Roller Shades: Types and Uses

Roller shades are stylish, functional and versatile materials that were traditionally used as inexpensive means of darkening rooms. The early roller shades comprised a thin paper or fabric material strung to a spring-loaded roller. These were available in limited colors and varieties. Later, roller shades started becoming available in exquisite colors, patterns and textures. They began to be used for making sophisticated style statement.

Roller Shades: Varieties

The two main varieties of roller shades are standard and reverse shades. In standard roller shades, the fabric rolls off from the back, while in reverse shades, it rolls off from the front of the shade. Roller shades can be accessorized with ornamental hems, tassels, tinsels and ring pulls to provide an animated look. The basic roller shades can be upgraded with cord loops and motorization to ease the lowering and raising of shades.

Roller Shades: Types and Uses

Roller shades are of six different types:

• Solar screen: These are energy-saving, long-lasting shades that are the most effective in keeping out heat and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are three categories of solar screens. Two of them are vinyl coated fiberglass and vinyl coated polyester. The third category consists of the other two categories with aluminum backing.
• Privacy screens: These soft and attractive-looking shades are generally made of cotton, polyester, linen and fiberglass. These offer solar protection but are less durable than solar screens because of the absence of vinyl coating.
• Blackout screens: These shades are made of vinyl and offer 100% blacking out. These are durable and can be cleaned easily.
• Paper screens: These fragile privacy screens are made of thin material, usually paper. The paper so used can be printed or painted to add color to the room.
• Woven wood: Woven wood shades are made of wood, and lend a sophisticated and traditional appeal to the room.
• Insect mesh: Such shades provide protection against insects, but hardly shields against sunlight.

If you want to custom-make roller shades for your personal use or office, visit www.theshadestore.com.

Solar Shades: Types

Solar shades or screens are a category of roller window shades, generally prepared from synthetic mesh fabric. This fabric allows light and air to filter through it, keeping the temperature inside the room low. These are available in varying degrees of opaqueness.

Solar Shades: Types

Solar shade products can be categorized into:

• Interior/ Exterior transparent shades
• Interior light blocking shades
• Privacy shades
• Dimming shades
• Skylight shades

Choose shades according to the needs of your setup.

Retractable solar shades are yet another popular type of solar shades, which protect the outer parts of buildings. These are used as awnings on shop fronts and sun-facing side of buildings.

Benefits of Solar Shades

Solar shades, being highly functional and environment-friendly, fulfill the following functions:

• Protection from the sun: These shades block thermal radiation up to 90%, thus reducing the need to use cooling devices. They obstruct harmful solar radiation from penetrating rooms. Also, they reduce the risks of skin diseases caused by exposure to ultra violet rays.
• Prevents property damage: Solar screens protect the furniture of the room from getting bleached by sun rays.
• Privacy: Solar shades guarantee daytime privacy while at the same time providing complete view of the world outside.
• Low maintenance cost: These shades are durable, easily operable and attractive to look at.

Solar shades are extremely useful at offices and workplaces, where these reduce glares and bring down the room temperature by around 25%. This creates a more comfortable and effective work space, increasing the overall productivity of workers.

To browse through a variety of choice before placing your order for a high-quality solar shade, visit www.theshadestore.com. The website offers a range of solar shades, other types of shades, blinds and panel systems, in a variety of designs at cost-effective prices.

Roller Shades: Types and Uses

Roller shades are stylish, functional and versatile materials that were traditionally used as inexpensive means of darkening rooms. The early roller shades comprised a thin paper or fabric material strung to a spring-loaded roller. These were available in limited colors and varieties. Later, roller shades started becoming available in exquisite colors, patterns and textures. They began to be used for making sophisticated style statement.

Roller Shades: Varieties

The two main varieties of roller shades are standard and reverse shades. In standard roller shades, the fabric rolls off from the back, while in reverse shades, it rolls off from the front of the shade. Roller shades can be accessorized with ornamental hems, tassels, tinsels and ring pulls to provide an animated look. The basic roller shades can be upgraded with cord loops and motorization to ease the lowering and raising of shades.

Roller Shades: Types and Uses

Roller shades are of six different types:

Solar screen: These are energy-saving, long-lasting shades that are the most effective in keeping out heat and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are three categories of solar screens. Two of them are vinyl coated fiberglass and vinyl coated polyester. The third category consists of the other two categories with aluminum backing.
Privacy screens: These soft and attractive-looking shades are generally made of cotton, polyester, linen and fiberglass. These offer solar protection but are less durable than solar screens because of the absence of vinyl coating.
Blackout screens: These shades are made of vinyl and offer 100% blacking out. These are durable and can be cleaned easily.
Paper screens: These fragile privacy screens are made of thin material, usually paper. The paper so used can be printed or painted to add color to the room.
Woven wood: Woven wood shades are made of wood, and lend a sophisticated and traditional appeal to the room.
Insect mesh: Such shades provide protection against insects, but hardly shields against sunlight.

If you want to custom-make roller shades for your personal use or office, visit www.theshadestore.com.

Choosing Cellular Shades: Considerations

Cellular shades are elegant and trendy light filtering shades that offer high style and durability. People use cellular shades for protection against cold winds and the UV rays. These shades combine the versatility of shades with the energy-efficiency of double-paned windows. Cellular shades can be used for window casing in offices and homes.

Choosing Cellular Shades: Considerations

When selecting cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, keep the following variables in mind:

Cell size: Cells are like pockets created to trap air between two sheets of fabric and make an insulating blanket between the window and the room. Smaller cells work better in a cluster and larger cells work better as a single layer.
Cell number: Cell numbers refer to the cross-section of the cellular shades. A single cell is a single line of air pockets that block heat and cold. However, double or triple cells are thicker cellular shades and insulate better.
Choice of fabric: Choose from a variety of semi-sheer or opaque cellular shades available in different colors and weaves. Thick and opaque fabrics help in maximizing energy efficiency.
Window type and size: There is greater absorption and conduction of sunlight through larger windows. When shopping shades for larger windows, buy large cellular shades. These shades hide multiple small cells within their pleats.

