A Look At Roller Shades

Roller shades are a type of window covering that has become very popular to homeowners and interior designers recently. This type of shade is not new, but is very contemporary in it’s style. Roller shades are used in different applications with different attributes, such as mechanism type and fabric type. Roller shades can cover one window, multiple windows, as well as large and small windows.’

Probably the style most people would recognize is the spring roller. This is a very affordable style of roller. The fabric is attached to a tube made of light aluminum or very a very light wood dowel about one or two inches diameter. The tube is pulled tight using high tension springs and operates by pulling the bottom of the shade by hand until it reaches it’s desired openness. It is retracted in much the same way, with a light tug, the roller pulls the fabric right back up again.

Most common these days is a cord or chain operated roller. These are commonly seen in restaurants and chain coffee shops. The fabric can be heavier and larger in both width and height. The shade is operated using a geared clutch on one side of the tube. The clutches vary in size depending on the weight capacity. The weight of fabrics varies greatly. The operator pulls a continuous loop cord or chain, usually made with plastic or stainless steel. Ball stops installed on the chain keep the shade from rolling too far.

The clutch-operated rollers usually can handle up to 24 lbs of fabric, but there are ways to make expand their capabilities. With an idle end spring assist, you can add a spring inside the tube opposite the clutch side to make operation much easier and smoother. Also, other variations of basic clutches exist to make running the shade smoother and easier.

Roller shade tubes are made either of stiff cardboard, wooden dowels, stainless steel, or aluminum. The tube width is often exactly the same as the fabric width. Wider tube diameters are used for bigger shades to prevent shade deflection or sagging in the fabric. The motorized variety of roller shades often use 2 and a half inch aluminum tubes. The tubes can be mounted inside or outside a window frame.

Motorized window shades are also something you’ll see a lot in renovations and new home construction. Three types of motorized shading systems you will see most often are battery operated, line voltage, and low voltage. These three can give you convenience in your home when opening window shades that are high or hard to reach. Opening and closing the window shades can be done with wall switches or hand held remote controls.

Low voltage shades are a great option because they can tie in to home automation systems easily using dry contacts or RS-232 modules. It is even possible to control shades and lights using a television remote, or remotely from a smart phone when you’re not even home!

Roller shades are a great option for you if you are redecorating your home or doing any retrofitting. With a huge variety of styles and options to choose from, there’s something for everybody.

Many readers want to find out more about roller shades, and may visit Jesita Jerik’s site to choose the best window shades for your needs and save money at the same time.

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