Curved Molding for Elliptical Windows
Wood as the Primary choice for Curved
Casing
If you are lucky the curved molding to match your elliptical
window came with the window itself. That way you have a guarantee
that it will fit properly. You'll also save on sticker shock,
if you don't have to purchase such a curved casing independently.
A standard curved casing for say a 5' diameter elliptical
window can run you upwards of $225 - $300. Much of this money
is going to the freight company that has to ship a relatively
delicate, custom made item from a specialized molding manufacturer.
Thus if you are just at the window buying stage you may want
to trouble shoot this ahead of time and insist that the window
manufacturer supply not only the window but the curved casing
to match.
If you are not so lucky and need to order a curved wood trim
to finish off around the perimeter, here are a few details
for ordering the correct trim for an elliptical window:
1. Most window manufacturers have a standard shape. From
what I have seen it is profiled as below. If you draw a
line from left to right across the window where the curvature
stops, and then measure straight up to the inside edge of
the curved jamb the standard seems to be 17".
Try this and see if it works and then ask your local supplier
if you are able to give him the name of the window manufacturer
and the width and height,"Is that enough information
to guarantee an exact match?" A standard curved trim
package is usually cheaper.
2. If not then you only have one alternative. It will be
necessary to first fabricate a template. Not all elliptical
windows are made with the same height width relationship
so a template is really the only way to assure that the
right curved trim piece gets made to match your window (especially
true if you can't provide the name of the window manufacturer).
Therefore here's some info on making the template.
Making a Template for An Elliptical Window:
Tape a piece of paper to your window (you can use a paper
table cloth if you don't have a better alternative). Using
an exacto blade, cut slashes in the paper with the blade tight
up against the inside jamb of the window (see "cut edge
for template" in drawing below).
Don't cut more then 3" long before you remove the blade
and skip the next 1", and then restart. This is so the
inside piece of paper doesn't start falling apart on you before
you've have had time to make it all the way around your window.
Use a marker to show on the left and the right where the radius
stops (ie. where it becomes a straight piece of casing dropping
to the floor).
Remove the tape and lower the pattern to the floor. Finish
cutting through the paper in all the 1" 'tabs' that you
left in place to hold it all together. Cut your pattern straight
across the bottom from left to right marks.
Indicate on the template, what you would like to add to this
dimension for the "relief" on the jamb (usually
1/4"). Make sure that the supplier understands that you
need the casing to be 1/4" larger all the way around!
A typically curved molding for a common sized elliptical
window will come in a minimum of two pieces, necessitating
a splice, or seam at the top. Larger windows may come as 3
pieces. Ask.
Don't forget to order matching "casing legs" and
specify the type of wood AND the profile or pattern you would
like your curved trim to be fabricated from.
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