3 Ways Top-Down/Bottom-Up Shades Will Change Your World Ever heard of top-down/bottom-up blinds or shades? It’s our most popular option, but most people still don’t know what they are or how they work. (To make this a little easier to read, I’ll refer to Top-Down/Bottom-Up shades as “TDBU” shades for the rest of the post.) There are 3 types of top down shades: First the classic Top-Down/Bottom-Up standard lift. Secondly, the Cordless Top-Down/Bottom-Up. And last, but not least, the combination, Trilight Shade. Let’s learn more about them. TDBU shades are useful in many situations. If for instance, you live on the ground floor of a city apartment, a TDBU shade will allow you to keep your home private, while bringing light into the room by lowering the top section. Perhaps you have a media or TV room that needs to be kept dark to eliminate screen glare, but you still want some natural light in the room. In this case, the blinds open from top, and lower the bottom, position the shade to give the TV full coverage, but allow light into the room.

Cordless TDBU shades are sleek, clean and a great option for any room. While they do still include an inner cord, it is only visible when the shade is lowered. The thin lines are hardly seen, and when the shade is lowered, it looks as thought there is some kind of magic involved to keep it upright. As you can see in the video above, these are super easy to operate.French Garden Furniture Wholesale While Trilight Shades are not TDBU in the traditional sense, they do have a similar effect. Nike Foamposite Shoe BoxThe bottom of a trilight shade is a cellular shade (in blackout or light filtering). Outdoor Furniture KuwaitThe top is a sheer pleated shade that offers a bit more privacy and a more complete look than traditional bottom up window treatments.

This sheer section cuts down potentially harmful UV rays that shine directly in otherwise, and also act as a slight sight barrier when looking from the outside in. From the inside, this sheer material will hardly be visible, but it does provide a level of privacy not found in other lift options. Want to Learn More? Call one of our Expert Design Consultants today to learn about our best top down bottom up shades! Top DownBottom Up Shades Lower your shade from the top or raise it from the bottom! This dual functionality allows for greater privacy and light control. 4" fabric covered valances are included with top down bottom up upgrades. Handcrafted in the USA! All Shade Store products are custom designed and assembled in the United States. Each custom shade undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process which involves hanging and operating the shade prior to shipment. This ensures proper look and functionality. Our state-of-the-art workrooms have an old-world sensibility while simultaneously adhering to modern day, eco-friendly production methods.

In addition to making your shade, they are responsible for the research and development of low-impact materials and green shipping methods. Sheers are wispy panels of semi-transparent fabric that soften views and provide moderate privacy. They look best in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Sheers should be layered with other window treatments if privacy is a concern. Choose the right sheers: The kind of fabric you select depends on the look you want to achieve and the level of care you're willing to provide. Polyester sheers have a slight sheen and create a more formal look. They're also easy to launder and require little ironing. Cotton sheers offer a casual, contemporary look. Lace sheers feel romantic and traditional. Both cotton and lace sheers may need to be cleaned professionally. For a full, floaty effect with generous waves of fabric, select sheers two or three times the width of the window. You may need to use multiple sheers to achieve this effect. Sheers are usually light enough to hang from spring-loaded tension rods, which are inexpensive to install.

Providing more privacy than sheers, panels are solid pieces of fabric that hang from wall-mounted rods or clips. They're a great option for media rooms, bedrooms or any room that you want to block light and enjoy complete privacy. Choose the right panels: Fabric choices run from simple cotton and printed polyester to lush velvet, silk, wool and woven tapestry. Plan to purchase panels one-and-a-half to two times the width of your windows for a stylish effect. Unlined panels are cheaper but may become semitransparent at night when interior lights are on. Check that you're comfortable with the level of privacy any panel provides. If intense sun is an issue, as with a west-facing window, look for panels specially lined to block light completely. Most panels require a sturdy hanging rod, which can be inexpensive metal or something more elaborate. Remember to consider hardware costs when planning a window treatment purchase. Blackout liners are energy efficient and help to block out nearly 99% of sunlight.

They also keep costs down by blocking the heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Strings and hardware, for easy adjustment, connect these thin strips of plastic, wood or metal. They look best on narrow windows in bedrooms, kitchens and workrooms. Choose the right blinds: Miniblinds have 1/2-inch- to 1/2-inch-wide slats made of very thin material. Plantation or venetian blinds are 1 to 2 inches wide and made of slightly thicker wood or molded plastic. Vertical blinds feature strips of fabric and plastic hanging vertically from an overhead track, making them the best option for controlling light and providing privacy with a sliding glass door. Pre-cut blinds are available in a range of common window sizes and cost much less than custom-sized blinds. If possible, mount a blind inside the window frame for a cleaner look. Shop for a blind 1 to 2 inches smaller than the width of the opening. For wide windows, plan to cover the window with two or more smaller blinds.

Smaller blinds are easier to operate than long, heavier blinds. These bolts of vinyl or fabric mount to the top of window frames and unroll manually. They work well on narrow windows in just about any room. Choose the right roller shades: Roller shades are available presized and cost much less than custom-sized shades. If possible, mount a roller shade inside the window frame for a cleaner look. Shop for a shade 1 to 2 inches smaller than the width of the opening. These tailored panels of fabric or natural material mount to the inside or top of window frames and bunch up accordion-style when you pull a cord. They work well in any room and window width. Choose the right Roman shades: Roman shades that are presized cost much less than custom shades. Lined, cloth Roman shades are best for light-blocking and privacy, while unlined shades usually only filter light. Shutters aren't just for covering the exterior of your windows. They can also add beauty and charm to the inside of your home.

These small wood or plastic doors, mounted on each side of the window frame, feature hinges and adjustable slats to allow for varying degrees of light and privacy. Shutters look great in kitchens, family room, bathrooms and workrooms. Choose the right shutters: Premade cafe shutters extend only part of the way up a window. Open space above the shutters is fine, but you may want to soften the look with a top treatment. Plantation shutters completely cover the window. Unless your window is a standard size, you'll need to have plantation shutters custom-made. The actual panels can be solid or outfitted with louvered slats that open and close to let in light. To give your windows extra flair, cap them off with top treatments. They look fantastic in any room you want to add a stylish touch to, such as the kitchen, living room, dining room and bedroom. Choose the right top treatments: A valance is a narrow strip of fabric that runs along the top width of a window.