You’ve heard of roller shades, but did you know there are other kinds of shades?

Shades have been around for a long time, but human innovation goes on in all sectors and even shades are changing.

Honeycomb Shades

Honeycomb shades get their name because they resemble a honeycomb, but they don’t come with honey or bees. Each row of the shade is pleated to contain air cells. The cells trap air and provide a buffer between inside and outside temperatures.

Honeycomb shades work very well in places where strong sunlight warms up a room or the bitter cold air of winter seeps through the windows. Hunter-Douglas makes an insulated honeycomb shade called Architella that is so insulating that it has qualified for federal rebates!

Cellular Roller Shades

Most cellular shades work by folding themselves up as you lift them, but they are available in a roller shade too. The difference is that a roller shade is very neat when it’s completely rolled up, giving the window a minimalist look. Add a valance and your rolled up shade is invisible.

Hunter-Douglas makes a cellular roller shade called Sonnette. Since all of their shades are custom made, you can order it with a lifting system that operates with a button or even one that allows you to program the shades to open and close on a schedule.

Roman/Honeycomb Hybrid Shades

If you like the ruffled look of a roman shade, but don’t want to miss out on the energy efficiency of a honeycomb shade, you can get a hybrid. These shades have a softer look than a structured honeycomb shade, but they still buffer the outside temperature and can even help with the acoustics in a room.

The Solera shade from Hunter-Douglas can be pushed up from the bottom or pushed down from the top, giving you different ways to bring sunlight into the room and retain your privacy.

You can pick from dozens of fabrics when ordering these shades. Whether you want insulating window treatments, privacy or protection from our strong Colorado Springs sun, contact us and we can help you design the perfect shades for your windows!

Halloween took place earlier this week, so let’s ask a ghostly sort of question.

Have you ever been sound asleep, snug in your bed, only to be rudely awakened by a roller shade snapping up on its own?

Were ghosts opening the shades? Or were roller shade systems originally designed with a flaw that caused them to mysteriously snap up?

We aren’t sure about the ghosts, but we do know that older roller shades have ratchets that hold them in place. If the ratchets become dirty or weak, they can let go of the shade unexpectedly and cause it to snap up suddenly.

Newer shades work better and the ghosts will have to work harder, since they no longer snap up on their own. The mechanisms have been improved, as have the styles and functionality of roller shades.

Roller Shades Come in More Patterns

In the old days, it was hard to find a roller shade that had two colors in it, let alone a pattern that really worked in your home, but things have changed. You can get them in an endless variety of patterns. Matching valances are also available, giving the shade a more finished look.

Two Roller Shades in One

The Solar Screen Shade is a variety of roller shade that gives you two shades in one. The two operate independently, allowing you to put the transparent solar screen down and the opaque shade up. With these, you don’t lose your view and your furnishings are protected from the sun’s glare during the day. You can easily put down the opaque shade at night for privacy.

Roller Shades are Easy to Clean

Roller shades are very easy to clean. They are made of polyester and most need nothing more than periodic vacuuming. Some, but not all, can handle a bit of moisture if you need to wipe a stain off, but you’ll probably never have to do this since polyester is naturally very resistant to stains.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, minimalist look in a product that is easily operated, roller shades may be for you. Contact us today and we can help you find the perfect window coverings for your home… with or without ghosts.

Should you put shutters in your home? Last week we covered the types of shutters and trends in shutters, but choosing a product and look is only one part of the process. You’ll want to know how to budget for the shutters and how to maintain them once they’ve been installed.

Budgeting for Shutters

Shutters are like a piece of furniture for your windows and should be budgeted for with the same eye towards longevity. The framing goes around the perimeter of the window, so you’ll need to consider the entire length and width when calculating what you need.

Shutters cost between $15 and $45 per square foot, including installation. What is the difference between shutters at the low end and those at the high end? The materials used to make shutters vary and more expensive materials will raise the cost.

The price of custom wood shutters will be closer to $45/sq. ft. Vinyl shutters will cost less. Budget according to the materials you expect to use, but it may be helpful to know that the average price of shutters is $22/sq. ft.

Keep in mind as you are thinking about a budget that shutters may not be the best choice. They are expensive and permanent. They also block some of the light because the framing covers part of the window and they really aren’t meant to be left open.

Shutter Maintenance

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a window covering that requires almost no maintenance, shutters are for you. Most shutters only need to be dusted. The vinyl shutters can handle being washed with water, but it may not be necessary. Dusting them should be enough.

If you’re looking for a window covering that adds interest, isn’t fancy, requires very little maintenance and lasts as long as the home itself, shutters can be a good option. Contact us and we’ll help you determine if shutters are right for your home.

It’s so hard to know what to put on your windows. Shades? Blinds? Shutters? Drapes?

And what happens in 10 years when all the trends have changed? Do you have to start all over?

If you are looking for a window covering that isn’t plain, isn’t overwrought, doesn’t need to be replaced in ten years and adds a classic feature to the room; consider shutters.

Shutter Style

Shutters have been around a long time, probably longer than any other kind of permanent window covering. They add a timeless, classic look to the room.

If you want a window covering that looked good 20 years ago, looks good now and will look good 20 years from now, shutters may be for you.

Believe it or not, trends do affect shutters, but classic shutters outlive trends. Currently, we are seeing trendy dark espresso shutters with white trim. Some people are even using black shutters, but this probably won’t last a long time.

If you want a long-lasting, classic window covering, look at white shutters or those with a classic stain. These will last a lifetime.

Types of Shutters

Historically, shutters were made of wood, but modern technology has given us more options.

• Custom solid wood shutters remain popular. You can choose the stain, the vane size and the trim to produce exactly the look you want.
• Another option combines the classic look of shutters with modern technology for a beautiful, durable window covering. Hybrid shutters are an affordable option made with composite wood and come in a variety of colors and shapes.
• Technology has also given us a way to do something we could never do before. Palm Beach Luxury Vinyl Shutters can tolerate water, which means you can use them on a window that gets wet! Do you have a window in your shower? These shutters can give you privacy without frosting the window.

Oh, by the way, you know that bar that you sometimes see on the front of shutters that connects the vanes? That bar is not an operating system. It simply holds the vanes together. You open and close the shutters by taking hold of a vane and repositioning it.

Rear Tilt Shutters don’t have that bar. The vanes are held together in the back so that your view is unobstructed.

Next week, learn to budget for shutters and find out how to maintain them. Like our Facebook page to be among the first to read our posts!