Asked on Aug 28, 2016

Window treatments for triangle windows

Debs
by Debs
This challenge has me frustrated! I have two triangular windows on the upper level of our log home. They face east, and the hot summer sun streams in there each morning heating that loft area unnecessarily. I'd like to provide a temporary solution for the summer months, and have tried a tension rod up the long slanted sides, but the fabric hangs unevenly. I also tried to gather the fabric to bring it into a fan shape that I could secure at the square corner of each triangle, but that didn't work, although maybe I just need some tips on cutting the fabric? The ceiling slopes so deeply that I can't hang a horizontal rod and still cover the windows. Any suggestions??
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  22 answers
  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Aug 29, 2016
    We had a silly window in our previous house that also had me stumped. We ended up using velcro and strings of beads and lace. Attach one portion of the velcro strip above the window using glue or nails and then sew beads and bits of material to the other piece of velcro. We kept the strings of beads and lacy material quiet long and only trimmed them once we'de attached the velco. That way I'd didn't have to worry about how to cut anything. Hope it helps a little
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 29, 2016
    Home Depot sells a privacy film that comes in rolls and adhere to the windows as a temporary fix.
  • Rc Shoe Rc Shoe on Aug 29, 2016
    What is the length of the angled frame ? (and the others... I got my thinking cap on}
  • Tricia Jackson Jones Tricia Jackson Jones on Aug 29, 2016
    Could you frost them? That would allow light to come in and give your some privacy.
  • V Nichols V Nichols on Aug 29, 2016
    Hang a curtain loop in the top corner. Place a tension rod/shower curtain rod across the bottom. Pull either a long fashion scarf or anything that you can tie to the curtain loop and thread through the top of the curtain at the top. Then, put the tension rod through the bottom hem of the curtains and place in the bottom of the window. Tie the top last, so that you can adjust it to fit. Kind of like how you would tie a woman's halter top.
  • Dagmar Dagmar on Aug 29, 2016
    There is Sheer Weave fabric in different opacity, email me, I will send you the photo or cutting by mail (dashaint@gmail.com)
    • Debs Debs on Aug 30, 2016
      Thank You Dagmar, I'll email you for a photo or cutting, whichever is easiest for you. Sounds like it could be the solution!
  • LG LG on Aug 29, 2016
    use fabric, and make it like a sail. anchors at each point. you could also add rods to the fabric so it would bow out like it was in a wind.
  • Connie Connie on Aug 29, 2016
    You might want to try a triangle Roman shade. . Get a painters drop cloth and cut it to the shape of your window. Next fasten it to a dowel rod that runs the length of the longest side. Next just roll it out to the corner and fasten it to the wall or the window trim. You could even trim it out to match a color in the room. Post pics afterer
    • Debs Debs on Aug 30, 2016
      Thank You Connie - I was starting to think about that myself and like your idea. I was struggling with gathering fabric, but the idea of cutting it to shape (with extra for finishing hems, etc.) is good. I'll post pics!
    • Debs Debs on Aug 30, 2016
      Thank You V Nichols - She is very good. It may be a more formal look than I thought of, but it is very clever!
  • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Aug 30, 2016
    First of all, let me say that I tend to be a very pragmatic person, in that I almost alway choose function over form. My personal manta is "How do I do this better, faster and more efficient at the least possible cost?" Having said that my suggestion is to consider the following: IMO, these windows are not very conducive to cover with drapes. However, I might suggest you take a look at the window film available at Lowes/HomeDepot. They offer a variety of patterns and colorful selections. Easy to install with just a spray of slightly soapy water and a plastic credit card. I should mention, the mounting "kit" sells for around $10-15. However the spray is just about 2 cups water and a few drops of Dawn. - Save your money on this by DIYing it. Take a look: http://www.lowes.com/pl/Window-film-Window-fi... - The downside to this option is that you may lose your view if that is more important. Depending on the choice you make, you may also decrease the amount of daylight you get. I personally am not a person who spends a lot of time gazing out of windows to check out the landscape. If that is important to you, you might not like this choice.
    • See 1 previous
    • BabyBoomerSC BabyBoomerSC on Feb 08, 2017

      I agree with the window film. I've seen it used in a similar situation and it worked great.

  • Jcraw Jcraw on Nov 07, 2016
    I like the triangular curtain option. If it's only for summer, make a rod-pocket curtain and find an interesting rod which you could even decorative cup hook to the longest (upper right and left) window frames. Attach bottom corner as you would a shade sail. Roll up and put away for the winter view.
  • Melinda Bauer Melinda Bauer on Feb 02, 2017

    Hello I too have the triangular windows at our cabin what I have done is taken the material I used for the other curtains and cut and hemmed the material when this was done I put velcro on the material and on the window frame too and stuck the curtains up it works perfectly. I had checked into all the other options too and you must be careful if you go to put tint film on your windows it can void any warranty on new windows check first before you apply anything to the windows. We have put the Velcro Curtians up and this is the second year they wash well and a quick iron and then they are back up. The windows get the sun all day and thank goodness it really cuts down on the heat from the triangular windows . Hope it helps

  • Claude Claude on Feb 02, 2017

    These ideas are hard to beat! The only thing that I might add is that there is specific thermal silver backed material available at fabric stores. I made a roman blind with it for one of the coldest/hottest bedrooms in my home and it works excellent as far as keeping the room cool. If you cut it to size , covered with A complimentary Fabric on the inside and used loops with those 3m hooks that you can release easily, it could be easily removed at will and yet keep the space comfortable.

