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If you are looking for a way to bring more sunlight into your home and perhaps grow a few plants, you may be looking at garden windows and bay windows. Homeowners sometimes confuse these two window styles, and indeed, they do have a lot of similarities. Still, it is important to understand the key differences between garden windows and bay windows so you can choose the appropriate window style for your Dayton home.
What Are Bay Windows?
Bay windows are named for their shape. They form a sort of bay in the inside of your home. These windows consist of three, side-by-side panels, placed at about a 45-degree angle to one another. The center window is typically a fixed window, which cannot be opened. The windows on either side typically open like casement windows, hinging open to the side.
Bay windows can be a floor-to-ceiling window arrangement, but what’s more common is to have a half-height bay window above a counter. This is the perfect arrangement for above a kitchen counter. The platform inside the bay window is a good spot to set a plant because the area gets a lot of sunlight from multiple sides.
What Are Garden Windows?
Garden windows, like bay windows, project from the wall of your Dayton home. However, they have a different shape than bay windows. Garden windows are essentially boxes, with two glass sides, a glass front, and a glass top. This box-shaped window can be placed in a traditional window opening. You won’t need to modify the window opening to accommodate it as you would to install a bay window.
Garden windows are an even better choice for growing plants than a bay window since they let the sun stream in not only from the sides but also from the top. However, their appearance is not as refined or ornate as that of a bay window.
Should You Choose a Garden Window or a Bay Window?
The answer to this question really depends on your preferences. If your goal is specifically to grow plants, and you don’t mind a simpler, more modern appearance, a garden window may be a smart, easy-to-install choice. However, if you want a more traditional appearance and want to bring more sunlight into your entire room, rather than just into the immediate window area, you may be better off with a half-height bay window. Bay windows are also easier to open and close for ventilation. You can open the casement window on the left or on the right depending on which way the breeze is blowing.
Bay windows also offer more options for customization. You can add grilles to some or all of the window panes or even change the angle of the windows to create a softer look if preferred. Choose a classic wood frame for a traditional home or a thinner, black or gray frame for more modern appeal.
All things considered, garden windows work well for growing plants and are easy to install, but bay windows are more versatile. If you need help choosing the perfect bay window for your Dayton home, contact the experts at Renewal by Andersen. We offer free, in home consultations, and our trained technicians can assess your needs to recommend the perfect solution. Sunny days lie just ahead.