Roller Shades in Des Moines

Roller shades are the cleanest, most versatile shade I install. One smooth panel of fabric, dozens of opacity and color options, and a minimal profile that suits everything from a downtown Des Moines condo to a new build in Waukee. If you want simple, modern, and effective, this is usually where we start.

From sheer to total blackout

Roller fabric runs the full range. Light filtering weaves soften glare while keeping a room bright, solar screen fabrics cut heat while preserving the view, and true blackout fabrics turn a bedroom dark enough for shift workers and napping kids. Many customers mix opacities room by room on the same fabric color so the whole house feels coordinated.

A clean fit for modern spaces

Because a roller shade is essentially invisible when raised, it is the go-to for rooms where you want the window itself to be the feature. They pair especially well with motorization, and a motorized roller shade on a tall or hard-to-reach window is one of the most common upgrades I install across the metro.

Measured and installed by the owner

A roller shade only looks right when it fits exactly, with minimal light gaps at the edges. I measure every window myself, help you choose between inside and outside mount, and install everything cleanly, cordless or motorized, in a single visit for most homes.

Rooms where roller shades work hardest

Roller shades are about as close to maintenance-free as window treatments get. The mechanism is simple, the fabric wipes clean, and there are no folds to collect dust. I regularly recommend them for the busiest spots in a house:

• Kitchens, mudrooms, and playrooms: very little to snag, stain, or fuss with.
• Home offices: solar fabrics knock down glare on a monitor while the room stays bright.
• Bedrooms: a roller seals a bit closer to the glass than a Roman shade, so a blackout roller is my pick where every stray beam matters.
• Media rooms: blackout rollers handle the light, and with a motor one button sets the room for movie night.

Solar screen fabrics for glare and west-facing windows

Solar and light filtering roller shades are my go-to for west-facing rooms because they cut glare and heat while keeping the view. They are also my first recommendation for downtown lofts and condos with tall glass, where the view is a big part of why someone bought the unit.

Solar fabrics come in different openness levels. A tighter weave blocks more heat and glare and gives a hazier view, and a looser weave keeps the view crisper and lets more warmth through. Light filtering fabrics glow at night and can show silhouettes from the street, so for a window facing a sidewalk or a neighbor I suggest a tighter weave to keep evenings private. I bring the fabrics to your home so you can compare them in your own afternoon light.

Cassette valances, cordless lift, and motorized control

A cassette valance wraps around the roller and hardware for a crisp, finished edge at the top of the window. Every roller I sell comes cordless. Rowley, one of the brands I install, supplies premium roller-shade systems and the quality components behind a clean, lasting install.

Motorized rollers use Somfy, Dooya, or Norman smart motors. Beyond remote, app, and voice control, schedules do the daily work: shades can rise at seven on weekdays, drop at sunset, and follow the actual sunrise and sunset times as the seasons change. West-facing shades can lower on their own during the hottest hours of a July afternoon. With battery motors, the handheld remote keeps working during a power outage because it talks straight to the motor. I program limits, pair remotes, and connect your app and voice assistant on install day. See motorization for the full system.

Roller shades compared with Roman and banded shades

Roman shades fold into tailored pleats and put the window treatment on display. Rollers stay visually quiet and suit rooms where the view, the trim, or the furniture should lead. They also tend to be the friendlier option for the budget when you are covering a whole house, since fewer seams and less fabric go into each shade. Light control comes down to fabric and lining in both styles. My full comparison is in Roman shades vs roller shades.

Banded shades run on a roller too, with alternating sheer and solid bands that slide past each other to shift from a filtered view to privacy. Plenty of homes end up with a mix, such as Romans in the front rooms and rollers in the hardest-working ones.

Inside or outside mount for a roller shade

An inside mount sits within the window opening for a built-in look and keeps your trim on display, with a small gap at each edge so the shade clears the frame. It needs enough flat depth inside the opening, and it has to clear crank handles, tilt latches, and alarm sensors through its full travel.

An outside mount overlaps the opening on every side, blocks the edge glow an inside mount allows, and works on shallow or out-of-square frames. Mounted high and wider than the glass, it also makes a small window look bigger. I check depth and obstructions on every window at the free in-home estimate and recommend the right mount for each one. Read more in inside vs outside mount, then call (515) 850-9700 or book your free estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Related solutions: sliding glass doors and tall windows and skylights.

Part of our Custom Shades line. Serving Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, and the surrounding metro from Norwalk.

Ready to see samples in your own light? Call (515) 850-9700 or request your free in-home estimate.