Ventanas, LLC

The great dilemma when it comes to roller screen shades for residential and commercial applications revolves around the fabric density. How dense is dense enough? It depends. If you live in a sunny climate such as Denver, where the east and west sun is the most intense year-round, you might want to consider a fabric with a 3% openness factor (conversely, a 97% density). For northern and southern exposures, a 5% OF (95% density) will probably be sufficient to protect furnishings and floor coverings. It will also take the sun’s glare off of the TV or computer screen.

Even though most fabric manufacturers offer screen shades from 1% OF up to 10% and 14%, be aware that these screen densities are rarely sufficient to remove glare, and will not keep UV rays from damaging interiors. While many homeowners and office managers may want to choose these weaves because they don’t want to obstruct their views, they often end up replacing them in the long run because they don’t do the job they were meant to do. When in doubt, denser is better.

When measuring for window shadings, whether they are cellular shades, roman shades, privacy sheers, Silhouettes, or any type of window covering that mounts directly at the window, it’s important to make the right decision as to whether you want to mount the shade inside the window trim (inside mount), or outside the trim (outside mount). The first consideration is whether or not there is enough room on the inside of the trim to mount your brackets. Some trims are either not deep enough, or have too much detail to allow a flat surface onto which you can mount your brackets. If this is the case, an outside mount is necessary. Likewise, if light gaps are an issue (say in a bedroom, where you want total blackout), an outside mount might be the best option, so you can extend the shade 2-3 inches on either side of the opening. This will give you the most light control.

If there is sufficient depth to the window casing, and you prefer a custom fitted look, an inside mount is the preferable option. Assuming the window is “square”, you can achieve this look if you can measure correctly. A professional window fashions consultant can help you determine your options.

You’ve installed the bamboo flooring, your countertops are pre-cast cement, and even your carpet is made from recycled tires and plastic bottles. Now what about your window coverings? How can you make a “green” statement with your blinds and draperies?

Window fashions aren’t the johnny-come-lately to the green party. In fact, Conrad, a shadings company out of San Francisco, has been selling roman shades made from exotic grasses, reeds and bamboos for over 50 years. All of their products are hand-woven in Japan, Indonesia and Korea. These one-of-a-kind shadings naturally filter the light, and create a dramatic look in any room.

But what if you want to save big on your energy bill? HunterDouglas’ new Duette Architella is the most energy efficient shade in the industry. This is a cellular shade that traps air in not just one, but two chambers to reduce the heat of summer and the chill of winter. No small feat, when it can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

And if you want to further reduce your Xcel outlay, consider motorizing your window treatments. Almost any window covering can be automated to a timer, so it opens and closes at various scheduled times during the day, trapping heat in the winter, and reducing sun exposure in the summer. Insolroll is a Colorado company that sells motorized sun shades and drapery track that can carry up to about 80 pounds of pleated drapery panels.

Concerned about indoor air quality? Lafayette has two GreenGuard certified options in its Woodland Harvest line of shutters, and Genesis II roller shades. Both are made from low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), which are known to contribute to ground-level ozone pollution and indoor air contaminants.

So, if green is the goal in your home, don’t stop with the countertops and carpet. Let your window fashions reflect your eco-consciousness as well.