What are banded shades?
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Banded shades (also known as zebra shades or sheer shades) are a hot trend in the window treatment industry. They’re made up of alternate solid and sheer bands that are fused into a single shading system. While most sheer shades only have sheer and room darkening, these dual shades give you light filtering and room darkening all in one!  They offer a layered look and light control but they roll up like a fabric roller shade into the headrail.  These shades can change the lighting, mood, and ambiance of a room at any given point in time.  When the shade is raised, it disappears inside the headrail for a clean, modern look. If you’re looking for stylish, yet functional window treatments or an alternative to traditional blinds, banded shades are the perfect solution.

​What Constitutes a Banded Shade?
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A banded shade consists of two layers of window shading into one. It is made up of alternate solid and sheer bands that are fused into a single shading system. You can match these shades with the décor of any space inside your house. There are many fabric shades for you to choose from in our vast collection.  Coupled with a supreme operational shading system, these dual layer shades are ideal for any area in your home. The shades come with a cassette or square valance wrapped in fabric to cover the roll at the top or choose from a wood valance in a variety of colors.

​Features of Banded Shades
 
• Many different fabric shades to choose from
• Suitable for large windows
• Offers moderate energy efficiency
• Protects flooring, furniture, and artwork from damaging UV rays
• Provides superb flexibility to one single shade
• Offers a chic solution for privacy, view-through and light control
• Available in motorized, remote control and wall switch options

There is no comparison with CONRAD original shades. The meticulous detailing and hours of handwork in the art can only be seen in the extraordinary beauty of the finished product.
Individually woven by hand to customer size specifications CONRAD provides many window covering options, including Roman fold shades, drapery, sliding panel systems, and motorized shades. 
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When light filters through a CONRAD shade, it’s magic.  There are no competitors in the market who match their meticulous attention to the details of their design. They’ve earned a loyal clientele over the decades who refuse to use any other shade. They’re timeless, they’re elegant and they’re forever.

​Along with window treatments, pillows and other soft treatments are the easiest and most effective way to finish a room.  A well-placed pillow in a beautiful fabric can transform a sofa or chair and we love the ability to contrast and layer fabrics, patterns and colors.

For your indoor or outdoor furniture, we provide custom throw pillows, bench and window seat cushions, ottomans and other soft treatments all created to fit perfectly while coordinating with your existing home decor.  We provide a huge selection of fabrics, quality workmanship and have the resources to facilitate beautifully crafted products.
 
Here is a guide of the types of pillows you can choose from:  

​The most basic type of decorative pillow is the “knife edge” pillow.  In its simplest form, a knife edge pillow is simply two pieces of fabric that have been sewn together around the edges, forming a sharp, simple seam.  Knife edge pillows can be square, round or they can be made in a lumbar pillow, which is rectangular in shape and intended to sit at your lower back – or lumbar – area.

​A welted (aka corded) pillow is a knife edge pillow with the addition of a decorative cord or welting at the seam.  The cord or welt can contrast the fabric for more interest, or it can be in a matching color for a more subtle look.  If the welt is made from the same fabric as the body of the pillow, it is called a self-welt pillow.

​A flange pillow has a flat band of fabric at its edges called a flange.  It can be made from a contrasting fabric, and it can also be done in the same fabric as the rest of the pillow.

A bolster pillow is cylindrical in shape.  They come in many sizes, and they can have flat ends or ends that have been gathered. 

​A box pillow has flat sides.  Unlike the knife edge pillow that is flat at the seams, a box pillow has taller edges and is constructed like a box. Box pillows can also be made into cushions, and this type of construction is common as a floor cushion or chair seat when filled with a piece of foam.  The sides of the “box” can be made of flat fabric or gathered fabric, and it can match the top of the pillow or contrast it.
 

We have an endless selection of beautiful fabrics!  We will put our creativity and expertise to work to put the finishing touches on your home decor.  Give LC Window Treatments a call today for a free in home consultation 628-400-1665.

​Window treatments are one of the most important aspects of a home’s decor and are often the focal point.  Many interior decorators and choose window coverings before finalizing furniture and accessories choices for a room.
 
If chosen carefully, high-quality blinds and draperies can last a very long time and not go out of style. Although it may be tempting to save a little bit of money and purchase store bought blinds or shades, you will not get the same durability, quality and style that you would get with custom window treatments.

Here are 4 reasons to choose custom window treatments for your new home:

#1 QUALITY
The majority of big box store window treatments are not high quality. They are often poorly constructed and in the case of draperies and fabric shades are not hemmed and lined properly. If these drapes even have a lining, it is usually thin and made from cheap fabric. Custom window treatments, on the other hand, are of exceptional quality and come with a warranty. Made with premium materials and durable linings, custom window treatments offer exceptional quality and durability compared to blinds, draperies and fabric shades purchased off the rack.

