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Solar screen roller shades provide heat and glare control while allowing you to view through the fabric.
Solar Screen Fabrics: Offered in 1%, 3% and 5% opacity level. 1% opacity lets the least amount of light and view through, while 5% lets the most amount of light and view through.
Lighter color fabrics like white and grey will soften light, and provide less of a clear view through the fabric. Darker fabrics like brown, charcoal and black will allow for a clearer view through the fabric.
Light filtering roller shades provide functionality and versatility to fit every home’s aesthetic.
Sheer and Semi-Sheer Fabrics: Filter light with view or partial view through. These fabrics are perfect for living rooms, kitchens or offices where privacy isn’t a concern.
Translucent Fabrics: Filter light while blocking view through, providing more privacy for rooms like bathrooms and bedrooms.
Blackout custom roller shades darken rooms with opaque fabric. Blackout shades are the perfect solution for bedrooms, media viewing rooms, and rooms with privacy requirements.
Our automated roller shades are powered by Somfy Motors. Motorized roller shades make operating your custom roller shades a breeze. The perfect solution for homes with busy schedules, tall or out of reach windows, and to enhance child safety. Control shades by:
Blinds and shades are popular window treatments available for light control in homes. Both serve the purpose of providing privacy and controlling light, however, they differ in their design and functionality.
Blinds are made up of individual slats that can be adjusted for precise control over light and privacy. They are operated by raising, lowering and tilting the slats to different angles to regulate the amount of light entering the room. Blinds are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, vinyl, and faux wood.
Shades, on the other hand, are made from a single panel of fabric or woven wood that can be raised or lowered to cover the window. Unlike blinds, shades do not have individual slats that can be adjusted for light control. Instead, they offer a more streamlined and soft look while still providing privacy and varying degrees of light control. Roller shades, in particular, have gained popularity in modern interior design due to their clean and modern aesthetic.
Roller Shades, sometimes referred to as Roller Blinds, are a versatile and stylish window treatment option that can enhance the look and functionality of any room. Made of fabric, roller shades are drawn up or down to control light and privacy.
Blinds and shades are not only functional window coverings but also offer energy efficiency benefits. The rotating slats in blinds regulate the amount of sunlight and heat that is allowed into a room. This helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and can lead to energy savings.
Shades, on the other hand, offer insulation properties that contribute to energy efficiency. Roller shades, for example, create a barrier between the window and the room, preventing heat transfer and reducing energy loss. This helps to keep your space cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter without relying heavily on air conditioning or heating systems. Some solar shade fabrics prevent heat gain by using specialty fabric that reflect sunlight off of the back of the shade, keeping your home cool while allowing you to have view through.
Blackout shades, specifically designed to block out light completely, excel in insulating properties. By preventing light from entering through the window, these shades also act as a thermal barrier, preventing heat from escaping during colder months and reducing the need for additional heating. This can result in significant energy savings over time.
When choosing the right fabric type for roller shades, it’s important to consider the unique characteristics of each option. Light filtering fabric allows natural light to enter the room while still providing privacy, making it ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. Solar screen fabric offers excellent glare reduction and UV protection, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency. Blackout fabric, on the other hand, provides maximum privacy and light control, making it perfect for bedrooms and media rooms.
When updating or choosing new window treatments for your home, the type of fabric you choose can make a big impact on the overall look and feel of the space. There are a variety of fabric options available, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. Whether you’re looking for something light and airy, or a more heavy-duty option for privacy and insulation, the type of fabric you choose can help achieve the desired aesthetics and functionality for your windows. Below are some popular types of fabrics to consider when updating or choosing window treatments for your home.
When it comes to choosing the right window treatments for your home, consider the different types of light-filtering fabrics available for roller shades. Translucent fabrics, sheer, and semi-sheer options allow varying levels of light to pass through while still providing privacy.
Translucent fabrics provide both light-flow and privacy, with no direct view-through. You will be able to see shadows against the fabric, for instance from tree branches outside the window. Shadows are blurrier when the object is farther from the fabric, and more crisp when the object is close to the fabric. In a very brightly lit, small space where privacy is desired, proximity to the shades should be considered.
Sheer fabrics are meant to be seen through; they are often part of layered treatments and add texture to your room. On a sunny day, passers-by will not be able to see much through them into your home, though, because generally speaking, your home will be darker than the brightly lit world outside. At night, when your interior is brightly lit, people outside may be able to see inside to varying degrees.
Semi-sheer shades are similar to sheers, with a slightly less clear view-through. You will see more of their texture, and like sheers, they diffuse light.
The benefits of these light-filtering fabrics are twofold. Not only do they provide excellent light control, allowing you to adjust the level of brightness in your home, but they also offer varying levels of privacy, making them suitable for rooms with less privacy requirements, or for layered applications.