  • Lisa Petersen Lisa Petersen on Feb 07, 2017

    To take Cparisi76's idea one step further, I would use her recommended fabric but cut in a triangle four inches bigger than your window frame and give a double-folded 2" hem all around (you'll need to cut small darts out of the corners so they lay flat) - the finished product should be 2" larger in diameter than the diameter of your window frame. Attach an elastic loop to each corner, and attach directly to the wall using 3M reusable hooks - this will ensure zero heat entry, especially around the edges of the window (this is where het enters with conventional curtains), and yet they can be easily removed to enjoy the view. You can choose to leave the hooks up, or re-mount them seasonally without damaging your wood. As an option, have custom solar screens made to the same size/shape for the exterior walls (they are held on with clips) if the windows are easily accessible - then you lose less view, the screens repel the heat, your room stays cool, and they can be easily removed for winter storage. Solar screens are heavier than regular screens, so they will let in less light, but won't act as a blackout curtain, like the fabric will.

  • Ros16435266 Ros16435266 on Feb 09, 2017

    This is what I would do I would buy the smallest black out curtain at Walmart cut it to fit the window make sure you leave enough around on all sides about a one half inch for a hem! Go to the dollar store or Walmart where the curtain rods are and buy a rod no bigger than a drinking straw the rod will come with the hardware! Back to the material make sure you sew left right and bottom hem a half inch! I would sew the top hem one inch wide for the small round rod to go through! This will keep the heat out! If you want light just slide the curtain over a tiny bit or how ever much you want! I should mention they have all different colors of the black out curtains at Walmart I have the rich burgundy! Who knows you might even find one to fit and you won't even have to sew! You could always go alittle bigger than the window size but don't over do it I would say maybe the size of a small bathroom window just to give you an idea! Well I hope this helps!!!!!

  • Pam Pam on Feb 15, 2017

    I had a similar shape window years ago. I took 2 spring rods that fit the bottom and long side of the triangle. Then gathered fabric (about 2 1/2 times the length of that long side.) Cut the fabric into an elongated triangle, same angle as the window, longest end the same length as the third side . Sew casings to hold the rods. It worked great.

  • Jeannie.mcquaid Jeannie.mcquaid on Feb 16, 2017

    Maybe you could find some vertical blinds to repurpose. Attach the track along the slope, and then cut the vertical strips to the right length once they are hung. I know the track won't function as designed that way, but you still have the ability to manually turn the verticals to the open position in the afternoon when the sun is off that side of the house.

    Or you could make your own "track" for the strips with a piece of wood and appropriately spaced little cup hooks. (just thinking on the fly here)

  • Cindy Cindy on Feb 16, 2017

    I can think of a a few ways for you to have a window treatment. What if you mount a type of privacy screen the same shape as the window with co-coordinating fabrics that match your decor . Here is a diy for that. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AWl5qm-T-Iib-F2xnJy9AS7dD1YzyQceYWo0uiHYHehiJRIzkjV4Iys/

    Also if you want to give the impression of lager windows this treatment using Decorative finials that follow the angle of the window to the edges and finish with a drapery tieback to hold open when you want to flood the space with light. Here is an idea similar.https://www.pinterest.com/pin/352969689520229439/

    Also depending on your budget it may also be possible to get custom shutters made for your windows. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/323344448218385226/. I love the way the light flows into your space. I love prisms and I personally would incorporate a treatment with crystals that would play with the light coming in. Good luck on your project and keep us posted.


  • We had window film installed to cut down on the afternoon Florida sun streaming in our windows. Also, stops rugs and furniture from fading because of the sun.

  • Barb Barb on Jul 11, 2017

    no worries here are a few ideas and I hope ou project gets off on the right angle💡

  • V Nichols V Nichols on Mar 17, 2018

    No pictures. It was just a creative suggestion. I don't have any windows like this. I just thought of dressing the window like something else. In this case, the windows looked like the top half of a woman, so I dressed it as I would my top half.

  • Claimorr Claimorr on Dec 26, 2020

    I am having a similar issue actually. We also have 2 triangle windows on our upper level, and my wife keeps on bothering me with this. The sun is permanently hitting the room, which is alos kind of a "loft" I actually tried to do some things however it never works out actually. The curtain loop helps just for keeping the room darker, however it turn really hot in there. I was actually against the triangle windows, however my wife kept on insisting that she wants it. At last, she found some great windoes from https://www.skwindows.ie/conservatories-wicklow-wexford , so I let myself be convinced.