If you are in your forties or older you probably had a window shade on one of your windows at one point or another. They used to be made of a white papery substance covered with vinyl or plastic and they would easily tear or turn an ugly yellow. Today roller shades are quite different as the come in a variety of stylish colors and even have prints to choose from. They fit on just about any window size and you can find them anywhere.

Window shades stop the sun from blinding you when you are sitting in a room and protect furniture from direct sunlight. They shade the room in the summer preventing it from heating up. Shades can be very simple made of a thin material that is like paper that is attached to a roller. The roller is spring loaded so the shade can move up and down.

Window shades can be less expensive than drapes or blinds but they also work well with curtains and a valance. They are very versatile and can be cut to fit or custom made. Most discount establishments have them in stock and some will even cut them for you so they fit your window. Shades filter light and some can totally block it if you desire. They are made of paper with a vinyl coating but some are also made from designer fabrics.

Blackout shades block all light that comes into a room. You can usually get total darkness with these window shades and no one can look in either. Because they block all light they also keep the room cooler in the summer. Make sure to pay attention to the thickness of the shade when using blackout shades. The thicker ones are better for insulation from heat.

Semi-Opaque is another popular shade. Even if the shade is closed they will let a good amount of light into the room. These window shades are good for privacy because no one will be able to see inside the room as long as they are closed. Sunlight is filtered and will stop any fading from the suns rays.

Sheer shades are also available for sale and they are mostly for looks than for function. A good deal of sunlight comes in even though they are closed and at night people can look in and see a silhouetted figure inside the room. They do look very frilly and work well with feminine curtains or draperies. There is one more type of shade and that is the ones called semi sheer. They are much like the sheer shades but have a little more bulk to them.

Take measurements for inside mounted window shades from bracket to bracket. Also measure end to end and take away one sixteenth from the measurement of the width of the window. Take measurements bracket to bracket and subtract three sixteenths of an inch for outside mounted shades and also measure end to end removing seven eighths of an inch from the width. If you do not feel comfortable measuring yourself you can measure the actual height and width of the glass part of the window and measurements that include the casing and go to a shade store so they can help you.

Roller shades come in all colors and styles with stripes or polka dots and other figures. You can even cover a shade with fabric by using some scissors and spray adhesive then glue ribbon all around it or glue fringe to the bottom of the shade. Window shades are nothing like they were even a few years ago and can match any decor in any home.

Find out how to choose and save on window shades. Stop by Jesita Jerik's site where you can find out all about roller shades and what they can do for you when saving money is also an issue.