Specifications
What we fit, and how to judge it.
There is a lot of marketing language in this industry and very few numbers. This page is the numbers - what the fabric ratings actually mean, what to ask about a motor, and which certifications carry weight. Use it to judge us, or to judge anyone else.
Fabric types
Four constructions cover almost every residential requirement. They are not interchangeable, and the differences matter more than the colour you pick.
| Blackout | Solar | Zebra | Cellular | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light blocked | Up to 100% with channels | 86-99% by openness | Varies by band position | 60-99% by fabric |
| View out | None | Clear by day | Clear when aligned | None |
| Insulation | Low | Low | Low | Highest |
| Privacy by day | Full | Full | Good | Full |
| Privacy at night, lights on | Full | Poor | Partial | Full |
| Typically fitted in | Bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms | West-facing living space | Living rooms, flexible light | Rooms that will not hold temperature |
Every construction above is available motorized, battery or solar powered, and cordless.
Openness factor, explained
Openness is the percentage of the solar fabric that is open weave. It is the single number that decides how much heat and glare a shade stops and how much of your view survives. Lower blocks more and shows less.
| Openness | Heat and glare blocked | View out | Privacy at night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1% | Most | Restricted | Partial |
| 3% | High | Good | Minimal |
| 5% | Moderate | Very good | None |
| 10% and above | Low | Excellent | None |
Around 3% is where most rooms land - strong heat rejection with the view kept. No openness percentage gives full privacy after dark with the lights on. If a room needs that, it needs a second layer, not a lower number.
Motors: what to ask about
Five things determine whether a motor is right for an opening. Ask any installer these, including us.
Noise
Ask for a decibel figure, not the word quiet. Below 40 dB is acceptable in a bedroom. Quieter motors are often slower - a full travel can take around twenty seconds.
Power
Battery, solar or hardwired. A battery typically runs four to six months per charge depending on panel size and how often it moves. Solar removes the recharging question.
Load capacity
Every motor is rated for a maximum fabric weight. Wide or tall openings may need a heavier motor, or two coupled panels. This is decided at the measure, not after.
Control
Remote, wall switch, phone app or voice. Matter over Thread, Z-Wave, Apple Home, Alexa and Google are all supported depending on the system specified.
Serviceability
Ask whether the motor can be replaced on its own, or whether a failure means replacing the whole shade. It decides what a repair costs you in year four.
Certifications that carry weight
Four are worth knowing. Anything else you see quoted is usually a manufacturer's own program rather than an independent standard.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
The fabric has been tested for harmful substances across every component, including thread and coatings. This is the one that matters in a nursery or a child's bedroom.
UL listed
Independent electrical safety testing of the motor and control components. Relevant to anything powered that lives permanently in your wall or window.
Best for Kids
A Window Covering Manufacturers Association program identifying products considered appropriate for homes with young children. Cordless products qualify; corded ones do not.
ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022
The industry safety standard that, from 1 June 2024, eliminated free-hanging operating cords on made-to-order window coverings. Everything we fit is cordless.
Hardware and mounting
The parts nobody photographs, which decide how the finished job actually looks and holds.
Inside mount
The shade sits within the window reveal, showing the frame. Cleaner and more architectural, but it leaves a clearance gap at each edge - which is why blackout in a bedroom needs channels.
Outside mount
The shade is fixed to the wall above and beyond the opening, overlapping the frame. Less clearance gap, useful where the reveal is too shallow or the opening is out of square.
Side channels
Slim aluminium U-profile tracks fixed down both sides of the opening. The fabric edge runs inside them so there is no light path around the shade. Available for windows and sliding doors, inside or outside mount.
Cassette or open roll
A cassette encloses the roller and closes the light gap above the fabric. An open roll is slimmer and shows the tube. Cassette in a bedroom, open roll where the look matters more than the last band of light.
Fixings
Brackets go into studs or header framing wherever the opening allows. Where there is no structure, rated anchors selected for the substrate. Every bracket is load-tested in front of you before we leave.
Why there are no brand names on this page
We are not a single-brand dealer, so the right system depends on the opening, the room and the budget rather than on one label we happen to carry. Listing manufacturers here would suggest we specify before we have seen your windows, and we do not. At the measure we tell you exactly which manufacturer we are proposing and why, show you the fabric in your own light, and put the system and model in writing on the estimate before you commit to anything.
Common questions
How long does a motor last?
A quality motor is a long-life component and usually outlasts the fabric it drives. What matters more is whether it can be replaced on its own when it eventually fails, which is why serviceability is on the list above.
What happens when the battery runs down?
The shade slows before it stops, so you get warning. Recharging is a lithium pack on a cable, or you avoid the question entirely by specifying solar, which is what we usually recommend in Florida.
Do they work without wifi?
Yes. The remote and wall control talk to the motor directly. Wifi and a hub are only needed for phone control, schedules and voice assistants.
Can I change the fabric later without replacing everything?
On most systems the fabric and tube can be replaced while the brackets, motor and channels stay. Worth asking about before you buy, because it is not true of every system on the market.
Can I add more shades later on the same control?
Yes, provided we stay within the same system. This is one of the reasons we note on your estimate exactly what was fitted - so a room added in three years still joins the same setup.
What is the warranty?
Warranty terms differ by manufacturer and by product line, so we put the exact term in writing on your estimate rather than quoting a headline figure here. Our own workmanship we stand behind for as long as you own the shades.
Cordless
No cords, no loops, no wands
Power
Battery or solar. No wiring, no wall damage
Fabrics
OEKO-TEX and UL certified
Install
Measured and fitted by our own team, load-tested before we leave