My favorite provider of all sorts of wonderful roller shades with fabulous options published a post in 2014 for those who struggle with the idea of using roller shades - especially solar roller shades - in traditional residences.  We have done many projects with roller shades, in other than modern residences, and can say the results are always impressive. 

However, maybe the bloggers at Insolroll can convince you.  They opine, "Some people think solar shades are perfect for “modern decor”. Maybe they’d go so far as “contemporary” (not interchangeable terms!). If you share that opinion, I’d like to try to change your mind…

Energy Efficiency goes with every style

With every day that passes, we become more conscious of energy usage in our homes. Solar panels go up, incandescent light bulbs get switched out for CFLs or LEDs. Weather stripping is applied, smart power strips are investigated. We all want to save energy, and see our electric bills go down. We all want to do our part to leave a smaller footprint… Solar shades in your home are an easy way to bring down cooling costs during the summer, and have control over the winter sun to allow passive solar warming. Whether your windows are efficient or old and inefficient, solar shades will make a difference. It’s a no brainer, really, when it comes to energy efficiency.

Comfort never goes out of style

Who hasn’t experienced a room that gets uncomfortably hot? Or uncomfortably bright? Glare on a television or computer screen can be both annoying and fatiguing, and calling upon your AC alone to keep a room cool is uncomfortable for your wallet. Solar shades manage the negative effects of the sun in your home, controlling the heat energy of sun coming in the windows as well as the glare of the sun’s light. You even get control of harmful UV rays in the deal, which cause fading and degrading of your furniture/drapes/flooring/finishes.

Solar shades and your aesthetic style

Truth be told, solar screen shades are style chameleons. They have clean, simple lines, and therefore can perfectly complement a minimalist approach, or blend expertly into the background of an ornate, traditional setting. What you're really doing is controlling sun and improving the view through your window, and this works in every decorating style. Hang with draperies or even dummy panels to add softness and layers. Opt for a Natural Weave fabric for an organic, beachy or British Colonial style. French country? Let light colored, slightly more open fabric play the role of sheers behind sumptuous draperies. Shabby chic? Light colored solar shades diffuse light and add another layer of romance to your room.  Industrial? Let a dark fabric hone the view and make it a centerpiece. The simple form of solar shades combined with the broad range of fabric colors, textures and densities are what make them such a versatile window treatment that works and plays well with other window fashion stars, including cornices, valances and trims.

So don’t get stuck in a rut when you think about solar shades! Think of them as one tool in your belt for increasing your home’s energy efficiency, but also think of them as an opportunity to express your sense of personal style." 

Of course, we would love to help you choose the design for your roller shade project. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!

If you have windows that meet in a corner and would like shutters as your decor of choice, then we have a couple of options to help you.  First, we can use a large Z-Frame on both shutters and butt then together in the corner with a fill strip behind to support the back side of the frame.  This is probably the most popular option but the downside is the loss of some openness as the frame will take an additional 2" strip of your opening.  However, depending on the window location and view this is often no big deal.  See diagram below.

The second option is to pay a little extra and have the frame miter cut to butt in the corner.  This requires a bit more time and effort at install, especially if the window frame is out of square.  See diagram below. The bottom line - please know that if you have a corner window and you love shutters, there is a solution for you.


Corner window with full frame and filler strip.

Corner window with miter cut frame.