Cellular Shades: A Poor Choice Example

 

Last week was extra busy on the crazy-hectic scale. As well as other duties, we had over 100 different kinds of window blinds to install, including an over $ 20 K order of cellular shades for a new, mountain house with a breathtaking alpine view.

 

Besides the usual windows around the whole house, the most stunning views reveal themselves though the 8 large windows in the living room, which faces southeast.

There are 4, about 70” wide, angle-top windows roughly 20 feet off the ground. 

Below the top windows, there are 4 rectangular ones, about 70” wide. The average height for cellular shades going into the rectangular windows was slightly above 100” (except one that was shorter). You can see it on your left, bottom row.

 

Eight Motorized Cellular Shades In Large Windows

 

As you see on the picture, there’s a large area to cover with 8 cellular shades. Because of the height and ease of use, all the 8 blinds are hard-wired, motorized cellular shades.

 

It took some good effort to install, hardwire and configure the cellular shades so they would go up and down using a wall switch or a remote control (for individual control).

 

The new house owners decided for straight-across, side-mount cellular shades for the upper angle-top windows. The top, triangular-shaped parts of the windows were left uncovered. All 8 blinds travel up and down just like they would in any rectangular window frame.

 

Because of the exposure to southeast, the cellular shades have an add-on, heat-reflecting and light-blocking liner within the single-cell fabric. This feature makes the cellular shades opaque, or no-light through.

 

Ta daaa! When we finally pushed the switch and began running the cellular shades up and down, we noticed something interesting. On their way down, the shades blocked the sunshine. But so was the view!

The cellular shades efficiently filtered 100% of the magnificent view as well.

It’s not to say that we didn’t expect it to happen, but when the cellular shades cut off the daytime, grand-alpine view so suddenly, the front room “expansive feel” suffered a blow.

 

Now, if the sun’s up, the cellular shades go down. There’s no in-between. Raising the cellular shades partially allows for some views. But the sunlight, heat and UV rays can nibble at the hardwood floor, furniture and the art on the walls. And we get sunny days galore around here.

 

Our preference? What would we have chosen in this case?

We would have gone for weaved, UV-and- heat-blocking sunscreen materials available with versatile roller shades.

 

The weave count of the materials allows for both some light to come through AND views while blocking out the sun. The higher the weave count, the less light and view get through, the better insulating properties, though.

 

The headrail choices would either be roller shades in metal cassettes, or a simple roller shade with a matching valance. If there were the choices to motorize the roller shades, we’d go for it. However, beaded, metal, control chains would do just fine … for MUCH less.

 

Just thought we’d post a few details about our experience for you. 
Consider it if you need to decide about window blinds in conditions like that.