Bamboo Shades: What are the Options? - By: Allan Michael Taylor

The best thing about buying bamboo shades is that you're presented with so many options. In other words, the possibilities are endless with these window shades!

Colors and Designs

Who says shades made of bamboo are one and the same? Of course not! You can choose from various designs available nowadays. Color selections may include maple, mahogany, pecan, golden oak, and many others.

Materials

As opposed to what you might think, a bamboo shade is made not only of bamboo. Most bamboo shades are available in various materials such as grass, reeds, rattan, faux woods, woven woods, and jute.

One of the most commonly used materials in creating shades is matchstick. As thin as a matchstick, these shades are ideal for every home décor theme since they come in various colors or combinations of multiple colors. To make the look of matchstick shades more exciting and interesting, you can insert various thread colors into the shades.

However, a little privacy is compromised when you use matchstick shades for your windows. The gaps in between the matchsticks enable viewing of the home interior from the outside, as well as entry of the sun's rays. If styling carries more weight than privacy in your buying decision, then matchsticks shades are a good choice.

Like matchstick shades, bamboo shades that are created from the tubes of natural bamboo make stunning home décor items. The tubes of natural bamboo that are used in crafting the shades are part of the bamboo plant that has not been altered. Usually, these shades feature splices that cause the sticks to look longer than they are. And like their matchstick counterparts, shades made from bamboo tubes are not very effective in ensuring privacy at home.

Shades made of raw bamboo such as tortoise shell shades use large sticks that create a charming, natural look. Because of their large sticks, raw bamboo shades are effective at keeping privacy at home.

Styles

Generally, there are three types of bamboo shade styles: roll up shades, roman shades, and slat shades. As the term suggests, roll up shades are rolled up from the bottom to open the shades. On the other hand, roman shades are folded upwards and downwards into some inch segments. Woven tightly together, slat shades made of bamboo consist of flat, sleek slats. Your choice of bamboo shade style depends on the overall styling or theme of your home interior, the amount of privacy you desire, and the amount of light you want to pass through the shades.

Functionality

Aside from styling, shades also come in different functional options, particularly in terms of privacy and lighting control. More often than not, the aesthetic features of most shades made of bamboo put practicality at the back seat. Good thing, several bamboo shade companies offer shades with blackout and privacy linings to compensate for the lack of lighting control and privacy of their products. Lined shades can cover the whole surface at the back of the shade. This feature gives buyers plenty of pattern and color choices without altering the entire function of the window shade. Thus, shades with linings have become extremely popular choices for many homeowners.

About the Author

Jennie Keithson is a decorative type, a designer who loves to write and is a trained home and office planner, who lectures about bamboo shades, with all of her window shades buyers. Check out her online shop for more info.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Allan-Michael-Taylor/45501

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