Hard-to-reach windows, such as skylights, stairwell windows, cathedral ceilings, and oversized transoms, are common features in Canadian homes. Because not every window is at eye level and easily accessible, these features can create a frustrating problem when it comes to finding the right window treatments. This task requires more consideration than a simple trip to the local home store.
The good news? You have more options today than ever before, and the right window treatment solution can make even the most awkward window easy to manage every single day.
Key Takeaways
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Your Best Options for Covering Hard-to-Reach Windows
Whether your challenge is a towering great room or a window above a staircase, these solutions address difficult-to-reach window problems. They offer effective light control without sacrificing style.
Option 1: Motorized Window Treatments
Motorized shades and blinds offer the most practical solution for windows that are difficult to reach. You can raise and lower these coverings using a remote control, a wall switch, or a smartphone app, eliminating the need to touch them manually.
Motorized window coverings offer particular advantages, especially for hard-to-reach areas like windows above staircases, skylights, or those set in vaulted ceilings. In addition to offering convenience, they enhance safety for children and pets by eliminating hazardous long pull cords.
Smart home window coverings elevate this experience. With many motorized systems integrating with home automation platforms and voice assistants, you can automatically schedule your shades to open at sunrise and close at sunset.
Best for: Skylights, high transom windows, great room windows, stairwell windows
Option 2: Cordless Blinds and Shades
For windows that are difficult to access, cordless blinds provide an easy-to-use and more economical alternative to fully motorized systems. Rather than using chains or cords, adjustment is made by directly pushing or pulling the bottom rail.
Given the difficult access to these windows, a cordless design is the best solution, eliminating the hassle of tangled or fraying cords. Additionally, they offer a cleaner aesthetic both indoors and out.
The key factor here is whether you can still physically reach the bottom rail. Cordless shades are a good solution for windows where only a step stool or small ladder is needed. However, for heights that are truly out of reach, motorization represents a more intelligent long-term investment.
Best for: Windows that are awkward but still reachable with a step stool
Option 3: Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades
Top-down bottom-up shades are among the most versatile and simple-to-operate window treatments available. Their flexible design allows you to lower the shade from the top, keep the bottom raised, or adjust both sections simultaneously.
This is an especially clever solution for windows positioned above eye level, such as those in a bathroom or bedroom facing a neighbour’s home. It allows you to maintain privacy on the bottom portion of the window while still filtering light through the top.
Naturally complementing cordless or motorized systems, these shades offer an excellent all-in-one hard-to-reach window treatment solution, managing both access and privacy effectively.
Best for: Privacy-sensitive rooms, windows above eye level, split-level spaces
Option 4: Roller Shades for Large and Awkward Windows
Roller shades are a popular and sensible choice for large windows. Their appeal lies in their neat, low-profile appearance and the vast selection of available fabrics, which range from sheer to complete blackout.
For large window openings, roller shades are an excellent choice because they can be custom ordered in very wide widths, allowing a single panel to cover the entire space. This unified approach maintains a clean, cohesive appearance and minimizes the complexity of managing multiple moving parts. Furthermore, combining a wide roller shade with motorization provides an ideal solution for windows that are difficult to access, particularly in open concept living areas.
Solar fabrics provide a solution for Canadian homeowners facing intense summer sunlight or energy loss during winter. They maintain your outdoor view while offering effective UV protection and boosting energy efficiency.
Best for: Oversized windows, open concept living areas, modern interiors
Option 5: Vertical Blinds for Sliding Doors and Wide Openings
A practical solution for covering wide windows, such as patio doors or expansive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, vertical blinds are a popular choice. They feature individual vanes that move along a track and can be tilted, allowing for precise control over the direction of incoming light.
Vertical blinds offer easier operation compared to horizontal options on the same window, as the operating cord or wand is positioned at a more accessible height rather than at the far end of a wide opening. Furthermore, modern fabric vertical blinds have updated the the dated vinyl of older versions, making them a suitable and stylish design choice for contemporary Canadian homes.
