Roller shades are decent, but honestly, I've installed cellular shades on some massive windows and never had a problem. Yeah, they're a bit heavier, but the insulation benefits are worth it—especially if your windows get direct sun. Did a job last summer where the client switched from rollers to cellulars and noticed an immediate difference in room temp. Installation-wise, it's really not that complicated either... just my two cents.
"Yeah, they're a bit heavier, but the insulation benefits are worth it—especially if your windows get direct sun."
Totally agree on the insulation factor. We had huge west-facing windows in our last place, and summers were brutal. Started with roller shades because they were cheaper and looked sleek, but honestly, afternoons were still scorching. Switched to cellular shades after a year, mostly out of desperation... and the difference was night and day. The room stayed cooler, and even our AC seemed less stressed. Installation wasn't too tricky either; managed it myself over a weekend. Rollers might be fine for smaller windows or less intense sun, but for big windows with direct exposure, cellular shades really did the trick for us. Just my experience though—your mileage may vary.
"Switched to cellular shades after a year, mostly out of desperation... and the difference was night and day."
Interesting, I've been skeptical about cellular shades because they always seemed a bit flimsy to me. Do you find they're holding up well over time? Our windows are huge too, and I'm worried about durability—especially with kids around. We tried heavy blackout curtains before, but they were a pain to open and close daily. Curious if anyone else has had long-term experience with cellular shades on large windows.
Installed cellular shades in a client's house about 3 years ago—big south-facing windows, kids, pets, the whole deal. Surprisingly durable so far... no tears or sagging yet. Just avoid the cheapest options, quality definitely matters for longevity.
Good call on avoiding the cheapest stuff—definitely learned that lesson myself. Cellular shades can be surprisingly solid, but I'd still keep an eye out for how well they're insulating after a few more years. Had some installed about five years ago, and while they look fine, I've noticed they're not quite as effective at blocking heat/cold as they used to be. Still, sounds like yours are holding up great, especially with kids and pets around... that's impressive.
Definitely agree on cellular shades losing some insulation over time—seen that happen quite a bit. A few things I've noticed:
- Higher-quality double-cell shades tend to hold their insulating properties longer than single-cell.
- Darker colors absorb more heat, which can degrade the fabric faster, so lighter shades might last longer insulation-wise.
- Regular gentle cleaning helps maintain their structure and effectiveness.
Still, five years with kids and pets around is pretty solid durability...sounds like you made a good choice.
We went with double-cell shades for our big living room windows about three years ago, and they've held up pretty well insulation-wise. Definitely agree lighter colors seem to last longer—our darker bedroom shades faded noticeably quicker. Honestly though, with two dogs constantly nosing around and a toddler who thinks they're toys, I'm just happy they're still intact at this point...five years sounds impressive!
Have you noticed any difference in durability between cordless and corded shades? I've heard cordless are safer with kids and pets around, but do they hold up as well over time...?
I've installed both types for clients, and cordless do seem safer, especially with pets jumping around. But durability-wise, I've seen mixed results—some cordless mechanisms wear out quicker. Have you thought about motorized shades for large windows...? Might be worth considering.
"Have you thought about motorized shades for large windows...? Might be worth considering."
Motorized shades are definitely convenient, but from what I've seen, they can get pricey fast—especially if you're dealing with multiple large windows. Plus, there's the maintenance factor; motors can fail or need servicing down the line. Have you noticed any particular brands or models that hold up better over time? I'm curious because I've been tempted myself, but the potential hassle has kept me hesitant...