A term used to describe the bottom of a shade which has been cut to an irregular shape to allow the shade to bypass an obstruction when fully extended, such as a convector (HVAC).

Using natural daylight to provide efficient interior lighting.

An electric current flowing in one direction only. Stands for “Direct Current”.

In motorization, “Decorator style” or “Decora” switches sit almost flush with the wall and are operated by pressing the flat paddle up or down. Trademark of Leviton®

A term used to describe the behavior of a roller shade tube where in the weight of the fabric in the center of the tube causes it to bow or sag.

The distance from the front to the back.

A form of motor communication using data in the form of digital signals to control a motor.

Double Shades are two individual layers of shades that are hung in the same window area using specially designed brackets in which the spacing between the shades has been engineered to ensure that neither shades will interfere with the other’s operation. Double Shades come in two varieties: Piggyback and Tandem.

Stands for “Double Pole, Double Throw” The number of poles on a switch defines how many separate circuits (Motors) the switch can control. A switch’s throw-count defines how many directions the switch’s poles can be connected to. Therefore, a DPDT switch can operate two motors, in two directions (up and down).

“Drive System” or just “Drive” refers to the device used to operate the shade. It can be manual (like a clutch, a spring, or a gear), or it can be motorized. It can be on the right or left side of the shade.

A form of power and communication for Low Voltage motors in which a set of contact relay circuits (which do not make or break the primary power current) are used to indicate to the motor the direction in which it should turn.

A Duplex Shade is a single shade band with two pieces of fabric on one tube, connected at the bottom with a specially designed hembar.