When a functional window treatment is needed, door walls are one of the most difficult to cover. In the past, most door walls were covered with vertical blinds. Today a great alternative, Silhouette window shades, made by Hunter Douglas. These shades are a beautiful, yet extremely, functional window treatment for a door wall. Similar to a horizontal blind, these shades differ in that they are a soft vane of fabric suspended between two sheer panels. The shades qualities include blocking light, privacy and insulation. There are a wide variety of fabrics and color styles available to fit your rooms needs.
The largest advantage of Silhouettes is that when pulled-up completely, the shades virtually disappear, allowing them to hang entirely behind a decorative valance. These shades are offered in a variety of operating systems. The easy rise system uses a continuous cord loop to open and close the shade. The ultra cord system uses a retractable cord system for operation. The cordless system allows the shade to be manually operated, eliminating any cords, perfect for those who have children and pets. The vanes on a Silhouette shade can be adjusted for light control, this option allows visibility when the shade is completely lowered. Another unique feature is that the shade can be ordered as a “top down/bottom up”, allowing the shade to be lowered from the top down or from the bottom up. This style is best used in bathrooms where privacy and light are both needed. A power rise version is also available, allowing shade operation with a remote control. The unique properties of Silhouette shades make them a perfect, functional alternative for your door wall.
by Susan Dorbeck