Cellular Shades: Advantages

The benefits of using cellular shades are:

Functional and attractive: Cellular shades are not only functional, but also eye-catching and chic. The different types of lift systems, such as cord lift or cordless lift system, make these shades handy and safe.
Work as insulators: These shades work as all season insulators and help to reduce your electricity bills. They protect against extreme cold and heat, which keeps the room temperature comfortable.
Aesthetic and compact: Cellular shades do not occupy much space and open up artistically to give the outside view. These shades add style to any home décor.

Visit www.theshadestore.com to browse through a collection of superior-quality cellular shades. The Shade Store has top designers and in-house experts to help you in every step.

Window Treatments: Uses

The term ‘window treatment’ encompasses the functional value and the aesthetic significance of covering windows. One can cover a window to ensure privacy, insulate heat and cold, filter light and preserve property. Window treatments also guarantee beautification of the windows and are a part of interior decoration.

Types of Window Treatments

The standard window treatments are:

• Curtains, drapes or sheers
• Blinds and shutters
• Valances and cornice boards which are generally used for concealing the hardware used for hanging curtains
• Tiebacks to hold back curtains
• Paper and cloth screens

Some treatments are applied directly to the glass which converts the window pane into:

• Frosted glass: This can be done with acid, sandblasting and plastic films
• Distorted optics: Installation of wavy glass is quite popular
• Stained glass: Glass painting is the best way of window decoration, which imparts liveliness to a room.

The latest window treatments include different types of shades, such as Roman, solar, pleated, cellular and roller.

Window Treatments: Uses

• Window treatments serve many purposes besides that of ensuring privacy.
• Visual satisfaction: Window treatments enhance the visual and aesthetic appeal of a room through a variety of colors, textures and pattern.
• Showcase personal qualities: Documenting a historic period or miscellaneous incidents exhibits one’s intellectual and creative bent of mind.
• Improves interiors: Quality window treatments impart elegance and comfort to the room and the people, respectively.
• Heightens architectural styles: A complementary window treatment can soften or harden the architectural lines of a room.
• An attractive alternative: Window treatments are welcome alternatives to opulent room decorations.

For high-quality, attractive, latest window treatment products, visit www.theshadestore.com. The online store provides a range of shades, drapery, panel systems and blinds that can be customized to suit the individual customer

Window Shades: Considerations to Choose

Window shades create a novel and exclusive decor. Window shades are available in horizontal and vertical vanes. They are durable options to beautify your window and home. They act as good insulators and help reduce electricity bills.

Types of Window Shades

Here are various popular window treatments you might consider:

• Roller shades: Available in various fabrics, textures and cordless lifting options. They are commonly used in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. They are easy to clean and practical to use.

• Roman shades: Used to add a tinge of elegance to a room. They are available in rich colors and appearances. They add versatility and verve to a room. These shades are available in flat panel and modern tear-drop panel.

• Cellular or Honeycomb shades: You can choose cellular shades according to the light control levels, insulation levels, cell sizes and cord lifting system. They are available in various colors and textures.

• Pleated shades: Economic alternative to the honeycomb shades. They serve to filter light, however are not good insulators. These shades are less durable.

• Bamboo or Woven wood shades: Made from natural materials, such as fiber, reeds, bamboo, wood and even grass. They need no professional assistance for installation, and are easy to maintain.

• Solar shades: Known as “screen shades,” they are made from fiberglass material. They come with different “openness percentages” that determine the level of protection from UV rays.

Window Shades: Considerations to Choose

The following tips will help to choose the type of window shade that is most appropriate for your home:

• Choose your color: Harmonize the color of the window shades with your wall treatments and furniture schemes to create an ambience.

• Desired amount of privacy: Choose well-fitted opaque or thicker shades for more privacy. You may use single-celled semi-sheer fabric to get brighter rooms.

• Lookout for sale announcements: Keep a close eye on discounts offered by manufacturers and dealers. Keep your window measurements ready to take advantage of sale announcements.

• Cell size and texture: If you want to use the window shades as insulators, choose a cluster of smaller cells hidden in the pleats, as this improves the absorption.

Visit www.theshadestore.com to check the latest designs of window shades. The Shade Store offers skilled craftsmanship at affordable prices.

Modern Drapery-Stylish and Practical way to Cover your Windows.

Drapery is popularly known as curtains. Drapery refers to fabric or textiles utilized for decorative purposes generally on windows, but are also great for insulation. Other than making the home or office interior attractive it also helps to maintain privacy of the home. It prevents the neighbors or any other outsiders to look inside the home or work place. It safeguards people against the harsh ultra violet rays of sun. Basically, a drapery can make an interior designing complete.

Cleaning and maintenance of Modern drapery

There are several reasons for cleaning your draperies on a regular basis. One of the major causes of draperies looking old and dirty is only the household dust. If these draperies do not get cleaned regularly, dusts build up on the drapes and with time it will be more and more noticeable. The huge amounts of dust can stay trapped in the drapes. The movement of closing and opening them can bring out the unhealthy particles in air that we breathe.

To keep the draperies in superb condition, it is best to clean them every few weeks. All you need is a soft cloth or vacuum with a soft brush. Do not put any liquids on the fabrics. Professional dry cleaning is always an option. Also, adding a liner to the back of the drapery is a great way to protect the fabric.

The Shade Store has been custom making draperies for 60+ years. We look forward to sharing our expertise on your next project.