Top Down Bottom Up Shades
Motorized Wood Blinds
Cellular Shades are our best-insulating window coverings, providing a very soft and warm feel to any room
Bamboo Shades
Bamboo Shades are made by hand in our workrooms from soft woods such as grass, bamboo, reeds, and rattan
Roman Shades
Roman shades give you the look of high price custom roman shades at an affordable price
Top Down Bottom Up Shades | TDBU Cellular, Roman and Cordless Options for Maryland, Virginia and DC
Anyone who wants to let in natural light yet still have privacy in one’s home without giving it all up should definitely consider top down bottom up shades. Two at a time window treatments allow the control of two points on the same shade, enabling the fabric to be positioned precisely where it is required, at any time, day or night. Allow light to come in from above. Keep eyes at eye level. Or pull out the shade from both ends. No other lift system is more flexible room to room, precise.
At Buy Home Blinds, we have the best down bottom up lift option for our cellular, roman, pleated, and woven wood shade collections. All shades are custom cut to your window size and complimentary in-home consultation service is available in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
What Are Top Down Bottom Up Shades?
Top down bottom up shades (also known as TDBU shades, up down shades, dual rail shades, and duo fold shades) are window treatments that have two separate operating rails instead of one. The lower rail moves the shade up off the sill as it would with a normal shade. The upper rail pulls the shade downwards from the headrail, thus creating an opening at the top of the window and closing the lower part of the shade.
You can use both rails at any one time to move the fabric panel in and out to any position within the opening of the window, or use either rail singly as required by light and privacy needs at the time. You won’t have to change a thing about the product and the outcome is a window treatment that works differently in the morning, at noon and in the evening.
This lift system is an optional feature for several shades and is one of the most functional options available for window shades today.
How the Dual Rail System Works
The standard is a one-piece design, with one rail on the bottom of the frame and a fixed headrail at the top of the frame. The fabric folds up when the shade is up. It is lowered as the fabric comes down to cover the window. There is only one position variable, the distance that the bottom rail is lifted.
Top down bottom up shades are a second independent rail (the top rail), attached to the top edge of the fabric panel and hanging from the fixed headrail with cords or a cordless mechanism. You will thus have two position variables: raise the bottom rail and lower the top rail. Both of these rails are movable separately so that the fabric panel can be placed anywhere in the window opening.
For a corded TDBU system, there are two cords, one outside each side of the shade which, in turn, controls two rails. There is one cord to move the bottom rail up and down. The other will move the top rail up and down. For a cordless TDBU system, both rails are moved by push and pull motion with small push/pull tabs at the head of each rail and no exposed cords on the front of the shade.
Shade Types Available with Top Down Bottom Up Control
Several shade styles will fit the TDBU lift system. Selecting the correct base shade type is of crucial importance, alongside the selection of the TDBU feature itself.
Top Down Bottom Up Roman Shades
Top Down Bottom Up Roman Shades feature both the high style elegance and folded look of roman shades and allow for top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top functionality. This is perfect for living rooms, dining rooms and any room where style takes precedence over function. Both the fabric folding and the TDBU mechanism contribute to making a beautiful, yet extremely functional window treatment. The flat fold, soft fold and plain roman shade are all available.
Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades
The most popular mix in our family. The top down bottom up cellular shades incorporate the honey-combs of cellular shades with the dual-rail control system, creating air-conditioned pockets between the insulative fabric layers, naturally insulating the space. In this regard, TDBU cellular shades are the ideal windows treatment for homeowners who desire to accomplish all three of the above simultaneously. Come in single, double and triple cells with light filtering or room darkening fabric choices.
Top Down Bottom Up Pleated Shades
Pleated shades with TDBU control are clean, minimal pleated shades that have crisp horizontal pleats. The fabric folds up tightly when it is pulled up, thus offering very little overhang at the top of the window. This is ideal for modern-day homes where a low window treatment is needed without compromising on the functionality of the windows that offer bi-directional window action.
Top Down Bottom Up Woven Wood Shades
Both our bamboo and woven wood shade ranges can also feature a top down bottom up option. Wood shades woven by TDBU are particularly popular in sunrooms and livingrooms where a natural look is preferred. The open weave texture of the fabric allows for light to penetrate and diffuse the window nicely when utilized in the top part of the window, leaving the bottom half of the window obscured for privacy.
Control Options for TDBU Shades
Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Shades
Cordless TDBU shades are chosen by most homeowners. Simple Push and Pull action on both top and bottom rails, no cords, no pulls, no loops. Easy to operate with small tabs/hands on every rail. The end product is the safest possible TDBU window treatment, free of hanging cords that children or pets can get entangled in and clear, unobstructed appearance on the face of the shade. We strongly recommend cordless TDBU for all rooms used by children.
Corded TDBU with Cord Lock
Each cord is used to control a different corded rail on a corded system. The bottom cord brings shade to the sill. The top cord pulls shade down from the headrail. Cords attach to the desired position with a cord lock. For heavier or larger shades a cordless spring system is not a practical option. Corded TDBU systems must be secured by a cord cleat or cord wind up when not being used, especially in young child accessible areas.
