What is the Best Window Covering for a Restaurant?

There are so many window covering options for restaurant windows that it can be hard to know which one is best. Following is an overview of some of the most common options and what each one has to offer.

Solar Shades

Solar shades are ideal for use in many different types of restaurants, especially those who get a large number of customers during daytime hours. Solar shades stop heat and too much sunlight from getting into the restaurant while still allowing patrons to enjoy the view.

Solar shades are available in many types and colors. Dark fabrics control the glare most effectively but light colored shades are also effective. Restaurants that cater to families with children will want to pick shades with child safety options to ensure that children are not hurt by and/or do not cause damage to the shades. It is also worth noting that solar shades help keep a restaurant secure after business hours as, unlike curtains, they do not interfere with a commercial security system.

Blackout Roller Shades

Blackout roller shades are not suitable for most restaurants. As the name implies, these shades completely block out the view; they prevent patrons from being able to see outside and deprive a restaurant of natural lighting that could drastically reduce the electricity bill.

On the other hand, a restaurant that is not located in a scenic location and/or wants to create a particular type of ambiance may find that printed blackout roller shades are ideal. You can buy the shades blank and have them printed with the design of your choice, thus enabling you to customize the restaurant’s appearance and make it stand out from the competition. Blackout shades can also help keep a restaurant cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Curtains

Curtains come in many colors, material types and styles. They can be cute, informal, formal, elegant, traditional, contemporary or just about any other type of style. No matter what type of restaurant you have, you are sure to find curtains that will compliment your restaurant’s decor. However, it is important to be aware that curtains have numerous disadvantages. It can be time consuming and expensive to remove curtains for washing, have them professionally washed and dried and then put them back up again. Curtains do not last as long as shades do because the sun dulls the fabric color. If the curtains are in reach of customers, children will be tempted to pull on them and/or wipe their hands on them. There are many factors that a restaurant owner will want to bear in mind when picking window treatments. These include not only the type of ambiance the treatments create but also cost, care/maintenance and security and safety issues. By taking the time to consider these and other important factors, a restaurant owner will be able to choose the window coverings that are most suitable for the business and its customers alike.