Philadelphia Specialty Window Treatment Guide
Each Philadelphia home is unique, every one with its own charm and individual needs. Likewise, all the windows in your Philadelphia home are different too. Their size, shape, the direction they face and more will differ and influence the style of window treatment complements them best.
But more than any other factor, the style of window is typically the most important for choosing your ideal window treatment. Below are our team’s picks for window treatments to fit the specialty window types found in Philadelphia homes.
Window Treatments for Sidelight Windows
Sidelights are the tall, thin windows found on either side of the front door in many homes. Picking a great window treatment for sidelight windows is particularly important for a few reasons. One, sidelights are a focal point of your house, as most people's gaze is naturally drawn to the front door when looking at a house. Two, people–from the mail carrier to guests to traveling salesmen–are going to see them up close, which means that a sidelight window treatment that much more important to make sure you keep your privacy.
What we recommend for sidelight window treatments: Plantation shutters. Shutters don’t just offer your home classy looks and unmatched privacy, but they’re also the easiest window treatment to get customized for long, thin sidelight windows.
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Window Treatments for French Doors
What we recommend for French door window treatments: Plantation shutters. Since they’re installed directly onto the window and are incredibly resilient, shutters are the perfect window treatment for French doors. Their timeless looks and energy-efficiency are also bonuses for your French door.
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Window Treatments for Octagonal Windows
Octagonal windows are some of the most interesting and visually striking windows there are in Philadelphia homes. With their special shape, you would be careless to obscure them with a square window treatment like blinds or curtains. Rather, choose a window treatment that can be custom-fit to the window’s unique shape so you’re always able to reap the benefits of your octagon window.
What we recommend for octagonal window treatments: Plantation shutters or window film. Shutters are built to fit seamlessly in an octagonal window frame, keeping its unique shape and appeal. Similarly, window film applies directly to the glass, keeping the awesome shape of your octagon window on full display.
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Wide Window Treatments
What we recommend for wide window treatments: Panel tracks, roller shades or plantation shutters. Roller shades are easy to operate, and their muted look works great with wider windows. A panel track is a kind of shade with large panels of fabric that slide on a track that are perfect for wide windows. Plantation shutters can give you a bit better privacy and energy efficiency compared to shades, so if maintaining a consistent temperature is a priority, shutters might be your best bet.
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Rake & Angled Window Treatments
Rake or angled windows are popping up a lot more in modern home design. The issue with rake window treatments, similar to octagon windows, is getting one that matches your window’s unique geometry. Keep in mind as well that many angled windows are in spots that are harder to reach, like where the ceiling meets the wall at a corner, so a window treatment that doesn’t have to open and shut often is often best for angled windows.
What we recommend for angled and rake windows: Plantation shutters. In addition to being completely customizable to fit the precise angles and shape of your rake windows, but plantation shutters can usually be set at a single, perfect angle so you won’t need to readjust them - perfect for windows in hard to reach places.
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Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors
Similar to french doors, the window treatment you pick for your sliding glass door should let you open and shut the door without any hassle whatsoever. Moreover, a sliding glass door treatment should be sturdy and able to withstand all the action a sliding door sees. Lastly, sliding glass doors are one of the least energy-efficient windows, since they not only let energy transfer through the glass but through the door opening as well. A window treatment that can block energy transfer should also be a top priority for sliding glass doors.
What we recommend for sliding glass doors: Panel tracks or plantation shutters. Either one can make opening a shutting a sliding door easy. Panel tracks also give you an array of patterns and textures to pick from, freeing up your options and giving you the ability to take your designs anywhere. Plantation shutters are available in numerous configurations to fit any sliding glass door, and are more energy-efficient than any other window covering available.
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Bay Window Treatments
Bay windows can’t be missed. The tall panes, convex layout, and broad view you get from bay windows are distinct from other windows, so they need some special consideration when deciding on a window treatment. Philadelphia homeowners should consider window treatments that enhance a bay window’s attention-grabbing geometry, protect your privacy, and look elegant in your family room or living room. Luckily, there are a couple of window treatments that can do all of these.
What we recommend for bay windows: Cellular shades, Roman shades, or plantation shutters. Both roman and cellular shades function well with bay windows as each shade covers an individual pane, offering some flexibility in how much window area you need to cover. Likewise, plantation shutters are installed on each separate pane on bay windows, but can still give you even more freedom in window coverage with adjustable louvers.
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Window Treatments for Tall & High Ceiling Windows
Regardless of their shape or style, windows that are positioned close to your ceiling can be a hassle to put window treatments on. Typically, the tops of the windows are beyond your reach, and breaking out a stepladder every day can be a hassle. So Philadelphia homeowners with taller windows might want to opt for a window treatment that you can either keep in a fixed position, or open and close from far away. It would be a bonus if that window treatment could also effectively block light from coming in.
What we recommend for tall & high ceiling windows: Motorized shades or plantation shutters. Motorized shades can operate with the easy push of a button, eliminating any hassle whatsoever. Alternatively, with plantation shutters most homeowners choose to position the louvers in a single perfect position, and seldom, if ever adjust the louvers afterward. Both window treatments solve the biggest challenge of tall windows!
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Eyebrow Window Treatments
What we recommend for eyebrow windows: Plantation shutters. Basically any other window treatment has serious drawbacks when paired with eyebrow windows. Shades, blinds, and drapes mask the unique shape and a long window treatment can cover the negative space between the eyebrow window and the square window underneath it. Because shutters are able to be custom-made to perfectly fit in your eyebrow window frame, they’re definitely the best option for this unique window type.
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Window Treatments for Casement Windows
What we recommend for casement windows: Plantation shutters or shades. Plantation shutters can be customized with a cut-out to make room for the crank or lever–which lets you open and shut your window effortlessly. Both Roman and cellular shades will also work well on casement windows, although you might have to work around the fabric when you want to open or shut it.
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Find More Philadelphia Window Treatment Tips
There’s more to think about than just the window style when searching for window treatments in Philadelphia. Take a peek at our choices for window treatments for each room in your house with Sunburst’s Ultimate Room Guide, or get some in-person recommendations by scheduling a free in-home consultation by calling 215-874-4897 now.
