How Top Down Bottom Up Shades Work
Top-down/bottom-up shades have become increasingly popular over the last view years because of their ability to provide a simple, customized lighting experience and their clean look. Top-down bottom-up shades can also be installed on a long row of windows and raised/lowered to different heights on the top and bottom, creating an interesting visual effect and dramatically changing the lighting in the room.
Before committing to this type of shade for yourself, you may be wondering exactly how these window treatments work. Check out Blindster's thorough explanation of top-down/bottom-up shades:
Top-down/bottom-up shades are different from standard shades in that they have an additional "moving" rail beyond the bottom rail that moves up and down the shade is operated. This middle rail is connected at the top of the shade fabric allowing the shade to be lowered from the top. The cords run up the length of the shade into the headrail, which anchors the shade to the top of the window. There is often some sort of soft cushion or light block which helps make a seamless connection between the headrail and the middle rail when it's raised to the top of the window.
The top and the bottom of the shade operate independently, offering the most versatile lighting and privacy options. Corded top-down/bottom-up shades have a cord on either side of the shade. One of the cords will bring the top down and the other will bring the bottom up.
To operate the top down function with a corded shaded, simply pull the correct cord (it could be on the right or left depending on your shade) towards the middle of the shade to unlock it from the mounting rail and then let the cord lift up until the floating rail reaches your desired level. When the floating rail comes away from the mounting rail it will expose strings inside the window. These are necessary on all top-down/bottom-up shades to support the floating rail. To bring the shade back to the top, simply pull the same cord down until it clicks back into place in the mounting rail.
The bottom up function operates like a regular shade, by pulling down on the correct cord to lift the bottom to your desired level. To bring the shade back down, pull the cord towards the middle of the shade to unlock it and then allow the cord to lift up.
A cordless top-down/bottom-up shade behaves in the same way, just without the pull cords. To operate the top-down function, gently pull the middle rail down to release it from the headrail and stop when you reach your preferred placement. To bring it back to the top, just pull up again and snug it up to the headrail. To lift the bottom of the shade up, pull up on the bottom rail. To replace, pull back down.
There are still internal cords on a cordless top-down/bottom-up shade, which you'll see when the middle rail is lowered. There are internal mechanisms that wind the cord and provide the necessary tension to keep the shade in place and to assist with moving the rails.
Ready to see which top-down/bottom-up shades might be right for you? Browse our full selection and don't forget to request free color samples!
