The Shady Side of Solar Shades: When the Sun Comes on Too Strong | A Guide to Custom Solar Shades Tulsa
- Mindi Zanovich | Owner
- Jun 22, 2024
- 11 min read
Solar Shade Transparency Options for Tulsa Homes and Offices
Solar Shades: Understanding the differences between solar shades openness, and the percentages of 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10%.
1% Openness: Solar shades with 1% openness offer maximum privacy and light blocking capabilities.
These shades have a tight weave that blocks up to 99% of UV rays and reduces glare significantly.
Due to their tight weave, they provide a high level of privacy both day and night.
The fabric of 1% roller shades has a subtle texture and a matte finish, providing a sophisticated look to any room.
These shades are ideal for areas and offices and where privacy and light control are top priorities.
3% Openness: Solar shades with 3% openness offer a balance between privacy and visibility.
They allow some natural light to filter through while still providing UV protection and reducing glare.
With a slightly looser weave compared to 1% openness shades, they offer a clearer view outside during the day.
The fabric of 3% shades has a smooth texture and a semi-transparent appearance, adding a touch of elegance.
These shades are suitable areas and offices, where a balance of privacy and natural light is desired.
5% Openness: Solar Shades with 5% openness provide good visibility outside while still offering some privacy and light control.
They allow more natural light to enter compared to 1% and 3% openness shades, creating a brighter and open feel.
With a looser weave, they offer a clearer view outside both day and night.
The fabric of 5% roller shades has a subtle texture, adding depth and dimension to the window treatment.
These shades are versatile and can be used in any room or office, providing a balance of privacy and natural light.
7% Openness: Solar shades with 7% openness strike a balance between privacy and visibility, allowing for ample natural light while maintaining some degree of privacy.
They provide effective UV protection and glare reduction, making them suitable for areas exposed to direct sunlight.
With a weave that falls between the tighter construction of 1% and 3% shades and the looser weave of 5% shades, they offer a compromise in terms of visibility both indoors and outdoors.
The fabric of 7% shades has a refined texture and appearance, contributing to a polished look in any room.
These shades are versatile enough to be used in living rooms, dining areas, and home offices, where a balance of privacy and natural light is desired.
10% Openness: Solar shades with 10% openness allow a significant amount of natural light to filter through while still providing UV protection and glare reduction.
They offer a clear view outside during the day, making them ideal for rooms with beautiful views.
With a more open weave, they provide less privacy compared to shades with lower openness percentages.
The fabric of 10% shades has a lightweight and breathable feel, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
These shades are perfect for sunrooms, offices and areas where maximizing natural light and enjoying the view are key priorities.
Overall: the choice between roller shades with different openness percentages depends on your preferences for privacy, visibility, and natural light, as well as the specific needs of each room in your home.
Solar Shade Openess Color and Fabric Options for Tulsa Homes and Businesses
Solar shades come in a variety of colors to complement different decor styles and preferences. Here's a breakdown of the colors available for each openness percentage:
Colors for 1% openness: solar shades typically include a range of neutrals such as white, ivory, gray, and beige. These neutral tones offer versatility and can easily blend with various interior color schemes. Additionally, some manufacturers may offer subtle patterns or textures in neutral colors to add visual interest to the shades while maintaining a sophisticated look.
Solar shades with 3% openness: often come in a wider range of colors compared to 1% openness shades. This includes various shades of gray, brown, taupe, and other earth tones. These colors provide more options for customization, allowing homeowners to choose a shade color that complements their decor while still providing effective light control and privacy.
Colors for 5% openness: solar shades encompass a broader spectrum of hues, including both neutral tones and bolder colors. This may include shades of tan, sand, olive green, navy blue, and charcoal gray. The wider range of colors allows for more flexibility in matching the shades to the existing decor and personal preferences while still providing a balance of light control and visibility.
Solar shades with 7% openness: offer a compromise between privacy and visibility, and they typically come in a variety of colors similar to those available for 5% openness shades. Clients can expect to find a selection of neutral tones, earthy hues, and some bolder colors to choose from, providing options to suit different design aesthetics and preferences.
Colors for 10% openness: solar shades include a wide range of light and airy hues, such as cream, light gray, soft blue, and other pastel colors. These lighter colors help to create a bright and airy atmosphere in the room while still providing effective glare reduction and UV protection.
Overall: the choice of color for solar shades depends on personal preference, existing decor, and the desired ambiance in the room. Whether opting for neutral tones, earthy hues, or bolder colors, homeowners can find solar shades to suit their style and functional needs.
Solar Shade Operating systems for Tulsa Homes and Offices
AgileLift™ Cordless Shades: These systems allow you to raise and lower the shade with no additional tugging. Say goodbye to the need for tugging and releasing, this system allows you to find the perfect position for light illumination or privacy control without the need for any unsafe cords or wands.
