HouseWindows

House Window Shades

House window shades can darken a room, enhance privacy and reduce energy loss. These stylish and functional window treatments are easy additions to all the windows in your house even those with home window fans. Sleep better and live comfortably with quality house window shades.

Window treatments can improve the look of any room. Shades come in all sort of colors and materials. They can be accented with valances and curtains to give the room dimension and visual interest. Adding house window shades is an inexpensive, do-it-yourself design project that can have a big impact in any space.

Shades can black out light or let in a soft glow. Black-out shades are great for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms. No more streetlights waking you at night, and babies can nap in peace. Families can have the theater experience without annoying glare. In living areas and offices, translucent shades let in natural light while protecting your privacy.

Shade Styles

There are several styles of shades that can complement your decorating style. Roman, balloon, pull-down and honeycomb are just a few of the styles with functional attributes and design elements that will improve the look and comfort of any house. Each style is made in various fabrics and materials with a range of colors to accent the decor of your house.

A Roman shade folds down from the bottom in an accordion style. When it is let down, the look is a sleek single panel that can be adjusted to any level to allow light in. Roman shade materials include all sorts of fabric as well as wood and bamboo.

A balloon shade is a versatile style that changes personalities based on the fabric used. The shade is gathered at several points at the bottom to produce a pin-tuck effect. With light, airy fabrics, the effect can be quaint and cozy. In heavy damask or velvet, it become lush and dramatic.

A pull-down house window shade operates on a roller at the top. The panel pulls down in one motion for a streamlined, modern look. This type of shade comes in all sorts of fabrics and weights to be slightly translucent or totally opaque.

A honeycomb or cellular shade has many pleats that form a honeycomb pattern when viewed from the side. These are extremely energy efficient because they block outdoor heat and cold from entering the house. They work by trapping air in their honeycomb-shaped pockets, forming an insulating barrier. House window shades with honeycomb or cellular pleats even block some street noise.

A cellular shade operates like blinds on a continuous cord, and the pockets fold up like an accordion. For easy access or just luxury, these and other types of house window shades can be controlled with a remote or electronic wall panel. This is a good option for the shades in children's rooms since cords pose a safety hazard.

Shade Functionality

House window shades not only look great, they can also lower your heating and cooling bills. Black-out and insulating house window shades preserve the internal temperature of the house. In the summer, they block solar heat from radiating through the window. In winter, they stop cold drafts from penetrating the glass.

Installing an insulating shade scheme can reduce your heating and cooling bills significantly. Because they are energy efficient, the heating and cooling systems will not have to run as often, slowing wear and tear. The shade can also be lifted during the day to admit natural light, which reduces your need for artificial light.

Many people prefer house window shades to blinds because of their sleek design, durability and ability to block light. The light coming through slits in the blinds causes annoying glares. Plastic blinds can be broken easily by pets and children. Equally importantly, the options for colors, fabrics and other finishes make shade selections customizable to complement any decor.

When choosing an insulating shade, make sure the exterior view is the same as the inside view. Some styles of insulating shade have metallic backings that show through the window, an unattractive view from the outside. These come in a wide range of colors, and dark colors are not necessary to get adquate insulation.

A new shade is custom cut to the size of the window, so measure carefully before placing an order. When the order comes in, installing the shade is a simple project. First, decide whether to have an inside or outside mount. Inside mounts look more finished, but outside mounts can be disguised with a valance.

Attach and level the mounting brackets according to manufacturer's instructions. Clip the shade into the brackets using the brace screws attached to the mount. Finally, test the shade. Grasp the bottom rail in the center and gently pull down, then push up to raise the shade. House window shades are a great investment for style and comfort.