© Atrium Shade Co 2003 (206)783-6725
When choosing interior or exterior shades, many factors come into play. Interior shades offer more versatility in choice of texture and color, are protected from the weather and can be complimentary to the decor. Exterior shades reduce heat more effectively and are less noticeable in relation to your interior design.
Interior Shades Exterior Shades Sheerweave 2000 (95% closed) in a light color SW4100 (90% closed) in a dark color Interior Vs. Exterior Mesh Type View Shades FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: Heat Rejection Color Dependant Light Tones: Good Medium Tones: Fair Dark Tones: Poor Excellent NOT color dependant NOTE: Lighter colors provide better heat rejection. BUT Darker colors allow better visibility and glare reduction FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: View Preservation and Glare Reduction Color and Density dependant (see below) Color and Density dependant (see below) View is Color Dependant: Light Tones- Poor Medium Tones- Fair Dark Tones- Good ***best solution for screen glare View is Density Dependant: SW3000 14% open- Good(int or ext) SW4100 10% open- Good (int or ext) SW2100 10% open- Good (interior only) SW2000 5% open- Fair  (interior only) SW4400 3% open- Poor  (int or ext) Lin Veil   3% open- Poor  (interior only) NOTE: Darker colors allow better visibility and glare reduction BUT Lighter colors provide better heat rejection. FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: UV/Fading Protection Fabric Dependant (see list below) Fabric Dependant (see list below) UV/Fading is Fabric Density Dependant: NOTE: % refers to how closed the weave of the fabric is SW3000 86% - fair (int or ext) SW4100 90% - good (int or ext) SW2100 90% - good (interior only) SW2000 95% - good (interior only) SW4400 97% - best (int or ext) Lin Veil   97% - best (interior only) Mylar      97% - best (interior only) Sienna    98% - best (interior only) SanRemo 98% - best (interior only) FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: Initial Cost Moderate Cord & Pulley: Approximately the same as interior Skyline SL: Approximately 30% higher Olympus/Cascadia: From 30% - 100% higher FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: Maintenance Costs Low Moderate FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: Estimated Fabric Life 10 -15 Years 8 - 10 years FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: Wintertime Insulation Fair N/A FEATURE: INTERIOR SHADES: EXTERIOR SHADES: Privacy Factor Daytime Only Daytime Only ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: NOTE: Exterior shades must be retracted in high winds. They should not be left untended unless controlled by a wind sensing device. NOTE: To prevent bright reflections on TV and computer screens we recomend a dark toned fabric with a maximum openness of 5%.