Custom Window Shades in Tampa, FL

Solar-screen shades are rated by openness — 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%. The lower the number, the tighter the weave and the more heat and UV it blocks; the higher the number, the more of the view you keep. On Tampa's west- and south-facing glass we usually land at 3% or 5%, which cuts the worst of the afternoon heat while you can still see the yard.

Fabric color matters as much as openness. Dark fabrics preserve the view and control glare better; light fabrics reflect more heat but wash out the view. We bring both to the estimate so you can hold them against your own window.

There's a real difference between room-darkening and blackout. Room-darkening fabric blocks most light but leaks around the edges. True blackout pairs an opaque fabric with side channels that seal the gap — the difference between a dim room and a room where you can't see your hand.

For bedrooms and nurseries where the household includes a shift worker or a napping infant, side channels are worth the extra cost every time.

Cellular (honeycomb) shades trap air in their pleats, adding insulation at the glass. In Florida the payoff is mostly on the cooling side — less heat entering through the window means the AC cycles less. They're a good fit for rooms that run hot and for windows you rarely open.

Every shade we install is cordless or motorized unless a customer specifically requests otherwise. Corded blinds remain a strangulation hazard for small children and pets, and there is no longer any performance reason to use them.