When considering light-filtering fabrics for your roller shades, keep in mind the decorative aspect as well. These fabrics not only provide functionality but also add a touch of style and elegance to your windows.
View our Light Filtering Fabric Guide to find the right fabric line for you!
When updating existing window treatments or searching for solutions for a new home, Solar Screen Fabric offers numerous benefits for homeowners. This innovative fabric is designed to reduce glare and UV exposure, making it an ideal choice for enhancing indoor comfort and protecting furniture and flooring from sun damage. In addition to its impact on indoor quality of life, Solar Screen Fabric is also known for its energy efficiency, allowing for reduced cooling costs in the summer months.
Solar screen fabrics are also designed to be seen through, more clearly even than sheer light filtering fabric. Controlled weave patterns and fabric openness allow varying levels of view-through, primarily to the more brightly lit area, whether that is inside or outside. This fabric is designed for its sun control functionality, solar shades should not be relied on for nighttime privacy, though they will provide varying levels of daytime privacy.
Available in a variety of colors and with different levels of openness, Solar Screen Fabric can be customized to match the aesthetic of any home. Its versatility makes it suitable for both commercial and residential settings, offering a practical and stylish solution for those seeking to update their window treatments.
View our Solar Screen Fabric Guide!
When it comes to updating window treatments or finding solutions for a new home, blackout (or room-darkening) fabrics for roller shades are an essential consideration. There are different types of fabrics available for blackout shades, including vinyl-coated, foam-backed, and polyester-based fabrics. These fabrics are important for providing complete darkness in hospitality guestrooms and meeting spaces, as they effectively block out external light, allowing for a restful night’s sleep and providing optimal conditions for presentations and AV displays.
The specific coating used in blackout fabrics is designed to prevent light penetration, ensuring that no light seeps through the fabric and into the room. This is especially crucial in hospitality settings where guests expect a high level of comfort and privacy. Additionally, blackout roller shade fabrics can also be effectively used in meeting or board rooms to create a darkened environment for presentations and video conferences.
Fire Rated Fabrics: When selecting the right fabric for your commercial space, it is important to look for Fire Rated (FR) fabrics. These fabrics have been developed to withstand flames and reduce heat during a fire. This can limit the spread of fire during an emergency.
Anti-Microbial Fabrics are great solutions for commercial spaces like hospitals where it is a priority to reduce the spread of infectious microorganisms.
GreenGuard Gold Certified fabrics have been tested and reviewed to prove a low chemical emission, improving environmental impact and air-quality.
Battery-powered motorized roller shades offer a level of convenience that manual options can’t match. With remote control or voice commands, you can adjust the shades effortlessly, making them ideal for hard-to-reach windows or large, heavy shades. The ability to automate shade movement based on time, temperature, or sunlight adds a layer of convenience that enhances daily life.
Safety is another major benefit of motorized shades, particularly for households with children or pets. The cordless design eliminates potential hazards, making your home safer while also offering a clean, modern aesthetic. With no cords or chains, the streamlined look fits well with contemporary interior designs.
Additionally, motorized shades can improve energy efficiency by automating shade control, helping regulate indoor temperatures and reducing heating and cooling costs. Battery-powered options also don’t require hardwiring, making installation simple and accessible for both homeowners and renters.
In contrast, while cordless and clutch-operated shades may be more budget-friendly, they lack the smart functionality and ease of use provided by motorized systems. If convenience, safety, and integration with smart home technology are priorities, battery-powered motorized roller shades are a worthwhile investment.
The Custom Shade’s average lead time to manufacture custom roller shades is 5 business days. We manufacture our custom roller shades in Colorado, USA so we can maintain a high standard for our manufacturing and deliver your window treatments in a timely manner.
Note: Using an accurate tape measure, measure to nearest 1/8″ inch. Round down if at 1/16″ inch.
✔ Block glare for more visual comfort, soften light or completely block light coming into a room
✔ Reduce heat gain and spend less on cooling
✔ Increase privacy
✔ Decrease UV damage to furniture and finishes
Remove dust with a vacuum cleaner or compressed air. Clean with a sponge and warm soapy water using mild detergent. Rinse with clean water. Do not scrub. Do not use solvents or abrasives that could harm the coating of the fabric. Leave the blind down until completely dry. You may also very gently rub the fabric with a clean white pencil eraser to remove small stains.
Yes, roller shades can be energy-efficient. By blocking or filtering sunlight, they help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the need for A/C in summer and heat loss in winter. Solar roller shades, in particular, allow natural light in while minimizing heat, contributing to energy savings. Automated roller shades further enhance efficiency by adjusting based on time or sunlight, optimizing temperature control.
Yes, certain roller shades do provide privacy. Blackout roller shades completely block light coming through the fabric so they will offer the most provide the most privacy. Light Filtering Roller Shades with Translucent fabric will provide privacy, however shadows may be visible through the fabric.
