Does a Bay Window Add Value to a Home?

A few of the best things about Madison’s landscape are our beautiful lakes and the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin. It’s easy to imagine waking up to a warm cup of coffee and staring out over the natural landscape – what a great way to start your morning. In a town with such great views, specialty windows can be a hot a commodity, especially bay windows that offer almost panoramic views.

Historically, bow and bay windows were considered to be a sort of luxury because of the stylish statement they make in a space. But there are a lot of advantages, and just a few disadvantages, to consider before deciding to add a bay window to your home. Changing windows in your home is a big decision that requires you to consider not only the cost of new windows, but how efficient they are, and how they will affect the look and feel of your home. So, does a bay window add value to a home?

The Advantages of Installing Bay Windows: What Value Do They Add?

We really love bay windows. They’re like hanging up a beautiful painting that is always subtly changing with the seasons. But aside from the extra scenery, a bay window can add a lot of value to a home, including:

  • More natural light – It makes sense that more windows mean more light. But the specific angles of bay windows allow full sunlight directly into a space at three vantage points instead of just one. This can brighten up a room for longer periods of the day and is great for living rooms, or places like nurseries or studies were natural sunlight is preferred.
  • Additional space – Bay windows can definitely open a room up and are typically a good place for storage and extra sitting as well. For example, a bay window in a study or library can include seating to create a mini reading nook.
  • Added real estate value – Specialty windows offer an architectural touch that is a step above standard stock windows in terms of style, which can really value and desirability to a home. You can tell just by going to an open house when someone inevitably will gasp and say, “Look, this room has bay windows!” They also increase square footage of a home, which will always add more market value.
  • Increased ventilation – Two of the three panes that make up a bay window are often operable, allowing you to open them to let fresh air in. Because of their angles, bay windows also have a better chance of letting in that cool breeze than standard ones.

The Disadvantages of Bay Windows

Bay windows can have the same drawbacks that new computers have. New tech like touchscreens cost more, and for the extra money you spend, you expect them to operate better than older keyboard styles. But that’s not always the case. They can have their own set of issues with touch sensitivity or software incompatibility. Bay windows are a different animal than your standard stock window, so you have to consider some disadvantages when considering whether or not to replace your stock windows, including:

  • Solar gain – The downside to having all that extra light is that with it comes solar heat gain. The more of the sun’s rays you have coming in through your window, the hotter that space is going to get. This can be remedied, of course, by  upgrading to high-efficiency insulated glass.
  • Poor installation can lead to problems – If bay windows are not installed properly, they can develop structural issues over time. Bay windows are load bearing which can cause walls to crack if the foundation settles. This is why it’s imperative to have an AWDI certified window professional install your new bay window.
  • New bay window cost – If you’re replacing existing flat windows with a bay window, there will be comparatively higher costs. That’s why it’s important to consider the benefits of a bay window—and total value added to your home—before making the leap.

Does a bay window add value to a home?

To us, the advantages of a bay window far outweigh any disadvantages. The aesthetic value alone is worth the extra cost, and there is maybe no better view than through a bay window. Bay windows add value to any home by increasing its market value, providing large views of the natural surroundings, more sunlight, and increased ventilation and airflow. More importantly, it’s critical to have a bay window installed by a professional to ensure that it’s done correctly. But when all these possible disadvantages are taken into careful consideration, the addition of a bay window can open up your living space, whether in Madison or anywhere else throughout Wisconsin, and increase the value—and joy—of your home.

ABOUT US

For more information on replacement windows from Thebco including our flagship Restorations line call us at 608-249-2905 or check us out online at www.thebco.com. Or feel free to stop by our showroom at 4126 Robertson Rd, Madison, WI 53714 to check out some window design options in person!

Recent Posts

Start typing and press Enter to search