Cordless is great. Nice and clean. I will guess that cords last longer too, less human error yanking the wrong way, etc.

Derek

Gravitas

Live/Work/Create District

Garden City, ID

Thanks for responding. So, is this sort of one vote each for corded versus cordless, Derek? :)

Are they going to be blackout shades? I have double-cell blackout shades that are corded that are surprisingly heavy to open and close. Wish I had gone cordless... I also have double-cell sheer shades and those aren't heavy at all so cordless or not would be a personal preference.

No, I hadn't planned on the blackout shades, but thank you for sharing that info - I never would've thought about the weight.A friend who got blinds with cords said it is virtually impossible to have windows next to each other set all the same height using the cords , and thought this might be a factor for corded cellulars, too... Do you notice a problem with that. Gretchgly?

Cordless, I was an installer and I noticed that they were worked much better than the corded ones, they cost more though.

I don't think it is overly difficult to adjust the shade height with the corded shades. However, you do see strings if you think that might bother you. Cordless is definitely more expensive but a very clean look.

I have both and I vote for cordless. The only reason I would go with corded is if there is furniture or something blocking access to the middle of the shade. The key to raising them evenly and easily is to do it from the middle, if your grasp is off center, they will raise and lower crooked, and probably wear out faster.

Great info, thanks so much! I do have furniture in front of one window....hmmm.

I loved my cordless, until one of them started to sag and won't stay up at the same level as the two that surround it. I imagine if we took it all apart and replaced some parts that we might get it fixed. But who has the time for that.

We could do a whole forum on those stupid warning stickers.

Ooohhh, both the sagging and the day glow warning sticker would surely bother me too! I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it for the top down feature now for a number of reasons all you folks have mentioned. The idea is great but maybe the reality just won't work so well in my home with my constraints. and perhaps the cellular feature alone (instead of the traditional shades there now)will let in enough more light to make a significant difference. Wish I could take one home to test it out first! I'm really grateful to everyone who is commenting....it's so helpful!

I love the top down bottom up feature - it gives you so many options. Corded or cordless - love them.

OK I wanted and ordered cordless but got the cords instead. Big mess up with the company that is supposed to be fixing the problem so I feel I can comment on these since they were installed. First, I have to say you really don't see the cords that much as they are pretty thin but there are 2X per window (one set to open and another to lift) and 4X if you double up on the larger windows. Aesthetically, neither is unpleasant. The cords are also easy to adjust and pull up BUT if you order composite faux wood material (which I did instead of wood with 2 1/2" slats) then the blinds are very heavy and difficult to lift with the cords. I wonder over time if the cords will break under the weight or pressure especially on the larger windows?? My BF has cords and loves them but she never raises the blinds and has them attached to the bottom window. So while both cords and cordless are options, it's best to review your life style. If you want to open the blinds or clean the windows on a daily basis then get cordless as they are easier to lift. If you never want to lift the blinds or only clean the windows once in a blue moon then get the cords. Both are great choices depending on how you want to use them. If you have children or pets know that when you open the blinds with cords all the way to the top you will have a foot or two of loose cord string on the floor which is my main pet peeve. It's dangerous for pets, children and people as a trip hazard as well.

I have had my shades for years... some for over 20 most for about 10. I have the cords. It is a process to wind the cord but I am so happy with these window treatments that winding the cord is a gratitude meditation. The first set I didn't get the bottom/top opening option... that was a mistake. I really love the option for privacy and also I have them over a sliding glass door and it's great in the winter to open just from the top to keep in the warmth and to open the whole shade in the summer to let in the light and open the doors. It's great in the bathroom and bedrooms to only open the top. I'm generally happy with the corded shades. My daughter's house came with the cordless and most of the shades were broken. In all the years I've had my shades only one broke (after 20 years and a fairly large window) and I was able to repair it easily with internet instructions. I'm not sure it's that easy to repair the cordless so that would have to be researched. I came to this site because we have a three year old moving in and I was curious about the safety issue. My kids were older when we got our shades.