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Types of Window Shades
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here to see our selection of Window Shades.
 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
.
· 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.
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