A home with a bay window or a bow window is one of the most beautiful windows that can be engineered. They let in natural light, easily frame gorgeous outdoor views, and add the much-needed openness to your living area. If you do have them, you know the problem – there’s no way that standard, off-the-shelf blinds fit.
This guide is for Maryland, Virginia and the DC Metro homeowners who are struggling to learn how to dress these weirdly shaped windows. We’ll help you understand the distinctions between bay and bow windows, the best window treatments for each window, mounting options, and how you can use them based on the type of room and your goals.
Bay Windows vs. Bow Windows: What Is the Difference?
In order to select any window treatments, it is useful to understand what you’ll be working with.
Bay windows are made up of three windows: a large window in the center and two smaller windows on the sides, which are set at an angle, usually at a 30° or 45° angle. This makes a clear, angular projection from the outside wall and frequently adds a comfortable window seat or alcove within the room.
Bow windows consist of four or more windows that curve gently together. They are wider in surface area and allow in more natural light than bay windows and have a softer, more rounded profile. The bow window is usually found in traditional and craftsman-style homes across the DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs.
There is good news, both types of windows can be treated in the same sequence and custom sizing is the most important element to consider for a clean, finished look.
Why Standard Blinds Do Not Work for Bay and Bow Windows
Each panel of an angled bay window and a bow window needs to be measured and treated separately. One horizontal blind will leave gaps, will be crooked and will look unfinished.
Every section requires a window covering that’s the exact width at the right angle in that particular window. That’s where custom blinds and shades, such as those from BuyHomeBlinds, come in.
The Best Window Treatments for Bay and Bow Windows
1. Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters are generally recommended as the “best” choice for bay and bow windows. Their stiff louver panels are designed to be hinged and angled to fit any window configuration, and create a true added value to your home with a built-in architectural appearance.
Why they work:
- Each shutter panel is specially manufactured to fit one part of the bay or bow
- Precise light control at any angle, with Louvers tilting independently
- Easy to clean and durable; this is a very important feature in the living room, where it gets a lot of use
- They add to resale value, as shutters are considered a permanent fixture
Plantation shutters are ideal for traditional Maryland colonials, DC townhomes and Northern Virginia craftsman-style homes.
2. Cellular Shades (Honeycomb Shades)
For bay windows and bow windows, energy efficiency is the best reason for choosing cellular shades. This honeycomb-like structure also holds the air, providing a natural insulation barrier – a valuable feature in the DC region where summers can be sticky and winters can be cold.
Why they work:
- Single, double and triple cell options are available for different levels of insulation
- Cordless and top down/bottom up options keep the view while providing privacy
- Simple profile looks great in modern and transitional spaces
- Every shade is made individually to fit each panel, ensuring there are no seams from the end to the beginning of the bay or bow
3. Roman Shades
Roman shades provide an elegant look for bay and bow windows for homeowners who prefer softness and fabric texture over a hard window covering. They’re flat and folded to maintain an open window even when up.
Why they work:
- A large range of fabric choice including linen, cotton or blackout lined for bedrooms
- Each shade is sized individually per panel for a custom, designer finish
- Curtain panels frame the outside of a bay window, which allows for the layering of roman shades
- Folding easily in the formal dining room, and yet easy to use in the casual living room
4. Roller Shades
Roller shades are the Cleanest and Modernest window treatment for windows. One fabric sheet rolls up in a thin cassette at the head of each panel of the window, almost invisible when pulled up.
Why they work:
- Light filtering, solar, or blackout fabric options available
- Solar roller shades work perfectly on south and west facing windows, especially bay windows where the sun shines really hard in the afternoon, as many homes do in Maryland and Virginia
- Easy to operate multiple motorized roller shades to open or close each panel on a wide bow window from a single location
- Affordable and chic at the same time
5. Wood Blinds and Faux Wood Blinds
Bay windows can be filled with classic wood or faux wood blinds for a cozy, classic window style. The horizontal slats emphasize the verticality of each individual panel, and tiltable slats provide you with exact light control all day.
Why they work:
- Real wood blinds for the dining room or living room have warmth and character
- In kitchens or on the first floor where moisture or humidity is a concern, faux wood blinds are the preferred option
- Come in dozens of stain and paint finishes to match interior trim and cabinetry
- Individual panels fit easily within or on windows sections
Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount: Which Is Right for Your Bay or Bow Window?
