Windows in the Reno area often have an arch at the top of them. They are beautiful, but hard to cover. Shutters can often be the best solution. I’ve recently shown some other types of shutter installations and you can view them at the Kempler Design channel on YouTube. This client had some issues with light control. (There are many reasons why people have a need with window coverings. Light control is one of them. Privacy, Room Darkening, Insulation, Sound Absorption, Glare and others are also factors.) The light was coming in these windows and shining directly on the television across the house. Therefore, they needed to have the ability to open and close these louvers with ease as they would be adjusted regularly.

There were a few factors that made this job very difficult to design. First, in the video, you will notice that there is a divider rail near the bottom. This was added to create integrity of the shutter. The manufacturer, Norman Window Fashions, provided specifications that showed that the unit was within the limits for NOT having a divider rail, but I tend to design with caution. I felt that it was better to err on the side of caution and add the rail for stability. Adding the rail where the window had a horizontal support helped avoid the look of extra horizontal lines on the window. The other issue that arose had to do with the small opening created below the divider rail. We had to plan very carefully to make sure we had enough louvers below the rail to make it look appropriate. Imagine what it would look like with just one louver there. Not only would it look bad, but the airflow, from the windows that open behind it would have been severely restricted. The final issue had to do with the design of the ceiling. In order for these panels to be opened completely, the ceiling will have to be rebuilt. This client will not be doing that, but imagine if your designer didn’t inform you of these issues before you had them installed!!! As always, the tag of window fashions expert comes from many years of experience dealing with all of these issues.