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Types of Window Shades

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When you buy that new house and move in, you may notice something that you hadn’t really paid attention to when you fell in love with the place. The windows are huge. And they are so many different shapes and sizes. When did windows become so complicated?

· Shades are the least expensive option and are usually a spring loaded, vinyl roller shade, but these can be flimsy. More expensive fabric roller shades not only have a more reliable mechanism, they also come in an enormous range of fabrics
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· The number of different styled window shades now available is also startling. In ascending order from least to most expensive, the least costly of the more durable shades is a simple, spring-loaded fabric shade with a side cord and a concealed metal roller at the top.

· Next is a pleated shade, similar to the Redi-Shade, but made to last with a mechanism for raising and lowering it. For added energy efficiency and privacy, some manufacturers offer additional backing.

· Then there’s the honeycomb shades, so called because in profile they look like cells of a honeycomb strung together. These can significantly reduce heat gain or heat loss from a window and some manufacturers offer ones that are two and three cells deep.

· Another plus with both the pleated and the honey comb type is that they can be made to fit unusually shaped windows, for example the ones with a semi-circle at the top that are often installed in a family room to either side of the fireplace.

· Next up in price are woven wood shades, which are made with matchstick-thin pieces of wood, bamboo, reeds or grasses. A fair amount of daylight can pass between the thin slats, but these do provide some sun control and daytime privacy. For nighttime privacy, this type of shade must be lined.

· The most expensive type of shade, but the richest look because it can be made with silk, linen or drapery fabric, is a Roman shade. When lowered, a Roman shade can be flat or made to have cascading folds. When raised, the shade forms folds at the top.

Should you hire a decorator? Most of us don’t have that option. Window treatments can get expensive, and shades can be a less expensive choice. Window treatments and shades vary in size and color and are available at the click of your mouse. You’ll be sure to find the shades that fit your budget. Just measure and get online.