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Window Treatment for Arched Window

18 years ago

We are building a new home which has three very large (84x84) windows with an arch at the top. I would like to use blinds but there is nothing between the arch and the window on which to attach the blind. Because the window is so big, blinds probably need support. Any ideas about what I can do to treat the windows? I don't really want to use drapes because they will cover the beautiful arch from the inside.

Comments (4)

sallymo2015
18 years ago
If the drapery rod is mounted above the arch and given enough room on the sides of the window for "stack-back", you will see the window just fine when the drapes are open. When they are closed you won't, but I'm not sure what else you can do. You will most likely want some fabric treatment at some point, unless you have a more contemporary look.

Those are really huge windows, so whatever you choose will be costly.
dogitnice
18 years ago
I lived in the middle east where arched windows are the norm and the solutions never obscured the shape. The best answers are custom 'Shutters' that are made to fit the shape. They can be wood, metal or a frame with translucent/transparent fabric. Whatever your taste, whatever you do, don't obscure the beautiful shape of the arch. That is something I missed back here.

Good luck,
Dogitnice
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I've done a lot of research on this. We have two angled windows and an arched window on the second story of our 2 story great room. It was a nightmare trying to find something to cover those windows. There are many options for arched and angled windows, but it will depend on how much you want to spend. Many manufacturers offer blinds and shutters for shaped windows. Shutter may be your easiest bet. Hunter Douglas, and other manufacturers, offer shutters, horizontals, verticals, and romans, all for arched or angled windows. But there may be limitations on the functionality of the blind. We had trouble because we wanted to be able to open and shut the second story blinds, so we wanted to get remote controlled blinds. But none of the retailers we visited offered any solution aside from installing a stationary blind, because of the arch and angled windows. I finally found an installer who suggested putting fabric in the arch and angle and then installing the motorized blind where the window allows for a horizontal installation. With the blinds shut. With the blinds open. It's not perfect, but it's the best solution we found.
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I would put a simple window film on the arched window. It will give you enough privacy, light coming through, and cover the bad view. You can use a slightly frosted one, or maybe one that looks like seeded glass to match the style of your home. There are los of options. For the square window, you can use a woven wood shade or other blind. For interior mount, you need to measure using the larger outside frame and look for one that will work with the narrow dimension for installation. I think it would be best to mount a roman shade over the window at the ceiling. Then you get the most light while the shade is up and don't have to drill into the beautiful wood frame. You could also mount a rod above the window and use a simple linen drape on each side to pull closed when you want privacy.
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I would get no grid windows. It will help everything. Doing window treatments on arched windows will be expensive and tricky. Since they have to replace just get straight windows. They will have to fix framing but not a big deal. BUT watch the reinstall. Each window has to be redone for leak protection for every one of these windows and that is a nightmare to fix later.
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Hi, Maureen! We have arched windows in our home, and have wood plantation shutters on all but 4 of them. We love them! We have them on our double hung windows as well. We live in the southern USA and the shutters help tremendously with heat gain/loss. They are expensive, but they last a very long time. We've had ours over 30 years now and they still look terrific. Our house is very traditional, though, and yours may be a different style. Personally, I would leave the upper dormer window alone and treat only the bedside window. I would suggest you not divide the top of the arched window from the bottom. They are lovely, and you want to maintain continuity, not "chop up" the look. That window could have a pair of arched shutters that open in the middle and can lay flat against the wall on either side. That would be a very clean, classy look. Alternatively, you could make a roman shade for that window. Mount it so that when raised it clears the arch completely. The bottom of the shade could be fashioned so that it outlines the top of the arch or it could be straight across. I wouldn't worry too much about the guest situation. You'll want the light to be optimum for your projects and, as you said, eye shades are an option! Make up a sweet basket of goodies for your visitors and include eye shades. Best wishes for a happy solution!
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alex2004
18 years ago
I agree with sallymo that fabric treatment probably would be the best choice for you. Mounting blinds above the arch would not look good. Blinds are good for light control and insulation. But they don't look as nice as fabric treatment. If these windows are not in your bedroom, you don't have to worry too much about covering them up with blinds. Ceiling to floor curtains look formal and can also provide light control and insulation when you close them. I have arched windows in my living room and dinning room. I have a layer of sheer fabric inside my curtains and I leave the sheer closed all the time for privacy and keep the heavy weight curtains open. If you want to mount the blinds above the arch, you need to cover the blinds with some top treatment at least.
sakismom
18 years ago
I put stained glass in my arched window over my front door and I will be putting it in the 2 windows that are on either side of the fireplace, I have one more fully arched window in the family room that I am leaving alone, I'm looking at putting some sort of UV protection on it.

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