Roller Shades: Form and Function

by

Allan Michael Taylor

Function

Windows are important features in a house. They let in light, air, and sound. Birdsong in the morning, warm sunlight streaming in on a cold day, a cool breeze to freshen up a room; these are all welcome moments. However, that cool breeze could just as easily become a cold draft. Nature is so variable that the warm sunlight streaming in from the window that you are enjoying now could turn into a glaring light later at noon, with an accompanying noontime heat. Sound that is too loud to the ears will become noise. Some window views are splendid and merit a fully opened window, while other sights badly need to be covered shut. In winter, insulating materials are all important for a house to be warm and able to save energy. Reducing heat loss is a plus. In summer, it is sun-screening properties that are important. A measure of control is needed to adjust the amount of these elements.

Home builders and designers have different ways to approach window treatments. Roller shades are one kind. These are made in an assortment of sturdy materials such as vinyl, fabric, as well as solar materials. Light filtering or light blocking properties are enhanced, depending on the material. Current designs have improved these window shades, so that now there are motorized or remote controlled models to operate them. These are perfect for hard to reach windows, large windows, or in offices. There are also continuous cord loops that allow a cord to stay the same length as you pull it to open or close a shade. All these features make a shade not only functional, but also aesthetically pleasing.

Form

Interior decorating is enhanced with the right choice of design elements. Therefore, aside from practical issues regarding insulation, sound proofing, glare reducing, light filtering, and sun screening, roller shades can be chosen for their looks. For interior decorators, the choices in window shades are astonishing. Aside from the different colors of the shades, some of the light filtering shades are made out of fabrics with eye catching patterns. These could fit in with any design scheme, be it contemporary modern, minimalist, classic, or traditional. The sleek, no nonsense look of these shades blend well with contemporary houses; however there are options that make it fit with traditional interiors as well. These are the use of tassels, beads, and decorative hems. Fabric patterns could also be matched.

A look at any catalog will show how far this type of window treatment has gone, from the simple, basic, and unadorned plain window shade to the pleasingly attractive, colorful, and patterned shades of today. This is a type of window covering that simply must be considered when decorating a house, for any and all rooms therein.

Jennie Keithson is a decorative type, a designer who loves to write and is a educated home and office designer, who discusses

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