TouchLiftᵀᴹ Cordless Shades: Easily raise your shade with a with a gentle pull of the bottom rail, as it smoothly and automatically ascends. For lowering, simply pull down on the bottom rail to lower the shade manually.
Continuous Loop Shades: These shades are controlled by a continuous loop chain and use a clutch mechanism to control the movement, allowing for easy and smooth operation. They are known for their precise and smooth operation, making them a great choice for larger or heavier shades.
Wand-operated Shades: These shades feature a wand mechanism for raising and lowering the shade with the touch of a button. This option is ideal for those who prefer a more tactile and traditional method of control. This is an affordable option and rechargeable.
Motorized Shades: These shades offer convenient and hands-free control. They can be operated by a remote, or integrated with smart home systems for automated scheduling and remote operation.
Benefits of Rechargeable Motorization:
Experience the ultimate convenience and flexibility with motorized window treatment where rechargeable options take center stage. No longer bound by cords or wiring limitations, rechargeable motorization offers unparalleled ease of use and installation versatility.
With rechargeable motorization, you have the freedom to choose between battery-powered options or hardwired installations. Opt for the convenience of battery packs, effortlessly powering your shades without the need for cumbersome cords or electrical outlets. Alternatively, explore hardwired options for a seamless integration into your home's electrical system.
Rechargeable motorization brings simplicity to your fingertips, allowing you to control your shades with ease via remote control or smart device. Enjoy the convenience of adjusting your shades at the touch of a button, without the hassle of manual operation or the constraints of traditional wiring methods.
Whether you prefer the convenience of battery power or the seamless integration of hardwired systems, rechargeable motorization offers the flexibility and ease of use you desire, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your window treatments.
Standard, Reverse, Double-Hung, and Panel Track Solar Shades Options for Tulsa Homes and Businesses
Standard Roll Shades: These shades have the fabric rolling off the back of the roller, providing a clean and traditional look.
Reverse Roll Shades: Reverse shades on the other hand, have the fabric rolling off the front of the roller, covering the roll. This style is ideal for a more streamlined appearance.
Double Hung shades: Double Hung shades offer a unique solution by combining two different fabrics within the same housing. This allows you to have both a light-filtering shade and a blackout shade in one unit, providing versatility and flexibility in light control and privacy.
Panel Track Shades: Panel track shades are shades that glide on a panel track side to side, giving you flexibility. It’s a great option to cover sliding glass doors or wide windows.
Each type of shade has its own advantages, so we listen to our clients specific needs and preferences to make sure the right option is chosen for your space. Give us a call today to set up your free in home consultation today. We would love to answer any specific questions about these types of shades, and how they can work in your space efficiently.
Solar Shade Header and Valance Options for a Finished Look
Square cassette headers: Square cassettes provide a sleek and modern solution for roller shades, featuring clean lines and a minimalist design. Positioned at the top of the shade, the square cassette conceals the roller mechanism and fully encases the fabric when the shade is raised, resulting in a polished and seamless appearance.
Curved cassette headers: Curved cassettes offer an elegant and refined option for roller shades, with a gracefully arched design that adds architectural interest to any room. The curved shape of the cassette creates a visually pleasing focal point, while also providing practical benefits such as enhanced protection for the fabric when raised. Additionally, curved cassette headers can be upholstered in fabric that matches the roller fabric, creating a cohesive and coordinated look.
Fascia headers: Fascia headers feature a slim horizontal cover that extends across the top of the shade, offering a streamlined and contemporary look. Concealing the roller mechanism, fascia headers provide a clean and polished appearance while also adding a touch of sophistication to the window treatment.
Deluxe valances: Deluxe valances elevate the aesthetic of roller shades with decorative detailing and premium finishes. These valances add a touch of elegance to the window treatment, enhancing the overall design while also providing additional protection for the fabric. Like curved cassette headers, deluxe valances can be upholstered in fabric that matches the roller fabric, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious look throughout the space.
Pocket headrails: Pocket Headrails offer seamless integration into the window frame, concealing the roller mechanism for a clean and polished look. With the roller hidden from view, pocket headrails provide a sleek and unobtrusive solution for roller shades.
Fabric and plastic cornices: offer decorative options to enhance the overall appearance of roller shades. Fabric cornices provide a soft and tailored finish, while plastic cornices offer durability and resilience, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Overall: Roller shades offer a diverse range of balance or header options to suit various design preferences and functional requirements. Whether you prefer a minimalist open roll design or a more substantial boxed or cassette option, there's a roller shade header style to enhance any space.
