Unusually-Shaped Windows – and Why Shutters are the Ideal Covering
Windows haven't always been square or rectangular. They can come in some very unusual shapes and sizes, with one or two of the reasons for their design being as unusual as the windows themselves.
Here the Bespoke Shutter Company, who fit made to measure shutters in Essex, Hertfordshire and London outline some of the key reasons why windows aren’t always square or rectangular, and why we can fit shutters to virtually any shape of window.
To Bring in More Light
Some homes are too narrow to fit a pane of glass on either side of the front door. This lack of light led to the practice of putting arched windows above the door itself.
In the same way, some houses have sharply slanted roofs, which make a conventional square or rectangle look odd, and a raked frame or a triangular shape much more appropriate. This type of window is particularly useful if you have converted your loft or attic into a living space.
For Military Reasons
Portholes or round windows on ships were originally developed as a way of firing guns from both the port and starboard sides of a vessel. The gaps were covered when not in combat by doors which were known as portes in French, giving rise to the name.
In peacetime, the window shape has been retained but they have been covered with glass instead. Round windows have fewer structural weaknesses than square or rectangular ones, which is important because of all the pitching and rolling at sea, and their potential exposure to extreme weather. (Aircraft passenger windows are usually of a similar shape because of the need for structural strength – although here the issue is one of air pressure rather than water).
As a Reflection of the Architecture of the Time
Although arched apertures in houses date back to Roman times, it wasn’t until much later that glass was used as a covering, for the simple reason that it was too expensive. The Gothic period from the mid-12th to the 16th centuries was when arched and circular windows became popular; they created a greater impression of height, which was important in the narrow buildings of the time.
There was a revival of this style in the UK in the 19th century. So this unusual shaped style of window could be a way of effectively ‘dating’ a home.
Local Custom and Practice
Some American farmhouses (particularly in the north-eastern state of Vermont) have a ‘witch window’ or ‘coffin window’ which is installed in the gable end wall of a house. Its key feature is that it is installed at a 45-degree angle.
There are two local legends about the reason for this. One is that they were installed like this so witches could not fly through them; the other believe it was so coffins could be lifted through them. However, it’s more likely that it was the easiest way to add a window when adding an extension or outbuilding which wasn’t flush with the existing property.
As a Decorative Feature
Sometimes architects or builders add an unusual window (at the behest of the owner) as a decorative feature. For instance, circles, ovals or octagons can be found in many more modern homes. This is particularly true in the tops of gables or in alcoves.
There may sometimes be no practical reason for their installation, but they certainly have the potential to add some 'kerb appeal’ to the property because they will make it stand out and add some value to it.
Why Shutters Make Ideal Coverings
You don’t lose any of the quirkiness or stylishness by putting shutters in. If anything, they will emphasise the original feature. And sometimes it's just not practical or aesthetically pleasing to fit curtains to some unusually shaped windows.
You don’t need to lose any light or air either. You can simply adjust the angle of the louvre (with the windows open) if you want to let more air in, or keep the shutters open wide (particularly in summer).
You also have designs (for example, café-style or tier-on-tier) which can be split into sections so you can have one part open and the other closed. If you want complete privacy, you can keep the shutters and their louvres closed, or opt for solid shutters.
Made to Measure Shutters from The Bespoke Shutter Company
At The Bespoke Shutter Company, we have yet to find a window shape that we can’t fit a shutter to. Octagonal shaped shutters, round and oval shutters – we have fitted them all.
Our made to measure shutters, which we design and install for homes and businesses in Essex, Hertfordshire and London, are of a uniformly high quality. If you would like to know more, follow this link and fill in the online form or call us directly on 020 3131 3155.
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