Types of Bay Window Blinds We Install in Ottawa
Bays project out from the wall, with panes set at angles. That geometry is why stock blinds fail: they are made for flat windows, and in a bay the headrails collide at the corners.
Angled Bay Window Blinds
The classic three-pane bay with 30, 45 or 60 degree corners. Usually one blind per pane, each sized with a corner deduction.
Bow and Curved Window Blinds
Four to six narrower panes on a gentle curve. More joints and shallower angles, so templating matters even more.
Box Bay Blinds
Square bays, often over a kitchen sink, with a front pane and two side panes at 90 degrees. Romans and cellular fit well.
Bay Window Shutters
Plantation shutters made for each pane, with frames that meet neatly at the angles. A permanent, polished look.
5 Mistakes That Leave Gaps in Bay Window Blinds
- Ordering full-width blinds for every pane. The headrails collide in the corners, so one blind ends up pushed out of line.
- Guessing the angle. A 45 degree bay and a 30 degree bay need different deductions.
- Mixing products from different owners. Different headrail depths make the set look patched together.
- Ignoring the mullions. Thin mullions between panes may not leave room for an inside mount.
- Measuring only one width per pane. Older bays settle out of square. We measure top, middle and bottom.
What Stops Ottawa Homeowners From Fixing Their Bay Window?
Price shock. A bay is three to five blinds plus templating, so it runs $450-$2,200 per bay. In our opinion, it is the most visible window in most Ottawa living rooms and the one most worth getting right.
Custom vs stock. There is no stock bay window blind. Stock means trimming flat blinds and accepting gaps or collisions.
Is motorization worth it? On a bay with five panes, being able to close them together with one button is a nice upgrade. Otherwise cordless is fine.
Delivery timeline. About 4 weeks. Curved bays with wood blinds can take 5.
How Much Do Bay Window Blinds Cost in Ottawa?
| Bay window option | Typical installed price |
|---|---|
| Three-pane bay, cellular shades | $450-$1,100 |
| Three-pane bay, wood or faux wood | $700-$1,600 |
| Box bay with roman shades | $800-$1,500 |
| Five-pane bow window | $1,100-$2,200 |
| Bay window shutters | See window shutters |
All prices CAD, per bay, itemised. See the full Ottawa rate card.
How Bay Window Blinds Are Measured and Fitted at the Angles
We start with the angle at each corner, using a laser and an angle gauge. Then we measure each pane at three widths and two heights, plus the depth available for the headrail. The corner deduction is calculated from the angle and the headrail depth so that each blind stops short of the corner by exactly the amount needed for its neighbour to clear. On install day we fit the centre pane first, then the sides, and check that the blinds raise and lower without touching. Done right, the light gap at each corner is a sliver, not a stripe.
Best Blind Types for Bay and Bow Windows
Cellular shades are the most popular: light, cordless, insulating and slim in the corners. Wood and faux wood blinds give a classic look but are heavier and need careful corner deductions because of headrail depth. Roman shades suit box bays and kitchens and add softness. Shutters are the most permanent and frame each pane beautifully, at a higher price. For bow windows with many narrow panes, cellular is usually the cleanest choice. See our cellular shades for colour and cell options.
