Ideas for my trapezoid (angled) windows?

Ideas for my trapezoid (angled) windows?

by Amy Alexander
(Newbury Park, CA)

Trapezoid cathedral windows

Greetings, and thanks so much for your offer of help!

My angled windows are quite different from the angled windows that I've seen other people ask you about, so I'd like to show you mine and see what you think.

I've looked into having custom vertical blinds or custom honeycomb blinds installed, but that's very expensive (honeycomb not as bad as vertical, but still more than I'd like to spend). I'd like to keep the cost down to a few hundred dollars if possible. Any ideas?

Is there something I could do myself to keep the cost down? I'm open to either a solution that just covers the angled windows or covers both the angled windows and the patio doors below them. (Right now, there are horizontal blinds mounted above the patio doors.) I'd like to keep as much of the view through the angled windows as possible, since there are hills behind my house that you can see through those windows.

So I'd like a window treatment that I can pull back fully out of the way, not one that will leave slats or anything across the windows. The reason why I'm considering window treatments at all is because of privacy - my house is below the street behind it, so people can look right in the windows despite how high they are!

What I'm working with: there's about one foot of space between the tops of the windows and the ceiling, 21 inches between the right side and the place where the wall juts out, and 14.5 inches between the left side and the wall.

Thank you very much in advance for your help!

Hi Amy

The only thing I can think of to give you privacy. With your budget for these large windows is window film. This would allow you to look out but no one else to look in.

You can get rolls of this and do the job yourself. You would need to wet your widows then apply the film. You then need to smooth the film out to get rid of any are bubbles. Once dry the film sticks to the glass.

This will give you your privacy and won't clutter your window up either. I hope the idea appeals to you.

Take a look at what's available here Window Film

Regards

Lee

Comments for
Ideas for my trapezoid (angled) windows?

Click here to add your own comments

May 24, 2009

Debbie - thanks for comment
by: Amy

Hi Debbie,

Thank you for pointing me to the www.the-window-treatment-expert.com website, and for bringing it to my attention that some shades only go up to the bottom of the angle while others can manage the angle and go all the way to the top of the window. I've inquired at the website about their cellular shades that pull fully up to the top of the window, and hope that this will be the solution I'm looking for.

Much appreciated!

Thanks & cheers,
Amy

May 20, 2009

Trapezoid Window Shades
by: Debbie

You can get cellular shades that pull up to the angled slope of your window exposing your full view when open and of course provides privacy when closed.

Please be aware that not all cellular shades will open till the top so you should make sure that the one you are getting is the right one.

You can read more about and purchase this cellular shade through: www.the-window-treatment-expert.com

May 10, 2009

window films
by: Amy

The window films are definitely a low-cost, DIY solution to my problem. But from what I can tell from researching window films, including mirrored and neutral, they don't offer any privacy at night. If any lights are on inside at night, people can see in just as well as they could without the film applied. I'm looking for a solution that will enable me to have the view when I want it and have privacy when I want it, and privacy is more of a concern at night than during the day. This is because of the fact that it is easier for people to see inside when the interior of the house is lit and outside is dark, than when the interior is unlit and it is bright outside.

One option with the film would be to get film that makes the view through the windows very dark in both directions. But that would defeat my goal of maintaining the beautiful view of the hills from inside.

It looks like my objectives force me to seek a different solution, would you agree?

Hi Amy

If the window film is not going to do the job you want. Then custom curtains or blinds are your only option.

As you have probably found because of the sheer size of your windows. This option will not be cheap, So if you go down this route make sure you like what you choose. you will have to live with it for a long time.

Regards

Lee

X Close Editor

May 10, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Amy

Title

Comment
The window films are definitely a low-cost, DIY solution to my problem. But from what I can tell from researching window films, including mirrored and neutral, they don't offer any privacy at night. If any lights are on inside at night, people can see in just as well as they could without the film applied. I'm looking for a solution that will enable me to have the view when I want it and have privacy when I want it, and privacy is more of a concern at night than during the day. This is because of the fact that it is easier for people to see inside when the interior of the house is lit and outside is dark, than when the interior is unlit and it is bright outside. One option with the film would be to get film that makes the view through the windows very dark in both directions. But that would defeat my goal of maintaining the beautiful view of the hills from inside. It looks like my objectives force me to seek a different solution, would you agree? Hi Amy If the window film is not going to do the job you want. Then custom curtains or blinds are your only option. As you have probably found because of the sheer size of your windows. This option will not be cheap, So if you go down this route make sure you like what you choose. you will have to live with it for a long time. Regards Lee

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

May 09, 2009

Window film idea
by: Amy

Hi Lee, thanks so much for your idea. I see a number of different types of window films on the page that you pointed me to - do you mean that I should get tinted film? That seems like that would be the one that I could still see out of, but would make it hard for people to see in.

Do you or your suppliers provide samples? I imagine that there are different shades of tinted film. Thanks!

Hi Amy

I know the mirror films give total privacy. What you need to do is click through to the supplier. Then send them a message breifly explaining what you want to do with it. At the least they should offer you some advice as to the best sort of film for the job. They may also possibly have small samples they could post out to you.

If you give them your window sizes as well they may even advise on how much you will need.

Regards

Lee

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask the expert

Ask The Expert

Need an answer about that awkward window ?

Need some advice before you decide ?

Then simply click on here and ask me your question. Or simply look at what questions hundreds of others have asked.

Earn a living from the internet!

(see how I do it)

Hi I'm Lee and I write all the articles on this site.

I work on this site from home and earn a comfortable living proving that anyone with a passion or a hobby can do the same. This site proves you don't need any prior experience of the internet or website building to create your own profitable website. I knew nothing before I started this site.

In these very uncertain times it is comforting to know you can have a steady income. While having the benefit of working from home, with no more commuting.

So if you want to start building a better future and taking charge of your destiny. Then stop depending on others for your family's financial security. and find out how I am achieving financial freedom