Learn more about the various lift options available on our shades. Which operating system is right for your window application?

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How to Choose the Right Operating System for your Window

Types of Operating Systems Available

	Standard The default lift type that comes with your shade. Standard shades are ideal for smaller windows and for those that are budget conscious. Pulling on the cord raises and lowers the shade. The child-safe cord connecter prevents children and pets from becoming entangled in the cords. Minimum Width: 8” Maximum Width: 84”
	Continuous Cord Loop (Smoothy) This is the heavy duty mechanism. It is ideal for large shades (wide or long) and shades that will be mounted out of reach. The cord loop is replaceable in your home, making repairs more convenient. Cord loops are available in lengths from 2’ to 12’. Minimum width: 22” Maximum width: 110”
	Duofold aka Top Down/Bottom Up Shades with this feature provide some privacy for rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms. Lowering from the top also allows more light control and prevents the cool air from entering the room below at the sill. Minimum width: 12” Maximum width: 84”
	Cordless The clean look of no strings is preferred by some customers. This lift type is also designed for those that want a more child safe solution for their shades. Minimum width: 19” Maximum width: 84”
	Cordless Top Down/ Bottom Up No strings and the shade opens from the top as well as the bottom. Great for privacy and views. This lift type is also designed for those that want a more child safe solution for their shades. Minimum width: 19” Maximum width: 84”
	Motorized Ideal for hard to reach shades and operating a group of shades at one time. Operate the shades by 1 channel or a 5 channel remote. Options include a battery pack or transformer. Minimum width: 30” Maximum width: 96”

Narrow shades (under 22” wide)

Shades less than 22” wide can be ordered as Standard or Duofold (Top Down/Bottom Up).

These are ideal for sidelights (next to a door).

Wide shades:

Image of one wide shade covering 2 windows and matching shades on the side windows.

Shades over 84” wide require the continuous cord loop mechanism. This allows for easier operation and heavy duty components that better support the weight of the shade. We find that these shades are ideal for most sliding glass and patio doors. They are also recommended for commercial applications.

Extra Wide shades:

Customers with windows that are beyond the maximum width of our shades should consider multiple shades. Many times the windows will have mullions (frames between) that are a natural place for the gap between the shades. If there are no mullions, consider dividing the space into equal parts for a uniform look.

wide shades Contact us for guidance on how to measure for shades that are installed end to end.

Image of 3 shades in one opening. (right) They used the mullions to decide how to split up the opening. This also allowed them to use cordless shades in this child’s room.

Shades located out of reach:

We suggest cordless, cord loop or motorized shades for shades that are mounted out of reach.

1.) Continuous Cord loop shades can have the loop cord up to 12 feet long. That enables you to mount the end of the cord to the wall and operate from below. This is deal for applications such as clerestory windows.

2.) Cordless shades can be operated with a pole. We offer poles that extend to 6 feet and 12 feet.

3.) Motorized shades are operated with a remote control. That allows you to operate shades located anywhere within a room.

For Privacy:

Although all cellular shades provide some privacy when covering your window, the Duofold (Top Down /Bottom Up) shades allow you to let some full light in at the top but prevent passersby from seeing a full view.

Lower it from the top as much as you want or open it from the bottom for a full view.

For Darkening:

The lift type of a shade does not matter as much as the fabric that you choose to achieve room darkening. Add sidetracks to bridge the gap between your shade and the window frame and save valuable energy.

Research has shown that sleeping in a dark room can improve the quality of your sleep.

Images below show a Black Out shade without side tracks and a Black Out shade with side tracks. It provides just the darkening required for bedrooms and media rooms.

If you still have questions, feel free to contact us!

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