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What are Sheer Shades?
What if you could have all the functionality of a set of blinds while also enjoying the elegance and translucence of a beautiful sheer drapery? Graber Sheer Shades do just that.
Sometimes called soft blinds, sheer shades take the components of a traditional set of blinds and reconfigure them so that they can be constructed from fabric.
How Do Sheer Shades Work?
While not exactly like a set of wood, vinyl, or aluminum blinds, sheer shades have similar components. In a set of sheer blinds, the slats of a traditional set of blinds are replaced by fabric vanes that are attached to two sheets of sheer fabric—one on the front of the shade and another on the back. These sheer sheets of fabric serve in the place of the control cords you see in traditional blinds and allow the fabric vanes to move to control light and privacy.
The Benefits of Sheer Shades
Graber Sheer Shades are a great way to control light and privacy. They are easy to adjust and can give you a moderate level of privacy. A unique feature is the beautiful, soft light that you get through a sheer shade, even when it’s closed. This elegant light is one of the reasons why sheer shades are so popular. But for those looking for a very dark room, sheer shades would not be your first choice.
Sheer shades provide UV protection as well as some level of insulation against heat and cold. Your sheer shades will protect your floor coverings, home décor, furniture, and artwork from the rays of the sun, and they’ll help reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Despite their delicate appearance, sheer shades are quite durable. Like all fabric window coverings, they should not be handled with dirty hands or crumpled or bent in any way. But handled thoughtfully, they can last many years. And because Graber Sheer Shades are sewn (and not glued like most other sheer shades on the market), you get no yellowing over time.
How do sheer shades compare to other shades?
We’ve already talked about how sheer shades are similar to traditional blinds. But let’s compare sheer shades to other shades.
Sheer shades have a similar appearance to a pleated shade in a sheer fabric or a cellular shade in a sheer fabric. Sheer shades have an advantage over their pleated and cellular cousins in that you can control light and privacy with a sheer shade without having to raise it—all you do is adjust the tilt of the vanes. Pleated and cellular shades must be raised or lowered to change the level of light control and privacy—they’re either up or down. The same can be said for roller and solar shades, both of which can be constructed with fabrics that allow light to penetrate while still providing some privacy but must be raised or lowered to change their level of light control.
Sheer shades in many ways are similar to layered shades. While layered shades have a very different appearance, they too involve two sheets of fabric and can be adjusted by aligning the opaque bands. For rooms where a very modern look is desired, a layered shade is an excellent option.
Combine drapery with sheer shades to create an elevated, opulent look. By layering drapery over a sheer shade, you create an incredibly versatile set of window treatments that not only offer a huge range of privacy and light control levels but also provide excellent insulation against heat and cold.
Choosing the Right Sheer Shades
Sheer shades are an excellent choice for living rooms and dining rooms. When layered with drapery—which adds privacy and room darkening—they can also work well in bedrooms. Choose from a wide variety of fabrics to find the right level of privacy for the room you’re decorating.
Getting your window professionally measured and your window treatment professionally installed ensures you will enjoy the full benefits of your shades. Your Graber Design Expert can help you find the perfect sheer shades for your room and will measure and install your shades for the perfect fit.
If you’re looking for a window treatment that combines elegance and utility, the sheer shade might be the right shade for you. See how one looks on your very own windows by using Graber Visualizer. And see samples of sheer shade fabrics by ordering swatches.
Contact your Graber Design Expert today and discover the beauty of Graber Sheer Shades.
