Blackout roller shades can be used on their own or in conjunction with other treatments to minimize heat, glare, and light penetration. Many blackout fabrics can provide almost 100% blockage of light when installed with valance fascias as well as side and bottom channels. Fabric choices range from common vinyl fabrics to laminated cloths with textures and patterns. Hardware systems include spring tension with options for speed controls or adjustable limit stops, chain operators, crank mechanisms, and motorized systems with programmable controls to facilitate any application.
Ideal for meeting or boardrooms or anywhere with a south or west exposure
Additional information
Fabric types:
- Blackout Vinyl - Made from 100% PVC which is generally smooth to the touch, has a mid to semi gloss sheen, and can be embossed to include patterns or printed for additional color and variation. (Lowest price range of all blackout shade cloths)
- Blackout fabrics - Typically these fabrics have a blackout lining that is laminated to a face fabric which is textured, smooth, or patterned. The benefit that laminated fabrics provide is superior temperature control over Vinyl fabrics by absorbing heat in the summer and insulating from cold during the winter months. Mainly white backed to give neutral appearance from exterior. (In mid price range of all blackout shade fabrics)
- Specialty laminates - This is a process whereby any fabric deemed suitable is laminated directly onto a blackout shade cloth. This process allows the client to keep consistency throughout the room by using and coordinating patterns and colors that are used in the bedding, drapery, or even a large percentage of upholstery fabrics. (Most expensive of all blackout fabric options)
Hardware types:
- Spring tensioned shades - operated by hand using weight bars or brass pull rings. Additional features include speed controls to eliminate over rotation during lift and limit controls to easily align multiple banks of shades to specific heights or stop points during the lifting process.
- Chain operated shades - Plastic or metal
bead chain pulled through an enclosed gear system
to raise and lower shade panels. Additional features
include
1) spring tensioned inserts that operate in conjunction with the clutch mechanism to assist in raising large shades in the 100 to 200 square foot range
2) banded shades where several chain shades are banded together on one clutch to reduce the amount of chain locations in the event that there are numerous shades in one room.
- Crank operated shades - Often used where shade panels exceed the 100 square foot range, these systems can also be effective in situations where the windows are high or difficult to reach as well as where security of the shades is required. The crank systems allow the flexibility of having the operators manufactured with the cranks removable which is ideal in areas of health care or where controlled operation of the shades is a major consideration.
- Motorized shades - Ideal for larger windows, but surprisingly low in cost when considering solutions for spaces with hard to reach windows or where multiple shade panels are required. Can be used for lifting shades or banded panels where the overall square footage is in the 300 square foot range. Control options include wall switches, infrared and radio remotes, timers, sun and heat sensors, as well as a full line of AV or computer interfacings for boardroom or home theater control systems.
