Question 1

How do dual shades / zebra shades work?

Accepted Answer

Dual shades — also called zebra shades or banded shades — use a single roller that holds two interwoven fabric strips: one sheer, one solid. As you raise or lower the shade, the strips shift position relative to each other. When the sheer bands align with the open gaps, diffused light flows through the shade into the room. When you continue moving the shade, the solid bands slide over the gaps, blocking light and providing near-privacy. You get a smooth, continuous transition between a sheer setting and a solid setting without ever raising the shade off the window.

Question 2

What is the difference between dual shades and sheer shades?

Accepted Answer

Dual shades and sheer shades both have sheer and opaque elements, but they work very differently. Dual shades use two flat fabric strips — one sheer, one solid — woven together on a single standard roller. As the shade moves up or down, the strips shift to align or misalign, controlling light. The mechanism is simple, flat, and easy to motorize.

Sheer shades use a more complex three-layer construction: alternating fabric vanes (sheer and opaque) are suspended between two sheer fabric facings. You rotate the vanes — rather than shifting the shade up and down — to move between view-through and privacy positions. This construction gives a fuller, softer view-through when the vanes are open, but it is a more complex mechanism.

In practice: dual shades are easier to motorize, generally more affordable, and give continuous light adjustment. Sheer shades give a richer view-through at their open position and a more premium look, but at a higher price point and with a more complex cleaning process.

Question 3

Can dual shades be motorized?

Accepted Answer

Yes — dual shades motorize exactly like a standard roller shade. They use the same motor hardware as any other roller shade in our lineup, controlled by remote, app, or voice assistant (Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit). Motorization is particularly practical for wide windows or rooms with multiple dual shades, since the continuous light-adjustment feature benefits the most from smooth, remote-controlled operation. We offer both battery-powered motors (recharged once or twice per year) and hardwired motors.

Question 4

What is the openness factor in a solar roller shade?

Accepted Answer

Openness factor describes the percentage of open space in a solar screen fabric's weave. A 3% openness means 3% of the fabric is open - strong glare and UV reduction with soft outward visibility. A 10% openness means the weave is looser - the outdoor view is nearly unobstructed but glare is still meaningfully reduced. Lower openness gives more privacy and UV protection; higher openness preserves more of your view.

Question 5

What is the difference between a solar screen roller shade and a blackout roller shade?

Accepted Answer

Solar screen roller shades are woven fabrics with a 3-10% openness factor that reduce glare and UV while preserving your outdoor view - you can still see through them when they are down. Blackout roller shades use a fully opaque fabric (often with a reflective backing) that blocks 100% of light through the material, eliminating the view entirely. Solar screens are best for living rooms and offices where the view matters; blackout shades are best for bedrooms, nurseries, and home theaters.

Question 6

Are roller shades available with a chain lift or motorized operation?

Accepted Answer

Roller shades are available as cordless (spring-tension lift - no chain), chain-operated (a looped chain controls raise and lower), or motorized (battery or hardwired motor controlled by remote, app, or voice assistant). Motorization is especially practical for large windows, high windows, and rooms with multiple shades where operating each one individually gets inconvenient.

Question 7

What is a cassette or fascia headrail on a roller shade?

Accepted Answer

A cassette or fascia is a housing that wraps the roll tube and brackets at the top of the shade, concealing the mechanism completely. Standard open-roll installation leaves the tube and brackets visible; a cassette gives the shade a finished, architectural appearance so it looks like a design element rather than functional hardware. When the shade is fully raised, the cassette is all you see - clean and polished.

Question 8

Do roller shades provide nighttime privacy?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the opacity. Solar screen shades (3-10% openness) provide no nighttime privacy - when your interior lights are on and it is dark outside, people can see in. Light-filtering shades provide partial privacy at night. Room-darkening and blackout shades provide excellent nighttime privacy. If you want a single shade that handles both daytime view-through and nighttime privacy, a dual roller system or a room-darkening fabric is the right choice.

Question 9

What warranty do Alta roller shades come with?

Accepted Answer

Alta Roller Shades are backed by a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the product.

Question 10

How do I clean Alta roller shades?

Accepted Answer

For routine maintenance, dust Alta roller shades occasionally with a feather duster or soft cloth to prevent particle buildup in the weave. For spot cleaning, wipe with a clean damp cloth. For stubborn marks, a mild soap solution applied gently and blotted dry is safe on most Alta roller shade fabrics.

Question 11

Can I use steam to clean Alta roller shades?

Accepted Answer

No. Do not use steam on Alta roller shades. Steam can damage the fabric coating and dimensional stability of roller shade materials. Avoid using a garment steamer on any Alta roller shade fabric, including blackout fabrics.

Question 12

What warranty do Graber roller shades come with?

Accepted Answer

Graber roller and solar shades are backed by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product under normal residential use.

Question 13

How do I clean Graber roller shades?

Accepted Answer

For routine maintenance, dust Graber roller shades occasionally with a feather duster or soft cloth to prevent particle buildup in the weave. For spot cleaning, wipe with a clean damp cloth. For stubborn marks, a mild soap solution applied gently and blotted dry is safe on most Graber roller shade fabrics.

Question 14

Can I use steam to clean Graber roller shades?

Accepted Answer

No. Do not use steam on Graber roller shades. Steam can damage the fabric coating and dimensional stability of roller shade materials. Avoid using a garment steamer on any Graber roller shade fabric.

Question 15

What warranty do Norman Soluna roller shades come with?

Accepted Answer

Norman Soluna™ Roller Shades are backed by a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the product. Motorized components carry a 5-year warranty.

Question 16

What does the Norman roller shade warranty cover?

Accepted Answer

The Norman lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship on Soluna™ roller shade fabrics and hardware for as long as the original purchaser owns the product. The 5-year warranty applies to motorized components.

Question 17

How do I clean Norman Soluna roller shades?

Accepted Answer

For routine maintenance, dust Norman Soluna roller shades occasionally with a feather duster or soft cloth to prevent particle buildup in the weave. For spot cleaning, wipe with a clean damp cloth. For stubborn marks, a mild soap solution applied gently and blotted dry is safe on most Soluna fabrics.

Question 18

Can I use steam to clean Norman roller shades?

Accepted Answer

No. Do not use steam on Norman Soluna roller shades. Steam can damage the fabric coating and dimensional stability of roller shade materials. Never use a garment steamer on roller shade fabric.

Question 19

What is the LightGuard 360™ blackout system on Norman roller shades?

Accepted Answer

Norman's LightGuard 360™ pairs a fully opaque blackout fabric with a side-channel track that eliminates all edge light bleed, delivering true zero-light-penetration performance. It is available on Norman Soluna™ roller shades and is ideal for nurseries, shift-worker bedrooms, and home theaters.