Window shades lend a tasteful, elegant treatment to practically any window and surrounding-décor; however, they do much more than that. Functionality, versatility and durability 
are the cornerstones of what make window shades so immensely popular among homeowners. Before looking at the many different types of shades there are, let’s look at the key benefits a tad closer.
- During the hot summer months when the sun is closest to the Earth, shades absorb as much as or as little as heat rays as you need them to. During the winter, most are constructed in a way that will act as an insulator against the frigid cold. Hence, they will not only keep you comfortable year-round, but also save you on the old utility bill.
- They offer a nice change from curtains and draperies.
- The forms, colors and sizes of window shades are virtually unlimited. Additionally, a broad selection of materials and textures exist.
- The number of different places that these window treatments can be custom-fitted to and applied, such as: sliding exterior doors, skylights, French doors, large/small windows, glass doors, bay windows and so forth. Those are just a few possibilities.
So Many Possibilities
Colors and textures are also plentiful. Commonly-chosen colors include: beige (or another similar shade), off white, ivory, green, sand, metallic and baby blue. Let’s take a look at some very trendy window shades:
Roller shades: These are one of the simplest, easiest-to-install and versatile varieties of shades. They are usually made of cloth (in a variety of textures and color schemes) or vinyl. The rollers are also some of the most affordable.
Solar Screens: Think of these like a close family member of the roller blinds. They are specifically designed to perform a host of functions, including the fact that they are made to catch and absorb unhealthy ultra-violet rays. This variety also allows you to control the opacity (the level of sunlight that passes through and the level at which you can see through them), making them extremely functional.
Roman Shades: These are equally as stylish as they are functional and affordable. They are a time-honored, classy treatment for any window. Usually, flatter and bigger shade panels are employed, and they typically come in flat-folding or “teardrop” designs (for opening and shutting). It is the opinion of many that these are one of the classiest, most beautiful varieties of shades ever made available.
Cellular Blinds: These use a honey-comb theme that specializes in conserving energy for utility
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