trends or function?

As long as I can remember trade magazine and window covering industry "experts" have been telling us draperies and other fabric treatments are growth areas in the window treatment market. I guess its true from the standpoint that fabric, with it's textures, colors, varieties of structure are as fluid over time as any trend. Growth as a single market entity... I'm a bit skeptical. I think critics of that last statement may have cause, because fabrics can be used in so many different ways,in many kinds of treatments. They bring color and warmth to a room, but only in a sense. To to put them into a fabric treatments in a single category may not be - appropriate - (I hate that word. It's right or it's wrong... Right?) I'm a guy. I don't 'get' trends so I only seem to relate to the use of the word warmth as it can be measured by a thermometer. But I do get it. It works or it doesn't. Proportion is more measurable, style is subjective.

I can talk function better than fashion. As I've seen the growth sector it the window covering industry has most recently been in two areas. Anything motorized or automated, and sun screen shades. I will write about these topics. Here are a few other topics I have in mind for future articles involving functional ideas.

- Window security
- Saving energy with window treatments
- Best way to treat a patio door.
- Products for odd shaped windows
- Why motorize
- The evolution of shade automation
- The drawbacks of various motorized drapery tracks
- The most functional shades are installed on the outside.

I may not proceed in the above order, but I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you.