One of the window shades that are more energy efficient among the available ones in the market is the Bamboo Shades. They insulate the room very well and also make sure that they keep the cold air outside. Bamboo shades also afford for better light control when compared with the shades of different materials and these are more reasonably priced than shutters. They have a unique texture that even adds an interesting appeal to the dcor of your home’s room.
Why bamboo?
In spite of their sensitive and delicate look, bamboo shades are much more durable in comparison with any other woven-wood and also fabric shades. The tensile strength of bamboo is greater than the tensile strength of steel. Although, bamboo shades are just taken as another alternative in the West for decorative material, Asians have however been using Bamboo for centuries in window treatments and numerous other products.
Low maintenance
Good quality bamboo is well treated and aged prior to making the products, like the shades to ensure the resultant product lasts for a longer time. Proper cleaning and maintenance will also help in making sure that we get more mileage out of the bamboo shade. Make use of only dust mops or soft brushes for cleaning your shades. Dirt and dust might scratch the surface of the shade; to prevent these scratches on the surface of the bamboo clean them very gently. Make sure the mop is damp and should not be wet since lot of moisture might warp the bamboo. Dry the bamboo shades thoroughly that have become wet due to rain. Keep your home’s interior humidity between 45% and 65% from preventing it to expand or shrink the sensitive fibers.
Make your own
Most of the manufacturers of window shades also provide with bamboo shades apart from the woven-wood shade options. You can even try to make or assemble your own bamboo shades. You can always buy fresh bamboos from many parts of the US. Cultivation of bamboo in and around the country is encouraged by the American Bamboo Society. If you happen to purchase fresh bamboo, then the bamboo’s oil needs to be removed first. Removing oil helps in reducing the insects being attracted to it and also hardens the bamboo. One can remove the oil by heating the bamboo and then wiping it with a cloth. Later on it has to be to air dried to prevent from the growth of mildew and mold. Always select a bamboo piece that is between 2 and 5 years in age; plants which are less 2 years old are very fragile and those which are more than 5 years old should have already started to deteriorate. You can also use these tips while buying bamboo blinds in stores.
Read more articles about cutting bamboo shades and bamboo blinds available here.
