Hear from Our Customers
Your AC stops running constantly. That’s the first thing most people notice after installing quality roller shades in St. Edwards homes. When you’re blocking solar heat before it even hits your windows, your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard. We’re talking $45 to $75 less per month during summer, sometimes more depending on how much glass you’re covering.
The glare disappears. If you work from home or spend afternoons in rooms with west-facing windows, you know how brutal that late-day sun gets. Roller shade blinds give you precise control—filter the light when you want it soft, block it completely when you need darkness for sleep or screen time.
Your furniture stops fading. UV rays don’t just make rooms hot, they destroy anything the sun touches. Fabrics bleach out, wood finishes deteriorate, and you’re replacing things years earlier than you should. Interior roller shades with the right fabric can block up to 99% of UV rays while still letting you see outside.
A Plus Shutters & Shades grew out of A Plus Home Remodel, a company that’s been working on Texas homes since 2014. We’re not a franchise following a script. We’re a local operation in Arlington that understands what St. Edwards homeowners deal with—the heat, the energy bills, the mix of older homes and new construction that all need different approaches.
We only install Texas-made products because they’re built for this climate. The fabrics hold up better, the mechanisms don’t fail in the heat, and when something needs adjustment, we’re not waiting on parts from another state. You get a free consultation where we measure your windows, show you samples, and talk through what actually makes sense for your space and budget.
Most of our business comes from people who tried the big box store route first and realized custom isn’t just about looks—it’s about function. When blackout roller shades are cut to fit your exact window dimensions and installed by someone who’s done thousands of them, they work better. Period.
You schedule a free consultation and we come to your home in St. Edwards. We measure every window you want covered, talk about how you use each room, and show you fabric samples so you can see how different materials filter or block light. This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s a conversation about what you actually need.
We take those measurements back and order your custom roller shades. Everything’s made to your exact specifications: width, length, fabric type, opacity level, and whether you want manual pull-down, cordless, or motorized operation. Most orders are ready within two to three weeks.
Installation day is straightforward. Our team shows up with everything needed to mount your blackout blinds for windows properly—no guessing, no trips to the hardware store. We install each shade, test the operation, make any adjustments, and show you how to use and clean them. The whole process usually takes a few hours depending on how many windows we’re covering.
If you want motorized roller shades, we handle the setup and connect them to your smart home system if you have one. You leave with shades that work exactly how you expected and a direct line to us if anything needs attention down the road.
Ready to get started?
You’re choosing from fabrics that range from sheer to complete blackout. Light-filtering materials let you keep a view and natural glow while cutting glare and heat. Blackout window blinds block everything—light, heat, and visibility from outside. We’ll show you the difference in person because it matters more than you’d think for rooms like bedrooms, home offices, or any space with a TV.
The operating system is your call. Cordless is clean and safe if you have kids. Motorized means you can control your roller blinds for windows from your phone or voice assistant, and you can program them to close automatically when the sun hits. Standard chain-pull works fine too and costs less—it’s about what fits your life.
In St. Edwards, where home styles range from 1960s ranch houses to new modern builds, we’re fitting shades into all kinds of window situations. Odd sizes, arched tops, floor-to-ceiling glass—we measure for the actual opening and make sure the shade mounts where it should. That’s the whole point of custom. You’re not trying to make a standard size work in a non-standard space.
Every installation includes a walkthrough of how to operate and maintain your new dark out blinds. These aren’t complicated, but knowing how to clean them properly and what to do if something feels off keeps them working smoothly for years.
Most St. Edwards homes see a 15% to 25% drop in summer cooling costs after installing quality roller shades on south and west-facing windows. That typically translates to $45 to $75 less per month on a $300 utility bill, sometimes more if you’re covering a lot of glass or your home is older and less insulated.
The savings come from blocking solar heat before it enters your home. When sun hits a window, it doesn’t just create glare—it radiates heat into the room that your AC has to remove. Blackout roller shades with thermal backing can block up to 70% of that solar heat gain. Your cooling system cycles less, works less hard, and uses less energy.
The effect is most dramatic in rooms with large windows or sliding glass doors. If you’ve got a living room that feels ten degrees warmer by late afternoon, that’s where you’ll notice the difference first. The room stays comfortable without cranking the thermostat down, and your AC isn’t running constantly to keep up.
