When choosing window treatments, the fabric, color, and style may be the first things that come to mind. But how a shade operates is an equally important part of the design decision.
Window treatment lift systems have changed significantly over the years. The familiar free-hanging pull cords from my childhood are no longer an option due to updated industry safety standards. Today, designers and homeowners have several alternatives that combine safer operation with the clean, sophisticated appearance expected from a custom window treatment.
Cordless: Simple and Streamlined
Cordless operation is one of the simplest options available. Instead of pulling a cord, the shade is raised or lowered by gently pushing or pulling the bottom of the shade.
Beyond the safety benefits, cordless shades also have a particularly clean appearance. Without a lift cord hanging at the side of the window, there is very little to distract from the fabric or the treatment itself.
Depending on the product, cordless systems can be an excellent choice for roman shades, cellular shades, roller shades, and other styles. The size and placement of the window are important considerations, however. A shade that is very large or difficult to reach may be better suited to another operating system.
Motorization: Safety Meets Convenience
Motorization is a more advanced cordless option, making it another excellent choice when safety is a priority.
With the push of a button on a remote, wall control, or compatible smart-home system, shades can be raised and lowered without physically reaching for the window. This can be especially useful for tall windows, hard-to-reach locations, large shades, or homes with multiple treatments.
Motorization can also be considered early in the design or construction process when hardwired power or integration with a home automation system is desired. For existing homes, battery-powered options can make motorization possible without opening walls for wiring.
Continuous Cord Loops
Cord-operated shades haven’t disappeared entirely. For certain custom products, a continuous cord or bead-chain loop can still be used when paired with the appropriate safety device.
Unlike the free-hanging pull cords of the past, a continuous loop remains a fixed length as the shade moves. A tensioning device secures the loop at the side of the window and keeps it taut. Proper installation of that device is an important part of the system’s safe operation.
Continuous loops can be useful for treatments where a manual operating system is preferred, particularly when the size or weight of a shade makes simply lifting it by hand less practical.
UltraGlide: A Different Approach to Manual Operation
For those who want manual operation without lifting the shade directly by hand, Hunter Douglas offers the UltraGlide lift system.
The system uses a retractable wand (or cord) that remains at a constant length as the shade moves. Gently pulling the wand operates the treatment, keeping the control within easy reach without leaving a long, loose cord pooling on the floor by the window.
UltraGlide can be a great middle ground between a traditional cordless shade and motorization, particularly when reaching the bottom of the treatment to operate it by hand would be inconvenient.
Choosing the Right Lift System
There isn’t one operating system that is ideal for every window. The right choice depends on the type and size of the treatment, how frequently it will be operated, the height and accessibility of the window, the desired appearance, and the needs of the people using the space.
A cordless system may provide exactly the simplicity a project needs. A continuous loop may make a larger treatment easier to operate manually. And for another project, motorization may offer the best combination of convenience and a clean appearance.
Safety requirements may have changed the way window treatments operate, but they haven’t limited the possibilities for beautiful design. In many cases, today’s operating systems are more streamlined and convenient than the systems they replaced.
At Parkway Window Works, we help designers consider both the appearance and operation of a treatment so the finished product works just as beautifully as it looks.
