Versatile Light Control

Q: I just bought a home with gorgeous views out the south and east sides. My problem is that, while I like the sunrise and light, I really don't like the glare early on in the day (and on the south side in the winter months). Are there any shades that could block the glare but not the view or the light?

A: There are two suggestions, actually. One would be solar shades and the other top down/bottom up cellular shades. Solar shades are like regular roller shades but, instead of blocking the window completely, they allow some light to filter though while still decreasing the glare. The best part about these shades is that they preserve the view even through the shade.

The second alternative would be to install cellular shades with the top down/bottom up feature. In addition to trapping air in pockets against the window and creating a small insulating barrier, top down/bottom up cellular shades give you versatile options for adjusting the shade on your window. You can use them like a normal shade that always drops from the top rail OR you can actually lower the top of the shade to block only the middle or bottom portion of the window.

Top down/bottom up cellular shades are perfect for individuals who want to block low direct sunlight without blocking the whole window.

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.

Controlling Light at Dawn and Dusk

Q: My living room faces west and although the views of the sunset are fantastic, I need shades that can block the light, yet still let in some of the natural light through those windows. Are there any shades that can block just the direct sun?

A: Top down/bottom up shades would be perfect! With top down/bottom up, you can raise and lower the shades from either the top rail (normal) or the bottom. This means that you can choose to block or filter just the top or just the lower part of your window, still allowing sunlight to filter into your home while still blocking direct light.

Cellular shades are the most popular style of these types of shades and come in a variety of light filtering and room darkening options. If you want a shade that generally allows light to filter into your home, you may want to choose a light filtering or light diffusing option. If you want a shade that will help darken your room at any time of day, you may want an opaque or room-darkening shade.

Either way, top down/bottom up cellular shades are a great choice for homeowners hoping to block only direct light, no matter which part of the window it comes through!

Top Down Bottom Up on Cellular

Q: I read your last post “What is 'Top Down/Bottom Up” and wanted to know more about the options for cellular blinds. Thanks.

A: Cellular shades, a popular option for those looking for light and energy efficiency, come in regular top down/bottom up designs as well as two-in-one options. The conventional top down/bottom up feature gives you the option of raising your shade from the window sill or opening it from the top (top down).

There's also a two-in-one option that works very similarly to the traditional top down/bottom up method. The two-in-one cellular shades give you the benefit of both an opaque room darkening cellular shade as well as a sheer, light filtering one. These shades literally have two shades on top of one another to give you the benefits of both worlds. Where the opaque cellular shade stops, the sheer one begins.

These are convenient and easy to use since they work the same as regular top down/bottom up shades. You can fill your window with an opaque shade and, when you want more light, simply pull down the top rail to expose the sheer shade. This is a great alternative for those who like both privacy and soft light.