Architectural and specialty shape windows are custom units built in shapes other than a standard rectangle, such as arches, half rounds, circles and trapezoids. Most are fixed glass, so they bring in light and character rather than airflow, and they often sit as transoms above doors or pair with standard windows below. At Central Window Sales, a family owned Winter Haven company since 1963, our team measures every shaped opening by hand, and every shape we install is available in impact-rated glass.

What shapes can architectural windows come in?

Almost any shape your opening calls for, from a classic arch to a fully custom outline. These are the shapes we see most often on Central Florida homes:

Because each unit is made to order, the window follows the lines of your home instead of forcing the home to fit the window.

Where do transoms and shaped windows work best?

Shaped windows work best where you want more daylight without giving up wall space or privacy. Transoms over entry doors, patio doors and wide windows are the most common placement.

Over doors and windows

A half round or rectangular transom above a front door brightens a dark foyer and gives the entry a finished look. Over a large window, a shaped unit adds height and draws the eye upward, which suits great rooms with tall ceilings.

Gables, stairwells and vaulted rooms

Trapezoids and triangles fill the upper part of a vaulted wall, and a circle or oval in a gable or stairwell lets light reach spaces a standard window cannot.

Do architectural shape windows open?

Most do not. The majority of specialty shapes are fixed glass, which keeps the frame slim and lets the most light through.

When a room needs airflow, we pair the shape with an operable window below or beside it, such as a single-hung window under an arch or a casement window beside a trapezoid. Large rectangular fixed units are covered on our picture windows page, and you can browse every window style we install in one place.

Are shaped windows available in impact-rated glass?

Yes. Every window style we install, including arches, circles and other custom shapes, is available in impact-rated glass.

A shaped unit high on a wall faces the same storm season as every other opening in your home. Impact windows may qualify for wind mitigation credits on your homeowners insurance, though savings vary by insurer. Our guide to impact vs non-impact windows in Florida explains the difference, and our impact windows and hurricane protection videos show what the glass is built to handle.

How much do architectural and specialty windows cost?

Shaped windows fall in our large, custom or architectural range, which typically runs about $1,500 to $2,500+ per window installed. Your exact price comes from a free estimate.

A few things move a shaped window within that range:

For comparison, a standard non-impact vinyl window typically runs about $450 to $900 each installed. Many homeowners add a shaped window as part of a larger window replacement project, and financing is available.

How do you measure and install a custom shape?

Every shaped window starts with careful measurements of the opening, because a custom unit cannot be swapped for a stock size later. Here is how our process works:

Every window replacement we complete includes our Lifetime Glass Break Warranty. If you are not sure an older arch or transom needs replacing, our guide on whether to repair or replace your windows is a good place to start.

Ready to add an arch, circle or transom to your home? Call our Winter Haven team at (863) 293-2977 , request a free estimate, or schedule your estimate online. You are also welcome to visit our showroom at 2001 Havendale Blvd. NW. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Polk County and Central Florida.