalo, homeowners have plenty of choices when it comes to selecting standard widows. However, they also must decide whether to install specialty windows in their homes, and if these windows even fit with their current house style. When properly installed and strategically placed, specialty windows can not only add to the natural light supply inside a home, but they can also increase the curb appeal.

Bay windows and bow windows are the most common examples of these specialty windows. Below, you can learn about the factors to consider when choosing the right specialty window for your home. You will also learn more about bay and bow windows, how their advantages meet some of those factors, and how they can adapt to fit a more contemporary Pennsylvania home.

Choosing A Specialty Window

Specialty windows bring plenty of advantages to your home, from aesthetic appeal to greater monetary value of your home. If you are looking for the perfect specialty window, consider some of the following points that can guide you to make a fitting choice for your house:

• Complement your house’s architectural style. Every house has an architectural design style that makes them stand out from each other. Whether your house is a traditional, Tudor-style building that will need diamond-shaped windows and mullions, a modern, contemporary home with ceiling-to-floor windows, or something in between, choose the windows that will fit the specific style of your home the best.

• Give your windows a purpose. Make sure you know what role the windows will play in your home. Maybe the window will allow some light into a specific room or part of the room, or it will just provide a view. Perhaps you are planning to use the window as some sort of doorway, like a sliding door glass window door. The window can also simply function as an ornament for your home.

• Use colorful window frames and mullions. Inject some personality into the house’s exterior and select window frames and mullions with color. Whether the windows are wood, metal, or vinyl, there are several preset colors you can choose from that will enhance the outside of your home.

• Choose the house trim color carefully. Many homes have a field color that decorates most of their home, as well as two accent colors: one for the trim of the home and another one for the doors, the garage door, and the window frames. If you choose a trim color, consider the window frames that will complement the trim. If you are unsure of a color scheme, you can always consult pre-made color palettes.

• Select the right amount of ventilation. One of the main functions of a window is to allow fresh air in and out. You can control the ventilation of a room by choosing an operable window, which you can open and close with ease. A fixed window is unable to open, but these windows often appear in rooms where fresh air flow is not a priority. Choose between operable and fixed windows, see how each type of window functions in different rooms, and how much fresh air a room will need.

• Keep the sun’s orientation in mind. This step is important especially if you are still in the early stages of home design. Consider your home’s position in relation to where the sun rises and falls. Windows allow the sunlight in, so decide what kind of window will bring the right amount of light, where you have to place the window, and how it should affect each specific room.

• Learn the different window operations. Windows not only come in all shapes and sizes, but they also operate in different manners. For example, awning windows mostly exist in apartments and older homes, and have hinges at the top or at the bottom to allow the window to open at an angle. Hopper windows have hinges at the bottom and appear over doorways and other windows. Double hung windows tend to move up or down, while horizontal sliders move horizontally. Learn about each window so you can see the effects they have in your home and how you can maintain them.

• Consider the effects on interiors. Investigate the functions of each room and determine how each window will affect them. A bathroom will need a window that lets light in, but also does not provide any view from outside. Decide if there are any views in the house that warrant a large window, and what is the best angle to see it. Determine if each room really needs a specific shape or size of a window.

• Have your window enhance your room. When it comes to a window design, choose something that complements your home’s unique indoor architecture and becomes the focal point of the room. Use different colors, shapes, and window styles to enhance the indoor details.

• Make your home energy efficient. While you are choosing your new windows and how they are going to function in your home, you should also decide on replacing your older windows. Advancements in technology have created new windows that are more energy efficient and work better for insulating your home. Replacing your old windows with these new ones will help you save on energy bills and may reward you with income tax credits.

Types of Specialty Windows

When it comes to specialty windows, there are a vast amount of choices available to you in the Buffalo area. These windows have a wide range of shapes, sizes, and decorative purposes. Some specific examples of specialty windows include:

• Half round
• Quarter round
• Oval
• Full circle
• Octagon
• Bay
• Bow

Bay and bow windows are the most notable kinds of specialty windows, since they fulfill some functions beyond decoration and are among the most used.

What Is A Bay Window?

A single bay window is actually a set made up of three windows. These windows usually angle out and face away from the house. Bay windows come in hexagonal, octagonal, or square shapes. The largest window (50% larger than the other two) is the center window, which is a fixed picture window. The two smaller windows on the center window’s sides are called flankers.

Bay windows allow homeowners extended views, as well as more light and additional space. Homeowners typically use double-hung or crank windows as the flankers to the central window. The installation of a bay window costs around $3,500, which increases between $4,000 to $7,000 if the installing space needs to expand.

