Why we select one type of sofa or another is usually a matter of taste. Sure, one may wish to consider the size of the room, and whether it is appropriate to have a sleeper or a pull out model. But in the end, the decision will come down to style. When it comes to window treatments, however, there is much more than taste to consider.

Should one consider  window treatments for decoration or privacy, most people only think about the color of the shades. But keep in mind that there are varying systems that have been developed to manipulate your window coverings. Our window coverings last longer and work better because of these developments.

Roller shades have been a mainstay in window shades for many decades. Window shades that utilize a spring inside the roller to adjust the position of the shade have been popular, but a new type of window shade mechanism, called a clutch shade, which uses a chain instead of a spring has made an appearance.

  For consumers to adjust the height of roller shades, they usually grab the bottom of the window shade and pull on it, or instead, they may use a tassel at the bottom to try and position shades where they want them. To raise the old spring roller shade, you would have to pull the bottom of the shade, or pull the tassel if one is provided. This manipulation of window shades leaves a lot of room for problems to arise in operation.

Check out these great  window treatments and ideas today!

 
To deal with this problem, those who work in the window shades industry have come up with some very creative solutions. Chain-driven, or clutch controls are the names used for these new roller shades systems. These new shades are manipulated by pulling the roller shades chain that is attached to the top of the window shade one way or the other, to move the shade up or down. There are both metal and plastic types of chains. Plastic chains last longer and are stronger than metal chains; however, most people prefer metal chains on their window shades. Those companies that make window shades make quality an important factor in choosing the type of roller shades they will produce, so if both types perform well, the companies will then consider cost in choosing the kind of shade they will produce.

This report does not allow for us to list all the benefits of chain controlled window shades, so we will name but a few. A primary advantage is the convenience of adjusting a shade exactly where you want it. Trying to get your spring shade to stop at the level of your liking was never a simple task, because you had to agree with the spring’s "decision" of where it wanted to stop. Trying to get your spring shade to rest in the exact place you wanted was virtually impossible, thanks to the spring’s seemingly willful disobedience. With chain window shades, you can set the shade where you want it.

There is a better chance of the shade fabric remaining clean and undamaged if the window shades are operated by a chain. This is accomplished by eliminating the need to touch the fabric of the shade to manipulate it. This feature adds many years of beauty and life to the shades. You will no longer need to clean dirt off your window shades when you have a control chain.

Roller shades chain systems will last longer and are stronger than older spring systems. Window shades have different kinds of springs. The new springs are constructed inside a sealed case, and they are able to effectively keep the shade from slipping down. One problem with spring window shades is that the springs get weaker with use so the shades get harder to use as time goes by. The new window shades systems can control larger shades.  Window shades  of this size would not have been achievable using spring window shades.

Clutch window shades have several advantages – they have a longer life, stay in better shape and can fit on larger windows than the spring window shades. They will make your window treatments last longer and look better.

By: Judith Persit   Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Judith Persit is an interior designer specializing in window treatments. Judith writes about roller shades. Learn more about window shades at her site.

More resources from Black Mini Blinds.com

High Fashion, New Fashion Roller, Window Shades,
High Fashion With New Fashion Roller Window Shades. Roller Shades Are Fashionable, Versatile, Durable, [...]

Improve Your Window with Window …
The many varieties of treatments include roller shades, bamboo or wood shades, blinds, shutters, curtains and draperies.

Trims and Edges for Roller Shades
While you can dress up roller shades by choosing different fabric options, you can also choose different trims and shapes for the bottom edge. 

When to Choose Roller Shades as Window Treatments
Depending on the light filtering degree, the colors and shades may vary. For example, the blackout Bali roller shades are available in 11 choices of colors, [...]

Window Shades Roll Onto High Fashion Presentations
Decorate in high fashion with new fashion window shades.

High Quality Window Shades
In fact, manufacturers have had to improve their production machinery to keep up with the more developed roller shades fabrics and materials.

