Hear from Our Customers
Your AC stops running constantly. That’s the first thing you’ll notice. Blackout roller shades can block up to 45% of incoming heat, which means your HVAC isn’t fighting a losing battle every afternoon when the sun hits your windows. Your energy bills drop, sometimes significantly, because you’re not paying to cool air that’s being heated right back up by direct sunlight.
You’ll sleep better too. Early morning sun won’t wake you up at 6 a.m. anymore. Blackout blinds for windows create complete darkness when you need it, which matters in Zilker where eastern exposure can flood bedrooms with light before you’re ready to start your day.
Your furniture stops fading. UV rays are constantly working against your investment in quality furnishings, hardwood floors, and artwork. Interior roller shades with UV protection act as a barrier, extending the life of everything inside your home. That’s real money saved over time, not just comfort.
And you get your privacy back without sacrificing natural light during the day. Roller blinds for windows give you options: light-filtering fabrics when you want brightness without exposure, or full blackout when you need it. You control it, not the other way around.
A Plus Shutters & Shades comes from a construction background. We started as A Plus Home Remodel more than ten years ago, which means we understand how homes are built, how windows actually function, and how to install window treatments that last. That construction experience matters when you’re mounting hardware into different wall types or working around architectural details that most shade companies don’t know how to handle.
We’re based in Arlington and serve the Austin area, including Zilker. We know what the climate does to homes here. We know that heat management isn’t optional in Texas, it’s a necessity. And we know that Zilker homeowners expect quality that matches their investment in their property.
Every consultation is free. We come to you, measure your windows, show you fabric samples, and walk through options that actually make sense for your space. No pressure, just information. Then our installers handle everything with the precision you’d expect from people who’ve spent years in construction, not just hanging blinds.
You schedule a free consultation. We come to your home in Zilker, measure every window you want covered, and talk through what you’re trying to accomplish. Better sleep? Lower energy bills? UV protection? All of the above? We listen first, then show you fabric options, operating systems, and motorized features if you’re interested.
You’ll see samples of blackout roller shades, light-filtering options, and different colors and textures. We’ll explain what works best for each room based on sun exposure, privacy needs, and your aesthetic preferences. We give you a quote on the spot, no waiting around for callbacks or revised estimates.
Once you approve, we order your custom roller shades. Everything is made to your exact window measurements. When they arrive, we schedule installation at a time that works for you. Our installers show up on time, handle the mounting with precision, and test every shade to make sure it operates smoothly.
The whole process typically takes a few weeks from consultation to installation, depending on customization. You’re not waiting months. And once they’re up, you’ll notice the difference immediately, especially during those 100-degree afternoons when Zilker feels like it’s baking.
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You’re getting custom-fit roller shade blinds built specifically for your windows. Not close enough, not standard sizes, exact measurements. That precision matters because gaps around window treatments let heat in and cool air out, which defeats the purpose.
You’re getting fabric options that range from sheer and light-filtering to complete blackout. In Zilker, where temperatures are expected to increase by 242% in days over 108°F in the next 30 years, choosing the right fabric isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about thermal performance. Blackout window blinds create a barrier that keeps heat outside where it belongs.
You’re getting motorized options if you want them. Smart home integration means you can control your roller blinds for windows from your phone, set schedules, or tie them into your home automation system. It’s convenient, but it’s also practical when you’re managing multiple windows or hard-to-reach installations.
You’re getting Texas-made quality. We prioritize products manufactured here because the quality standards are higher and the materials are built to handle this climate. And you’re getting installation from people who’ve been doing construction work for over a decade, not just hanging shades for a paycheck.
Most importantly, you’re getting a consultation process that actually helps you make the right decision instead of just pushing the most expensive option. We want you to get what works, not what we want to sell.
Roller shades typically run between $70 and $450 per window installed, depending on size, fabric choice, and features like motorization. A standard bedroom window with a mid-range light-filtering fabric usually falls in the $150-$250 range. Blackout roller shades cost slightly more because the fabric is denser and the materials are more substantial.
