Struggling to find shades or curtains for huge windows

I've had cellular shades on big windows for a couple years now, and honestly, they're not as bulky as you'd think when raised. They stack pretty neatly at the top - way less noticeable than heavy curtains. Durability-wise, mine have held up great even with daily use, no fraying or anything yet. But yeah, dust can be a bit annoying...I just vacuum them gently every few months. Tried the solar shade + sheer curtain combo before too; looked nice but didn't help much with heat control compared to honeycombs.

I've had honeycomb shades for a while too, and yeah, they're pretty good at keeping the heat out. But honestly, I found that if you really want to maximize energy efficiency, you need to pay attention to installation details. Even a small gap around the edges can let in a surprising amount of heat or cold.

Here's what worked for me: first, measure your windows carefully - like twice, seriously. Then, order shades that fit as snugly as possible inside the frame. When installing, make sure they're mounted close enough to the glass to minimize airflow behind them. If you're still noticing drafts or heat transfer, adding side tracks or weather stripping along the edges can help seal things up nicely.

I agree about dust though...it's manageable but definitely annoying. Vacuuming gently every few months is fine, but I've also had luck using compressed air cans (the ones for keyboards) to blow dust out of the cells occasionally. Just do it gently so you don't damage anything.

Solar shades look sleek, but yeah, they don't compare to honeycombs for insulation. Still, if aesthetics matter more than efficiency for certain rooms, they're not a bad choice.

Good tips, especially about sealing edges - seen way too many installs ruined by gaps. For huge windows though, motorized honeycombs are a lifesaver. Bit pricier upfront but saves hassle climbing ladders later (trust me, your back will thank you...).

"Bit pricier upfront but saves hassle climbing ladders later (trust me, your back will thank you...)."

Fair point on the motorized honeycombs, but honestly, I've found them a bit overrated for residential use. Had a set installed in our living room - huge windows, tons of sunlight - and yeah, initially it felt like a luxury. But a year in, we hit some tech snags: remote connectivity issues, occasional jams, and battery replacements were more frequent than advertised.

To keep it short:
- Manual roller shades (with a sturdy continuous loop chain) turned out simpler and way less fussy.
- Ladder climbing isn't that frequent if you're smart about initial installation height.
- Motorized stuff can be great, but sometimes simpler is better - less to break down or troubleshoot later.
- If your windows are truly massive, splitting into smaller sections helps manage weight and makes manual operation easy enough.

Just my two cents from experience - sometimes old-school practicality beats fancy tech.

Good points there - tech can definitely be a headache sometimes. Still, gotta admit, not having to wrestle with cords or climb ladders sounds pretty tempting for my lazy self... Maybe worth the occasional troubleshooting?

"Still, gotta admit, not having to wrestle with cords or climb ladders sounds pretty tempting for my lazy self..."

Haha, totally feel you on that one. I've installed plenty of manual shades on massive windows, and trust me, after the third ladder climb, even the most stubborn tech skeptic starts reconsidering their life choices. Sure, smart shades can glitch occasionally, but once they're set up, kicking back with a coffee while your blinds magically adjust themselves is pretty sweet. I'd say embrace the occasional troubleshooting - your future lazy self will thank you.

Sure, smart shades can glitch occasionally, but once they're set up, kicking back with a coffee while your blinds magically adjust themselves is pretty sweet. I'd say embrace the occasional trouble...

Haha yeah, I've been there with the ladders - definitely not fun. But honestly, aren't you worried about the smart shades getting glitchy or losing connection at annoying times? Had a friend whose blinds randomly opened at 3 am... wasn't exactly thrilled about that surprise wake-up call. Maybe they've improved since then though, idk. Have you looked into reliability for the newer models?

"Had a friend whose blinds randomly opened at 3 am... wasn't exactly thrilled about that surprise wake-up call."

Haha, that's rough - I can imagine the shock! But honestly, from what I've seen lately, the newer smart shades have gotten way better. Installed a bunch recently for a client with huge windows, and they've been rock solid so far. Sure, nothing's foolproof, but compared to climbing ladders or wrestling with tangled cords every day... I'd take my chances with the occasional glitch.

Yeah, totally get the hesitation with smart shades - random wake-ups aren't exactly ideal. But have you thought about the energy savings angle? Especially with huge windows, automated shades can make a noticeable difference in heating and cooling bills. I've seen setups where they sync with sunrise/sunset schedules or even temperature sensors, and it genuinely cuts down on wasted energy. Plus, if you're not into full-on automation, there are simpler motorized options you control manually - still beats dealing with tangled cords or climbing around furniture. Ever tried something like that, or are you leaning more toward traditional curtains?

- Good points on energy savings, but honestly, motorized setups can get pricey fast.
- Have you considered cellular shades? They're simple, cordless, and surprisingly effective for insulation.
- Might be a solid middle-ground solution without diving into automation headaches...

Cellular shades are definitely underrated - had them in my last place and they made a noticeable difference in winter. But for huge windows, don't they get a bit cumbersome to raise and lower manually every day? I mean, I'm all for skipping the automation headaches (been there, done that, still recovering...), but maybe there's a sweet spot between manual and fully motorized? Like cordless roller shades or something similar that's easy to handle without breaking the bank. Curious if anyone's tried those on larger windows.