Motorized Top Down Bottom Up Shades
Motorized TDBU shades provide the motorized rails to be controlled independently via remote control, wall switch, or smartphone application. It’s the highest quality convenience product and is the best solution for windows that are difficult to reach, extremely large shades, and households who use several shades often during the day. When it comes to smart home platforms, Motorized TDBU cellular shades support Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Top Down Bottom Up Shades and Child Safety
Window treatments that have visible cords are a strangulation hazard for young children. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, corded window coverings are a home safety hazard that continues to be a problem. Top down bottom up shades can be obtained in a fully cordless installation with no exposed cords on the face of the shade. No hanging cords, both rails are touch operated.
Cordless TDBU shades are recommended for homes with young children in all rooms where children sleep, play or spend any amount of time regularly. Where required for any reason, all cords shall be secured with cord cleats or wind up devices that are mounted at a height above the reach of children.
Energy Efficiency with TDBU Cellular Honeycomb Shades
Using the TDBU lift system with cellular honeycomb shades allows you to enjoy the same energy efficiency as standard cellular shades. The cells of the honeycomb structure within the fabric provide an air insulating barrier to heat transfer. This helps to minimize solar gain in summer. Wins up to provide a thermal barrier from cold drafts in winter.
TDBU cellular shades are an effective energy management solution for homeowners in Maryland and Virginia who stay in a house with both cold winters and hot summers. When placed low, the top rail will exclude direct solar gain in the hottest part of the day but allow upper indirect light to enter the room, which will also help lower A/C loads and glare.
Why Choose Buy Home Blinds for TDBU Shades
Every top down/bottom up window shade is made to fit your exact window size by Home Blinds of America. Standard sizes are not available. All shades in our cellular, roman, pleated and woven wood collection are custom made according to the needs of your shade. They are fitted with the TDBU lift system and the control option of your choice.
Free samples so you can try various fabric choices for yourself in your own home and under your own lighting before placing an order. We offer window treatments consultation service all over Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC without charging you anything. Each window is measured exactly, the type of shade and control system are recommended for every room, and professional installation is performed to ensure a perfectly fitted shade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Down Bottom Up Shades
What does top down bottom up mean in a shade?
Top down bottom up means that there are two separately powered rails. The bottom rail moves up from the sill, just like a straight shade. The top rail will pull the shade down, leaving an opening at the top of the window. Rails can be used individually or at the same time to move the fabric panel anywhere in the window opening. This allows you to have exact simultaneous light and privacy control whereas a single-direction shade can’t do this.
What is TDBU short for?
TDBU is Top Down Bottom Up. This is the typical industry acronym for this dual-rail lifting system. Depending on the manufacturer, it can also be called “up down blinds,” “duofold shades,” or “dual rail shades.
Which shade types are available with top down bottom up?
TDBU is offered with cellular honeycomb shades, roman shades, pleated shades, and woven wood bamboo shades at Buy Home Blinds. The most popular shade option is cellular shades which work in both directions and add natural insulation to your home. For formal living and dining rooms, the most decorative is the TDBU roman shade.
Are cordless top down bottom up shades available?
Yes. Cordless TDBU shades come in all shade types that are compatible. Both rails are moved by push and pull with little handles or tabs on each rail. There are no exposed cords on the face of the shade. The most recommended option for every household is Cordless TDBU, and the mandatory option for young children’s rooms.
Can top down bottom up shades be motorized?
Yes. Motorized TDBU shades can be controlled on a rail-by-rail basis through a remote, wall switch or smartphone application. Motorized TDBU shades can be made to work with smart home systems such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. This can be a great feature for high windows, heavy drapes or anyone who wants to have control on various lights for the day.
Are top down bottom up shades good for bathrooms?
Yes. One of the perfect uses for TDBU shades is in bathrooms. Lower the top rail to let in natural sunlight from above without opening the bottom of the window for privacy. The Cordless TDBU shades are ideal for bathrooms due to the lack of any exposed cords that can absorb water and the fact that the shades are so clean that they look great in the bathroom.
Do top down bottom up shades cost more than standard shades?
Yes. The TDBU lift system is a more complex system of the standard single-direction lift, and requires extra hardware, components and manufacturing. The higher the shade value and smaller the size, the more the premium will be. Please call us for an exact estimate or arrange a free home visit for an accurate product & price suggestion for your particular windows.
Are top down, bottom up shades safe for homes with children?
One type of window blinds that are safe for home use if you have children is the cordless top down bottom up window shades. Both rails are controlled by touch. If TDBU corded is being used, all cords must be tied up to a windup system or cord cleats kept out of the reach of children. The cordless version is recommended for all rooms where children sleep and play.
Can I use top down bottom up shades on large windows?
Yes. TDBU shades come in various sizes for windows. Unless the shade is large and heavy, a cordless spring system may not be as convenient as a corded TDBU or motorized system. Call our team for your free consultation and talk about the appropriate system for your window size.
Do top down bottom up shades help with energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency of cellular honeycomb shades remains unaffected when subjected to the TDBU lift system. Because of honeycomb construction, the window stops heat transfer in summer and winter. The dual-rail system can also strategically place the shade to shade on direct solar gain hours but still allow ambient light in the room, which lessens the air conditioning load.