Does a Bay Window Add Value to a Home: The Advantages and Disadvantages

One of my favorite things about Folsom are the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. I can imagine that waking up to a warm cup of coffee each morning and staring out over the beautiful landscape is a pretty 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.

I think a lot of us consider bay windows to be a sort of luxury because of the stylish statement they make in a space: The decision to install bay windows is often a financial one. But there are a lot of advantages, and a few disadvantages, to consider before making a decision based solely on the price. 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 answer is most decidedly, yes.

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

I 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 Folsom home, including:

• More natural light: It’s a no-brainer 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, 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 and Drawbacks to 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 windows.
• Difficult to find hardware: While not a deal breaker, hardware for curved and angled windows is not as common as standard straight windows. Things like curtain rods, anchors, and curtains may have to be purchased from a specialty store and can cost more, or you may not be able to find the exact colors or patterns to match the rest of your home.
• 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 a reputable window professional install your new bay window.
• Higher installation costs: If you’re replacing existing standard windows with bay windows, you are going to pay substantially more. 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. The average cost of the window, demolition, and labor will be somewhere around $2,000 on average, but will vary depending on the job. Higher efficiency windows will also cost more up front, although save you in the long run. A local window expert can walk you through finding the right fit for your home and budget.

Does a bay window add value to a home? For me, the advantages of a bay window far outweigh any disadvantages. The aesthetic value alone is worth the extra cost, especially in a place like Folsom that has such beautiful landscape and elevations from the nearby foothills. Views to the outdoors are definitely desirable for homes in this area, 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, but buyers must take care to ensure they are energy efficient and affordable.

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, but buyers must take care to ensure they are energy efficient and affordable. 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 Folsom or anywhere else throughout our diverse state of California, and increase the value—and joy—of your home.

Consider all the pros and cons of installing new bay windows in your Folsom home. Contact the experienced professionals at Bell Brothers for all the information you need about pricing, style options, proper installation, and energy efficiency.

Image courtesy Unsplash user Ariel Lustre