Homeowners often ask this question and the answer depends on the depth of their window.
Inside mount allows each window panel to have a built-in, recessed appearance. It is ideal for most bay and bow windows as it stays contained within the window frame and showcases the architectural treatment of the window. A minimum depth of 2-3 inches in each panel’s frame is required for most treatments that are applied inside the panels.
Outside mount is used when there is not enough depth for the frame or if you want the most prominent window possible. The treatment is installed on the wall or the ceiling above it that can also cover side light gaps.
If the side panels are aligned at a substantial angle to the side in the case of bays, the size of the headrail is relevant. Adjacent panels with large headrails and valances can collide at acute angles. In tighter-angle configurations, the safest options are slim-profile treatments like cellular shades, roller shades and slim-rail wood blinds.
Choosing by Room Type
Livingroom bay window: Rome shutters or plantation shades with drapery panels on sides. Focus on light and style.
Bedroom bow window: Blackout cellular shades or blackout roller shades (per panel). Top down/bottom up to enjoy views and privacy at night.
Kitchen bay window: Roller shades or faux wood blinds that are moisture resistant. Try to keep fabric rich products away from high humidity cooking surfaces.
Home office bay window: Solar shades filter out screen glare and help to keep office windows open to enjoy the outside. The optimum openness factor is between 3% and 5%.
How to Measure Bay and Bow Windows for Blinds and Shades
The most crucial rule is: Treating each panel as separate. Ideally, no two panels should be the same width even if they look just like each other.
For each panel:
- Take measurements on the width at the top, middle and bottom (record the smallest width for inside mounts
- Record the tallest measurement for left, center, and right (for indoors mounts)
- Mark the angles where the side panels join the main panel, (30°, 45°, or 90° box bay)
- Verify the frame depth to ensure that the inside mount is possible
Buying a blind at home in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC? BuyHomeBlinds will offer free in-home consultations as well. Our crew will accurately measure each panel and determine which window treatment is best for your type of windows.
Ready to Cover Your Bay or Bow Windows the Right Way?
Bay windows and bow windows should be handled as if they are as architecturally beautiful as they are, and not shoved into a standard blind which is forcing its shape into a mold. From the sleek and elegant plantation shutters to the energy-efficient cellular shades, or the contemporary simplicity of motorized roller shades, BuyHomeBlinds can create a custom solution that fits each and every panel perfectly.
Free in-home consultations, measurement and installation for homeowners throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bay and Bow Window Treatments
Can you put blinds on a curved bow window?
Yes – but each section of the bow is to be a single window. Individual blinds/shades are used for each panel due to the angle of each panel. While there are no treatments designed to curve around the arc of the bow, if each piece is “cut to fit,” it appears like a natural, intentional arc.
What is the easiest window treatment to install on a bay window?
For bay windows, you can have ease of installation with roller shades and cell shades as they have slim headrails and won’t have interference at the acute angles of the bays. With the motorized models, there is no need for someone to stretch across a long window seat to move all the shades.
Are plantation shutters worth it for bay windows?
Yes, for most homeowners. Closet shutters for plantations are custom-made by the panel, fade and warping free for decades, and are also thought about as a permanent part of the house that can increase the resale value. Although the initial investment is greater than other treatments, the lasting benefits and appearance they provide make them a worthwhile “return” — especially in the DC area real estate market.
Do bay and bow windows need different treatments from each other?
Not necessarily. Shutting, cellular shades, hard Roman shades, roller shades and wood shades are all suitable as treatments for bay windows and bow windows. The biggest difference is that bow windows do not have as many panels (usually 4 or more) and allow for less headrail clearance than sharply finished bay windows.
Can I use a single curtain rod across my entire bay window?
For the drapery panels, a bay curtain rod in the shape of a curve or angle can be used. This method is best used as an accent layer above single panel shades or blinds, and not as a complete window covering. It is hard to control privacy and light at each pane when using drapery on a single bay.
How much do custom window treatments for bay windows cost?
Depending on treatment type and number of panels, costs will differ. Generally speaking: the most affordable custom shade is cellular and roller shades, the middle-priced custom shades are wood blinds, and plantation shades are the high end. For a no-cost look in your home, take a complimentary sample and complimentary consultation with BuyHomeBlinds.