Agree with you on cellular shades—had them installed last year on some huge windows facing north-east, and they've been great. Definitely noticed less draftiness in winter. Only downside is they're a bit pricier upfront, but the insulation payoff seems worth it. Solar shades look nice, but yeah...not much energy benefit if your windows don't get direct sun anyway. Guess it depends if you're prioritizing looks or efficiency.
"Guess it depends if you're prioritizing looks or efficiency."
Yeah, that's always the trade-off. Did you notice any issues with cleaning the cellular shades? I've heard they can collect dust inside the cells...is that actually a hassle in practice?
I've had cellular shades for about three years now, and honestly, dust buildup hasn't been a big deal. Sure, they do collect some dust inside the cells, but it's not something I've had to fuss over often. Every few months, I just use the brush attachment on my vacuum, give them a quick once-over, and they're good as new. Way easier than dealing with curtains or blinds, IMO. Unless you're super sensitive to dust, I wouldn't let that sway your decision too much.
Yeah, cellular shades are pretty low-maintenance dust-wise, and bonus points for energy efficiency. I've noticed mine help keep the room temp steady year-round. Curious though, do yours handle direct sunlight well without fading or discoloring?
- Had mine about 3 years now, direct sun every afternoon.
- No noticeable fading yet, but they're a neutral color so maybe harder to tell?
- Definitely agree on the temp control though—big difference in summer.
- Only minor gripe: edges sometimes curl slightly after heavy sun exposure...nothing major, just something I've noticed.
- Interesting about the edges curling... have you tried adding any backing or liner material to reinforce them?
- I've noticed similar curling on some DIY shades I installed a few summers back—ended up attaching thin wooden dowels along the bottom edges, which helped quite a bit.
- Also, did you go with roller shades or cellular? I've heard cellular types handle sun exposure better without warping.
- As for fading, neutral colors definitely make it trickier to spot. Maybe snap a photo every few months to compare over time? Could help you catch subtle changes early.
- Totally agree about temperature control though. Huge windows are great aesthetically, but man, summer afternoons can be brutal without good shades...
I've had similar issues with curling edges, especially on roller shades. Cellular shades definitely hold up better in my experience—they're pricier upfront but worth it long-term. I second the dowel trick too; worked wonders for me a while back. As for fading, honestly, after a few years, slight discoloration just blends into the decor... or maybe that's just my lazy homeowner perspective talking. Either way, good shades are a lifesaver when the afternoon sun hits hard.
Totally agree on cellular shades—worth every penny. If you're still stuck with roller shades, adding a thin strip of adhesive-backed velcro along the bottom edge helps keep them flat. Worked pretty well for me, especially on wider windows.
"adding a thin strip of adhesive-backed velcro along the bottom edge helps keep them flat."
That's a clever trick, hadn't thought of that. Still, gotta say cellular shades are my go-to for energy efficiency. Roller shades—even with velcro—just don't provide the insulation you'd want for huge windows. Had rollers in my old place and winters were pretty brutal... switched to cellular and noticed an immediate improvement. They're pricier upfront, but you'll make it back in heating/cooling savings before long.
Cellular shades definitely have the edge on insulation, no argument there. But honestly, roller shades can still work well if you pair them with heavier curtains or drapes. Did a job last winter where the homeowner insisted on rollers for aesthetic reasons—so we layered them with thick blackout curtains. Turned out pretty good, and they said it made a noticeable difference in warmth. Not as sleek as cellular alone, but hey, sometimes you gotta compromise style and function, right?