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Minneapolis Specialty Window Treatment Guide

Every Minneapolis home is unique, each with its own charm and its own needs. Likewise, each of the windows in your Minneapolis home are different as well. Their size, shape, the direction they face and more will differ and influence which window treatment fits them best.

But more than any other factor, the window style is typically the most important for determining your perfect window treatment. Here are our team’s recommendations for window treatments to match the specialty window types found in Minneapolis houses.

Window Treatments for Sidelight Windows

Front door with sidelights

Sidelights are those tall, thin windows that are found on the sides of the front door in Minneapolis homes. Finding the right window treatment for sidelight windows is particularly important for a few reasons. One, they’re a focal point of your house, as most people's eyes are naturally drawn to the front door when looking at a house. Two, people–from your mailman to guests to traveling salespeople–are going to see the sidelight windows up close, which means that a fantastic window covering that much more important to ensure you maintain your privacy.

The Sunburst recommendation for sidelight window treatments: Plantation shutters. Shutters don’t just give your home classy looks and unrivaled privacy, but they’re also easily custom-built for long, thin sidelight windows.

See More Sidelight Window Treatments

 

French Door Window Treatments

French doors with plantation shutters

French doors are a common sight opening up to patios or back yards. French doors are hinged double doors, usually with large glass panels, so Minneapolis residents have a serious opportunity to improve their style and light control. French doors open and close a lot throughout the day, so they would do best with a resilient window treatment that will still let you regulate the amount of light you let come through the window.

The Sunburst recommendation for French door window treatments: Plantation shutters. Because they’re installed directly onto the window and are very sturdy, shutters are the perfect accompaniment to French doors. Their timeless looks and energy-efficiency are also bonuses for your French door.

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Window Treatments for Octagonal Windows

Octagon window in a Minneapolis bathroom 

Octagon-shaped windows are some of the most interesting and attention-grabbing windows we see in Minneapolis homes. With their unique shape, you would be careless to obscure them with a run-of-the-mill window treatment like curtains or blinds. Instead, pick a window treatment that can be customized to the window’s unique geometry so you can always get the benefits of your octagonal window.

The Sunburst recommendation for octagon window treatments: Plantation shutters and window film. Shutters are built to fit perfectly within an octagonal window frame, bolstering its unique shape and looks. Likewise, window film adheres directly to the window glass, maintaining the octagonal window’s awesome shape on full display.

See More Octagon Window Treatments

 

Wide Window Treatments

Plantation shutters on wide windows
 
When talking about “wide windows,” we’re referring to windows wider than 4 feet. That includes full wall windows that stretch far beyond what typical window treatments would cover. When designing for wide windows, Minneapolis homeowners should think about how well a window treatment will let them keep their privacy and block the energy flow and light that wide windows normally allow. Finally, wide window treatments should be easy to operate, since there’s a lot of real estate that they’ll need to cover.

The Sunburst recommendation for wide window treatments: Panel tracks, roller shades or plantation shutters. Roller shades operate easily, and their simple look works well with especially wide windows. A panel track is a type of shade with large fabric panels that slide back and forth on a track making them perfect for wide windows. Plantation shutters offer a little better privacy and energy efficiency compared to shades, so if a cool home is a priority, shutters might be your perfect solution.

See More Wide Window Treatments

 

Rake & Angled Window Treatments

Angled window with plantation shutters

Rake or angled windows are appearing more often in contemporary home design. A problem with rake window treatments, similar to octagonal windows, is finding one that matches your unique window geometry. Bear in mind as well that several angled windows are in harder-to-reach places, like where the ceiling and wall meet at a corner, so a window treatment that you won’t have to operate often is usually best for angled windows.

The Sunburst recommendation for angled and rake windows: Plantation shutters. Not only are they completely customizable to fit the precise angles and shape of your rake windows, but plantation shutters can often be set at a single, preferred angle without ever needing to be readjusted - great for windows that are hard to reach.

