Quick answer: window-shade terminology describes the fabric, operating method, smart-home connection and installation—not just the appearance. “Blackout” refers to light blocking through the material; “cordless” means manual operation without a hanging lift cord; and “motorized” means a powered shade operated by a remote or compatible smart-home system.
Use this glossary to compare SunShieldor roller, zebra, cellular and Roman shades before choosing a standard size or made-to-measure product.
Window shade terms at a glance
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout | Material designed to block visible light through the shade | Supports privacy and room darkening |
| Cordless | Manual operation without a hanging lift cord | Clean appearance and no charging |
| Motorized | A powered shade raised or lowered by a motor | Useful for tall, wide or frequently adjusted windows |
| Rechargeable motor | A battery-powered motor charged by cable | Normally does not require in-wall wiring |
| Zigbee | A smart-home communication protocol | Requires a compatible Zigbee gateway for app or voice functions |
| Matter | A smart-home interoperability standard | Requires a compatible Matter controller and ecosystem |
| Inside mount | The shade installs within the window opening | Creates a built-in look but requires sufficient frame depth |
| Outside mount | The shade installs on the wall or trim | Allows overlap around the opening and can reduce edge light |
| Custom size | A shade made to the submitted finished width and height | Useful when standard dimensions do not fit |
| Billable square footage | The area used to calculate a custom-shade price | Determines product quantity and total price |
What does “blackout shade” mean?
A blackout shade uses material designed to prevent visible light from passing through the fabric. Current SunShieldor roller, zebra, cellular and Roman shade products use full-blackout materials or construction as described on their product pages.
Blackout material does not guarantee a completely dark room. Light can still enter around the edges, especially with an inside mount. Accurate measurements, frame shape and mounting method influence the final result. For additional overlap, an outside mount may be preferable.
What is a cordless shade?
A cordless shade is raised and lowered manually without a hanging lift cord. It needs no remote, charging cable, gateway or smart-home setup. Cordless operation works well for reachable windows and customers who want simple daily control.
Browse cordless roller, zebra, cellular and Roman shades.
What is a motorized shade?
A motorized shade uses a powered mechanism in the headrail. Current SunShieldor motor packages include a handheld remote. The rechargeable remote-only package works without Wi-Fi or a gateway; Zigbee and Matter packages are available for compatible smart-home setups.
A motorized shade can be helpful for high windows, large openings, several shades in one room or customers who prefer remote operation. Read Do Motorized Shades Need Wiring? and browse standard-size motorized shades.
Remote vs. Zigbee vs. Matter
Remote Rechargeable
This is the simplest motorized package. The included remote raises, lowers and positions the shade. It does not require a smart-home gateway for normal use.
Zigbee
A Zigbee motor is intended for a compatible Zigbee gateway and smart-home platform. The included remote still provides direct control. App, schedule and voice functions depend on the selected gateway, platform and regional setup.
Matter
A Matter motor is intended for a compatible Matter controller and ecosystem. The included remote still works independently. Available app and voice commands depend on the customer’s controller, network and platform.
Optional solar panel
A solar panel can support charging when the installation receives suitable daylight. It is optional and does not replace the remote or determine the smart-home protocol. Window direction, obstructions and daylight conditions affect charging performance.
Inside mount vs. outside mount
An inside mount positions the shade inside the window recess. It gives a clean, integrated appearance but needs enough unobstructed depth. Measure the opening at multiple points because frames are not always square.
An outside mount positions the shade on the wall or trim. It can cover a shallow frame and provide overlap around the opening. The mounting surface, handles and nearby obstacles must be checked before ordering.
Follow the illustrated window measuring guide before entering any custom dimensions.
Standard size vs. custom size
Standard-size products use listed width-and-height combinations. They are the simplest option when an available size suits the window and mounting plan. Custom-size products are made to the finished dimensions submitted by the customer.
SunShieldor custom shades require a minimum finished width of 30 cm (11.82 inches) and have an 8 sq. ft. minimum billable area per shade. Configure and add each complete shade separately. If several shades require identical dimensions and options, follow the instructions in the custom-shade ordering guide.
How is billable square footage calculated?
Enter finished width and height in inches. Exact area is:
Width × Height ÷ 144 = square feet
Every custom shade is billed for at least 8 sq. ft. Above that minimum, a fraction below 0.5 rounds down and a fraction of 0.5 or more rounds up. For example, 10.4 sq. ft. is billed as 10 sq. ft.; 10.6 sq. ft. is billed as 11 sq. ft.
The current cordless base rates are listed on the Window Shades FAQ and individual custom product pages. Motor packages are added per complete shade.
Roller, zebra, cellular or Roman?
- Roller shades: a continuous fabric panel with a clean, minimal profile.
- Zebra shades: alternating sheer and solid bands that adjust daylight and privacy; edge gaps and band alignment affect final darkness.
- Cellular shades: honeycomb cells that add an insulating air-pocket structure.
- Roman shades: full-blackout fabric that raises into soft, decorative folds.
Compare all four styles in the roller vs. zebra vs. cellular vs. Roman guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do cordless shades have cords?
They do not use a hanging operating cord. Internal components may still be part of the lifting mechanism, depending on the product design.
Do motorized shades need Wi-Fi?
No. The included remote provides direct control. Smart-home functions depend on the selected Zigbee or Matter package and compatible equipment.
Does blackout mean zero light?
Blackout describes the material’s light-blocking function. Edge gaps, mounting method and window shape influence total room darkness.
Can all four SunShieldor styles be custom sized?
Yes. Roller, zebra, cellular and Roman shades are available in made-to-measure configurations with cordless or compatible motorized control.
Which measurement comes first?
Record width first, then height. Measure every window separately and follow the product’s measuring instructions.
Choose your next step
Browse cordless shades, motorized shades or custom-size shades. For ordering help, use the custom ordering guide and Window Shades FAQ.