Are you looking for new shades for your home but don’t know where to begin? The first step is figuring out which window treatments would best suit your home. Roller shades are some of the most popular window treatment options at Urban Window Treatments, but for people who aren’t familiar with window treatment shopping, it can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we suggest that you take a few minutes to read through our guide before ordering roller shades. We hope that this helps you choose the perfect roller shades NYC for your home!
How Do Roller Shades Work?
Roller shades are made of a solid piece of material (either fabric or vinyl) that rolls up or down to cover or uncover your window. The fabric winds around a hollow tube and an internal ratchet allows you to lock the shade into place at different heights. You have the option of either mounting your roller shades inside your window or outside the frame—which should be specified when you’re ordering your shades.
Exposed Roll or Valance?
When selecting your roller shades, you’ll need to decide whether you want the roll to be exposed, or covered with a valance. If you want to layer your roller shades with drapery, you may want to consider going with an exposed roll. Although, if you want your roller shades to stand out and have a clean appearance, choose to cover your roller shades NYC with a valance.
Outside or Inside Mount?
You have two options when it comes to mounting your roller shades NYC: an outside mount or an inside mount. If you’re buying blackout roller shades and don’t want any light coming through, we suggest that you mount your shades outside the window frame. Should you choose to mount your shades inside the window frame, there will be a light gap of around ¾” on each side of the shade. The gap exists to prevent the material from brushing up against the window frame and fraying.
Fabric or Vinyl?
While fabric is a more stylish choice, vinyl roller shades are often more practical. If you want your home to have a more luxurious feel, fabric shades would be the right choice for you. Vinyl roller shades, on the other hand, are a better option if you have young kids and are worried that they’ll get your shades dirty. Vinyl roller shades are much easier to clean and won’t stain like fabric.
Sheer or Opaque?
When shopping for your roller shades, there are different opacities that you can choose from. These fabrics will provide various levels of light blockage. Blackout roller shades—the most opaque shades—are ideal for bedrooms because they completely block out light, while providing insulation and preventing fading. Sheer roller shades let in a lot of filtered light, and provide minimal insulation and protection from the sun. At Urban Window Treatments, you have the option of choosing from different opacities from sheer to opaque!
One Shade or Multiple Shades?
If your windows are very wide, you may want to consider going with multiple shades on one headrail. For instance, if you live in a modern apartment building in New York City with floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll need to break up your shades into multiple ones. Having multiple shades will break up the window treatment into different parts, putting less stress on the shade itself. This will evenly distribute the weight and make your shades last even longer. Also, you’ll have the option of opening certain sections of your shades, depending on how much light you want to let into your home.
Planning on ordering roller shades NYC? Here are the steps that we recommend taking to guarantee you are completely happy with your purchase:
- Choose between an inside mount or an outside mount
- Measure for the right mount type
- Choose one or multiple shades, depending on how wide your window is
- Decide which fabric opacity will suit your needs
- Determine which lift system will work for your needs and budget
- Select an exposed roll or valance
Once you’ve figured out the specifics, you’ll be ready to place your order! Give Urban Window Treatments a call to set up a complimentary appointment at our office or in your home. We can bring samples of our roller shades NYC in different styles, colors, and designs to you! Remember, we’re always here to help so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us!