Shade Hem Bar and Bottom Finish Options
Hem Bars: Hem bars are horizontal bars that are inserted into the bottom hem of the roller shade to provide weight and stability. They come in various materials such as aluminum, plastic, or wood, and can be customized to match the style and function of the shade. In addition to hems, roller shades also feature various bottom rails, which come in a variety of materials and styles:
Fabric-Wrapped Bottom Rail: Fabric-wrapped bottom rails provide a cohesive look by wrapping the bottom rail in the same fabric as the shade. This creates a seamless appearance and enhances the overall design of the roller shade.
Curved Bottom Rail: Curved bottom rails feature a gently curved shape, providing a modern and stylish alternative to straight bottom rails. This design adds visual interest and complements contemporary decor styles.
Painted Bottom Rail: Painted bottom rails are coated in a durable paint finish, offering a sleek and uniform appearance. They can be customized to match or complement the color scheme of the roller shade and surrounding decor.
Steel Bottom Rail: Steel bottom rails provide strength and durability, making them ideal for large or heavy roller shades. They offer a sturdy foundation and ensure smooth and reliable operation of the shade.
Magnet Bottom Rail: Magnetic bottom rails include discreet magnetic clips on each side of the shade’s hem bar, allowing it to stay securely in place when installed on doors or other metal surfaces. This prevents movement when the door opens or closes while maintaining a clean, low-profile appearance. Some styles include small mounting discs that screw in to help guide and hold the shade in position for everyday use.
Heat Sealed Bottom Rail: Heat sealed bottom rails are sealed using heat to create a clean and seamless edge. This method prevents fraying and ensures a neat and professional finish to the roller shade.
Overall: The hem choice for a roller shade can greatly impact its appearance and style, allowing customization to suit the aesthetic preferences of any space.
Understanding Light Gaps and Side-Channel Options
What Are Light Gaps: Shade gaps refer to the unwanted openings or spaces between window shades or blinds that allow light to pass through, reducing privacy and affecting the room's lighting.
Light Block: Light block is product specifically designed to eliminate shade gaps. It is a thin, vertical strip that can be installed along the edges of window shades, covering the gaps and preventing light from seeping through. Light Block is easy to install and available in various colors to match your window treatments. This option offers commendable privacy and room dimming.
Side and Bottom Channels: Imagine a sleek track encasing the edges of the shade, providing a streamlined and secure housing for it’s operation. Side and bottom channels act as effective barriers preventing light leaks are the edges and bottoms of shades.
LightGuard 360™: Much like side and bottom channels, light guard 360 is the ultimate solution for achieving complete room darkness when total light control is paramount. This innovative system is designed to eliminate pesky light rays that disrupt your peace. By incorporating housing and bottom and side channels that envelop the edge of the shade, LightGuard 360™ ensures that no light seeps through, creating a window covering that surpasses the light-blocking capabilities of standard shades.
To summarize: Light Block, Side and Bottom Channels, along with LightGuard 360™ all serve as accessories to eliminate shade gaps along the edges, from different price points, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal while delivering complete darkness.
Shade Mounting Options for Tulsa Homes and Offices
Roller shades offer a variety of options to secure your shades. Choosing the right way to hang your shades can make all the difference in enhancing your space. Each window, and or area is the biggest clue on which option is best for your space, and vision. We will get you secured safely.
Inside the Casing: Mounting roller shades inside the window frame offers a sleek and streamlined appearance. It seamlessly integrates with the window architecture, providing a clean and polished look.
Semi-In, Semi-Out: In cases where window depths are shallow, a semi-in and semi-out installation is ideal. This configuration ensures optimal functionality while maintaining aesthetic appeal, accommodating the limited depth of the window.
Outside the Window: Roller shades outside the window frame enhances coverage and creates a bold visual statement. It maximizes the coverage area, providing effective light control and privacy while adding depth to the window treatment.
Top of the Window: For those seeking a space-saving solution, roller shades can be suspended from the upper window casing. This top-mounted configuration maximizes space and allows for unobstructed views when the shades are raised.
Ceiling mounted: Versatile ceiling-mounted shades offer a unique design solution, allowing for elegant and functional lighting options without the need for traditional wall fixtures. With the ability to hang from the ceiling, these shades provide a sleek and modern aesthetic while maximizing space and illuminating any room with style.
Sides of the Encasements: Roller shades can also be installed on the sides of the window encasements, offering added versatility and customizes light control. This mounting option complements various window configurations and architectural styles.
Overall: Each mounting option offers unique benefits, allowing you to customize the installation to suit your preferences and the specific requirements of your space.
Choosing the right shades for your home or office in Tulsa comes down to balancing style, privacy, and performance. Whether you prefer a soft woven texture, a sleek roller shade, or a fully motorized solution, Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds of Tulsa helps you find the perfect fit for your windows, your lighting needs, and your lifestyle.
Have more questions about shades? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions here.
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