​#2 CUSTOM FIT
Most windows are not perfectly square and also often have some kind of protrusion such as a window lock/opening mechanism.  This makes it challenging when it comes time to select window treatments. Many off the rack blinds, shades and draperies do not offer a perfect fit and it's even more of a challenge to find window treatments for oddly shaped windows when shopping at your local home improvement store or an online budget store. When you choose custom made window treatments, we will come and measure your windows to guarantee a perfect fit for your windows. 

#3 ENERGY EFFICIENT
​Energy efficient window coverings can significantly lower heating and cooling costs in your home. Unfortunately, most budget store bought window treatments do not help much with energy efficiency.
 
A custom window treatment, such solar shades made with Phifer Sheerweave fabric or Graber cellular shades, provide both energy efficiency and style. These custom window treatments have a unique qualities to increase energy efficiency. The cellular construction of the Graber cellular shades hold trapped air and create a barrier between the window surface and the room, thus lessening the transfer of heat.  Solar shades filter out UV rays keeping your home cool in the hot summer months.  

​​#4 PERSONAL DESIGN SERVICE
If you choose blinds, shades or draperies from your local home improvement superstore, you will probably not receive personalized service. The salespeople are generally not experts about products that they sell. When you order custom blinds and drapes, you will work with us personally and we will help you choose the very best product for your home.   

​Custom window treatments offer a number of advantages compared to big box off the shelf window coverings.  Give your home stylish, sophisticated customized window treatments. Schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling LC Window Treatments at 628-400-1665. We’ll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home.

​Vertical blinds may have made their debut in the 1970’s, but with new fabrics, instead of only vinyl, they are far from outdated and they still make for beautiful and affordable window treatments.
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Fabric vertical blinds can look spectacular on large windows, sliding doors and patio doors and offer a unique alternative to drapes and curtains. Made with a wide variety of soft, light filtering or room darkening fabrics, they let diffused natural light into your room without sacrificing your privacy, while sewn-in weights at the bottom of each louver keep the blinds in place.

In this blog, we share with you the reasons to consider fabric vertical blinds.  

​1) Amazingly decorative

This is one of the most important features of fabric vertical blinds. They are available in a variety of colors, designs, and fabrics according to your personal style. They can be custom made according to the kind of look you want in any room. The light-colored fabrics offer diffused light inside, while the heavier, darker fabrics offer high privacy with minimum infiltration. 

2) They last for years

Made to measure with a sturdy finish, aluminum headrails used in vertical blinds are one of the main reasons for their smooth functioning and operation. The controls are out of reach of children and safe to use.  ​They are also very easy to clean and some styles can even be washed in a machine.

​3) Easy to control light

Vertical blinds can be operated with a wand/baton or with a cord and chain. You get maximum control over the amount of light and privacy you have at any given time. While people swear by the positive implications of natural light inside homes, too much of it can disrupt sleep or be too glaring when reading or watching television. However, with fabric vertical blinds, you can be assured of their sturdy panels which can be suitably altered and tilted, letting in only as much sunlight as you desire. 

4)  They’re affordable 
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If you have large windows or doors to cover, that can get expensive. With fabric vertical blinds, you’re able to cover them at a cost that’s much friendlier to your budget.

Fabric vertical blinds are the ideal solution to cover large windows and sliding doors with hundreds of fabrics that you can choose from to coordinate with your home decor. They are durable, easy to operate and a cost-effective.

To learn more about decorative fabric vertical blinds, schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling us at 628-400-1665.  We'll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home decor.

​Decorative Fabric Roller Shades are a fabulous way to combine the traditional operation and clean look of a roller shade with the breadth and depth of beauty offered in decorative fabrics. We have hundreds of fabrics to choose from, including solid textures, embroideries, jacquards, prints, linens, silks, and more, so your designer expression is limited only by your imagination. The shades are available either inside or outside mounted, and have multiple valance options available. They look fantastic layered with valances and side panels.

To learn more about decorative fabric roller shades, schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling us at 628-400-1665.  We'll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home decor.

​With external patio shades, your outdoors will stay protected against UV rays, heat, as well as cold gusts of wind. So when you have outdoor space, why not make full use of it through motorized patio shades?

For similar style and durability as manual screens, but improved accessibility and convenience, motorized solar screens are an excellent choice for enclosing your patio, deck, balcony, or gazebo. Our motorized shades provide comprehensive protection from the sun's harmful UV rays, forming a physical barrier that grants full shade and lowered temperatures during even the most brutal days of summer. Best of all, our solar shades do all this without sacrificing much-needed ventilation and your view. You can ensure your patio remains shady all day by easily adjusting these screens to accommodate the shifting angle of the sun.  Additionally, the darker the fabric the more your view out is preserved.
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Motorized solar screens feature numerous useful benefits beyond shade. They offer peaceful privacy from the prying eyes of your neighbors or passersby as well as preventing the intrusion of annoying mosquitoes and other bugs.  You can comfortably lounge and dine late into the evening without constantly needing to reapply bug repellent or burn a smelly citronella candle. With the simple push of a button, your outdoor space will become the ideal spot for relaxing on a warm, sunny day.  Motorized patio shades are perfect not only for the summer but for enjoying your backyard all year round. They can shield you from spring showers and fall winds.  In addition, if your outdoor space overlaps with any windows, you’ll enjoy substantial energy savings by reducing your reliance on HVAC.

