Arched windows in the main bedroom

Buying Your Blinds

Arched windows in the main bedroom

When shopping for a new home, customers are often looking for those features that offer the “wow factor”. You probably have a wish list for your dream home. That list might include a farm sink or island in the kitchen or dedicated laundry upstairs. A real eye-catcher for many home shoppers is the arch-topped window. Personally, I always thought arches add a great deal of character to a room.

I was doing an estimate for a new renovation. The main bedroom had 3 arched windows on an east-facing wall. The customers were clearly in love with them and indicated that the arches had been a significant selling point. What they did not know was that the options for covering this type of opening are limited and expensive. What about covering only the rectangular section to preserve the beauty of the arch? This approach works well in a living area but not so much in your bedroom when the sun wakes you up at 6 on a weekend morning. This was a real concern for those east-facing windows.

If you are planning new construction or a major renovation, you will want to consider the reality of living with your choices. Investigate the covering options, their functionality and expense before you commit to including arched or other specialty shaped windows in your building plans.

Window Treatment Descriptions

Horizontal Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running left-to-right or parallel to the horizon. Also known as Venetian blinds. Sub-categories includes Wood, Faux Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum(mini, micro).

Vertical Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running top-to-bottom or perpendicular to the horizon.

Shadings – These are hybrid roller shades with internal, tilting fabric louvers. Originally released as the Hunter Douglas Silhouette but now available from many brands.

Banded Shades – Also known as Zebra shades. They are rollers with alternating strips of varying opacity which can overlap for full privacy.

Vertical Sheers – A hybrid of a traditional vertical blind and sheer drapery.

Roller Shades – A traditional product familiar to many as a cheap vinyl covering from a home center or hardware store but custom rollers are available in a dizzying array of fabrics.

Solar Shades – A sub-category of roller shade featuring ‘screen’ like fabric of varying transparency expressed as a percentage ‘openness factor’.

Pleated Shades – A simple, traditional fabric shade formed by creasing fabric in increments from 3/4″ – 2″. The predecessor of the cellular shade.

Cellular (Cell) Shades – Also known as honeycomb and accordion shade. Based on pleated shades but have two or more layers creating a thermal barrier which is an effective insulator. Popular with a ‘top-down/bottom-up’ feature which provides direct light while maintaining partial privacy.

Vertical Cellular – A cell shade with cells (pleat lines) running top to bottom. Ideal alternative to vertical blinds for sliding patio doors.

Roman Shades – A decorative traditional fabric shade available in several styles.

Austrian Shades – A traditional fabric shade typically made with sheer fabrics. Privacy comes through the ‘gathering’ effect. They are not particularly practical but are valued for the decorative street view they provide.

Woven Wood – A rustic sub-category of Roman shade available in natural wood and grass woven materials.

Louver Drape – Another sliding door option, these are generally woven wood shades with a drape-like appearance drawing side-to-side.

Panel Track – Also known as a sliding panel. Typically used for sliding patio doors, these feature 2 or more fabric, solar or woven wood panels which stack in parallel, one over another. Great companion to matching roller, solar or woven shades. A clean, modern look but partially obstructs the view outside.