Angled and Arched Windows

Aside from the aesthetics, there are a number of benefits to triangular angles in windows. An increasing number of homes are utilising what would otherwise have been loft space. By using triangular windows, light can reach this space, making it feel more spacious and open.

Most commonly, these spaces are converted into top-floor bedrooms and use dormer windows to create the illusion of increased head space. However, the opposing gable ends are often left blocked up. Amongst other reasons, this is partly due to it being fairly pointless trying to insert a rectangular window in a triangular space – there just isn’t any room. But create a triangular unit that matches the roofline, and almost the entire gable end could feasibly be opened up and provide a huge amount of light and ventilation to that new room.

It is becoming more common to open the loft space to the floor below. The newly high ceilings can create the illusion of the room being a much larger space. However, this comes with the same problem of trying to fit a ‘normal’ square window to allow for more light to enter. This is another instance where a triangular window can work perfectly in a home.

Arched windows exist through tradition. Builders thousands of years ago used archways around windows as a convenient solution to avoid pressure being put on the glass. Nowadays, we have lintels to support the bricks above but many traditional houses choose to keep this detail.

A separate arched head section : This involves adding in a curved section of timber above the main body of the rectangular window. By doing this, you can fill in the arched section of the window without the expense of fitting glass into this area.

A fully arched window: When the actual window is curved, the outer frame and opening casement must match the curve of the glass. This is a highly complicated and expensive process as every measurement has to be precise to the window.

Can Angled or Shaped Windows be Openable?

Yes, some angled or shaped windows can be openable but this is highly dependent on how you decide to hinge it. All these shaped and angled windows will be side-hinged as you cannot place a hinge on a curve or angle.

The hardest window to figure out how to open is a circular window. If it was to have a hinge, then it could not have more than one because it would be trying to pivot on two completely different angles. Modern windows are fairly heavy so trying to support that weight on one hinge may be unrealistic.

Building a proper window in an abnormal shape comes with the complexity of many different items trying to match that abnormal shape. For example, on our Danish composite products: the glass, the outer frame’s timber, polyamide and aluminium; and the opening casement’s timber, polyamide and aluminium must all line up correctly. Complexity means cost. So only needing to manufacture the glass can be beneficial.