Shutter Styles
Special shape shutters
Not every window is a rectangle. Arched, circular, triangular, oval and porthole windows all deserve a window treatment that respects their shape. Every special shape shutter we produce is individually engineered to fit your unique window precisely.
Beyond the rectangle
Unusual window shapes are one of the things that give a building its character. An arched window above a front door. A circular porthole in a bathroom. A triangular gable end in a barn conversion. These architectural features are often the most striking element of a room, and they deserve a window treatment that enhances rather than hides them.
The challenge is that most window treatments are designed for rectangular openings. Curtains hang in straight lines. Standard blinds are made in squares and rectangles. Even many shutter companies will tell you that non-standard shapes are not possible.
We take a different approach. If a window exists, we can almost certainly design a shutter to fit it. The shape might be unusual, but the principles of precision measurement, careful design and skilled manufacture remain the same.
Over the years we have fitted shutters to windows that other companies considered impossible. Each one required its own solution, and each one proved that with the right expertise and the right manufacturing capability, there are very few shapes that cannot be accommodated.
Individually engineered using CAD
Every special shape shutter begins with detailed measurements taken at your property. Unlike standard rectangular windows, which can be measured with a tape measure and a few key dimensions, shaped windows often require dozens of individual measurements to capture every curve, angle and radius accurately.
These measurements are then used to create a precise CAD drawing of the window and the proposed shutter design. The CAD process allows us to work out exactly how the louvres will sit within the shape, where the frame will need to follow a curve, and how the panels will open and close.
For arched windows, the louvres in the curved section are typically fixed in position because the geometry does not allow them to tilt. The straight section below operates normally with adjustable louvres, giving you full control over light and privacy in the main part of the window.
This combination of fixed and operable sections is carefully designed so that the transition between them is seamless. The finished shutter looks like a single, unified piece rather than two separate elements joined together.
The shapes we work with
Arched windows are the most common special shape we encounter. These range from gentle curves at the top of an otherwise rectangular window to full semicircular arches. Each requires a frame that follows the exact curve of the window, with louvres shaped to fill the arch neatly.
Triangular windows, often found in gable ends and loft conversions, present their own design challenge. The louvres need to work within a shape that narrows to a point, and the frame must follow angled rather than curved lines. These shutters are typically fixed in place, serving as a permanent architectural feature.
Circular and oval windows, including portholes, are fitted with shutters that follow the circumference of the opening. These are usually fixed panels with louvres set at a permanent angle, providing consistent light filtering and privacy.
We also work with more unusual shapes: trapezoids, rake angles on staircases, windows with curved bases, and asymmetric arches. No two projects are quite the same, which is part of what makes special shape work so rewarding.
Barn conversions and gable ends
Barn conversions are among the most exciting projects for special shape shutters. The large, dramatic windows that characterise converted agricultural buildings often feature gable ends with apex windows that reach up into the roofline.
These windows can be enormous, sometimes spanning several metres in height and width. Dressing them with conventional window treatments is often impractical. Curtains at that scale look heavy and overpowering. Blinds struggle with the angled sections. Special shape shutters, however, can be designed to follow every angle of the gable precisely.
The shutters become an architectural feature in their own right, complementing the exposed beams, stone walls and other character elements that make barn conversions so appealing. They also solve the very practical problems of glare, heat gain and privacy that large expanses of glass can create.
Each gable end project is unique, and we approach them with the same attention to detail whether the window is two metres or six metres tall.
Materials for special shapes
Special shape shutters are available in our Fiji, Java and Samoa material ranges. These materials offer the structural integrity and manufacturing precision that shaped shutters demand. The frames and louvres need to be cut, shaped and assembled with exceptional accuracy, and these premium materials deliver the consistency required.
The choice of material may also be influenced by the size and weight of the finished shutter. Large gable end installations, for example, benefit from materials that are strong enough to maintain their shape over time without adding unnecessary weight.
As with all our shutters, special shapes are available in a wide range of colours and finishes. For period properties, we can match existing paintwork. For contemporary spaces, bolder colours and stained finishes can turn a shaped window into a genuine focal point.
What Our Customers Say
"I don't often give out five stars, but this 5-star review is completely justified. Quick response, expert advice, great communication throughout, and a superb installation."
David Corbett
"The shutters and blinds are simply amazing and really dress each window so well, producing an outstanding finish to each room. The products are of such high quality and were installed with such care, attention and professionalism."
Julie Sangster, Portlethen
Start with our brochure
52 pages of ideas, product details, and real installations from homes across Scotland. Request your copy and take the first step.