Hear from Our Customers
Your air conditioner runs constantly during Texas summers, and your energy bill proves it. Windows are the problem—up to 40% of your home’s energy loss happens right there. Standard blinds don’t cut it when it’s 98 degrees outside and your living room feels like an oven by noon.
Blackout roller shades for windows do more than darken a room. The right fabric blocks heat before it gets inside, which means your AC isn’t working overtime to cool air that shouldn’t be hot in the first place. You’ll notice the difference in your monthly bill and in how your home actually feels during peak afternoon heat.
If you’re in a bedroom or nursery, complete darkness matters for more than comfort. Studies show even small amounts of light disrupt sleep quality and increase risk for mood issues. Blackout blinds give you full control—total darkness when you need it, filtered light when you don’t.
We’ve been working in the Arlington and greater DFW area for over a decade at A Plus Shutters & Shades. We’re a branch of A Plus Home Remodel, so we understand how window treatments fit into the bigger picture of your home—not just how they look, but how they perform in Texas heat.
We use Texas-made products because we know what holds up here. Spring Trails homes deal with intense sun exposure, high cooling costs, and the need for treatments that actually last. We’re not selling you the cheapest option or the trendiest style. We’re recommending what works based on your windows, your rooms, and how you actually use your space.
You’ll work directly with our team from consultation through installation. No subcontractors, no surprises. Just straightforward service from people who’ve been doing this long enough to know what questions to ask before we measure your first window.
We start with a free consultation at your home in Spring Trails. You’ll see fabric samples in your actual lighting—not under store fluorescents. We measure your windows, talk through which rooms need blackout coverage versus light filtering, and discuss motorized options if you’re interested in smart home integration.
Once you approve the quote, we order your custom roller blinds for windows. Everything is made to your exact specifications—width, length, fabric type, and mounting style. We’re not pulling stock sizes off a shelf and hoping they fit.
Installation happens on a schedule that works for you. Our team mounts each shade, tests the operation, and walks you through how to use them. If you’ve chosen motorized blackout roller shades, we’ll sync them with your existing smart home system. The whole process from consultation to completed installation typically takes two to three weeks, depending on customization complexity.
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Every roller shade we install in Spring Trails is custom-measured for your specific windows. That means no light gaps on the sides, no awkward fits, and no “close enough” measurements. You choose from light-filtering fabrics that soften harsh Texas sun or blackout materials that block it completely.
Child safety is built in, not added on. Our interior roller shades meet WCMA and ANSI standards with cordless designs that eliminate strangulation risks. If you have young kids or pets, this isn’t optional—it’s essential. Cordless operation is also just easier to use, which matters when you’re adjusting shades multiple times a day.
Motorization is available for any shade we install. You can control them with a remote, wall switch, or through your phone if you have a smart home system. This matters most for hard-to-reach windows or if you want to automate your shades to close during peak heat hours. The motor housing is compact and doesn’t change how the shade looks from inside or outside your home.
Energy efficiency comes from fabric choice and proper installation. We’ll recommend solar shades if you want to maintain your view while blocking UV rays, or cellular-backed roller shades if insulation is your priority. Spring Trails homes with west-facing windows benefit most from heat-blocking fabrics—your AC will run less, and rooms stay comfortable longer into the afternoon.
Blackout roller shades block 100% of light when fully closed. You won’t see sunlight, streetlights, or any glow coming through the fabric. This matters for bedrooms where you need complete darkness for sleep, nurseries where you’re trying to keep a baby’s room dark during naps, or media rooms where screen glare is an issue.
Light-filtering shades soften incoming light but don’t eliminate it. You’ll still get natural brightness in the room, just diffused and less harsh. These work well in living rooms, kitchens, or home offices where you want privacy and glare reduction without making the space feel closed off.
The fabric weight and backing determine the difference. Blackout fabrics are denser and often have an additional layer that prevents any light penetration. Light-filtering fabrics are thinner and designed to let some light pass through while still blocking the view from outside. Most Spring Trails homeowners use a combination—blackout in bedrooms, light-filtering in common areas.
