Arched and custom-shape windows
An architectural shape is a fixed window built to a non-rectangular outline, a round top, a segmental arch, a half-round, a triangle following a roof pitch. Each one is made to the opening it goes into, because no two are the same.
Limited lifetime warranty, transferable · Custom-built to your opening · Family owned and operated
Where architectural shapes suit a home
Shapes go where a rectangle would look like a compromise: the gable end of a peaked front elevation, the head of a two-storey entry, the top of a stairwell, or as a transom crowning a front door. They are the detail that makes a builder-grade elevation look considered, and the detail whose absence is obvious when a previous owner squared off an arch to save money.
The estate homes through Kleinburg, King City and the older Vaughan subdivisions were built with a lot of these, and they are the openings most often left until last in a replacement project. They are worth doing properly. A squared-off replacement in an arched opening leaves a permanent dead space above the frame that has to be filled and never quite matches the brick.
Because shapes are fixed, they pair with an operating unit below to handle ventilation.
Features
- Built to the measured opening rather than trimmed from a stock size
- Mulls directly to casement, hung or picture units below as one assembly
- Matching grille patterns available so a shaped head reads with the windows beneath it
- Fixed and permanently sealed, so an awkward high opening needs no hardware
- Preserves the original masonry opening, no infill above a squared-off frame
Models we fit
| Model | Style | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Custom | Round top and half-round | Full or segmental arch, built to the measured radius. |
| Custom | Angled and triangular | Follows a roof pitch or gable line. |
| Custom | Combination assemblies | Shaped head mulled directly to operating units below. |
How they compare
Against squaring off the opening: cheaper up front and almost always regretted. The infill above the new frame has to be framed, insulated, and clad or bricked, and it never matches. The elevation reads as patched from the street.
Against a rectangular picture window: mechanically identical, both are fixed, sealed units. The only difference is the outline and the fact that a shape must be built to a measurement rather than picked from a size chart.
On lead time: shapes take longer to build than rectangular units, so if a project includes them they set the schedule. We flag that at the quote rather than at delivery.
Are ENERGY STAR windows worth it in Ontario?
Yes, ENERGY STAR qualified windows are certified to perform in Canada's climate zones, and they make the biggest difference in older homes with single-pane or failed double-pane glass. Low-E coatings and argon fill cut radiant heat loss in winter and solar gain in summer. Comfort improves immediately, particularly the cold draft near seating placed against an exterior wall.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Ontario?
No building permit is required to replace a window in its existing opening at the same size. A permit is needed when the opening is made larger or smaller, when a new opening is cut, or when the work affects a structural header. Heritage-designated properties have their own approval process. We flag any opening that needs a permit during the in-home consultation, before quoting.
How long does window installation take?
Most whole-home window replacements are finished in one to three days. A single window typically takes 45 to 90 minutes from removal to trim and cleanup. The size of the job, the number of openings and whether exterior capping is involved set the pace. We confirm the schedule when you approve the quote, and the crew cleans and removes all old units before leaving.
Book your free in-home consultation
We measure every opening, talk through the options that suit your home, and give you a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.