Alustra® Duette® Architella®
Need new window treatments? Trying to sort through all the options and figure out what will work best in your home?
During your search, you’ve likely come across something called “top down, bottom up shades”. This guide will help you understand this type of shade and whether or not it’s the best choice for your home and style.
What is a top down, bottom up shade?
Woven Textures® Alustra®
Top-down, bottom-up shades are exactly what they sound like — a window treatment that you can raise and lower from both the top or the bottom. Or you can also use a combination of both.
The goal with a top down, bottom up shade is to meet all your privacy needs while still giving you access to natural light. Plus, they come with a clean, seamless look that matches any home.
What are the benefits of a top down, bottom up shade?
This style of window shade offers a lot of flexibility. Unlike traditional shades that only open from the bottom, this design allows you to customize the exact position of your shades. It’s the easiest way to fit your ideal level of privacy, light control, and comfort.
For example, in a bedroom or bathroom, a top down, bottom up shade can be adjusted to allow light in from the top while still maintaining privacy at the bottom.
In your living room, if the evening sun is shining in your eyes or making it difficult to watch TV, you can cover your windows completely. Or raise the shades from the bottom to allow in some of that golden light without disrupting your evening activities.
Top down, bottom up shades are also an excellent choice for those worried about harmful UV rays. Depending on the time of day, you can position your shades in exactly the right way to block the sun’s harmful rays while still allowing in lots of wonderful natural light.
How do top down bottom up shades work?
Most top down bottom up shades work through a simple cord mechanism and two top rails.
The first rail is called the mounting rail. The mounting rail is attached to either the inside of your window. It can also be mounted outside your window, depending on your preference and the look/style of your home.
The second rail is called the floating rail. The floating rail clicks into the mounting rail. When you’re ready to lower or lift your blinds, this floating rail can be disengaged by pulling on the cord (or on a tab in cordless options).
Are top down, bottom up shades cordless?
While all top down, bottom up shades function through a corded system (described above), opening or closing the shades can be done through either a corded and cordless style to fit your needs.
Will top down bottom up shades work with my smart home?
Alustra®; Duette® PowerView® Motorization
Depending on the brand and type of shade you choose, top down bottom up shades can easily be integrated with your smart home system. Even if you don’t currently use smart home features, we always recommend choosing an option that can sync with a smart home system in case your needs change in the future.
What are the best top down, bottom up shades
We always recommend Hunter Douglas top down, bottom up shades. Hunter Douglas blinds and shades have a reputation for incredible quality, beauty, and function. They carry a variety of top down bottom up options that are…
- Energy efficient, saving up to 50% of heating and cooling energy
- Built to be beautiful, durable, child safe, and easy to operate
- Assembled and designed in the United States
Here are the 3 best top down bottom up shades from Hunter Douglas.
1. Roman shades
Solera® PowerView® Motorization
Roman shades are one of the most popular types of window coverings. Roman shades offer smooth and quiet top down bottom up operation and easy integration with home automation systems, making them the perfect choice for modern homes.
2. Cellular honeycomb shade
Duette® Architella®
The magic of these specific window treatments is in their unique shape. The cellular design works by trapping air and creating a layer of insulation between your window and room’s interior. Whether they’re lifted from the top or bottom, this shade creates natural diffused lighting in any room.
3. Woven wood shades
Provenance®PowerView® Motorization
Hunter Douglas woven wood shades are made from a unique blend of sustainable woods, grasses, and bamboo. These materials have amazing light diffusing properties and can be used to create the perfect atmosphere in your home.
How to get started choosing top down bottom up shades
You may have determined the type of shade you want, but there are still quite a few decisions ahead, including:
- What type of top down, bottom up shade you want
- The best material for your home
- Functionality needs (cord vs cordless, smart home system compatibility, etc.)
- Color and design
- Size
- Installation
Window treatments like top down bottom up shades are a worthy investment, but you’ll get the best return on your money by making sure you get the perfect option for your home. We always recommend working with a window treatment designer to make the right decision for you.
How to install top down bottom up shades
Because top down bottom up shades are more complex than your typical window covering, it’s best to let a professional install these shades in your home.
Look for a company that can not only help you choose and purchase the perfect top down bottom up shades, but offers free installation. That’s what you’ll get at Portland Window Coverings. We offer professional installation free of charge to all our customers!
Our designers are here to help
At Portland Window Coverings, we’ll take the guesswork out of selecting the perfect top down, bottom up window coverings for your home. We’re proud to exclusively carry Hunter Douglas window treatments and our interior designers have over 25 years of experience. We’re ready to help!
We offer 3 easy ways to get started:
Have some questions still before you dive in? Just give us a call: (503) 783-1838