What Is a Bow Window?

A bow window is composed of four to six windows, which also project out from the exterior wall. The difference between the bow window and the bay window is that the bow window has a curved appearance and is overall more symmetrical.

Bow windows let more light into the room because they have more glass panes. The windows also can wrap around the corner of a house. Because bow windows have more glass and are larger in general, they cost more than bay windows. Installation of a bow window starts at $5,000, and depending on the process, can reach as high as $12,000.

Pros and Cons of Bay and Bow Windows

Due to their similar features, bay and bow windows share the same benefits, as well as some drawbacks. When properly installed, bay and bow windows add plenty of value to a house. Some of the features bay and bow windows have include:

• Increased real estate value. These specialty windows add a touch above regular windows in terms of style. Due to their unique look, as well as the added square footage, bay windows add market value to your house.

• Added ventilation. The flankers are capable of closing and opening, which allows you to open the windows for some fresh air. The angles also allow for a better breeze than standard windows usually allow.

• Sunlight. Due to the unique shape of bay and bow windows, they allow far more sunlight to enter the home, particularly through the three vantage points. This feature is ideal for living rooms, nurseries, and study rooms.

• Increased space. The installation of bay and bow windows allows for more storage in general, as well as extra sitting areas in rooms like a library or bedroom.

The misuse or poor installation of bay and bow windows, as well as some other factors related to their installation, can create some problems with the windows, including:

• Excess of sunlight. The more sunrays your window attracts, the hotter and potentially dangerous the window will become. You can rectify this error by obtaining high-efficiency windows.

• Difficult pieces to find. Extra hardware for bay windows, such as curtains, curtain rods, and anchors are difficult to find. You will have to buy these pieces at a specialty store, and even then, there’s no guarantee you will find what you need or get pieces that match exactly.

• High installation costs. Whether you are installing bay or bow windows for the first time, or you are replacing your old, standard windows with these ones, the cost is substantially high. Consult with a window expert to decide on the best option for your home, your needs, and your finances.

• Poor installation. The poor installation of bay and bow windows can lead to issues that will spread to the rest of the house. Due to the large weight of the windows and the load bearing nature of them, the house can develop structural problems, such as cracked walls. Hiring a reputable window installer can prevent this issue.

Contemporary Use of Bay and Bow Windows

Choosing the right specialty windows is important, as some windows make a better fit with certain homes than others around Pennsylvania. Bay and bow windows often receive the reputation that they are too traditional or outdated for modern buildings. These windows still offer you a lot of benefit, however, and with some creative applications, they can adapt to contemporary homes just as well as traditional homes.

The following tips can help you use bay and bow windows in contemporary settings.

• Adding a dramatic architectural feeling. The way these windows affect space can highlight some of the other architectural features of a room. When deciding where to place, consider the use of space and consult sources like room planners to view window layouts and make the best choice for the space.

• Incorporate storage. Bay and bow windows create plenty of empty space upon installation. If you see some available space, get creative and add book storage, drawers, and shelving.

• Add a minimalist vibe to the rooms. Due to the shape of bay and bow windows, simple, clean, and straightforward designs complement the windows best. Emphasize clear angles and shapes by keeping the furniture and cabinetry understated. Hide the hardware of the windows as much as you can and use hidden hinges. Dress the space with clear fabrics and curtains.

• Make a comfortable, relaxing place. Another way to fill more of the empty space by the windows is to install soft, durable fabrics. Use seat cushions, fluffy pillows, and round bolsters to create a comfortable window lounge.

• Showcase a beautiful view. The main feature of bay and bow windows is the view they allow thanks to their large and wide space. The strategic placing of these windows can frame the view like an elegant work of art.

• Pull together a space. You should use inviting colors, textures, and patterns to create a look that ties together everything in the room, not just your windows. Use elements like lightning, pillows, a small tray, a side table, and luxurious window treatments to create a single theme based around the window.

• Make the windows the focal point of the room. The size and view of the windows already garner a lot of attention. Make sure you enhance that striking, attention-grabbing feeling by using pillows, textural fabrics, and rich colors to make the room seem like it exists just for that window.

Value of Specialty Windows

While installing standard windows takes priority, you should consider adding some extra value to your home. Specialty windows like bay and bow windows can add value to your home and are able to fit in any house with some creative redecoration. Your specialty windows can enhance your home to be one of the most valuable properties in the neighborhood.