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Does your yard offer a beautiful view of a lush forest? Perhaps you have gorgeous landscaping that you only ever get to enjoy when you are outside. Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could enjoy that same, beautiful outdoor view from the interior of your Michigan home? If you are considering replacing the windows in your home, you can add a beautiful view at the same time. Even if you do not currently have a large picture or bay window, your window installation technicians can add one when they come to replace your current windows.
Both bay and picture windows offer a great view and bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. Here is a look at both options and how they compare.
Bay and Bow Windows
Bay windows are the window style with which most people are familiar, but bow windows are quite similar. Bay windows consist of three side-by-side windows arranged at an angle, whereas bow windows consist of four or five windows arranged in an arc shape. Bay windows, with their more angular look, tend to look better in more modern homes. Bow windows’ softer appearance makes them suitable for traditional Michigan home designs. Both let plenty of light into your home and make it easy to enjoy a view of the outdoors.
If your goal is to capture outdoor beauty, then you really want a floor-to-ceiling bay or bow window. Keep in mind that these windows protrude outward from the side of your home, so you may have to make some minor adjustments to your landscaping to accommodate them.
One benefit of bay or bow windows, when compared to picture windows, is that they let you see outside from multiple angles due to the varied placement of the window panels. They also bring in more sunlight and naturally become the focal point of the room. On the downside, it can be hard to find window treatments for bay or bow windows. If you opt for cheap vinyl bay windows, they may become leaky and inefficient quickly, so it pays to have high-quality, properly installed windows made from a composite material, like Fibrex® from Renewal by Andersen.
Picture and Combination Windows
If you do not like the idea of windows projecting from your home’s exterior walls, then consider adding a picture window to your room. A combination window, similarly, is just a picture window with some smaller shaped windows arranged around it for character.
A picture window stays flush with your wall, so it has a less obtrusive, softer appearance. You can gaze out the window and enjoy the view — and you’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine — but from one angle, rather than from several. If you want an unobstructed view of something specific outside of your home, a picture window may be a better choice since there won’t be any panels dividing the window and blocking your view. Picture windows do not open, but if you want some ventilation, you can place small casement or sliding windows to the side of the primary picture window.
Since picture windows are so large, it is vital that you choose one that is energy-efficient and made with high-quality materials. As with a bay window, steer clear of vinyl, and instead opt for Fibrex composite. Also, look for low-e glass, such as Andersen’s SmartSun™ glass. This glass reflects heat waves so that your picture window does not drive up your energy bills.
Both bay/bow and picture replacement windows are perfect for capturing a beautiful view. To learn more about these window styles and how they will look in your Michigan home, schedule a free, in-home consultation with Renewal by Andersen.