5 Things to Know Before Buying arched window shutters

05 Jun.,2025

 

What Are the Best Exterior Shutters for Arched Windows?

What Are the Best Exterior Shutters for Arched Windows?

TLDR;
The best exterior
shutters for arched windows are custom-made arch-top shutters like louvered, raised panel, or board & batten styles, designed to follow the curve of the window. These shutters not only fit properly but also boost curb appeal and offer protection from the elements.

Goto ymtc to know more.

Why Arched Windows Need Specialized Exterior Shutters

Design Challenges with Arched Window Shapes

  • Arched windows are elegant but tricky—they're not standard squares or rectangles.
  • Shapes like semi-circles, eyebrow curves, and elliptical arches require precision fitting.
  • Curved window frames and non-standard dimensions make off-the-shelf shutters a poor fit.

Why Standard Shutters Don’t Work

  • Traditional shutters are flat and angular—perfect for square windows but useless for curves.
  • They leave gaps or need awkward cuts that ruin the look.
  • To properly cover the curve, custom fitting is essential.

How Exterior Shutters Enhance Arched Windows

Adds Visual Appeal and Architectural Charm

  • Shutters highlight the window’s shape rather than hiding it.
  • Ideal for colonial homes, Mediterranean villas, or Tuscan-inspired exteriors.
  • They create a high-end, custom-built feel instantly noticeable from the curb.

Protection from Weather and Light Control

  • Properly fitted shutters help block harsh sunlight and reduce interior fading.
  • Closed shutters provide a shield against wind, rain, and debris.
  • In hot climates like Texas, they can also reduce indoor cooling costs.

Increases Property Value

  • Custom exterior shutters are a small investment that pays off in resale value.
  • Real estate studies show improved curb appeal adds ROI through faster sales and higher offers.
  • Buyers associate arched shutters with craftsmanship and durability.

Best Shutter Styles for Arched Windows

Louvered Exterior Shutters for Arches

  • Great for ventilation and light control
  • Look timeless and elegant
  • Available in both fixed and operable formats
  • Blend well with both traditional and modern homes

Raised Panel Shutters

  • Offer a more solid, formal look
  • Ideal for colonial and Georgian-style homes
  • Less airflow but excellent for privacy and storm protection

Board and Batten Shutters

  • Rustic and sturdy appearance
  • Perfect for farmhouse, cottage, or country-style homes
  • Can be made with arch-top to match window curve

Custom Shutters for Arched Windows Exterior

  • Precision-made for each individual window
  • Tailored to match both shape and home design—whether you choose real wood or composite materials.
  • Available in combinations: louvered + panel, or sunburst + board

Choosing the Right Material for Outdoor Arched Shutters

Wood Shutters (Classic but High Maintenance)

  • Offers warmth, authenticity, and traditional style
  • Commonly made from cedar or pine
  • Needs regular painting or staining
  • Susceptible to weathering without upkeep

Durable Exterior Shutters for Arched Windows: Composite

  • Combines wood fiber and resin
  • Resists rot, insects, and weather damage
  • Looks like real wood but needs less maintenance
  • A smart middle ground between wood and vinyl , composite is often considered the best plantation shutter material for homeowners seeking durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance.

Vinyl Shutters (Budget-Friendly and Low Maintenance)

  • Affordable and long-lasting
  • Won’t warp, crack, or peel
  • Best for humid or wet climates
  • Available in multiple colors and faux wood styles

Customizing Shutters to Fit Arched Windows Perfectly

How to Measure Arched Windows for Shutters

  • Measure the width at the base
  • Measure height from base to peak of the arch
  • Use flexible templates or cardboard for irregular curves
  • Most shutter companies like Shop Love Is Blinds can assist with accurate measurements

Custom Cuts and Templates

  • Templates ensure radius-top shutters follow your window’s shape
  • Ideal for eyebrow arches, full arches, and elliptical designs
  • Ensures a snug, seamless fit that looks professionally done

Choosing the Right Shutter Finish

  • Match your siding, trim, and roof tones
  • Choose complementary or bold contrasting colors
  • Finish options: painted, stained, textured, or matte
  • Custom paint matching available with most manufacturers

Installing Arched Exterior Shutters: What You Need to Know

Should You DIY or Hire a Pro?

  • DIY if the windows are accessible and you're handy
  • Hire a Pro for second-story installs or intricate curves
  • Shop Love Is Blinds offers shutter installation services for a perfect fit every time

Installing Arched Exterior Shutters: Common Pitfalls

  • Misaligned curves
  • Using the wrong hardware for exterior use
  • Not accounting for expansion from weather
  • Avoid using standard brackets that don’t hold arched designs well

Hardware and Mounting Tips

  • Use stainless steel or powder-coated screws for weather resistance
  • Hidden hinges or decorative hardware can enhance the final look
  • Use spacers to prevent direct contact with the siding and allow air circulation

Maintaining Exterior Shutters Over Time

Maintenance by Material Type

  • Wood: Repaint or reseal every 2–3 years
  • Composite: Occasional cleaning with soap and water
  • Vinyl: Hose off grime, inspect for UV fading over time

Seasonal Maintenance Tips

  • In winter: Check for moisture buildup or warping
  • In summer: Inspect color fade or heat expansion
  • After storms: Remove debris and tighten loose fittings

Cost of Custom Arched Shutters: What to Expect

Cost Breakdown by Material and Style

  • Vinyl: $150–$300 per pair
  • Composite: $250–$450 per pair
  • Wood: $300–$600 per pair
  • Custom arched designs: Add 15–30% to standard pricing

What Affects the Price?

