When trying to determine how long roller shades have been existence,
we realize that they have been around for many years as we study the
history of humankind. Some roller shades have been found to have been in
service for over fifty years and still operational attesting to the
durability of the product. Yet many of them were discarded due to heavy
wear and tear, specially the fabric, after many years of exposure to the
harmful sun rays. This wear and tear was also noticeable in the
controls and components but not quite as evident as in the fabric. At
any rate, roller shades continue to be a highly popular products for
residential and business settings alike.
As expected, most
problems occur in the moving parts which control the operation of most
roller shades. These components are an integral part of the roller shade
and allow the raising and lowering of the shade. Whenever these
controls cease to function, the ease of replacement of such by the
consumer quickly restores their functionality. The old, simple spring
loaded mechanisms are no longer used in the fabrication of custom made,
high quality roller shades and this is the reason for the prolonged
longevity of said product. Simply stated, if you desire a roller shade
that will provide you with years of service and convenience, it is
better to invest in a clutch operated roller shade that will allow
functionality over cheaper spring loaded shades and also guarantee a
proper fit in the window. The abundance of fabrics to compliment any
decor is also a very important factor and advantage of custom made
roller shades.
A frequently asked question by consumers is the
possibility of upgrading their existing roller shades to accommodate
these new controls in an effort to use the existing fabric and
components. Factually speaking, these state of the art controls found
in today's custom made roller shades require specific roller tubes,
mounting brackets and bottom rails in order to operate properly and
deliver the features and benefits old systems are not able to deliver.
Because of labor costs regarding complete disassembly of the old shade,
tube replacement, dismounting and installation of new brackets required
by the operational mechanisms, it is more cost effective to completely
replace the old roller shade and enjoy many years of trouble free
operation and the decorative look of a new fabric.
Due to the
exposure of the roller shade to sunlight and UV rays over time, a common
problem leading to the replacement of most rollers shades is the state
of the fabric material originally used in the fabrication. These older
fabrics can warp, rip or fade over time, especially when referring to
vinyl coated materials, known as blackout fabrics, which were highly
popular at one time. These blackout materials oftentimes were more
susceptible to faster wear as compared to the high tech vinyl materials
available today, specially those vynils which incorporate woven
polyester and other modern threads. Because of the large surface area
which a roller shade covers, the fabric selected is of utmost importance
in the final aesthetics of the roller shade, not only in looks but also
in quality. Keeping in mind that the fabric material used in roller
shades can not be repaired in any way, only replaced, careful attention
should be paid to the fabric selection when ordering the product. As
previously mentioned, the highest quality fabric materials are only
available in custom made roller shades which only use fabric materials
specially manufactured and designed for the use in window treatments.
The
proper fabrication and installation of the roller shade will not only
provide years of trouble free operation and pleasing appearance but will
also prevent harmful damage to the surrounding area of the window. As
an example, the rubbing of the hem bar (bottom rail) in a roller shade
can scratch the window glass and metal components, damage walls and
sills and distort its look in relation to the room where they are
installed. Proper installation is critical to the correct operation of
the roller shade. If not installed level, the roller shade fabric will
telescope thus rubbing on the sides and limiting the operation of the
shade. In other words, a quality, customer made roller shade when
properly installed is of utmost and critical importance in order to
enjoy all the benefits roller shades can provide and have provided
consumers over decades.
In summary, in the long run it is
advisable that full consideration be given to the replacement of old
roller shades with the new state of the art components and fabrics over
repairing existing roller shades. New controls, highly technical fabric
materials, custom fabrication and proper installation will provide the
end user with many, many years of trouble free operation and enjoyment.
Frequent Issues With Roller Shades in Homes
![Frequent Issues With Roller Shades in Homes]()
Reviewed by Merlyn Rosell
Published :
Rating : 4.5
Published :
Rating : 4.5