Best for: Patio doors, wide window walls, rental properties
Option 6: Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades
Known for their energy efficiency, cellular shades (also called honeycomb shades) are considered one of the best hard window treatments available. They work by trapping air within their internal pockets, which acts as insulation between the room and the window. This design significantly cuts down on heat transfer in both directions.
Cellular shades offer a meaningful difference in insulating Canadian homes, which endure both extreme cold in winter and heat in summer. This insulating quality directly results in lower heating and cooling costs, especially since skylights and high windows are typically the weakest points in a home’s thermal envelope.
With cordless and motorized options, cellular shades are a truly practical solution for hard-to-reach windows, offering the added benefit of helping to control energy bills.
Best for: Skylights, north-facing windows, energy-conscious homeowners
Pros & Cons at a Glance |
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| Treatment | Pros | Cons |
| Motorized Shades | Fully hands-free; smart home compatible; safe for families | Higher upfront cost; requires a power source |
| Cordless Blinds | Affordable; clean look; child-safe | Must physically reach the rail |
| Top-Down Bottom-Up | Excellent privacy control; flexible light | Slightly more complex mechanism |
| Roller Shades | Wide width options; huge fabric variety | Standard versions need to be reached |
| Vertical Blinds | Easy lateral operation; great for wide openings | Some styles look dated |
| Cellular Shades | Best insulation; energy-efficient | Cordless versions still need physical access |
What to Consider Before You Buy
Selecting the appropriate hard window coverings involves more than just the product itself. Practical considerations will quickly help you narrow your choices.
Ceiling height and access: Can you safely access the window using a step stool, or is a ladder truly required? If a ladder is necessary, motorization isn’t a luxury but a practical necessity.
Sun exposure: In Canadian summers, windows facing south and west receive intense glare. While both solar and blackout fabrics address this issue, they do so with different functionalities. Solar fabrics reduce UV rays while preserving your outdoor view, whereas blackout fabrics completely obstruct all incoming light.
Room purpose: For optimal sleep quality, a bedroom skylight requires a blackout blind. Conversely, a skylight in a kitchen or hallway benefits more from a light-filtering or solar fabric.
Operating frequency: If you frequently adjust a window, motorization offers a significant benefit. However, for a window that is set and rarely moved, a manual cordless option will likely be sufficient.
Finding the perfect window treatments for those hard-to-reach windows can significantly enhance your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and daily convenience. Thanks to advancements like motorization and cordless designs, stylish solutions for these challenging windows are now more readily available than ever before. At Toronto Window Coverings by H. Sewing Drapery, we specialize in assisting Canadian homeowners in discovering the ideal fit for every window in their residence, regardless of the difficulty. Are you ready to finally address your hard-to-reach window concerns? Reach out to Toronto Window Coverings by H. Sewing Drapery today to book your complimentary in-home consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding window treatments for hard-to-reach windows.
What is the easiest window treatment to operate on a high window?
The most straightforward solution is motorized shades, which operate completely with a single button or voice command. Cordless shades offer a budget-friendly option for windows that are slightly raised.
Can I add motorization to existing blinds?
Yes, often they can. You might be able to retrofit some motor systems onto your existing roller or cellular shades without needing to replace the entire product. To confirm if your current window coverings are compatible, we recommend a professional consultation.
Are motorized window treatments worth the cost?
Especially when integrated with smart home platforms, these blinds provide genuine daily value for managing light and heat. This is particularly true for high or awkwardly placed windows, as they can automate adjustments throughout the year.
What is the best option for a skylight?
For skylights, motorized cellular or roller shades are highly recommended. Because manual access is frequently difficult and Canada’s climate demands good insulation, cellular shades are particularly beneficial.
Do hard window coverings need professional installation?
For motorized systems, professional installation is strongly recommended to ensure proper alignment, safe wiring, and correct programming. A confident DIYer can typically install standard cordless shades.
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