Motorized blackout roller shades typically run $400 to $800 per window, depending on size and fabric choice. That includes the motor, the custom shade, and professional installation. Larger windows or specialty fabrics will be on the higher end.
The motor itself adds about $150 to $250 to the cost of a standard roller shade. You’re paying for the convenience of remote or app control, plus the ability to integrate with smart home systems. If you’re doing multiple windows, some homeowners prioritize motorization for hard-to-reach spots and use manual operation for easily accessible windows to manage cost.
Battery-powered motors are less expensive than hardwired options and don’t require an electrician. They need recharging every few months depending on use. Hardwired motors are more permanent and better for whole-home automation, but installation is more involved. We’ll walk through both options during your consultation based on your specific windows and how you want to control your shades.
Yes, but only if you’re using the right fabric and closing them during peak heat hours. Windows account for up to 40% of your home’s energy loss, and in Texas that loss is mostly heat gain during summer. Roller shades with solar or blackout fabrics create a barrier that blocks heat before it radiates into your room.
The Department of Energy notes that blinds can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 33% when used correctly. That means closing your shades on south and west-facing windows during afternoon hours when the sun is most intense. Spring Trails homes with large windows or sliding glass doors see the biggest impact because those are the areas where heat gain is most significant.
Insulated roller shades with cellular backing add another layer of efficiency. The air pockets in the fabric slow heat transfer, which helps maintain your indoor temperature. You’ll notice your AC cycles less frequently and rooms stay cooler longer. This isn’t a replacement for good insulation or efficient windows, but it’s a controllable factor that makes a measurable difference in how hard your cooling system has to work.
You can install basic roller blinds yourself if you’re comfortable with a drill and level, but professional installation eliminates the most common problems—uneven mounting, incorrect bracket placement, and fabric that doesn’t roll smoothly. Custom shades are more expensive than big-box options, so most homeowners don’t want to risk damaging them during a DIY install.
The biggest issue we see with self-installation is light gaps. If your brackets aren’t perfectly level or positioned correctly for your window frame, you’ll get uneven edges where light leaks through. This defeats the purpose of blackout shades and looks unfinished. Professional installers measure twice, account for window irregularities, and ensure your shade operates smoothly from day one.
Motorized shades are harder to install yourself. Battery-powered motors are more forgiving, but hardwired options require electrical work and proper wire management. If you’re integrating with a smart home system, programming and syncing can get technical. We include installation with every custom order because we’d rather guarantee it’s done right than troubleshoot problems after the fact.
Solar shades or blackout roller shades work best for west-facing windows in Spring Trails because they handle intense afternoon sun without making your room feel like a cave. West-facing windows get hit hardest between 3 PM and sunset, which is when your AC is already working overtime and indoor temperatures spike.
Solar shades block up to 99% of UV rays while maintaining your view outside. The fabric is designed to reduce glare and heat without eliminating natural light completely. This works well in living rooms or home offices where you don’t want to close yourself off but need relief from harsh sun. The openness factor of the weave determines how much light gets through—tighter weaves block more heat and light.
Blackout roller shades give you full control. Close them during peak heat hours to block everything, then open them in the evening when the sun shifts. This is the better option if heat gain is a serious problem or if you use that room during the hottest part of the day. The trade-off is you lose your view when they’re closed, but you gain significant temperature control and protect furniture from fading.
Quality custom roller shades last 10 to 15 years with normal use, sometimes longer if they’re not in high-traffic areas or exposed to constant sun. The fabric will show wear before the mechanism does—fading, stiffness, or fraying at the edges are the most common signs it’s time to replace them.
Motorized shades have a shorter lifespan for the motor itself, typically 7 to 10 years depending on how often you use them. The shade fabric can outlast the motor, and motors can be replaced without replacing the entire shade. Battery-powered motors need recharging or battery replacement every few months, but the motor unit itself holds up well with minimal maintenance.
The biggest factor in longevity is installation quality and fabric choice. Shades that are mounted correctly and made from durable materials will outlast cheaper alternatives by years. We use Texas-made fabrics that are built to handle heat and UV exposure, which matters in Spring Trails where your shades are doing real work every day. Proper care—dusting regularly and avoiding harsh cleaners—keeps them looking and functioning like new for longer.
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