WINDOW SHADES
Woven mylar roller shade fabrics have become the leading choice for commercial windows in today’s market.
Woven mylar shades are widely utilized across major franchise restaurants such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Panera, and Cracker Barrel.
Interior sun control fabrics deliver an ideal combination of light management, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, making them a preferred window covering solution for both residential and commercial environments.
Unlike many other window coverings, these fabrics maintain excellent outward visibility—even when shades are lowered—preserving natural light and exterior views.
Openness – Refers to the weave structure and the size of the gaps within the fabric. For example, a fabric with 5% openness consists of approximately 95% woven yarns and 5% open space, while a 15% openness fabric has 85% yarn and 15% open area. A higher openness factor provides greater outward visibility but also allows more natural light, glare, and UV rays to enter the space.
Privacy – Most woven shades provide effective daytime privacy. However, the degree of visibility through the fabric works both ways: the clearer your view outward during the day, the more visible the interior becomes at night when lights are on. This characteristic is true of all see-through window treatments.
Dark vs. Light Colors – Fabric color plays a greater role in heat control than openness alone. Available in a wide range of tones—from light hues such as white and bone to deeper shades like charcoal and chestnut—color selection extends beyond aesthetics and interior design considerations. Lighter-colored fabrics reflect more sunlight, enhance interior brightness, and provide superior heat reduction. In contrast, darker fabrics offer enhanced outward visibility and excellent glare control, making them ideal for environments with computer or television screens. However, darker shades tend to absorb more solar heat and may re-radiate it into the room.
Cleaning – Routine maintenance can be performed by vacuuming to remove dust. For more thorough cleaning, use a mild soap-and-water solution with a soft brush, then towel or air dry.
Warranty – Shades are covered by a limited lifetime warranty on all hardware components and a 10-year warranty on interior fabrics.
The beauty of a “see-through” window shade lies in its exceptional functionality. Simply lower the shade when sunlight becomes an issue, and raise it out of the way when it’s not needed.
Unlike traditional window coverings that block the view entirely, woven and metallized (mylar) shade technologies allow natural light to filter through while maintaining clear outward visibility.
Shades can be operated with a durable bead chain and clutch system or a cordless ball-bearing spring mechanism for smooth, effortless use. Somfy motorization is also available in wireless battery-powered, AC, or DC electric options—all conveniently operated via remote control.
All shade components carry a limited lifetime warranty, while fabric warranties may vary by material.
Motorization can be seamlessly integrated into nearly any shade application and represents one of the fastest-growing segments in the window treatment industry. Customers particularly appreciate the convenience of controlling shades from the comfort of a chair, office desk, or conference room. Motorized shades are ideal for large, elevated, or hard-to-reach installations, including boardrooms, projection rooms, and expansive windows. Motors can be operated individually or in coordinated groups for maximum flexibility.
Somfy offers a comprehensive selection of motors, including wireless battery-powered options as well as AC and DC models. Motorized shades can be controlled via wireless handheld remotes, wall-mounted switches, home automation systems, smartphones, timers, or sun sensors. All motors are designed to fit within the roller tube, maintaining a sleek profile comparable to a standard bead chain clutch, and many utilize the same mounting hardware as traditional clutch-operated shades.