Cordless roller shades could work nicely - I've got some on my patio doors, and they're surprisingly smooth to operate even at a wider width. But for truly huge windows, maybe splitting them into multiple shades side-by-side could help manageability? Has anyone tried that approach?

I've tried splitting them before on our big living room windows - definitely easier to handle day-to-day, but there's a small gap between shades that lets some sunlight through. Depends how picky you are about total blackout, I guess...

I get the appeal of splitting them up, but honestly, even a tiny gap drives me nuts. If you're aiming for blackout, those little slivers of sunlight can be surprisingly distracting (tried it in my bedroom...never again). Have you considered using one large roller shade with a chain or motorized lift? Installation's a pain, sure, but once it's up, it's smooth sailing - no gaps, no fuss. Might be worth the hassle upfront to avoid daily irritation down the line.

Tried the single roller shade route myself - mixed feelings:

- Pros: Definitely no gaps, looks clean, easy daily use.
- Cons: Heavy as heck if your window's huge, installation was a nightmare (needed extra hands), and motorized versions aren't cheap.

Ended up going back to curtains layered over blackout blinds. Slight gap, yeah, but way easier to manage. Depends how much those tiny slivers bug you...

"Ended up going back to curtains layered over blackout blinds. Slight gap, yeah, but way easier to manage."

Had a similar experience myself. Huge windows are great for natural light and views, but they're a pain when it comes to window treatments. I initially went with motorized roller shades thinking they'd solve all my problems - clean lines, no gaps - but the cost was pretty steep and installation was tougher than expected. Plus, the motors started acting up after about a year, which meant more hassle and expense.

Eventually switched to cellular shades (the honeycomb kind) combined with curtains. Here's why it worked better for me:

- Cellular shades are lighter than roller shades, even in large sizes. Easier install and less strain on hardware.
- They offer decent insulation, which helps with heating/cooling bills.
- Curtains layered on top hide any minor gaps around the edges and add a softer look.

The downside is that cellular shades aren't always as sleek-looking as rollers, but honestly, practicality won out for me. If you're sensitive to those tiny slivers of light, layering curtains really helps minimize that issue without breaking the bank or your back during installation.

Just something else to consider if you're still weighing options...

Funny you mention the motorized shades - I almost went down that rabbit hole myself. A friend of mine installed them and swore it was life-changing, but when I checked out the price tag, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Plus, knowing my luck with electronics, I'd probably have them stuck halfway down forever.

I ended up doing something similar to you - cellular shades with curtains in front. The insulation factor alone made it worth it, especially since our huge windows face west and turn our living room into a sauna every afternoon. And honestly, once the curtains were up, I stopped noticing the honeycomb look altogether.

Only downside I've found is cleaning. Those little honeycomb pockets seem to collect dust like crazy. Anyone have a good trick for that? Vacuum attachment sort of works, but it's still a bit of a hassle...

"Only downside I've found is cleaning. Those little honeycomb pockets seem to collect dust like crazy."

Yeah, I feel your pain on the dust issue. We have cellular shades too, and while they're great for insulation (our heating bill definitely noticed the difference), cleaning them is a bit of a chore. The vacuum attachment works okay-ish, but I found using compressed air cans - the kind you use for keyboards - actually helps loosen up the dust inside those tiny pockets. It's not perfect, but it makes vacuuming afterward a lot quicker.

Funny story about motorized shades: my brother-in-law installed some fancy ones last year, and they worked beautifully...until his toddler got hold of the remote. Let's just say he had some interesting window treatments for a week until tech support sorted him out. Made me glad I stuck with manual!

Speaking of curtains though, has anyone tried thermal blackout curtains on large windows? I'm curious if they really help keep rooms cooler in summer or if it's mostly hype.

I've installed thermal blackout curtains for a few clients with huge south-facing windows, and honestly, they're pretty effective. Definitely not hype. But like you said:

"cleaning them is a bit of a chore."

Curtains aren't much better - washing heavy panels isn't exactly fun either...

I've been following this thread because I've got a similar issue - huge windows facing west, and the afternoon sun is brutal. I went with thermal blackout curtains too, and yeah, they do the job pretty well. But honestly, the cleaning hassle is real. Last time I washed mine, it felt like wrestling a wet bear into the washing machine... not exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend.

But here's something I've been wondering about lately: has anyone tried those cellular shades? I've seen them advertised as being energy-efficient and easier to maintain than heavy curtains or blackout panels. Supposedly, they're lightweight enough that you can just vacuum or dust them off occasionally instead of dealing with full-on washing days. I'm skeptical though - do they really block heat as effectively as thermal curtains?

I mean, I get that curtains have their drawbacks (like the dreaded laundry day), but at least you know they're thick enough to keep out heat and cold. Cellular shades seem almost too good to be true - lightweight, easy to clean, energy-saving... there's gotta be a catch somewhere, right?

If anyone's actually used these shades long-term on big windows, I'd love to hear how they've held up over time. Do they sag or discolor after a few years? And do they really make a noticeable difference in your energy bills compared to traditional curtains?