Pleated shades have been available in the marketplace for over 30 years. They were the basis and foundation of the next generation of window covering fabrics which were eventually launched as the “cellular shade”. They were originally marketed as an alternative to basic Venetian blinds. However, they offered little flexibility with respect to light control as they were either fully raised or completely down. With the hardware innovations such as the “top down / bottom up” feature, which accompanied the release of cellular shades, pleated shades have since regained their popularity. Fabric manufacturers began introducing fabrics to compliment any room décor from silks and sheers to woven jacquards and smooth acrylics to crinkled cottons. Patterns and colors were offered from all over the spectrum, such as pastels, primary tones, marbled neutral tones, and vibrant mingled prints. With the resurgence of new fabric producers also came semi-opaque and blackout liners to give the additional privacy or room darkening inside and a neutral appearance from the outside.
The innovations still continue today with the availability of specialty shapes for octagon and angled windows, track systems for skylights and solariums, and even operable arched windows. Child safety is also addressed with the same hardware options available in cellular shades.
- Standard pleat sizes are 1” although larger sizes are available
- Fabrics are mainly woven from polyester, but are also available in silks, linens, and acrylics
- Patterns vary from tone on tone prints to random jacquard weaves
- All spectrums of the color palette are represented
- Fabrics are seldom neutral backed unless purchased with a regular or blackout liner
- Fabrics are manufactured on average in 71” widths, (shades widths over the available fabric widths require multiple panels to be used and overlapped)
- Holes are punched through the fabric and are visible thereby allowing some light to penetrate even if using blackout fabrics
- Top down / bottom up feature available
- Manual cord operated up to 142” wide x 96” long
- Clutch operated up to 144” wide x 96” long
- TD/BU cord operated up to 71” wide x 96” long
- TD/BU clutch operated up to 144” x 96”
- Can be easily operated on windows in the range of 100 square feet
- Can be split into multiple blinds on one head-rail for individual operation over patio doors
- Products available with safety tassels, cord retainers, retractable cords, and even cordless style head rails
- Energy efficiency moderate
- Warranty Limited Lifetime available
- Minimal stacking space required compared to most other types of window coverings
- Average room darkening properties compared to other types of window coverings