Light-filtering roller shades reduce glare and heat while still letting you see outside during the day. You get a soft, diffused glow instead of harsh direct sunlight, and you maintain some privacy without feeling like you’re in a cave. They’re ideal for living rooms, kitchens, and spaces where you want natural light but not the intensity that comes with it.
Blackout blinds block everything—light, visibility, and heat. When they’re closed, the room goes dark enough for sleep, even during bright Texas afternoons. You can’t see out and no one can see in. They’re what you want for bedrooms, nurseries, home theaters, or any room where you need complete light control and maximum energy efficiency.
The fabric weight and backing make the difference. Blackout materials are denser and usually have a reflective or insulating layer on the back that bounces heat away from the window. Light-filtering fabrics are thinner and woven to let some light through while still providing UV protection and privacy during the day. Most people end up with a mix—blackout in bedrooms, light-filtering in common areas.
Yes, and the integration is simpler than most people expect. Motorized roller shades connect to systems like Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit so you can control them by voice or through an app. You can also set schedules—shades close automatically when the afternoon sun hits, open in the morning, or adjust based on temperature.
The practical benefit isn’t just convenience. When you program your blackout roller shades to close during the hottest part of the day, you’re blocking heat without having to think about it. That’s when the energy savings really add up, because you’re being consistent about it. Most people forget to close shades manually, especially when they’re not home.
Installation includes setting up the motor, connecting it to your network, and showing you how to use the controls. The motors are quiet, reliable, and battery life is measured in months or years depending on usage. If your home doesn’t have smart devices yet, the shades come with a remote control that works just fine. You’re not locked into the tech if you don’t want it.
Quality roller shades made for Texas conditions typically last 10 to 15 years with normal use, sometimes longer if they’re not in direct sun all day. The fabrics we use are designed to handle UV exposure and heat without breaking down, fading, or becoming brittle the way cheaper materials do.
The mechanism matters as much as the fabric. Texas-made roller shade blinds use components that don’t warp or fail in high temperatures. The springs, brackets, and mounting hardware are built to handle daily operation in a climate where windows get hot. That’s why we don’t install the same products you’d find in a cooler state—they’re not engineered for this.
Maintenance is minimal. Dust them occasionally with a microfiber cloth or vacuum with a brush attachment. If they get dirty, most fabrics wipe clean with a damp cloth. The biggest factor in longevity is proper installation. When shades are mounted correctly and fit the window precisely, there’s no stress on the mechanism from binding or uneven rolling. That’s what keeps them operating smoothly year after year.
Yes, that’s exactly what custom means. St. Edwards has a mix of home styles—mid-century houses with odd-sized windows, new construction with floor-to-ceiling glass, and everything in between. Standard sizes don’t work for most of these situations, which is why we measure and build each shade specifically for your opening.
We handle wide spans, tall windows, arched tops, and angled installations. For very large windows, we can create multiple shades that operate together or independently depending on what makes sense for the space. The goal is coverage that looks intentional and functions smoothly, not a workaround that’s obviously trying to make something fit.
The consultation is where we figure out what’s possible. We measure, look at how the window is framed, and discuss whether you want the shade mounted inside the frame or outside on the wall. Both approaches work, but the choice affects how the shade looks and how much light it blocks around the edges. We’ll show you examples and explain what we’d recommend for your specific windows, then build exactly what you need.
Custom window treatments consistently show up on buyer preference lists, and blackout roller shades are particularly appealing in Texas where energy efficiency matters. Buyers notice when a home stays cool, when the furniture isn’t sun-damaged, and when bedrooms are actually dark enough for sleep. Those aren’t small details—they affect daily comfort and monthly costs.
The return isn’t just about resale value, though. If you’re living in the home for another few years, you’re saving money on energy bills every single month. Those savings add up to hundreds of dollars annually, which means the shades often pay for themselves before you even list the property. And while you’re there, you’re more comfortable.
When you do sell, quality roller shade blinds are something you can point to during showings. They’re a finished detail that makes rooms look more polished and intentional. Buyers appreciate not having to deal with window treatments immediately after moving in, especially custom solutions that actually fit the windows properly. It’s one less thing on their list, and that matters in a competitive market.
Local Resources
