December 11, 2013

Window Treatment Wednesday: Best Choices for Bay and Bow Windows

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When it comes to windows, bay and bow windows are unique because of the way they project from your home. They make a room feel bigger, increase natural light and add an interesting visual element to your home, but they can also be a challenge when it comes to finding the “just right” window treatment.

To help us with the issue of window treatments for bays and bows we turn to Shannon Scarrella, a Minneapolis window coverings expert at Hirshfield’s. She says that it’s best for her team to talk to homeowners about their goals for a window and its specific structure before determining the best option.

“Headrail sizes play an important role in bay and bow windows,” explains Scarrella. “It’s not something that homeowners necessarily think about, but headrail sizes and degrees of angle vary and we need to take deductions to accommodate it. For example, if the headrail is too large, deductions could cut into your level of privacy, so our designers work with installers to consider the degree of the angle and determine what would fit best.”

Bay windows normally have three sections and are angled, while bow windows typically have four, five or six sections and are curved. Scarrella says that homeowners should think about this when they’re mulling over possible window coverings. “Do you want cords hanging down from each window? Are all of the windows operable? By answering some of these questions, it will help us lead to the proper products,” says Scarrella. “Honeycomb and pleated shades still seem to work best, and both are available with cordless fit systems to give the window a cleaner appearance.”

If the bay window has a 1:2:1 ratio, the center window is twice as wide as the flanking windows. Knowing the angle of the bay and the size of trim surrounding the windows will help designers make the proper recommendations. Many treatments may be mounted directly into the headboard or “ceiling” of the bay frame.

Because bow windows project less from the home and have more separate sections of glass, some homeowners prefer to mount draperies or sheers outside the window on the wall above it.

Thankfully Hirshfield’s experts have great Minneapolis window coverings advice that can help. “Every home and homeowner has different challenges,” says Scarrella, “But fortunately we have experience on our side at the Shop at Home division. Rarely do I hear ‘I haven’t seen that window before.’

Whether you have a bay, bow, or other unique window, there are numerous options for window treatments. There are many options that will work for you and your home, allowing you to maximize the benefits of your bay or bow-window.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

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I have come to rely on the staff at Hirshfield’s Design Resource for their fabulous customer service and variety of products. The service is always friendly, timely and professional.

As a designer, their advice on window treatments is forever appreciated, and they are always able to show me something new in the displays and samples. They provide quick and accurate estimates, measurements and suggestions when I am struggling with a budget. The final product and installation has been nothing but flawless on every project.

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Want to give a shout out to Madi. Madi took a pretty awful experience and made it right for us. We had ordered cordless blinds and over half of them did not work right or hang right. Madi helped us return all the blinds and reordered a new product for us which we are very happy with. Madi was persistent in helping us get the issues we experience resolved.

She is always so warm and friendly and definitely puts her customers first. Thanks Madi you are a gem! Also want to add that my overall experience with Hirshfield's in St. Cloud has been an excellent experience. They made things right and put their customers first!

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Greg is amazing! We have worked with him throughout the years on both existing homes and new builds and we could not be happier. One of the things I appreciate about Greg is that he gets us to really think about how we will use our space, not just now but in the future when the kids get older. This has honestly has saved us from making some pretty big design mistakes. Finding durable fabrics and pieces is important to us while we have a preschooler running around, yet on the other hand, our teens have a different use for the space.

He is able to make it all work together seamlessly by understanding the space and its function. He has a fresh and distinctive feel to his work and builds in a variety of styles. I HIGHLY recommend working with Greg out of the gate, you will not be sorry. I honestly don't know what we do without his help;)

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