02/09/2022
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Roller Shades
When choosing the best roller shades, think about more than how gorgeous they are or how they improve a room’s ambiance. There are many other factors to consider, such as the type of material, the opacity, and how to mount the shade. This makes an immense difference when it comes to privacy. Here are some key things to consider when shopping for roller shades.
Material
When it comes to improving the privacy from your window treatments, the material you choose can make a big difference. Modern roller shades come in more materials than the retro vinyl ones that were popular in the past. Materials include polyester, wood, cotton, bamboo, linen, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and PVC fiberglass.
When choosing the best material for shades in your home, make sure the fabric isn’t too sheer, since silhouettes will still be visible through sheer shades. Also, if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, it’s a good idea to choose a material that won’t agitate them.
Opacity
Density of roller shades is another important consideration. The opacity of a roller shade controls light-filtering effectiveness in a particular room. Improving room darkening is excellent for nurseries to avoid disturbing babies as sunlight moves throughout the room during naptime. Room-darkening shades can also be great for those who have a home theater room.
To ensure that roller shades provide maximum opacity, look to see if their description says they are blackout shades. These shades offer maximum privacy and will help with noise reduction and temperature control.
Sizing and Installation
Once you have chosen the perfect window covering, it helps to know whether you want an inside mount or an outside mount for the shade. An inside mount hangs the shades inside of the window casing. This type of mount lets in a small amount of light. It might even compromise privacy by allowing someone to see through the space between the window casing and the shade.
When measuring your windows for inside mount shades, measure horizontally from the top, middle, and bottom, followed by vertical measurements from left, middle, and right. The final measurement needed for installation is the depth of the window. Make sure the frame provides 2½ inches of depth for the headrail and mounting brackets. Ensure that all measurements are precise within the nearest ⅛ of an inch.
With an outside mount, the shades attach over the window on the outside of the window casing or frame. Since there are no gaps, this type of installation is best for privacy and for preventing light from shining into the home. For those with shallow window casings, it might prove to be the only option.
For an outside mount, measure vertically and horizontally, and check to be sure the room has at least 2 inches of space between the window frame and ceiling. Also, add at least 2 inches of overlap on each side of the window opening for the best coverage.
Style and Color
Along with opacity and material, style and color can improve privacy. Darker colors will block out light, and this, coupled with the blackout feature, can darken rooms as much as possible. It will also make it hard for someone to see inside your home, especially if you install them with an outside mount.
Of course, you can also choose lighter shades for a room, but keep in mind that lighter shades might not provide the privacy needed unless they contain the blackout feature. Or shoppers can customize the look; some manufacturers allow customers to place a choice of images on the roller shades.
Features and Upgrades
Roller shades typically come with strings. However, some products offer other options, like a chain pulley style, which allows for a continuous pull forward or backward that opens and closes the shades. Keep in mind that both a chain mechanism and a string mechanism might present safety hazards for pets and children. See the safety section below for more details.
A spring mechanism allows users to pull the shades up and down with little effort, using a handgrip located at the bottom of the shade. These types of shades will lock into place as they are moved up and down. This cordless option is a good choice if you have pets and children in the home.
Shoppers can opt to get motorized roller shades which allow them to operate the shades with a single press of a button. For those who want to add flair to the look, consider adding a decorative valance that hides the rolling mechanism and gives the blinds a soft, chic look.
Cleaning
One great thing about roller shades compared to blinds and other window treatments is that they are easier to clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe the dust away from vinyl shades. If the shade is soiled, use a mild detergent and a microfiber cloth to remove the dirt.
A vacuum or a feather duster can remove dirt from fabric roller shades. Avoid submerging them in water, however. This might ruin the rolling mechanism inside the shade and damage the fabric. It’s also a good idea to avoid using water to spot clean them.
Safety
When choosing the best roller shades, keep safety in mind, particularly for users who have small children or pets in the home. Children and pets can get tangled up in the cords or chains on roller shades that open and close using this mechanism, leading to strangulation or other injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately eight children per year under the age of 12 die from strangulation by window covering cords.
