Roller Shades Buying Guide: All You Need To Know

Published 7/17/2024

Whether you’re jazzing up your cozy home or sprucing up your professional office space, roller shades offer a blend of functionality and style that can elevate any environment. But with the myriad of options available, choosing the right one might feel like navigating a maze. 

Fear not! We’re here to simplify the process and provide the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. So, let’s dive in and unravel the world of roller shades together!

What are Roller Shades?

Roller shades are practical, stylish, and versatile window coverings that offer superior light control, space-saving design, and endless customization options.

Roller shades consist of a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down smoothly, either manually or with the help of a motorized system. This simplicity allows for easy operation and maintenance, making them a popular choice among homeowners and interior decorators alike.

How Do They Work?

Roller shades can be operated using several different mechanisms and controls, each offering its own benefits in terms of convenience, safety, and ease of use.

Continuous cord loop mechanisms

This traditional operating system involves a continuous cord loop of beaded chain that raises and lowers the roller shade. By simply pulling on the loop, you can smoothly adjust the position of the shade to achieve your desired level of privacy and light control.

Cordless options

Cordless roller shades are designed with safety in mind, particularly for homes with children or pets. Instead of using cords or chains, cordless roller shades feature a spring mechanism or a bottom rail handle that allows you to raise and lower the shade with a gentle push or pull. 

This eliminates the risk of entanglement and enhances the overall sleek and streamlined appearance of the shades.

Motorization and Automation

For the ultimate in convenience and luxury, motorized roller shades offer hands-free operation at the touch of a button. These shades are equipped with a quiet motor housed within the roller mechanism, allowing you to control them remotely using a wall switch, remote control, or even a smartphone app.

Types of Roller Shades

Standard

Standard roller shades are the classic choice, offering simplicity and functionality. They come in an array of trending fabrics and colors, providing effective privacy and light control while adding a touch of style to any room.

Room Darkening

Designed to block out light as much as possible, blackout roller shades are the best choice for bedrooms, media rooms, or home offices where light control and privacy are paramount. Blackout roller shades are constructed from opaque fabrics and feature light-blocking components when adding the LightGuard360 system. Unlike Venetian blinds or aluminum window blinds, blackout roller shades with LightGuard360 eliminate light gaps and promote better sleep and relaxation with room darkening materials.

Light Filtering

Light-filtering roller shades perfectly balance privacy and natural light, allowing diffused sunlight to enter while maintaining desired levels of seclusion. Made from semi-opaque or sheer fabrics that gently filter incoming light, these window treatments create a soft, ambient glow in the room. They are perfect for the living room, kitchen, or anywhere you want to control how much light filters in.

Dual Roller Shades

Customize your environment as your lighting needs change throughout the day. Dual roller shades combine the benefits of blackout and light-filtering fabrics in one sleek design. With dual roller shades, you can enjoy the flexibility of switching between complete light blockage and gentle light diffusion by simply adjusting the two layers of fabric independently.

Motorized

 

These shades are a great option for hard-to-reach or large windows. Hands-free operation eliminates the need for manual adjustments and allows for precise control over light levels, making motorized solar shades perfect for modern homes or offices seeking enhanced comfort and convenience.

Common Materials Used for Roller Shades

Roller shades come in a variety of materials, each with characteristics that influence the performance and appearance of the product. PVC is a popular material for roller shades due to its durability, moisture resistance, and affordability. 

This strong material is easy to clean and maintain, making it suitable for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. It comes in many colors and patterns so you can tailor them to match your aesthetic preferences.

Polyester fabrics, which are resistant to wrinkling and fading, ensure long-lasting beauty and performance. They balance strength, flexibility, and light-filtering properties and are available in various opacity levels, from sheer to blackout. 

Solar screen fabrics are specifically designed to block UV rays and reduce glare while preserving outward visibility. These materials offer excellent heat and light control without compromising on aesthetics. Solar screen fabrics are ideal for sun-facing windows or rooms with excessive heat and glare.

Choosing the Best Roller Shades for You

When choosing the best roller shades for your space, consider factors such as the desired level of light control, preferred operating mechanism, aesthetic preferences, and specific needs such as privacy or energy efficiency.

Room’s Purpose

One noteworthy feature of roller shades is their space-saving design. Unlike traditional curtains or drapes that require ample space to open and close, roller shades occupy minimal space when raised, providing an unobstructed view of the outdoors. This makes them particularly suitable for windows in tight or small rooms, such as compact apartments or offices with limited wall space.

Light Control and Privacy

One of the key features of roller shades is their ability to provide varying levels of light control and privacy. Depending on the fabric chosen, roller shades can range from sheer to opaque, allowing you to customize the amount of sunlight entering your space. This makes them an ideal option for rooms where you desire flexibility in lighting, such as living rooms, bedrooms, or offices.

Style and Design

Roller shades come in a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures, allowing you to express your personal style and complement your existing decor effortlessly. Whether you prefer a sleek and modern look or a cozy and inviting atmosphere, there’s a roller shade in the right color to suit every taste and preference.

Budget

Consider your budget carefully as it can significantly influence your choices. Higher-quality materials and advanced features such as motorization and customizations may come with a higher price tag, while more budget-friendly options may offer simpler designs and fewer features. It’s crucial to strike a balance between your budget and your desired features, prioritizing aspects such as durability, functionality, and aesthetics within your financial constraints.

How to Measure Roller Shades

Measuring roller shades accurately is crucial to getting a perfect fit for your windows. First, determine whether you’ll install them inside the window frame (inside mount) or outside the frame (outside mount). Inside mount shades fit within the window frame, while outside mount shades cover the entire window frame and extend beyond it.

For the inside mount, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the window frame, then use the narrowest measurement. Next, measure the height from the top inside edge of the frame to the sill at the left, middle, and right, and use the shortest measurement.

For outside mount, measure the width from the outermost edges of the window frame where the shade will be mounted, and add extra width for desired coverage or to ensure light blockage. Then, measure the height from where the top of the shade will be mounted to the sill or desired endpoint.

Don’t forget to account for any depth within the window frame or obstructions like handles or cranks that might interfere with the installation or operation of the shades. Subtract these measurements to ensure the shades fit properly without hindrance. Double-check measurements to avoid any errors and ensure a seamless installation process.

How Are Roller Shades Different from Roman Shades?

Roller shades and Roman shades differ in their appearance and functionality. Roller shades consist of a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down smoothly, offering simplicity and ease of use, while Roman shades feature fabric panels that fold neatly into pleats when raised, creating a more textured and decorative look.

Choose Your Ideal Shade with Norman®!

Experience the impeccable craftsmanship and superior quality that Norman® is renowned for. Explore Norman®’s Soluna™ Roller Shade collection to find your ideal shade. Visit your nearest retailer today!