Shades for Privacy and Light Filtration

Q: Can you recommend something that can both diffuse light AND provide privacy?

A: Sheer horizontal shades are probably your best choice for combining light filtration and privacy concerns. These unique shades have soft opaque slats that float between two vertical sheets of sheer fabric. When you pull the shade down and leave the slats open, you get soft diffused light. When you tilt the slats shut, the opaque slats act like a traditional blind and help block light and give you increased privacy.

Sheer horizontal shades come in a wide variety of colors and light diffusing options. Lighter colors give you adequate privacy when the slats are tilted shut and soft white light when they're open. Darker colors, on the other hand, will increase your privacy and room darkening options when the slats are closed.

Whatever color you choose, sheer horizontal shades are a great choice for combining privacy with the beauty and versatility of light diffusing shades.

Short Explanation of Cellular Shades

Q: I keep hearing about cellular shades and I know they're a popular style, but what exactly are they?

A: Cellular shades are a unique type of window shade that traps air between layers of material in order to help insulate your windows against energy loss and excess noise. When cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are retracted to the headrail, the cells, or air pockets, collapse. In this position cellular shades can resemble common pleated shades or even miniblinds.

But once the cellular shades are pulled down to cover the window, the air pockets expand. Each air pocket (or “cell”) runs the width of the window. These cells come in different sizes and cell counts and connect to one another to create a solid sheet of air pockets.

The larger the cell size, the larger the pleats on the shade and the more air it traps. Cellular shades with large cells are good for large or deep windows where larger pleats look more appropriate for the size.

Smaller cells often come in multiple cell counts (like double or triple) which refers to the number of cells layered between your room and the window. Multiple cell counts often help to increase insulation and noise reduction, but can also give you a very thick shade. These small cells also have smaller pleat widths which makes them ideal for standard or smaller windows.

Since cellular shades come in a large variety of colors and light filtering properties, there's something for everyone!

Styles for Top Down Bottom Up

Q: A friend of mine has cellular shades with the top down bottom up feature. They're great for early mornings or late evenings and I want to know what other styles are available with this feature.

A: Cellular shades, roman shades, and even some natural woven shades come with top down bottom up features. This unique feature allows homeowners to raise both the bottom and top rail, giving complete control over privacy and light. No wonder you like them so much!

Cellular shades have become very popular due to their sleek style, variety of colors, and exceptional insulating qualities. They also come in a wide selection of light filtering and room darkening styles.

But if you're looking for something different than cellular, you may want to consider woven shades with the same top down bottom up features. Woven shades introduce a natural fiber element into your room and often originate from sustainable sources which makes them ecologically friendly, too. Woven bamboo, grasses, and reeds are only a sample of the natural fibers available in woven shades.

Roman shades, on the other hand, bring the soft fabric of drapes into a shade and they're also available in top down bottom up styles. And, like cellular, roman shades come in a wide range of colors, textures, and styles that can either filter or block light. Great for privacy and room darkening, too.

With all the options, I'm sure you'll find the perfect top down bottom up shades for your home.

A Softer Kind of Shade

Q: My home has a traditional feel with some contemporary pieces and I'm torn between shades and drapes. I like the soft fabric look of drapes, but I'd rather have the convenience of cord controls (and the more compact design, too). What can you suggest?

A: Roman shades are perfect for your needs! These shades mix the soft appearance and feel of fabric with the ease of shade controls. These fabric window treatments cover your window with either elegant folds of fabric or more contemporary flat panels, both of which can be raised and lowered with traditional shade cord controls or cord loops.

And, since roman shades come in a variety of styles, colors, and textures, you have a huge range of choices to match your home's unique décor. They're also available in room-darkening or light-filtering fabrics that give you even greater control over the atmosphere in your home. And, in addition to being versatile, roman shades also come in top down/bottom up styles that allow you to raise and lower your shade from either the bottom rail or the top.

With almost unlimited options in styles and function, you can't go wrong with roman shades!

Blind-Celluar Hybrids

Q: I'm hoping to learn more about alternatives to traditional cellular shades. I read somewhere that there's a style of cellular that looks more like blinds. Can you give me more information?

A: Of course! Comfortex (a leading manufacturer of blinds and shades) created Odysee Insulating Blinds that combine the insulating features of cellular shades with the look and versatility of traditional blinds. From a distance, these unique shades resemble typical blinds with horizontal slats, giving you the look and flexibility of blinds. But, instead of tilting the blinds, you manipulate the cord controls to expand and contract the slats.

When you expand the slats, they open up into large cells (just like cellular shades) to block or filter incoming light, increase privacy, and create an insulating layer of air between your room and the window. This insulating layer can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing energy costs and ultimately saving you money.

You can also leave the Odysee slats in the contracted position so they lay flat and give you access to your view and appear much more like conventional blinds. The best part about these blinds is that they give you the versatile light control, privacy, and insulation of cellular with the look and feel of conventional blinds. They're perfect!

Inexpensive Alternatives to Real Wood Blinds

Q: I love the look of wood blinds, but can't afford to install them right now. Are there any other blinds available that might be good instead?

A: Faux Wood Blinds come in all kinds of colors and textures, many of which mimic the look and feel of real wood. Faux wood blinds tend to be less expensive than their natural alternatives and are perfect for areas where humidity can be a problem. Since they're created from composite material, faux wood blinds resist warping and bending and are great for bathrooms and kitchens.

Keep in mind though, that although faux wood blinds tend to be more affordable than wood, they're also heavier. This means that they have more strings (ladders) to hold each slat in place and they require more energy to adjust the height. But these composite alternatives can certainly be worth the adjustment if you're looking for a more durable, cheaper alternative to real wood blinds.

Modern Vertical Alternatives

Q: I'm hoping you can help me out. We have a house at the lake with huge windows that give us a great view. Unfortunately, they give everyone else a view inside our home, too...especially at night. Can you suggest a good shade? Hopefully something without vinyl slats?

A: Yes! There's two really good alternatives to traditional vertical blinds. Cellular shades and sheer shades both come in vertical styles.

Cellular shades have become one of the most popular alternatives to vertical blinds. These unique shades trap air inside vertical cells when they're pulled open, giving you light control and privacy while simultaneously helping you save energy through additional window insulation. They come in all kinds of colors and are available in both light diffusing and room darkening styles.

Sheer shades are available as panel tracks and come in a huge range of colors and textures. These unique shades block direct sunlight while still giving you full access to that wonderful lake view. If you want something to help control light during the day while still keeping your view, sheer shades are great! Tighter weaves provide a little privacy at night, but not quite as much as cellular.

Both, however, are great for modern or contemporary décor.

Enjoy the lake!