Window treatments can come in many types and include different parts. Sometimes they are drapes with sheers beneath. Sometimes they are valances with false blinds that never move up or down. People often take for granted what window coverings can do and put little thought into their purchases. Curtains, blinds and roller shades actually serve many purposes, as varied as their styles.
Roller shades are a type of blind that are very functional. They come in a few different varieties. The different things they can do or provide to their owners demonstrate how important window coverings are. Roller shades range from thick materials to thin, and can be as practical as they are decorative. And like most window coverings, their purpose is best suited to the room or use they are intended for, rather than being a generic item added to a window.
Roller shades roll up when not in use, hence the word 'roller' in the name. The tube that holds the shade when it is rolled is usually at the top of the window itself. Shades are not usually pleated, though they can be made of pleated material upon request. Nor do window shades of this type gather up like vertical or roman shades. When the beaded chain on the side of the blind is pulled, the roller shade rolls up and out of the way. It is important to keep this chain somewhat attached to the wall near the window, for safety reasons.
Shades come in all sorts of various materials. Some materials are thick, and others are surprisingly thin. Some companies also offer eco-friendly textiles that support a friendly ecology for the earth while still being inexpensive to purchase. Blinds are typically custom made to fit a window. However, many online stores have ready-made blinds waiting in stock to be sold. Be sure to get accurate measurements when choosing blinds.
Media rooms in today's family home often require a great deal of privacy or darkness but only at certain periods, such as when people are watching movies or playing video games. Otherwise, it's nice to have natural light in. Room darkening window shades are meant to block all light from a room. They also keep rooms the most private. That is why many hospitals and doctors choose these blackout or room darkening roller shades for their own use. These light-blocking shades can also help keep the slow setting sun out of young children's windows when their bedtimes come sooner than the darkness. They're ideal for any bedroom really, as they do not have to be black. Blackout blinds can be of any color and can come in fun textures like faux suede.
Some rooms don't require having the entirety of natural light blocked out from their windows. Natural lighting is a good way to save on electricity bills, choosing to use the light from outside rather than light bulbs or electrical lamps. For rooms like this, it might be better to have light controlling roller shades. These window shades or blinds are usually made from transparent materials. It's even possible to make homemade blinds out of rice paper that will last for quite some time. Some light controlling shades are so thin that it's as if they weren't there at all. Others are so opaque that they look like part of the wall, letting no view from outside through the window but every ounce of light into the room.
Roller shades can also provide insulation and other benefits. Pleated shades trap or lock air between the pleats of material. This air will be cool when it is hot outside, and will stay warm when it is cold outside. Shades can also allow natural light in but take the glare off the screen on a television. And further still, window shades can serve as UV filters, blocking the harmful rays of the sun and preventing the fading of furniture and other things in a room. They can also add a complimentary decorative touch to window coverings already installed on windows.
Although measuring windows before buying blinds is very important, it's more important to know what you're buying them for. With roller blinds, you're getting a specific item for your window designed for a specific purpose. If you want natural light, be sure to choose sheer or translucent blinds. If you want all light omitted from the room, choose blackout shades. And if you just want something pretty, shades come with fringe and scalloped trim and beads. The important thing is to be aware of what you're buying, and why, before you buy. - 29958
Roller shades are a type of blind that are very functional. They come in a few different varieties. The different things they can do or provide to their owners demonstrate how important window coverings are. Roller shades range from thick materials to thin, and can be as practical as they are decorative. And like most window coverings, their purpose is best suited to the room or use they are intended for, rather than being a generic item added to a window.
Roller shades roll up when not in use, hence the word 'roller' in the name. The tube that holds the shade when it is rolled is usually at the top of the window itself. Shades are not usually pleated, though they can be made of pleated material upon request. Nor do window shades of this type gather up like vertical or roman shades. When the beaded chain on the side of the blind is pulled, the roller shade rolls up and out of the way. It is important to keep this chain somewhat attached to the wall near the window, for safety reasons.
Shades come in all sorts of various materials. Some materials are thick, and others are surprisingly thin. Some companies also offer eco-friendly textiles that support a friendly ecology for the earth while still being inexpensive to purchase. Blinds are typically custom made to fit a window. However, many online stores have ready-made blinds waiting in stock to be sold. Be sure to get accurate measurements when choosing blinds.
Media rooms in today's family home often require a great deal of privacy or darkness but only at certain periods, such as when people are watching movies or playing video games. Otherwise, it's nice to have natural light in. Room darkening window shades are meant to block all light from a room. They also keep rooms the most private. That is why many hospitals and doctors choose these blackout or room darkening roller shades for their own use. These light-blocking shades can also help keep the slow setting sun out of young children's windows when their bedtimes come sooner than the darkness. They're ideal for any bedroom really, as they do not have to be black. Blackout blinds can be of any color and can come in fun textures like faux suede.
Some rooms don't require having the entirety of natural light blocked out from their windows. Natural lighting is a good way to save on electricity bills, choosing to use the light from outside rather than light bulbs or electrical lamps. For rooms like this, it might be better to have light controlling roller shades. These window shades or blinds are usually made from transparent materials. It's even possible to make homemade blinds out of rice paper that will last for quite some time. Some light controlling shades are so thin that it's as if they weren't there at all. Others are so opaque that they look like part of the wall, letting no view from outside through the window but every ounce of light into the room.
Roller shades can also provide insulation and other benefits. Pleated shades trap or lock air between the pleats of material. This air will be cool when it is hot outside, and will stay warm when it is cold outside. Shades can also allow natural light in but take the glare off the screen on a television. And further still, window shades can serve as UV filters, blocking the harmful rays of the sun and preventing the fading of furniture and other things in a room. They can also add a complimentary decorative touch to window coverings already installed on windows.
Although measuring windows before buying blinds is very important, it's more important to know what you're buying them for. With roller blinds, you're getting a specific item for your window designed for a specific purpose. If you want natural light, be sure to choose sheer or translucent blinds. If you want all light omitted from the room, choose blackout shades. And if you just want something pretty, shades come with fringe and scalloped trim and beads. The important thing is to be aware of what you're buying, and why, before you buy. - 29958
About the Author:
Learn how to choose and save on window shades. Stop by Jerikat Jennison's site where you can find out all about roller shades and what they can do for you when budget is also an issue.
