The Specialty Window: Twelve Beautiful Ways to Think Beyond the Rectangle
By Susanne ClemenzRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
A specialty window - or two or three - creates a custom look
Drive through a neighborhood of high quality homes and observe the architectural windows. You'll see many residential window shapes including arches, octagons, and triangles. The glass may be stained, clear, or textured. Almost any home can achieve that custom look by selecting and adding a specialty window. Manufacturers such as Andersen, Alside, JenWeld, Milgard and Pella, among others, offer magnificent options. Here are some of your choices and suggested uses:
- The arched window. Use a wide rectangle below and a wide arch above. Or use three tall windows with an arch above each, or an arch that spans all three.
- Continuous glass arched windows. Unlike the above, the arch and rectangle are not divided by frames or wall space.
- The quarter-arch. Use a central rectangle with or without a full arch over it. Flank it with narrower windows topped by quarter arches no taller than the central rectangle.
- The Gothic window. Parallel sides curve up to a point at the top providing ornamental flair and interest to the architecture of a home.
- Flanking windows. These tall windows have a quarter curved circle at the top. They go on each side of a door or window.
- Circular windows. These may be high in an entry, at the end of a hallway, or in a dining room or bathroom. They may use clear or a variety of decorative or stained glasses.
- Oval windows. Frame that special view from the dining room or your indoor spa with a lovely oval.
- Octagons and hexagons. These look particularly appropriate if your home is by the ocean or a boating area.
- Triangles and peaked pentagons. Use these, possibly in combination, under a cathedral ceiling to frame views of the sky, nearby mountains, and cliffs. They're great for viewing the stars at night, too.
- Trapezoids. Sides of unequal height are pointed at one top end. Use singly or in conjunction with smaller triangles.
- Bays and bows. A bay window bumps out of a wall from the floor, while with a bow window, only the window bumps out.
- Garden window. These are often used above kitchen sinks for flowers or herbs, or in bathrooms alongside the tub deck for decorative plants, shells, candles, etc.
Other options for a specialty window
- Thermal glass windows can be double or triple pane.
- Wood, wood clad, fiberglass, vinyl clad, and aluminum clad frames are available for many of the above.
- Muntins (wood divider strips) or leading for stained glass may be options.
Hooked? Look for information online and at your local building supply store.
About The Author
Suzanne Clemenz designed her passive solar home and remodeled two others. She worked with architects and contractors on floorplans, electrical, painting, windows, flooring installations, flood prevention walls and stonework, major drainage issues, an i
