For a very long time, the only cordless operation for a roller shade was the coil spring lift. Doesn’t sound familiar? If you’ve ever tugged on a roller shade to open it only for it to suddenly fly up and flip around wildly, then you’ve definitely used it. It was originally patented in 1855, and still very much in use in many in-stock roller shades today. Luckily, spring lift systems have improved greatly over the years, especially when it comes to custom cordless roller shades.
In 2021, cordless roller shades saw another industry-wide evolution. These systems go by many names depending on the manufacturing brand, but the simplest term that we refer to them by would be “touch lift”. Touch lift roller shades now operate similarly to other cordless systems where they remain exactly where you stop lifting or lowering them.
Ease of Use
No more “tug and release” to lift your roller shades. Touch lift roller shades stay at whatever position you leave them. In addition, touch lift operation feels nearly weightless and requires very little physical force. This makes touch lift systems ideal for people that have difficulty with hand dexterity or arm strength.
Family Friendly
Touch lift cordless roller shades are quite literally “cordless”. They are safe for children and pets since there are no exposed operating cords, and are usually certified “Best for Kids” by the Window Covering Safety Council. Their easy use also makes them ideal for parents and caregivers since they require very little effort and time to position, therefore allows for more attention to remain on loved ones.
Tighter and Quieter Roller Shades
Since there are no chains or cords that need space at the end of a roller tube, touch lift roller shades have a smaller light gap between the jamb and the edges of the shade. They are also quieter than their spring lift predecessors, so these are ideal for operating in areas where silence is golden (like nurseries, for example).
Pricing
Touch lift cordless systems do have a higher surcharge over spring-operated cordless shades. However, with the ease of use, safety, and improved operation, the value of that one-time surcharge will certainly be evident over the life of the roller shade.
Where Can I Buy It?
Alden Shade Company, of course! We offer touch lift roller shades through our manufacturing partners such as Alta, Graber, and Comfortex. Graber’s touch lift system is known as their UltraLite lift system. Alta Window Fashions has their AgileLift™ system. Comfortex is known as the FeatherTouch™ system. Each of these systems have unique features and options, but they operate similarly.
If you’re interested in getting these for your home or just want more information, contact us today!