Best Window Coverings for Bay Windows, Arched Windows, and Patio Doors Across the GTA

Bay windows (3-panel or 5-panel)

The right answer is almost always three or five individual inside-mount shades — one per pane — not a single continuous shade following the angle.

Zebra or roller shades work equally well. Match the fabric across all panes, but each shade rises and lowers independently. Total installed cost for a standard 3-panel bay: $500–$900 depending on width and fabric.

The one thing to avoid: outside-mount rollers across the full bay. Fabric sag is inevitable at that span, and the mullions between panes create weird shadow lines.

Arched windows

Arched windows split into two categories: functional (opens for ventilation) and decorative (fixed).

Decorative arches on top of a rectangular window: the honest answer is that most homeowners leave the arch bare and dress only the rectangular section below it. Trying to cover the arch itself with a fan-shaped shade usually looks fussy and costs $400–$700 for something rarely operated.

If the arch must be covered — for west-facing glare or privacy — a custom fan-fold shade or a specialty pleated arch is the option. Budget $500–$900. We measure with a full template on the visit.

Patio doors — standard 6-foot sliders

Fabric vertical blinds are still the practical winner. Full opening, cheap, and durable. $220–$360 installed for a standard 6-foot door. Outside mount 4–6" wider than the door on each side so vanes stack completely clear.

For a more modern look, a single wide-panel motorized zebra runs $900–$1,400 installed. It looks beautiful and only makes sense if you're already running zebra elsewhere in the room.

Panel-track shades slide horizontally on a track like closet doors. Nice on 8-to-12-foot patio openings. About 20–30% more than fabric vertical.

Patio doors — wide sliders (8–12 feet)

Anything over 8 feet: split-stack fabric vertical (vanes part in the middle) or panel-track shades. Single-track fabric vertical over 10 feet starts to look and behave poorly.

For 12-foot-plus openings — common in Vaughan and Markham great-room walkouts — panel-track shades or a two-track split with motorization ($1,600–$2,800) is the setup that actually holds up.

French doors (hinged, with muntins)

French doors need a shade that stays in contact with the door as it swings — otherwise the fabric bangs against the wall on every open.

The standard solution is a mini-roller mounted directly to the door with a hold-down bracket at the bottom. About $180–$260 per door installed. Works on both fabric and blackout options.

How to plan a home with mixed window shapes

Send us a photo of each window in a WhatsApp thread before the visit. Half the sizing question is answered from the photo, and we bring the right samples the first time — no second trip.

If several rooms have non-standard windows, coordinate the visit so we measure all of them in one appointment. Two hours on site is usually enough to spec a whole house.