When one makes the decision to go out and buy, or at least consider buying, roller shades, cellular shades, or bamboo shades, for the home or office, one should strongly consider all the related factors in this purchase. Not all retailers are created equal, and this is the crux of the issue. We must consider that if the products are all the same, then there must be differences in the types of shade dealers, and a customer, or potential customer, for roller shades or the like, must recognize this difference and seek out the best source for her.



A long-standing product for paint stores has been wall d'cor. This has added, through the years, flooring and other accessories. There are many paint or flooring stores that have expanded their offerings to include shades. At first glance, it makes sense that a company specializing in the design of part of your space should be involved in the design of another. However, the consumers of such products should consider that a floor store selling cellular shads makes about as much sense as a refrigerator dealer selling steaks. Sure, both products do go together and they are both for the kitchen, but one element is a functioning product that requires special handling. A roller shade, or bamboo shade, must be made to exact specifications and should have tolerances for function. A paint shop, on the other hand, may not be ready to offer strong after sale service for roller shades or bamboo shades.

Another common source for shades is hardware stores or home centers. These stores are not much different from the aforementioned design centers, but there is another drawback for these popular stores. Large home centers may sell many shades, but they are strong on selling off the shelf items. A consumer that wants high quality and attractive roller shades may want to consider that a thin and low priced fabric off the shelf in a home center might not be the quality that they want. The cellular shades are the same for these products. These stores may carry a very large inventory of two colors of cellular shades, but these are usually not the highest quality components, and thus may fail before the high quality alternatives. These stores promote the easiest sales, and high quality shades are not easy sales.

Recently, interior design consultants have become a good source for shades. These in home professionals can come in, measure, and even arrange installation services. The selection from these dealers is able to be very large, however, consider that these people are looking out, often, for their own interests, and many will not show the full range of offerings of roller shades. However, lets give the benefit of the doubt for these professionals, and recognize that the major issue with them shall be the added cost of the in home services that they offer you. Measuring, which is often free, will not get you your measurements, and will not be charged usually. However, there is a cost for these people of their time and fuel, which they will pass along to you in another way.

Finally, internet retailers may be a great source of shades. An internet retailer will not come to your home to measure, but this simple process, along with installation, is not hard for homeowners to do. Internet retailers, however, can offer a wide range of all these shades products, including bamboo shades, roller shades, and cellular shades, as well as many of the their materials. The fact that they are not limited by real estate, or other space limitations, makes it easier for many of these sites to have the largest range of offerings, and they can help with real service, as some really know their products.

In the end, you should not buy window shades like a pair of shoes. They require style consideration, but the dealer of the product will need great product knowledge and will need to partner with you in the product selection and after sale. Consider all of this as you choose among these shades providers.