roller shade blinds

5. Advertising: On the outside window of their business with their logo printed on it. Energy Efficiency and advertising in one!
4. Classic Decore Replacing sheers as a far more durable window covering, and putting curtains in front of them. Smart man!
3. Room Separator: Screen has been known to act as a faux wall. Not exactly elegant, but functional!
2. Photographers: A roller blackout as white, black, beige or grey background for their photography. Better than sheets, right?
1. Movie Buff: Using a white roller blackout fabric as a projection screen.

The clutch is the single most important element of a well functioning roller shade or blind. A good clutch has the following characteristics:

1. The material is dense enough, and not flimsy. A weak clutch, commonly used by cheap fabricators or ready-made blinds will break with time and a good yank.

2. A good clutch is made with rustproof material, particularly in humid and coastal areas.

3. A good clutch is one which is coupled with the appropriate sized curtain. Trying to lift a 12lb curtain with an 8lb clutch is asking for trouble, but yet something some fabricators or ready made blind producers use to cut costs. Buyer beware.

For general informational purposes- the clutch pictured above is good for curtains up to roughly 70-80" by 80". If you see a bigger blind than that with a clutch of the pictured size, ask your salesperson why. They could have an answer, which is that it is using a new generation advanced clutch- but it is more than likely a cost cutting measure.

A bottom rail is among the most visible elements of your rollers finish, so it is a must in speaking with your salesman or buying a ready made blind. These can come as simple as an industrial aluminum or plastic rod, a thermally welded pocket with fabric insert, to decorative wood and metal rods or even tassles and trim.

A good bottom rail:

1) is rustproof.
2) is of the same color or serves some decorative purpose.
3) has enough weight to allow the roller to hang well.
4) holds the fabric well, and doesn't slip out with time.

A Roller Shade cord is an important component for your roller shade, as it interfaces with the clutch and is your contact with the blind.

A good cord is high density (as pictured in the image):

1) High density cords stand up to time and the sun and are less likely to weaken and snap.
2) Lower density cords can have trouble interacting with a clutch, which is made for a high density cord, and can behave in a manner that is not smooth, or even jam.
3) Is the same or similar color to the rest of your components.

Use of anything but high density cords is seen as a cost-cutting measure at the expense of quality.

The Stopper is an important piece of your roller shade and one you should know about. The stopper sets the point on the cord where it cannot be pulled any longer , thus setting the fabric height for the roller shade.

You can manually and easily adjust the height of your roller shade by removing the stopper and resetting it. Most blinds are made with a good 3 or 4 inch give so you can adjust height depending on application. Be careful not to take more than a couple of inches though, as you can damage the blind.

A good stopper:

1) is rustproof
2) is strong enough to not break in normal use, but easy enough to take out to readjust height.
3) has the same color as the rest of your components.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA: Persianamania sells roller shades and other types of blinds either by e-shop or by appointment.

You may also get a full service window treatment in Nostalgia, get your roller shades in Panama here.