Arched and shaped windows and doors, swept sightlines and curved bars – timber sliding sash and casement windows can be crafted in different ways with many shaped and angled options. Read on to find out more about ‘all things shaped’ with timber windows and doors.
Windows
What are arched windows?
Arched or custom curved windows can be created with a frame and glass arched at the top with a rectangular bottom to fit into an arched reveal. Arched windows are a common feature in churches, Victorian townhouses, Georgian-style buildings and barn conversions. Patchett Joinery have nearly 200 years of experience in manufacturing premium quality windows, our arched windows are handmade to keep the original look of windows in many historic buildings.
Aside from true arched windows, there are other ways of creating a curved window effect without the window frame and glass being curved:
Square frame swept sightline
The window frame and glass are square with shaped beading applied to the sightline to give a curved appearance to the window.
Shaped outer lining / cambered head
Square sliding sash windows with a shaped outer lining or cambered head applied to the top. This is a different way of filling an arched reveal with square-shaped windows. Cambered heads can be manufactured on sliding sash windows and both side-hung and top-hung casement windows.
Shaped windows
Windows can be crafted into various shapes to create a decorative look. This is particularly popular on Gothic-style buildings. Gothic style architecture dates from the mid-12th century to the 16th century and is characterised by stained glass windows, flying buttresses, arched shapes and cavernous spaces. Windows in the Gothic style tend to be arched with a sharp point rather than a smooth curve or intricately shaped.
Shaped replacement windows can also be manufactured to other shapes such as oval or with an angled frame and angled sightline. Patchett Joinery replacement-shaped windows are made to measure to your specifications.
Bullseye or circular
Bullseye, circular, oeil-de-boeuf, ox-eye or round windows are completely spherical and can be made to open with a centre pivoting sash or left without an opening. Bullseye windows are traditionally small and are a great way of letting in natural light. They originated in grand baroque French architecture but are a feature of Georgian architecture in England.
Shaped bars
Aside from shaped window frames, curves and decorative shapes can also be added to windows and doors to create individuality. A combination of curved and shaped bars are often used in large and small curved windows to enhance the curved shape. This is a common style in grand Georgian manor and farmhouses. You may also be able to spot this type of arched window in the Patchett Joinery logo!
Semi-circular sunburst window
Curved glass
Curved glass can be used to create a bowed effect on casement and bow bay windows. Segmented bow bay windows have multiple windows aligned to create a curved shape whereas curved glass is completely, well, curved! This type of glass is manufactured using heat from one of our specialist suppliers. The extra time and care used to create this type of glass creates a striking and individual look.
As with all of our windows, curved glass windows can also be manufactured using Low E glass. Low E or Low Emissivity glass is a type of glass with a barely visible coating that reduces thermal transfer, keeping heat in the room. This reduces energy consumption resulting in lower energy bills.
Doors
It’s not just windows that can be created shaped or curved – aside from an arched shape, doors can also be manufactured with shaped or arched fanlights and shaped decorative bars.
Arched doors
Timber arched doors can be crafted to fit in an arched or square wall reveal. There are two ways of creating arched doors:
True arched doors are handmade with a completely curved arch frame that fits true in the reveal. This works well in large or grand entranceways.
Arched doors can also be made with a square frame and arched door leaf to create an arched door look on the exterior of the property, whilst fitting into a square reveal.
Shaped fanlight entrance door
Fanlights are the glazed section of the frame above the door. They allow more natural light into the property and are often decorative. Fanlights can be made square, arched or shaped to fit the reveal.
Sunburst fanlight
Gothic style door
The Patchett Joinery Gothic style door is characterised by a glass panel with intersecting shaped bars and heavy bolection panels. This creates a classic look and complements the architecture in many historic buildings.
As you can see there are many different options and ways of adding shapes, curves and individuality to your timber windows and doors. We can work with you to create a bespoke solution that replicates original detail of arched, curved or shaped windows and doors in historic homes.
