6 Different Types of Shades and Which to Choose

By: Natalie Elmgurst

Updated: 9/19/2024

Your dining room needs a dash of elegance. The breakfast nook gets too much morning light streaming through the windows. And your bedroom windows are visible from your neighbor’s yard. Privacy is key in many areas throughout your home. For all of these issues, and many others, there is one simple solution: shades.

That’s because shades are incredibly versatile. There are several different types of shades, and depending on your needs and the style of your home, you can find the right window treatment for you. With Stoneside shades, you have the added benefit of customization, allowing you to create unique window coverings for your home. You choose the color, texture, pattern, and materials, as well as decorative features, motorization options, and opacity levels that give you control over the amount of light and privacy in the rooms.

Our professional Stoneside designers are experts in advising customers on what kind of shades work best for their homes. If you want to learn more about the different types of shades to choose from, here’s a look at what we offer and some design ideas for how they can transform your space.

1. Roller Shades

Looking for a versatile type of shade with sleek styling and an unobtrusive footprint? Roller shades are one of the most popular window treatments out there thanks to their ease of use and customization options. Made from a single piece of material that rolls up and down to manage light and privacy, roller shades sport several benefits:

• Simple design that’s a breeze to match with a room’s decor
• Hundreds of colors, patterns, and textures to choose from
• Opacity options ranging from sheer to blackout
• Integrates well with smart home motorization

2. Solar Shades

Do you have windows with wonderful views and lots of light? Hesitant to put up a window covering and lose that view but also need something to cut down on the glare? Solar shades are the window shade for you.

Among all the different types of shades, solar shades are unique in their ability to manage light while preserving your window’s view. While the overall appearance is similar to roller shades, there are some key differences when it comes to roller vs. solar shades. Small openings in the material—the size of which is measured in “openness”—let you enjoy your window’s view while still blocking harsh sunlight. Your room enjoys a pleasant light, UV rays are blocked, and you get a stylish window treatment, too.

3. Cellular Shades

Among the different types of shades, cellular shades stand alone in their ability to insulate windows. Single and double-paned windows are notorious for letting heat out in winter and heat in during summer. While it’s possible to improve your windows’ insulation through upgrading the glass, it’s a cost-prohibitive and time-consuming process.

Cellular shades use pleated fabric to create a series of honeycomb-shaped cells that slow heat transfer, vastly improving your home’s energy efficiency. You can even select a dual-cell option for additional insulation.

And when it comes to looks, cellular shades have an unmistakable modern styling that’s great for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. You even get to choose between a range of opacities from sheer to blackout.

4. Vertical Cellular Shades

Like cellular shades, vertical cellular shades are amazing at improving your home’s energy efficiency. Using a series of honeycomb-like cells, pockets of air insulate your windows to keep warm air in during winter and hot air out during summer.

Where vertical cellular shades differ, however, is in how they’re used. Thanks to their vertical configuration and horizontal operation, they’re excellent for large windows and patio doors. They can even be set up as room dividers if you’re looking to partition off a space.

5. Zebra Shades

Are all the typical types of shades just a bit too… pedestrian for you? Do you have a bold personality that balks at the mundane? Zebra shades, also known as transitional shades, are a modern window treatment with an eye-catching design and innovative mode of operation.

Made from two layers of fabric that are adjusted independently, they can create a banded look that lets some light and view in, or a solid arrangement to block light and protect your privacy. So if you’re looking for a stylish type of shade that’s incredibly functional, zebra shades may be the shade for you.

6. Roman Shades

If there’s one type of shade for windows that’s stood the test of time, it’s Roman shades. As the name suggests, this shade dates back to ancient Roman times, when it was used in the Colosseum to shade spectators. What makes Roman shades one of the best types of shades, though, is the expansive number of customization options, including:

• Warm and inviting fabric material available in hundreds of colors and patterns
• 5 different styles that change overall appearance

This means you can find a Roman shade that will look great in your traditionally styled living room, your modern kitchen, and your character-themed kids’ rooms. And since they’re made from a single piece of fabric, Roman shades are excellent at managing light and protecting your privacy.

Types of Shades Benefits Comparison

With all the different types of shades to choose from, how do you go about selecting the best one for you? One method is to look at a few key benefits and decide based on which is most important for you.

Light Management

• Roller shades, Roman shades, and cellular shades excel at blocking light or letting it in fully.
• Solar shades are perfect if you want to let in a diffused light and don’t need to blackout a room.
• Zebra shades offer the most granular adjustment.

Privacy

• Solar shades are the least effective at protecting your privacy, though they will improve it.
• All other shades are great at preserving your privacy.

Energy Efficiency

• Cellular shades are by far the best at insulating your windows.
• All custom shades from Stoneside will improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Aesthetic Customization

• Roman shades and roller shades offer the most options when it comes to colors and patterns.
• Roller shades have the added benefit of being available in fabric and vinyl materials.
• Zebra shades let you customize the look of your shades anytime you like through how they’re adjusted.

Customizing Your Shades

One of the best parts of buying custom shades from Stoneside is all the options you have for customization. These include:

• Colors and patterns: Stoneside offers shades in hundreds of colors and patterns, depending on the type of shade.
• Opacity: Roller and cellular shades come in a range of opacities to let in varying amounts of light or blackout your space. Solar shades have different levels of “openness” to customize how much view you want to preserve.
• Design: Cellular shades come in a dual-cell design to double down on insulation, while Roman shades have different options for how the fabric is decoratively arranged.
• Size: Perhaps the biggest benefit of buying shades with Stoneside is that we can size them perfectly for your windows, meaning they’ll look and function better.

Installing Shades

The more handy among us may be inclined to go the DIY route with shade installation, but we highly recommend you take advantage of Stoneside’s professional installation service. We employ a team of in-house installers who will take the time to make sure your shades are installed perfectly and that you know how to operate them.

Shop Stoneside for the Best Shades

From roller and solar, to cellular and Roman, Stoneside offers a wide range of shade styles to suit your needs and aesthetic preferences. With all the types of shades available, it can be difficult to decide which is best for you. Stoneside’s team of interior designers is here to help. Schedule a free design consultation today to get started on finding the best shades for you.