Chicago Bay Windows Need Beautiful Window Treatments
Unique window types are typically some of the most visually appealing features of houses in Chicago - and one of the most eye-catching examples of those unique windows are bay windows. From either inside the home or outside, bay windows grant a sense of comfort and fashion simultaneously - granted that they’re paired with the perfect window treatment.
But how does one know which window treatment to select? Just as with other specialty windows, bay windows have specific factors to think about. Sunburst Shutters Chicago will take you through the checklist for bay window treatments, and then offer our suggestions for the top picks for your Chicago bay windows.
Priorities For Treatments For Bay Windows
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Complement your bay window - A badly-chosen, generic window treatment might mask the style of a bay window. Go with a treatment that complements your bay window’s unique geometry.
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Control your light and temperature levels - Bay windows usually let in a good amount of heat and light from the sun. You want a window covering that will make your house comfortable and allows make any adjustments easily.
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Visibility - Just as a window treatment should enhance your bay window’s structure, it also needs to control how clearly you’re able to see outside your window, and how well people outside are able to see inside.
The Worst Choices For Bay Window Treatments
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Metal blinds - Blinds have a tendency to diminish the glamour of specially-shaped windows, which can make them seem rather generic or cheap. They also underwhelm in controlling brightness as well as in their energy-efficiency.
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Drapes - As with blinds, drapes hurt the charm of bay windows by obscure their unique shape, which is one of their main appeals. Control over brightness tends to be an “all or nothing” choice with drapes.
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No window treatment at all - Sometimes homeowners think it’s best to keep their bay window uncovered. The lone advantage of no window treatment is an increase in visibility, but it decreases your options for control of light and energy, and will let people outside your window get a clear view inside the house at all hours.
Top Picks For Chicago Bay Windows
Bay Window Cellular Shades
Stylish, budget-friendly, and a breeze to operate, cellular shades are a great partner for bay windows. The reason why they work so well on bay windows is the amount of freedom cellular shades give you. These shades are available in different cell sizes, all the way from 7/16” to 9/16” to 3/4” and feature a top-down/bottom-up system which allows you to lower the shade from the top or raise it from the bottom, letting you get your perfect view while maintaining light control.
Our cellular shades also come in a range of opacities, from sheer to completely opaque, so a lack of privacy is never a problem. Also, unlike other shade types, cellular shades never bunch up at the top or at the side of your window when open, since they fold in so effectively. So you can preserve the beautiful look of your bay windows even when the shades aren’t in use.
Bay Window Plantation Shutters
Similar to cellular shades, plantation shutters can give Chicago homeowners the chance to show off their bay windows’ shape while reaping the benefits of a custom window treatment. Plantation shutters outperform cellular shades however, by offering even better light and visibility control with their adjustable louvers. And since they’re custom-built for your windows, you can benefit from even more leeway in how you complement their looks with full or half length shutters.
Because bay windows are typically some of the biggest windows in the house, Polywood® plantation shutters’ insulation is a big benefit. Polywood shutters can restrict nearly 30 degrees of temperature flow in your space if used correctly, meaning that a cozy space is a simple tilt away.
For that vintage wood plantation shutter look, our Ovation® shutters outperform all similar shutters, being the only 5-star rated wood shutter currently available on the market. Ovation shutters are the perfect window treatment to accentuate the wood frame around your bay windows.
