No Window Too Funky: Window Treatments That Think Outside the Rectangle
Some of the most beautiful windows are also the most challenging to cover. Dramatic arches, charming eyebrow windows, soaring gable ends, and unusual angles can add incredible character to a home. In fact, they might be some of the very features that made you fall in love with your home in the first place.
But when the afternoon sun starts pouring in, the glare becomes unbearable, or privacy becomes a concern, those gorgeous architectural details can leave you wondering if your only option is a sheet of plywood and a sternly worded letter to your architect.
Fortunately, it doesn't have to come to that.
Window treatments have come a long way, and the possibilities extend well beyond the traditional rectangle. At Monadnock Shutter & Shade, we utilize an extensive selection of specialty products designed for everything from gentle curves and half-moon arches to sharp angles, pentagons, triangles, and entire walls of glass that follow the pitch of a roof. And perhaps most excitingly, some of these treatments can actually open, close, and even operate automatically.
Take arched windows, for example. For years, covering that beautiful curve often meant installing a permanently fixed shade or placing a rectangular treatment over the entire opening. Today, operable cellular arches can move across the curved portion of the window, allowing homeowners to enjoy natural light and an unobstructed view when the shade is open, then close it for privacy or relief from direct sunlight. Some designs operate manually, while motorized options can be controlled by remote, smartphone, or automated schedules.
Cellular shades are particularly well suited to these applications because their honeycomb construction creates insulating air pockets that help reduce heat transfer through the glass. That can be especially beneficial for large architectural windows, where substantial amounts of sunlight and heat enter a room. With different fabric opacities available, homeowners can choose to gently diffuse incoming light or achieve greater room darkening and privacy.
Angled and gabled windows have some equally impressive options. One of our favorites is a specialized bottom-up shading system designed for windows with sloping tops. Rather than lowering a conventional rectangular shade over the entire opening, the fabric rises from the bottom of the window, following the angle of the glass as it travels upward. A flexible leading edge and discreet tension cables keep the fabric properly aligned throughout operation, allowing the shade to retract neatly when it's not needed.
These systems can accommodate slopes of up to 45 degrees in compatible configurations, with a variety of fabrics offering different levels of solar control, glare reduction, UV protection, and privacy. A solar screen fabric, for example, can help tame harsh sunlight while maintaining some visibility outdoors. For homeowners with expansive gable-end windows overlooking a beautiful view, that's a significant advantage over permanently blocking the glass.
Better yet, select systems are available with rechargeable battery-powered motors, eliminating the need to run electrical wiring to the window. Compatible smart controls can also allow shades to operate on schedules, making it easier to manage changing sunlight throughout the day without constantly adjusting them yourself. For hard-to-reach openings, extension cables can be run discreetly to make charging a breeze.
Of course, not every window is a graceful arch or a perfectly symmetrical triangle. Pentagons, trapezoids, narrow angled sections, and windows with particularly unusual proportions may call for a different approach. Custom-shaped shutters, cellular shades, and fixed fabric panels can be manufactured to follow the contours of these openings, offering solutions for light filtering, privacy, insulation, and room darkening.
Shutters can be especially attractive when the goal is to preserve architectural character, with custom frames that complement the window's shape and adjustable louvers in suitable configurations. Stationary cellular treatments are another practical choice, particularly for upper window sections that receive excessive sunlight but don't necessarily need to be uncovered regularly.
And there's no rule that says every section of a window needs the same treatment. Combining fixed and operable shades can often provide the best of both worlds. A stationary shade in an unusually shaped upper section might be paired with a motorized cellular or roller shade below, creating a coordinated appearance while preserving convenient light and privacy control where it's most useful.
For particularly large or difficult-to-reach windows, automation can be a game changer. Imagine enjoying the morning sunlight through your vaulted living room windows, then having the shades adjust automatically before the afternoon glare takes over. Depending on the system, operation may be as simple as pressing a remote, opening an app, or programming a daily schedule. No ladders, awkward extension poles, or complicated routines required.
Naturally, there are limitations. Not every funky shape can accommodate an operable treatment, and motorization depends on factors like dimensions, angles, mounting space, and the particular product; Rather than trying to make one product work for every application, we consider the architecture, the way sunlight enters the room, how much privacy is needed, and whether the treatment should be stationary, manually operated, or automated.
At Monadnock Shutter & Shade, we work with fabricators offering an impressive range of custom-shaped window treatments, including innovative solutions that many homeowners don't even realize exist. Our job is to navigate those possibilities and find something that looks like it belongs on your windows while making your home more comfortable and functional. Send us a photo, stop by our Keene showroom, or schedule an always-free in-home consultation. Let's see what we can do with those beautiful, wonderfully unusual windows. And hopefully, save you from having to write that letter to your architect.
