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Are Roller Shades Right For You?

Roller shades have been getting a lot of attention recently because they’re like the little black dress of window coverings. You can dress them up or down and incorporate them into any decor. If you’re wondering whether roller shades are right for you, the window treatment professionals at Smart PNW are sharing essential information to help you decide.

A living room with standard roll Hunter Douglas roller shades and a cornice near Tacoma, WA

Reasons to Choose Roller Shades

Roller shades can get a bad rap for dullness because of their clean lines and straightforward design. But, on the contrary, those features can actually help make roller shades an exciting, versatile solution for your home’s windows; fitting into space and styles no other window treatment could.

  • Roller shades occupy the least space among today’s popular window treatments, making them ideal for small windows and rooms. When paired with an inside mount, roller shades nearly disappear when raised fully.
  • They’re lightweight, easy to operate, and an excellent candidate for PowerView® Motorization.
  • With minimal light gaps, you can rely on roller shades for exceptional room-darkening capacity.
  • You can choose from more than 350 color, fabric, and opacity options. If you can’t decide on sheer or opaque material, consider the Duolite® feature and enjoy both on a single roller. The Dual Roller design allows you to choose two fabrics and enjoy two independently operating roller shades on a single window.

What’s the Difference Between a Standard and Reverse Roll?

Before diving into the difference between shade roll styles, we’ll explain the different mounts available for roller shades. An inside mount places the hardware and shade within the window frame, while an outside-mounted shade is installed above the window frame, with the roller extending beyond the edges of the frame. You can always opt for an outside mount, but an inside mount requires a specific depth within the frame to accommodate the roller and shade. A standard roll means the fabric rolls down from behind the headrail. With a reverse roll, the shade rolls in front of the tube like a waterfall. Your shades will operate the same way with either roll style, so your preference will play a role in your choosing.

Benefits of Reverse Roll

  • Roller shades are loved for their sleek, minimalist aesthetic, and a reverse roll enhances this by concealing the headrail.
  • A reverse roll is ideal for windows with handles or cranks because the shade will not get stuck on or behind them.
  • You can leave decor and plants on the windowsill because they will not be knocked off when you raise or lower the shade.

Standard Roll Perks

  • Shades with a standard roll block more light because they are closer to the window.
  • Since they don’t protrude from the header, traditional roll shades are better suited to small windows and rooms.
  • Standard roll shades pair well with top treatments, like valances and cornices.

Contact Us

Smart PNW is a locally owned business that provides upscale window coverings and outstanding service. We offer energy audits to help you identify ways you can reduce your monthly energy bills and carbon footprint. Call us at (425) 448-3279 to schedule your in-home consultation. We are happy to serve Tacoma, and the surrounding areas, including Seattle and Bellevue, Washington.

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