What is the Right Window Shade For Your Home?
Roller shades are made of vinyl and rolls up when triggered on a spring-like drawstring. They are usually clad with very flamboyant designs and a variety [..]

Technorati Tags: buy mini blinds, color mini blinds, cordless mini blinds, discount mini blinds, rate motorized window coverings, repair min, roller window blinds, window blinds roman shades, window treatments blinds

Top down bottom up roman shades are a stylish solution to letting in light but still keep your privacy. Learn how to make top down bottom up roman shades plus how to convert your existing roman shades.

Roman shades are terrific for light control, privacy, and insulation. Not to mention they look very stylish on your window.

The most common way you see roman shades is they are installed at the top of your window… and when the pull cords are pulled… the bottom of the roman shade pleats up to let light in… and to allow you to see out. This also allows people to see in!

What if you wanted a roman shade on your window… you wanted the light in… you wanted to see out… but you still wanted privacy?

That’s where the top down bottom up roman shade comes into play.

A top down bottom up roman shade is a roman shade that has 2 sets of lift cords. One set raises and lowers the bottom edge of the roman shade. And the other set of lift cords raises and lowers the top edge of the roman shade.

Here’s a perfect example of when you would use a top down bottom up roman shade. Say it’s a beautiful day outside. A perfect day to have the windows open. But the window you want open faces the street and you don’t want people to see in… but you still want light to shine in your room.

Raise the bottom of your roman shade a few inches to let the nice air in from the outside. Lower the top edge of the roman shade about a foot to let the sun in. And the rest of the roman shade provides privacy! Genius!

You can special order this style of Romans shade or you can make it yourself and save big bucks! In fact, you can even convert your existing roman shade into a top down bottom roman shade.

Let me explain how the installation would be so that you can have control raising and lowering either the bottom edge of your roman shade or the top edge of your roman shade.

You need 2 sets of roman shade hardware. So, if you are going to use a cord lock… you’ll need 2 cord locks. If you are planning on installing a roman shade bead chain clutch system, then you need 2 systems. If you plan on just using 2 cord cleats, then you need 2.

Basically, you need one set of lift cords and hardware to operate the top edge of the roman shade and the other set of lift cords and hardware to operate the bottom edge of your roman shade.

To operate

the bottom edge of your roman shade, you would install your roman shade normally. Nothing changes here. So, if you are installing a roman shade with a cord lock, you would still tie your lift cords to the bottom shade rings, thread the lift cords up through the rings and over to your cord lock.

Operating the top edge is the big difference. First, the top edge of your roman shade is no longer attached to the top dust board. You need to hem it neatly with a casing that will hold a sturdy rod. It can be a fiberglass rod, a steel rod… something strong that won’t bend in the center from the weight of the roman shade.

Install a second cord lock on the opposite side of the dust board. With new lift cords, tie a lift cor

d to each of the top rings. Thread the lift cords through the screw eyes and over to the second cord lock.

And that’s it!

If you already have a roman shade that you want to convert into a top down bottom up roman shade… simply detach the top edge from the dust board. Hem the top edge and insert a rod into the new top casing. And then install and thread the second set of lift cords for the top edge operation.

Click here to learn how to make roman shades with detailed step by step video tutorials and illustrated instructions.

 By Jennifer Thoden     Published: 12/6/200

More resources from Black Mini Blinds.com

 Roman Shades are a Versatile …

Roman shades are oblong shaped pieces of material that are designed to be lowered and raised in folds of equal size.

How To: Customize Roman Shades.

"Jennifer took simple, plain and inexpensive Roman shade

What is the Right Window Shade For Your Home?

Cascades are almost the same with Roman shades.

Window Treatments

Roman shades – made of fabric; hangs flat when closed; folds horizontally into pleats when raised.

Should you get roman shades or bamboo blinds?

 Consider fabric roman shades which are a very popular design trend.

Technorati Tags: buy mini blinds, custom mini blinds, discount mini blinds, pleated mini blinds, unique window coverings, window treatments blinds