See More Angled Window Treatments

 

Sliding Glass Door Window Treatments

Plantation shutters on a sliding door

Similar to french doors, the window treatment you purchase for your sliding glass door should allow you to open and shut the door easily and without obstruction. Additionally, a sliding glass door treatment should be durable and able to handle the frequent usage a sliding door sees. Lastly, sliding glass doors are some of the least energy-efficient windows, since they not only let heat pass through the pane but also through the door opening. A window treatment that can block energy transfer should also be a top priority for sliding glass doors.

The Sunburst recommendation for sliding glass doors: Panel tracks or plantation shutters. Both of these window treatments make it easy to operate a sliding door. Panel tracks also give you an array of designs and textures to choose from, opening up your options and giving you the ability to take your designs anywhere. Plantation shutters can be installed in different configurations to fit any sliding glass door, and are more energy-efficient than any other window treatment.

See More Sliding Door Window Treatments

 

Bay Window Treatments

Plantation shutters on bay windows

Bay windows are instantly recognizable. The long panes, convex layout, and wide view you get from bay windows are distinct from any other window, and thus need some special consideration when picking a window treatment. Minneapolis homeowners should consider window treatments that enhance a bay window’s eye-catching geometry, protect your privacy, and look stunning in your family room or living room. Lucky for us, there are a number of window treatments that can do it all.

The Sunburst recommendation for bay windows: Roman shades, cellular shades, or plantation shutters. Both roman and cellular shades function well with bay windows because each shade covers an individual pane, giving you some flexibility in how much surface area you want covered. Similarly, plantation shutters can be installed on each separate pane on bay windows, but are able to give you even more adaptability in window coverage with the moving tilt-rod and louvers.

See More Bay Window Treatments

 

Window Treatments for Tall & High Ceiling Windows

Plantation shutters on tall windows

No matter their shape or style, windows that are near your ceiling can be a hassle to treat. In many cases, the window tops are beyond your reach, and breaking out a stepladder every day becomes a hassle. That means that homeowners in Minneapolis with high ceiling windows should opt for a window treatment that can either stay in a single position, or open and close from far away. It wouldn’t hurt if that window treatment was also able to effectively block light from coming through.

The Sunburst recommendation for tall & high ceiling windows: Motorized shades or plantation shutters. Automated shades can open or shut with the quick flip of a switch, eliminating any hassle whatsoever. Alternatively, with plantation shutters many homeowners opt to position the louvers in a single perfect position, and rarely if ever move them from that spot. Both choices solve the biggest problem of high ceiling windows!

See More High-Ceiling Window Treatments

 

Window Treatments for Eyebrow Windows

Eyebrow window with custom shutters
 
Eyebrow windows are the arched windows that are almost always found above other, standard square windows. Because of their position and individual shape, eyebrow windows come with issues that no other windows do when it comes to picking your perfect window treatment.

The Sunburst recommendation for eyebrow windows: Plantation shutters. Any other window treatment has serious drawbacks when put on eyebrow windows. Shades, drapes and blinds hide the interesting shape and any lengthy window treatment might cover the negative space between the eyebrow window and the square window underneath it. Since shutters are able to be custom-manufactured to seamlessly fit in the frame of your window, they’re easily the best option for this window shape. 

See More Eyebrow Window Treatments

 

Window Treatments for Casement Windows

Casement windows with planation shutters
 
Casement windows are unlike other windows. Casement windows are hinged on a side, and open and close by swinging in and out, typically via crank or lever. With this unique operating mechanism, casement windows need an unobtrusive window treatment that can still look great and protect your privacy. So what do you choose for casement windows in Minneapolis?

The Sunburst recommendation for casement windows: Plantation shutters or shades. Plantation shutters can be fit to your frame to make room for a lever or crank–which means you can open and close your window without any hassle. Both Roman and cellular shades can also work well on casement windows, although you might have to pull aside the shade when you want to open or close it.

See More Casement Window Treatments

 

Get More Minneapolis Window Treatment Picks

There’s more to consider than just the window style when searching for window treatments in Minneapolis. Take a peek at our recommendations for window treatments for every room in your home with Sunburst’s Ultimate Room Guide, or get some in-person recommendations by setting up an in-home design consultation by calling 952-856-8130 today.