I love the charm of bay windows. They allow an abundance of natural light to enter a home and add architectural interest inside and out. A big, beautiful bay window makes the room feel larger, creating an open, inviting feel. However, bay windows do present some challenges when trying to dress them. Here are 5 things you need to keep in mind when looking for coverings for your bay windows:
Light gaps
If you are installing blinds or shades in your bay windows, it is important to be aware that there will be gaps between the treatments where the headrails meet, because the headrail width is larger than the fabric width. This gap will allow light to leak through, and may cause privacy concerns for some homes.
Vane alignment
Believe it or not, not all manufactures guarantee vane alignment from treatment to treatment. This means if you get a slatted product (wood blinds, for example), they might not match up when they are placed side by side. This can make your bay windows appear very uneven. Luckily, Hunter Douglas does guarantee vane alignment on most slatted products, so you know you’re going to get a uniform appearance across all your windows.
Fabric deductions
When you order a fabric shade, the manufacturer will deduct a small amount of fabric to prevent the window covering will not rub on the window sill. For example, if you order blinds to cover a window that is 45 inches wide, the fabric will actually be 44.5 inches wide. Different window treatments and operating systems have different fabric deductions, and some fabric deductions may not be equal on each side. If you have light gaps and privacy concerns, be sure to ask your designer about fabric deductions in order to achieve your desired function and appearance.
Layering your window treatments
You may want to consider adding drapery side panels to your blinds or shades in order to cover any light leakage on the side of the window. In addition, drapery adds a unique touch to your windows, and adds an additional layer of insulation for energy-efficiency. A well-placed valance or cornice above the window can hide the headrails while adding a personal touch for a truly custom look.
Get it done right
Bay windows can be very tricky to measure and install. To avoid extra hassle and mistakes, we recommend you hire a professional to measure and install your window treatments. Did you know we not only provide a free design consultation to make sure you get the right product for your home, we also offer free professional installation to make sure your window coverings are installed correctly.