  • Size and shape complexity
  • Type of material
  • Installation costs
  • Custom paint or hardware

Cost vs. Longevity

  • Vinyl: Cheapest up front, 10–15 years lifespan
  • Composite: Moderate cost, 15–20 years
  • Wood: Highest cost, up to 20 years with care
  • Shop Love Is Blinds helps you choose shutters that offer long-term value for your budget

Matching Exterior Shutters to Home Architecture

Colonial, Craftsman, and Traditional Styles

  • Raised panel or louvered shutters
  • Neutral or historically accurate colors
  • Symmetrical and formal appearance

Mediterranean, Spanish, and Tuscan Designs

  • Arched board and batten
  • Earth tones or rustic finishes
  • Often paired with stucco exteriors

Modern and Contemporary Homes

  • Sleek, minimalist designs
  • Horizontal slats or custom shapes
  • Dark tones or bold contrast colors

Frequently Asked Questions

Shutters for Arch Windows - How To Maximize Functionality

Quick Answer: Shutters for arch windows are the perfect window dressing, giving light control and privacy without obscuring the shape of the window. Arch shutters can be installed in two ways: to complement your window or to maximize functionality.

If you’re considering shutters for arch windows, you may have additional questions – not least because arched windows can make finding the perfect window coverings a little more challenging!

Don’t worry; we share decades of design, manufacturer, and installation knowledge in this guide to arched window shutters.

This way, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if a shaped shutter will suit your window.

What makes arched shutters unique?

Arched windows are a beautiful feature in any home, but they’re one to which many window dressings don’t do full justice. This is where shutters are different.

You may put curtains across the front of your arched window. However, you will almost always lose your window’s unique shape if you do. The same can be said of most blinds, too.

The problem is that arched windows are narrower at the top than at the bottom. This makes hanging a window treatment sympathetically impossible.

The excellent news is that shutters don’t rely on any track or roller mechanism at the uppermost part of the window. Therefore, shaped shutters can be made in various unique shapes without compromising function or good looks.

How can plantation shutters be mounted on arched windows?

Not only are window shutters suitable for arched windows, but they can also be mounted in two ways, offering even more design flexibility.

Our design team will generally give you options that “isolate the arch” or “include the arch.” Let’s take a look at both in more detail:

Isolating the arch

When isolating the arch, we’re discussing designing a frame that turns your window into two distinct internal shapes.

The made-to-measure frame creates a rectangle that houses standard square or rectangular shutters and an upper arch where a smaller arch-shaped shutter will live.

The upper curved section will usually be hinged at the bottom, allowing the shutter to be opened so you can easily open, clean, or maintain the upper part of the window.

The bottom section will open according to your needs, either on hinges or on a track that allows the shutters to concertina together as they open, saving space.

Including the arch

If isolating the arch of your window doesn’t sound quite right for you, then we can look at a design that includes the arch shape.

With a design like this, we’ll create a frame for the shutters surrounding the entire window. Within this frame, two specially shaped shutters will include half of the arch on either side. When you want to open the shutters, they will open on their hinges into the room.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Basswood Plantation Shutter.

Since this design means two arched-shaped panels cover the whole window, the most light is allowed into the room. It also means that opening the shutters completely exposes the entire window—again, perfect for letting in plenty of daylight.

Will my plantation shutter’s horizontal louvres still work in an arched window?

We’re often asked if the louvres will still work when we create arched or triangular shutters. The answer is a definite yes.

The mechanism that controls the louvres doesn’t rely on having a straight edge. So whether you’re working with standard square shutters, arched shutters, or even plantation shutters for circular windows, louvre control is never compromised.

Shutters work in a vast range of arched windows

Arched windows come in a vast range of different sizes, shapes, and designs. The good news is we can install shutters on any arch-shaped window or door.

Church windows

It’s not uncommon to find beautiful church windows preserved when these buildings are transformed into modern living or working spaces. With thousands of churches being transformed into residential and commercial properties in the last few decades, these are more common than ever.

Shaped shutters can complement these beautiful features and let you control the amount of light and privacy.

Gable ends and barn conversions

When buildings are converted into residential properties, it’s not uncommon to find impressive archways repurposed as places for doors or large windows. Occasionally, these arches and angled gable ends are turned into floor-to-ceiling windows.

However large your arched or shaped windows are, we can create plantation shutters to suit. This is often the most practical and cost-effective way to add much-needed light control and privacy to large openings.

Arches over doors

Many period properties have an arch-shaped window over the doors in the property. These small and high-up openings can be challenging to dress – so shaped shutters are a perfect solution.

Despite being small, you’ll still have control over the louvres and a hinged opening for cleaning and maintenance.

Arch windows in bathrooms and kitchens

We often find arched and other specially-shaped windows in bathrooms and kitchens. The high-moisture environment these rooms create can often be a problem for curtain fabrics, but shutters don’t have these issues.

Many of our shutter designs are available in water-resistant finishes. So arched window shutters in bathrooms and kitchens are a perfect solution.

Would you like to hear more about shutters for arch windows?

Choosing window coverings for specially shaped windows isn’t as straightforward as choosing a style for a standard window, but don’t worry, we’re here to help!

We can answer questions about anything – from colours and designs to price and installation dates.

If you’d like to arrange a free survey or just have questions about shutters for arch windows, you’re more than welcome to get in touch.

When you do, you’ll chat with one of our design team – so there’s never any pressure; just helpful advice!