Solar screen
Cuts glare and UV while preserving daytime view-through. It does not provide nighttime privacy.
Clean design, flexible light control
Roller Shades
The most versatile shade we install. One clean piece of fabric that rolls up out of sight — from sheer solar screens that keep the view to full blackout for bedrooms.
- One shade, many jobsSolar, light-filtering, room-darkening, and blackout fabrics all use the same clean format.
- Made for each openingWidth, drop, roll direction, cassette, and mount are specified window by window.
- Easy to automateRoller shades are one of the cleanest ways to add remote, app, or scheduled control.
Because the fabric does all the work, roller shades are also the easiest to motorize and the easiest to keep clean. In Houston we specify them most often on west-facing windows, where afternoon heat is the real problem.
The product looks simple because the engineering is kept out of sight. The important choices are fabric performance, roll direction, mounting depth, edge coverage, and how the shade will be operated every day.
Find the right fit for your windows
Start with what you want each room to feel like: bright and open, softly lit, or darker and more private. Below, explore the fabric options, compare our manufacturers, and see which details shape your quote. We’ll bring it all together during your in-home consultation, with real samples and measurements of your windows.
Start with the room
Choose the roller shade by what the window needs to do
The right decision starts with light, privacy, and heat—not with a fabric color.
Light filtering
Diffuses direct light and protects privacy without making the room feel dark.
Blackout
Opaque fabric blocks light through the material; channels or a specialty system address light around the edges.
Matched to the project
Four manufacturers, one recommendation for your windows
We compare fabric, hardware, controls, lead time, and budget instead of forcing every project into one catalog.
Norman
Norman pairs refined roller-shade fabrics with clean hardware and specialty light-control systems. It is a strong middle-ground choice when finish, reliable daily operation, and coordinated rooms all matter.
Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas is the premium route when fabric refinement, finished hardware, PowerView automation, and coordinated whole-home control justify the investment. We recommend it when those design and operating details will be used and appreciated—not simply because it is the best-known name.
Alta Window Fashions
Alta offers a broad mix of solar, light-filtering, room-darkening, and blackout roller-shade fabrics, along with coordinated cassettes and dependable control options. It is often the practical choice when several rooms need different levels of privacy and light control without moving every window into the premium tier.
Texton
Texton's COLOR line adds a design-focused range of colors and patterns across solar, sheer, light-filtering, and blackout roller fabrics. Manual, cordless, and motorized controls are available; we check the exact fabric and operating combination for your window before recommending it.
We define what the opening needs first, then choose the brand and system that solve it best.
Where they work best
West-facing rooms
Afternoon heat is the number one reason Houston homeowners call us. Solar fabric cuts it without going dark.
Bedrooms
Blackout fabric with side channels closes the light gaps most shades leave open.
Kitchens & baths
Wipeable fabrics that handle steam and grease without warping.
Tall or wide windows
Motorized, because a shade this size should never be pulled by hand.
Roller shade fabric & opacity options
Choose the fabric by what the room needs to do: protect the view, soften daylight, improve privacy, or make the room darker. These swatches illustrate performance categories—not exact colors—because texture, weave, and available finishes vary by manufacturer.
Starlite light studio
Solar screen
Reduces glare and UV while preserving daytime view-through. Best for sun-facing living rooms and offices; it does not provide nighttime privacy.
3–14%Conceptual simulation — compare the physical sample in the room’s actual light.Change the fabric and watch how the light responds
We bring physical sample books so you can compare color, weave, and openness during the in-home demonstration.
Find your starting point
What should your roller shades do first?
Choose the result that matters most. That narrows the field before we compare color, texture, hardware, and automation.
Your starting point
Solar screen roller shades
Start with an openness factor that reduces glare and UV while preserving daytime view-through. Add a second shade when nighttime privacy also matters.
What we will verify at homeSun direction, glare, and nighttime privacy
This guide starts the conversation; it is not a quote. Window direction, measurements, mounting depth, and nighttime privacy can change the final recommendation.
Straight answers
What roller shades solve—and where details matter
A roller shade can be simple, but its performance depends on fabric, fit, and installation.
What they can do
- Give clean, low-profile coverage with fewer visual lines than blinds
- Match privacy and light control to each room
- Support coordinated manual or motorized operation
What not to expect
- Make a solar fabric private after dark when interior lights are on
- Eliminate every blackout edge gap without the right system
- Use one universal fabric for every exposure and room
Plan your quote
What affects the cost of custom roller shades
We measure before quoting because two similar-looking windows can require different hardware.
- Window width and drop
- Fabric collection and opacity
- Open roll, fascia, or fabric-wrapped cassette
- Manual, cordless, or motorized controls
- Side channels, dual shades, and specialty mounting
We demonstrate sample books during the consultation, measure your windows, and prepare an itemized recommendation before you decide.
Open / closed
Slide to see how the light changes with the same shades open and closed.
OpenClosedGood to know
Frequently asked questions about roller shades
How much do roller shades cost?
It depends on the fabric, the size of the window, and whether you motorize. We work with suppliers at several price points, so there's usually a version that fits the budget. We measure first, then follow up with a project-specific quote based on your selections.
Do they block heat as well as light?
Solar screen fabric is specifically made for it — it cuts UV and glare while keeping the view. For maximum heat control on a west-facing wall we'll usually recommend an exterior shade instead, and we'll tell you when that's the honest answer.
Can I get them cordless?
Cordless is standard on everything we install. It's a child and pet safety issue and we don't treat it as an upgrade.
How do I clean them?
A vacuum brush attachment for dust, a damp cloth for spots. Most of our fabrics are wipeable, which is why we specify them in kitchens.
Do roller shades provide privacy at night?
Light-filtering and blackout fabrics do. Solar screens can become see-through from outside after dark when the room is lit, so we do not use them alone where nighttime privacy is essential.
Inside mount or outside mount—which is better?
Inside mount looks integrated when the frame has enough depth. Outside mount can improve coverage or hide an imperfect opening. We check both before recommending one.
Can two fabrics go on the same window?
Yes. A dual shade can combine daytime solar or light filtering with a second blackout layer for night.
Are custom roller shades worth it compared with store-bought shades?
Custom shades earn their cost through exact sizing, better fabric and hardware choices, cleaner mounting, and support when an opening is wide, tall, or unusual. For a simple secondary window, we will tell you when the upgrade may not be necessary.
Can roller shades cover large windows or sliding doors?
Often, yes. Very wide glass may need multiple aligned shades, a coupled system, or a different product so the fabric stays stable and daily operation remains practical. We determine that after measuring the opening and checking how the door is used.
Can roller shades be motorized or connected to a smart home?
Yes, with compatible motors and controls. Remote, app, schedules, and voice-platform compatibility depend on the selected manufacturer and system, so we verify the exact setup before ordering.
How long does it take to receive and install custom roller shades?
Production time varies by manufacturer, fabric, hardware, and season. We provide the current estimate with your quote; once the shades arrive, most residential installations are completed in one scheduled visit.
Measured at home · Recommended honestly · Installed by Starlite
Let's get the right roller shades on your windows
See the fabric, opacity, and hardware in the light of your own rooms before you choose. Free in-home consultation with real samples—no pressure either way.