Larger windows cost more, obviously. If you’re covering floor-to-ceiling glass or wide picture windows common in Zilker homes, you’re looking at the higher end of that range. Motorized options add cost too, usually $100-$200 per shade depending on the system.
We give you exact pricing during the free consultation after we measure your windows and you choose your fabrics. No surprises, no hidden fees. What we quote is what you pay.
They help significantly, but they’re not magic. Blackout blinds for windows can block 30-45% of incoming heat under real-world conditions, which is substantial when you’re dealing with direct Texas sunlight hitting your windows all afternoon. That translates to your AC running less frequently and your home staying more comfortable without constantly adjusting the thermostat.
The key is proper installation and full coverage. If there are gaps around the edges or the shade doesn’t cover the entire window, heat sneaks through and you lose efficiency. That’s why custom-fit matters more than buying something off the shelf and hoping it works.
You’ll notice the biggest difference on west-facing windows that get hammered by afternoon sun. Rooms stay cooler, and you’re not walking into a hot space every time you enter. Over time, that adds up to real savings on energy bills, especially during summer months when cooling costs spike in Zilker.
Light-filtering roller shades let diffused natural light through while still giving you privacy and reducing glare. You can see outside during the day, but people can’t see in clearly. They soften harsh sunlight and reduce UV exposure without making the room dark. They’re ideal for living rooms, kitchens, or any space where you want brightness without the intensity.
Blackout roller shades block light completely. When they’re down, the room goes dark even in the middle of the day. They’re designed for bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where you need total light control. They also provide better insulation and heat blocking because the fabric is denser and often has a reflective backing.
Most Zilker homeowners end up using both types in different rooms. Blackout blinds in bedrooms for better sleep, light-filtering in common areas for comfort without darkness. During the consultation, we’ll walk through which option makes sense for each window based on how you use the space and what direction it faces.
Installation typically takes 30 minutes to an hour per window, depending on complexity. If you’re doing a whole house, we can usually complete everything in a single day. For just a few windows, we’re in and out in a couple of hours.
We mount the hardware into the wall or window frame using the appropriate anchors for your wall type. Our construction background means we know how to work with drywall, plaster, stucco, or whatever your Zilker home has. We’re not guessing or using one-size-fits-all hardware that might fail later.
There will be small holes where the brackets mount, but they’re minimal and placed strategically. If you ever remove the shades, those holes are easy to patch and paint over. We’re not tearing into your walls or causing damage that requires serious repair work. Clean installation, secure mounting, and everything tested before we leave.
If you have hard-to-reach windows, multiple shades you want to control simultaneously, or you’re building out a smart home system, motorized shades make sense. They’re convenient, and they integrate with systems like Alexa, Google Home, or dedicated home automation platforms. You can set schedules so your blackout roller shades close automatically at sunset or open at sunrise without thinking about it.
They’re also helpful for large or heavy shades where manual operation becomes a hassle. Motorized systems handle the weight smoothly and eliminate wear on the fabric from constant pulling.
That said, if you have standard-sized windows that are easy to reach and you don’t mind operating them manually, motorized features aren’t necessary. Manual roller blinds for windows work perfectly fine and cost less upfront. We’ll talk through your specific situation during the consultation and give you an honest recommendation based on how you’ll actually use them, not just what adds to the invoice.
Roller shades work well when you want clean lines, simple operation, and effective light control without a lot of bulk. They’re minimalist, they don’t take up much space, and they’re easy to maintain. If your Zilker home has a modern aesthetic or you prefer streamlined window treatments, roller shade blinds fit that style naturally.
They’re also one of the most effective options for heat blocking and UV protection when you choose the right fabric. Blackout window blinds outperform most other treatments in terms of insulation and light control. And because they’re custom-fit, you get better coverage than standard blinds or shades that leave gaps.
Other treatments like shutters or cellular shades have their own advantages. Shutters offer more durability and a different look. Cellular shades provide excellent insulation with a honeycomb structure. But for versatility, ease of use, and modern appearance, interior roller shades are hard to beat. We’ll show you all your options during the consultation so you can compare and decide what actually works best for your home.
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