Noise-reducing roller shades offer a modern solution to a timeless problem. With an ever-growing rate of car and pedestrian traffic in downtown districts, noise levels in office buildings can be an increasing frustration for businesses. For the cost-conscious modern businessperson, opting for quality, noise-reducing window shades can save money in the long run, improving the quality of the work environment as well as providing an eco-friendly solution to wasted heating and air-conditioning energy escaping through windows.

Unlike the roller shades of the past that relied on flimsy weight-bearing cords, modern designers are now able to use more durable continuous-motion systems such as Smooth Lift, thereby creating a longer-lasting shade. There are no longer the limits on color and design that there once were, and thus no need to spend money redecorating the office to coordinate with the new window shades. Depending on the extent of light blockage required, one can select from any of three basic categories of roller shades: blackout, light filtering solar shades, or decorative. Once this selection has been made, the buyer has a myriad of other choices in color and design.

Blackout window shades are the traditional type that has been used for years with great success. They are a good option for a room with windows facing the sunlight or where windows simply allow in too much light. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause damage to furniture and flooring over time and add to the high cost of air-conditioning.

Solar shades are a newer innovation that allows in just enough sunlight without wasting energy. They still offer great protection against sun damage without blocking the view. This is a good choice for environmentally conscious customers who want to maximize natural lighting without paying more for air-conditioning.

Decorative shades are also very popular. They come in a great variety of colors, patterns, and textures, affording the consumer more versatility in selecting a shade that complements their existing office decor.

The high-quality materials used in making window shades today have the unique ability of absorbing noise rather than simply reflecting it (as, for example, a metal blind would tend to do). A “honeycomb” design found in many of the window shades on the market possesses excellent noise-absorbing properties, preventing excessive levels of noise from entering the office as they would otherwise through plain glass windows.

Additionally, sound-blocking roller shades can be installed as room-dividers, effectively partitioning one or several parts of an office for the purposes of noise reduction or as a visual barrier. Many offices find their floor plan to be too open and require greater privacy, yet are reluctant to budget for an expensive remodel or purchase standard room dividers. Roller-shades can be a satisfying solution to this issue, providing the privacy and quiet needed without the expensive price tag. They are a versatile option as well, very easily lowered or lifted as the needs of the office change.

One often-overlooked benefit of having noise-absorbing window shades in an office is that of controlling noise not only from outside the building but from inside as well. Walls tend to reflect noise rather than absorbing it and, depending on which materials are commonly used throughout the room, the noise from within might be just as much a problem as that from without. The high-quality materials used in roller shades will help to absorb a great deal of this racket rather than reflecting it, helping to create a quieter work atmosphere.