Commercial Window Attachment Types

Interior roller shades (also called roller blinds) fit inside the window casing, next to the window sash, and are available in a wide variety of fabrics and weaves. They can reduce solar heat gain, darken rooms, offer privacy, and enhance visual comfort by filtering sunlight to reduce eye strain caused by reflections and glare. Automated interior roller shade systems have been shown to block solar heat gain effectively and reduce HVAC cooling loads.

Exterior roller shades fit outside the building and are available in a wide variety of fabrics and weaves. They can significantly reduce unwanted solar heat gain, offer privacy, block glare from the sun and darken rooms. Automated exterior roller shade systems may be available and have been shown to block solar heat gain effectively and reduce HVAC cooling loads.

Solar screens are fixed panels that can be installed on either the exterior or interior of a window. They can reduce solar heat gain, UV damage, and glare while permitting significant view and light transmission.

The closed cells of these shades trap air and heat that can enhance insulation at the window. Available in single-, double- and cell-within-a-cell formats, cellular shades fold up like an accordion to control daylight, filter glare, and offer privacy.

Blinds feature stacked slats or louvers of metal, plastic or wood, typically connected with cloth tape or with cords that allow them to tilt open or closed to control daylight and privacy, in addition to being raised and lowered. Horizontal venetian blinds stack above a window opening; vertical blinds slide open to the side of an opening and are a common solution for large windows or glass doors.