If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor living space with motorized shades, contact LC Window Treatments today at 628-400-1665. Our screens are created with the highest quality materials available, sourced from a  local Bay Area company, as well as the country’s top vendors. We custom manufacture every screen to meet your specific needs while ensuring the finished product creates a stylish, attractive element of your home design. With years of loyal, satisfied customers, we are so confident you will love your new shade system that every purchase comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

One of the first questions to tackle when choosing new window treatments is just how much light you'd like to block out.  Do you need light filtering shades? Room darkening?  Or are you looking for blackout?  What's the difference?  There are some key differences in how window treatments affect light, specifically when it comes to styles and fabric choices. That’s why there’s an advantage to working with the design professionals at LC Window Treatments. We understand these differences so we can help you make the right choice for your home.

Light-filtering, room-darkening and blackout shades come in a variety of different products (i.e cellular shades, roller shades, roman shades, sheer banded shades) but how do you know which one is right for you? Here are the differences between how our products control light. 
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​Light-filtering shades transform harsh sunlight into a soft glow and are better for rooms that don't require complete darkness or privacy such as your kitchen or living room.  Light filtering shades brighten the room and reduces the need for artificial lighting. 
 
Light filtering can be further controlled by the window treatment you choose. Cellular shades and sheer banded shades will soften and diffuse. More opaque shades in any style will block more light from entering a room.
 
These materials also offer varying degrees of privacy depending on how open you want the space to feel. Letting natural light into a room doesn’t mean you have to feel exposed to the rest of the world.

Room darkening is a category between light filtering and blackout. However, it doesn’t completely block the light from a room.  You can use a room darkening window treatment, like Roman shades or cellular shades to reduce the glare on a TV screen or keep bedrooms darkened.  Controlling light with room darkening shades is also a great way to reduce your energy bill, especially during the summer
 
Blackout window treatments are good options for a home cinema, bedrooms or child's room. They’re available in styles like honeycomb and roller shades. However, to stop light from leaking through the gaps on sides of the windows, lightguards  (strips of metal or PVC) need to be installed on the sides of the window frame.  Another option for blackout window treatments is to combine room darkening cellular or roller shades with blackout drapery panels to reduce any light gaps. 
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Whether you need soft light or want to darken your room, there’s a shade that’s right for you. We offer the most innovative styles from a variety of manufacturers and our window treatments are offered in a range of opacities, so you can easily find one that perfectly suits your light control and privacy requirements.
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To learn more about which style is right for your home, schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling us at 628-400-1665. We’ll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home.

How to keep exterior shades from blowing in the wind?
Our outdoor shades are available with optional tie-downs than will stop the shade from flapping in the wind. Tie-downs may look like bungee cables looped on each side of the shade's bottom hem bar that attach to hooks on the wall or into the patio floor (see picture on left). Another type of tie down system, typically used on larger size shades, is a cable guide system (see picture on the right).  This system uses stainless steel cable guides to stabilize the shade and avoid wind flap.  
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Designed to withstand the elements
​Unlike traditional indoor shades, exterior solar shades are designed to hold up under tough conditions for years and years.  Our exterior solar shades are tested to endure the harshest elements, including constant UV rays, rainfall, and strong winds.  Additionally, outdoor shades are easy to clean. Since they are designed to hold up in rainy conditions you can gently hose them down to rinse off pollen, dust and minor debris. For tougher spots, a bit of diluted, mild dish soap and a soft sponge should do the trick. 

​Schedule your free in home consultation today!
We are available to help answer all your questions, measure your space and help you decide on color and opacity level.  Give us a call today at 628-400-1665

One option is to treat the street facing rooms of your home with the one consistent product like blinds, shades or shutters for curb appeal and resale value. Then to add personality and decor use different product(s) across the rear facing rooms of the home. 

Another option is to choose a cellular shade in different colors for different rooms - they all have white backing so they will look consistent from the exterior.  Or choose a roman shade in different colors,  patterns, or even a woven wood but that have a consistent white lining on the back.  You can also add drapes with white lining.  This way you have a uniform look on the outside of the house but you will have a variety of different colors/textures inside your home.

Your local window treatment company, LC Window Treatments, has hundreds of options to choose from and the decor expertise and experience to help you through the process. Request a free consultation at 628-400-1665 to get started! 
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