Window Shades
Window shades are a popular choice of window covering. Window shades help to moderate the amount of lighting in a room as well as offer beautiful decorative alternatives to some blinds that may not be as aesthetically pleasing. There are many different types of windows shades to choose from. Below is a brief description of some window shades that are discussed here in more detail:
Cellular or Honeycomb Shades
Cellular shades are typically translucent so that when they are lowered, some light will come through but you can’t see through them. The most distinctive feature of cellular shades is the hexagonal (honeycomb) shape of the shades. This shape helps to retain air inside and offers more insulation than other types of shades. When the shades are opened, the hexagonal shades collapse to easily fold away.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are made of fabric and fold to the top when opened. There are two different types of roman shades. The classic style has overlapping flaps when closed while the flat style closes with the fabric straight.
Pleated Shades
Pleated shades are made of pleated material that is spaced evenly horizontally. They sometimes look like cellular shades except there is no particular shape. The pleats hang naturally when opened. Pleated shades also offer more insulation protection over standard shades.
Solar Shades
The purpose of solar shades is to shield out heat and glare of the sun during the day. Solar shades are sometimes called solar screens. Solar shades typically serve to block out the glare of the sunlight and are not usually chosen for decorative purposes. They usually come in dark or light colored mesh type designs.
Motorized Shades
Motorized shades will automatically open and close at the flip of a switch. Motorized shades are not a type of shade but a special function of a shade. Therefore, there are many types of shades that can be made into automatic shades. Typically, solar shades or roller shades are good to make into automatic motorized shades.
Roller Shades
Roller shades are one of the simplest forms of shades. They have a roller on the top and the shades and open and retract by the roller turning. Usually roller shades have a mechanism that will lock the shade in place when the shade is not moving and open when the shade is pulled down quickly so that it can retract.
Balloon Shades
Balloon shades are particular in that when they are opened they look like clouds with rounded bottoms. Balloon shades fit traditional room decors and typically need window sills that allow for the extra spaces when then shades are raised.
There are many more types of window shades than listed above. Before you decide what type of window treatment to use, make sure you do your research and look at various designs and functions that fit your particular room style. Have fun with choosing your window covering.
|
|
|
