May 13, 2023

Roller Shades Buying Guide: Expert Tips You Need to Know

Imagine waking up to the perfect amount of sunlight streaming into your room or enjoying a cozy movie night without any glare on the screen. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, roller shades are here to make that dream a reality. These versatile window treatments have quickly become a fan favourite for their ability to control natural light and add a stylish touch to your home.

From blackout shades for those lazy weekend mornings in bed to sheer materials that give your living room an airy feel – there's a roller shade out there just waiting for you. We've created this super handy buying guide filled with all the essential information you need to find the ideal roller shades for your space. Let's dive in!

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Why Choose Roller Shades?

Aside from the wide selection of materials, colours, and styles available in the market today, roller shades offer many benefits. Here are a few reasons why you should consider buying them:

Ease of use and maintenance: Roller shades are very easy to use and maintain. They usually come in a single piece of fabric, which makes them especially convenient for windows that need regular cleaning.
Space-saving design: This type of blind can be mounted directly onto the window frame, which makes them an excellent choice for smaller spaces. This way, you can make more use of your available space and still enjoy the benefits that roller shades provide.
Wide range of materials, patterns, and colours: Roller shades come in a variety of materials, making them an ideal choice for every room in your home. Some materials also offer the option of having patterns or colours printed on them, allowing you to customize the look of your windows even further.
Excellent choice for light control and privacy: The flexibility of roller shades makes them an excellent choice when it comes to controlling the amount of natural light that enters your home. Whether you’re looking for blackout materials or sheer fabrics, there is something on the market to suit your needs.
Energy efficiency: By keeping the light out and insulating your windows, roller shades can help keep your home cooler during the summer and warmer during winter. This not only increases comfort but also helps reduce energy costs in the long run.

Indeed, roller shades are one of the most versatile and customizable window covering options on the market – and there are many different types to choose from. Let's take a closer look.

dog lying on pet bed near window with sun passing through

Types of Roller Shades

As they provide the right amount and even an extra layer of light and privacy, roller shades are available in a variety of types, including:

Standard roller shades: Made from a single fabric and available in a variety of colours, textures, and patterns, standard roller shades offer complete light blockage for added privacy and can also be used to reduce glare. Recommended for: bedrooms, home theatres, or any other room where you're looking for complete privacy.
Reverse roll shades: These shades use a reverse roller mechanism to allow the fabric to roll up from the bottom, allowing more light in while still providing privacy. Recommended for: living rooms, dining rooms, or any other room where you want to control the amount of light that comes in.
Dual roller shades: They are a combination of two different fabrics and provide better insulation as well as light control. Recommended for: bathrooms, kitchens, or any other room where you need both privacy and light control.
Solar shades: As such shades block UV rays while still allowing natural light, they are an excellent choice for reducing glare and protecting furniture from sun damage. Recommended for: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, or any other room where you want to reduce sunlight without sacrificing visibility.

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Blackout shades: These shades are usually made from a combination of fabrics and provide complete light blockage for added privacy. Recommended for: media rooms, bedrooms, or any other room where you need to block out all sunlight.

Overwhelmed by the choices available? It really comes down to the environment you want to create within your home. Something like blackout shades are clearly going to be better for sleeping spaces; solar shades are ideal for work and study areas, with just enough natural light to promote wakefulness.

Beyond the type of roller shades on offer, you can also customize the materials your shades are made of.

green jacket on a coat rack

Materials and Fabric Choices for Roller Shades

Before knowing where to buy roller shades, it is important to select the right material and fabric for them. In particular, you should check for the following:

Durability: Different materials and fabrics are available with varying levels of durability, so it is important to select one that can withstand wear and tear over time.
Light filtering capabilities: Depending on your preference, you should choose a material or fabric that will provide the desired amount of light control in your space.
Energy efficiency: Look for fabrics that are designed to block out heat and cold, as these can help improve insulation and energy efficiency.
Aesthetic appeal: Consider the colours and textures available to create a desired look for your space.

Material	Pros	Cons
Polyester	Durable, wrinkle-resistant, budget-friendly	May attract dust, limited breathability
Cotton	Natural feel, breathable, wide range of colours and patterns	Can wrinkle easily and may require professional cleaning
Linen	Lightweight, breathable, elegant appearance	Prone to wrinkling; may require professional cleaning
Vinyl	Low maintenance, moisture resistant, budget-friendly	Limited design options, may appear less luxurious, may yellow over time
Bamboo	Eco-friendly, natural look, unique texture	May not provide complete light control; can be affected by humidity
Solar screen fabric	UV protection, energy efficient, preserves view while providing privacy	May not be suitable for full blackout; typically more expensive

Customization Options

There are a bunch of customization options available for roller shades. You can choose from different colours, fabrics, textures, and even patterns to make sure that the shades match your décor. Make sure to try these ways to customize your roller shades:

Selecting patterns and colours that can make your roller shades more eye-catching and unique, depending on your preferences.
Choosing a valance or fascia to cover the roller shade and add an extra layer of insulation.
Adding a continuous loop or cordless lift system helps to make the shades easier and safer to operate.
Deciding the level of light control and privacy; this ranges from a total blackout to sheer fabric, depending on the material and fabric you choose.
Considering motorization and smart home integration features with automated shades to make your life easier.

At Factory Direct Blinds, we offer an incredibly wide range of customization options – whether you're buying a roller shade, cellular shade, pleated shade, vertical blinds, or something completely different!

Budget Considerations

You might be asking, "Are roller shades expensive?" For you to have a good gauge of how much they are, take note of these factors that may affect the cost of roller shades:

Material and fabric choice: Different materials and fabrics can vary significantly in cost, so this is an important factor to consider.
Customization options: If you are planning to add additional features, such as motorization or smart home integration, this will also affect the cost.
Installation complexity: It is important to take into account the installation process, as having a professional install your shades can add to the overall cost.
Brand and quality: The brand and quality of the roller shades can also affect the cost, so try to look for ones that offer good value for money.

Pro tip: From blinds, shades, and shutters to any window blind types, you can find anything that suits various budget ranges. For anything less than 100 CAD, you can opt for options such as pleated and honeycomb shades. Anything more than that consists of higher-quality materials like wood or faux wood.

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Premium Quality Roller Shades From Factory Direct Blinds

In the end, it all boils down to what you need and like, so make sure to measure roller shades carefully and look for ones that meet your needs.

Concluding this roller shades buying guide is a solution to shorten your search process for any type of blinds for windows: Factory Direct Blinds! We offer high-quality products that can fit any budget, so you don't have to worry about breaking the bank. Plus, our team of experts is here to help you find the perfect match for your home. So why not give us a try?

From blackout blinds, custom shades, motorized blinds, and more—we've got it all. Contact us via call or chat and find the perfect roller shade for your home today.

FAQs

What kind of roller shades should I get?

It all depends on your needs and preferences. You should consider the material, customization options, installation complexity, brand and quality of the roller shades before making a decision.

What to look for when buying roller blinds?

When buying roller blinds, you should consider the material and fabric choice, customization options, installation complexity, brand and quality of the product.

What does 5% roller shade mean?

5% roller shade refers to the light filtering capability of the shades. It means that 5% of natural light is allowed in while keeping 95% out, providing you with a good amount of privacy and protection from UV rays.

What size roller shade do I need?

The size of roller shade needed depends on the measurements of your window. It is important to measure the width and height accurately for a perfect fit.