Not your Grandma's Roller Shades!

Remember those ugly old spring roller shades that Grandma had behind the shear curtains and the heavy drapes to block out the sun?  Don't let go of that shade when you are raising it, or it will snap closed at break-neck speed and maybe never operate the same!  The days of that old technology are gone...thank heaven.  Here's what's new and wonderful about today's roller shades.

Roller shade mechanisms have been totally redesigned and engineered for carefree operation and longevity. If you like or need a cordless option, the new version of the spring roller operates much like the great soft-close drawers you have seen in the latest kitchens.  A gentle tug releases the shade and it slowly raises itself to the rolled up position.  You can also hold on to the shade to stop it mid way at any point.  To lower it, just pull it down.  The benefit of these shades are they are cordless and therefor child safe.  This is what the mechanism that hides behind a short fabric valance looks like, but you'll never see it from outside or inside.

The other option for roller shades is a continuous cord operation.  This choice provides a continuous loop cord on the side of the shade that allows you to control the height of the shade at any point--no spring at all.  The cords themselves are selected to match the color of the fabric you select or you can match the cord to the color of the paint on the window trim if you want it to really disappear.  The one thing to be sure of is that you request that your installer adds the child safety mechanism that attaches the loop cord to the trim.  This is a mandatory safety device in most states now and it keeps the cord neatly out of the way.

What are the choices to hide the roller mechanism? 

 There are many types of top treatments - a rectangular metal valance, a wood valance that mimics the crown molding in the room, a fabric covered rectangular valance, a soft fabric valance, or a curved cassette valance.  The right choice for you depends on the design of your room.  

  

Soft Fabric Valance                                  

Curved Cassette Topper

Fabric Covered Metal Fascia mounted over and exterior Solar Roller Shade

Fabric Roller Shades - The choices are endless

The latest shades offer so many options.  If you want a natural fiber look, there are new fabrics made from a combination of wood pulp and polyester that are both natural looking, beautiful and durable.

Soft Fabric Roller Shades

Shades can be made from a variety of fabrics that match your decor.

 

Motorization of Roller Shades is an great upgrade!

What are Solar Shades?

Solar Shades are roller shades that are manufactured using fabric that is designed to reduce glare, reduce infrared heat gain, provide a degree of daytime privacy and maintain a view outside. One thing to remember is that these shades do not provide privacy at night when the lights are on inside and it's dark outside.  We can do a duo shade which is two shades hung one behind the other.  The privacy shade goes next to the window and the solar shade on the inside of the room.  It's twice the cost but has dual function.

Protection of your Furnishings, Artwork & Flooring

Solar treatments add another important benefit aside from insulation - UV protection. The sunlight streaming through your windows may seem beautiful. But keep in mind that it carries with it damaging UV rays that, over time, will damage your home's interior.

You may love your cherry colored wood tables or dark blue couch. We all have favorite pieces of furniture that turn our houses into homes. However over time, UV rays will cause damage to your furniture, fading the colors and weakening the structure of the fibers. Look around your home. How many heirlooms, antiques, and works of art do you possess that are irreplaceable? If left exposed, UV rays will eventually damage all of your prized possessions. Warping canvas, fading paints, damaging finishes. These are just a few examples of UV damage. Whether you have carpet or wood flooring, the UV rays of sunlight will damage your floor. Fading and discoloration are common signs of damage. In the case of wood floors, you may even see splitting.

How to choose the right solar shade for the right room:

Location

Knowing whether your window faces north, south, east or west is the first step in choosing the right solar shade. The sun is not as hot or intense on windows facing north or south as it is on windows facing east (early morning to afternoon) or west (noon till 5PM) and so knowing the direction your window faces will help in determining which fabric offers the level of sun control you are seeking combined with the individual style that is aesthetically pleasing.

Performance

Solar Shades can reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, provide a degree of daytime privacy and filter natural light to illuminate the interior. However, no fabric can accomplish all of the above. You need to decide what feature is the most important or find a comfortable balance between one or more of the above. To help you decide, lets take a look at a couple of important elements - the Openness Factor and fabric color.

Openness Factor  - 3 choices based on your performance requirements and location.  The higher the openness, the more light you will let into the room.  Here is the same fabric in 3 choices of openness.  These photos show that you don't lose your view with a solar shade, but they provide a huge level of sun protection.

    

As you can see, the newest roller shades are a great option for many different design requirements, and best of all these are the most cost-effective solution to covering your windows.