3 Best Ways to Cover Triangular or Arched Windows
- Triangular and arched windows have no standard size, so blinds and shades for them are typically custom made, which drives the cost up.
- Custom interior blinds for arched or triangular windows can match existing interior shades but are usually very expensive and often permanently cover the window.
- Painting the glass of an arched or triangular window blocks light and heat for the price of a can of paint, but it is permanent and hard to remove.
- A non-fray exterior shade mesh can be cut to shape on site with sharp scissors, no hemming needed, which is why it fits odd-shaped windows.
- The US Department of Energy concluded exterior blinds and shades are up to seven times more effective at stopping heat entering a home than interior blinds or window tinting.
Putting blinds or shades on triangular-shaped windows or arched windows can be expensive and difficult to do. Most typical blinds or shading products are designed to work with square or rectangular windows. Triangle-shaped windows are usually found on A-frame style homes, while rounded or curved arched windows (cathedral windows) are more common. With both triangular or arched windows, a shading or blind product is typically custom made, as there really is no common size for these windows.
Here are the 3 best ways to cover triangle or arched windows.
1. Custom Interior Blinds for Triangular or Curved Windows
There are many interior blind companies that will custom make an interior blind for arched or triangular windows. The benefit of these types of window shades is that you can have them match the rest of your interior shades. Because they have to be custom-made for your specific window, they are usually very expensive. Many times these interior blinds are made to permanently cover the window and usually do not open to let in light or see the view. Another downside to interior blinds versus exterior shading produce is that interior blinds are up to 7 times less effective at stopping heat than exterior shades. The main reason for this is because the interior blinds stop the heat on the inside of the window after the heat has already gotten into the house.
2. Painting Over the Triangular or Arched Window.
This solution is as simple as it gets.
Block the light, you will block the heat. Painting the glass of the window will stop light from getting through and will result in reducing the light and heat all for the cost of a can of paint.
The main drawback with painting your window glass is that it is a fairly permanent fix. Scraping paint off is time-consuming and you will most likely end up with scratches on the surface of the glass.
Be sure to first prime the window glass with a product like Zinnser Bullseye Primer
3. EZ Snap® Exterior Shading System.
The EZ Snap system is not only the least expensive option, but it has the added benefit of retaining your view. The EZ Snap shading mesh is an optical grade and so you are able to clearly see through them with a clear and undistorted view.
The EZ Snap sunscreens block up to 90% of the sun’s heating rays while letting in 10% of the full-spectrum sunlight. This is great for plants that need some diffused light and it also provides sufficient ambient light in the room.
The magic that makes this such a great option for these odd-shaped windows is the fact that the EZ Snap heat blocking mesh is a non-fray material. This feature is what allows you custom size and shape the shades on-site for a perfect fit every time. The patented EZ Snap system features this special encapsulated weave that can be easily cut with a sharp pair of scissors without the need for hemming the edges.
Whichever method you choose to cover your odd-shaped windows remember that the US Department of Energy concluded that exterior blinds and shades are up to seven times more effective at stopping heat from entering the home than interior blinds or window tinting.
Common questions
How do you cover a triangular or arched window?
There are three main options: custom interior blinds, painting over the glass, or an exterior shading system. Most standard blinds are built for square or rectangular windows, so triangular and arched shapes usually require a custom or cut-to-fit solution. The three approaches differ sharply in cost, whether you keep your view, and how well they block heat.
Why are shades for arched or triangular windows so expensive?
Because there is no common size for these windows, most shading and blind products have to be custom made for your specific opening. Custom interior blinds for arched or triangular windows are usually very expensive for that reason, and many are built to permanently cover the window without opening for light or a view.
Are interior or exterior shades better for odd-shaped windows?
Exterior shades are far more effective at controlling heat. The US Department of Energy concluded that exterior blinds and shades are up to seven times more effective at stopping heat from entering the home than interior blinds or window tinting. Interior blinds only stop heat after it has already passed through the glass and entered the house.
Can I get a shade to fit a custom window shape without custom manufacturing?
Yes, an exterior shading mesh can be custom sized and shaped on-site for a perfect fit. The patented encapsulated weave is a non-fray material, so you can cut it to any triangle or arch with a sharp pair of scissors and no hemming. That is what makes it practical for odd-shaped windows that have no standard size.
Do exterior shades block your view of a triangular window?
No, the shading mesh is optical grade, so you keep a clear and undistorted view looking out. It blocks up to 90% of the sun's heating rays while letting in about 10% of the full-spectrum sunlight, which gives plants diffused light and keeps enough ambient light in the room.
What is the cheapest way to shade an arched window?
Painting the glass is the lowest-cost fix, but an exterior shading system is the least expensive option that still keeps your view and light. Painting blocks light and heat for the price of a can of paint, but it is fairly permanent, hard to scrape off, and tends to scratch the glass. An exterior shade avoids all of that.
