Through evolution and technological advances, both in the development of new products and mass production capabilities, manufacturing companies have developed many products which make our lives more comfortable and productive. One of these products is the blackout roller shade used worldwide in order to control light and provide privacy. Through time, roller shades have become more complex by providing options once thought unimaginable and also providing a variety of applications through the use of a multitude of fabrics and materials.



The basic blackout roller shade uses a multiple-layer vinyl material which prevents light filtering into a specific room. Many new blackout roller shades also use a material which includes a fiberglass layer thus increasing the strength and dimensional stability of the shade regardless of height or width.

Top of the line roller shades include a chain/cord operated control system which facilitates the operation and widens the user’s options. These controls allow the operator to raise or lower the shade to a specific point without ever having to touch the material thus keeping the shade material clean of finger prints and significantly reducing wear and tear thus prolonging the useful life of the product.

The control systems presently used in this type of roller shades include a continuous chain/cord operated geared clutch allowing the smooth and gentle raising and lowering of the shade. These chains/cords are available in many colors thus expanding the color coordination of the hardware and the shade fabric material. Chains are available in metal or plastic. It is worth mentioning that the use of plastic chains is fast becoming more popular than metal chains due to the strength superiority of the plastic chain over the metal chain. Plastic chains are generally able to withstand twice the pulling force of metal chain and are somewhat less obtrusive.

Next a blackout roller shade can be decorated by simply selecting from a range of colors that coordinates with your decor. Rather than a simple choice of one or two colors, the new collections of roller shades offer many options for blackout roller shade fabrics. The range of colors goes as far as to offer such colors as green and black, as well as the traditional white and off white. The ability to coordinate your roller shades to the remaining decor in your spaces can help them to be more attractive.

Some suppliers of roller shades shades offer the ability to coordinate and decorate your shades by using a valance. A valance, in window treatments, is a top covering for a product which conceals the controls system. Usually these are not needed for roller shades, as the control system, or at least the tube, is covered by the fabric. However, some consumers like to hide their roller shade controls and brackets, for these people, a valance may help solve this desire.

The appearance of a basic blackout roller shade can be significantly improved by the addition of decorative trims available in many colors and designs, deluxe bottom rails and color coordinated control chains/cords. These optional features will add a softer look and help in the overall appearance and coordination of the room being decorated.

In summary, blackout roller shades have evolved into a multiple option window treatment system that provide a specific appearance and simultaneously meet certain desired specifications which solve the unique needs and requirements of the consumer. Another point worth mentioning is the reliability of roller shades from an operational point of view and ease of operation especially by individuals with physical limitations.