FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Shades
What's the Warranty?
DIM offers a 3 year no hassle guarantee that your shades will function as they are intended. Check out our warranty here.
What's the Custom Fit Guarantee?
DIM guarantees that your shade valance will fit the window as intended. In the case it doesn't fit, alterations including shipping both ways are free.
Where are your shades made?
Our shades are manufactured custom fit for your windows here in the United States.
What makes your shades unique?
Our shades are only made out of top tier componentry including mostly metal parts. Zero corners cut here. The shades are also completely cordless. You'll have piece of mind that your loved ones won't get caught in chains, strings, or any other apparatus with DIM.
What type of battery is used in the motorized shades and how do you charge them?
Motorized shades use a lithium battery (DC 7V / 0.8A).
Charging method: USB-C cable (included)
Note: A wall adapter (USB cube) is not included
Battery should last 6 - 8 months pending the amount of usage and size of the shade.
Placing An Order
What is the difference between 1% and 5% solar shade fabric?
Solar shade fabrics are specially woven screen-like materials designed to reduce glare, block up to 90–95% of harmful UV rays, manage solar heat gain, and protect furniture from fading—all while preserving an outward view. They require minimal maintenance and can help lower energy costs, offering maximum benefit in hot, sunny climates for south/west facing windows
1% solar shade functions similarly to room darkening. It provides stronger light and glare control with higher daytime privacy and a more limited outward view, best suited for bedrooms.
5% solar shade performs more like light filtering. It allows better visibility and a brighter feel while still offering good heat and UV protection. Best suited for common areas (living room, kitchen, dining room).
Important note on privacy: Solar shades excel at daytime privacy (harder to see inside when it’s brighter outdoors). At night, when interior lights are on, the effect reverses—people outside may be able to see in more easily. If full nighttime privacy is essential, consider choosing our standard light filtering/room darkening fabrics instead.
What is the difference between Freestop vs Motorized shades?
Freestop Roller Shades: Manual shades with cord-free operation, allowing you to stop them at any position without cords. User-friendly and safe, especially for households with children and pets.
Motorized Roller Shades: Shades equipped with a motorized system, offering remote or automated control. Ideal for convenience, automation, and a modern aesthetic, especially in smart homes or for hard-to-reach windows.
What's the difference between light filtering and room darkening fabrics?
Light filtering fabrics soften and diffuse incoming sunlight while blocking most of the glare. They provide an average level of privacy during the day and allow some natural light to enter the room for a brighter, more open feel.
Room darkening fabrics offer significantly more light blockage and superior privacy. They make the room much darker (ideal for bedrooms, media rooms, or daytime sleeping) but are not fully opaque like true blackout. A small amount of light may still enter around the edges of the shade and window frame. Full blackout is generally not achievable with standard roller shades unless you add light-blocking side channels or strips.
Pro Tip: We advise using light filtering shades in common spaces throughout the house (living room, kitchen, dining room) while utilizing the room darkening version of the color in bedrooms.
Order a sample and hold it up to your window to see the effect in your own space.
How long does it take to make my order?
Generally our factory produces each order within 3-7 business days. From there we ship from two locations in the United States via Fedex Ground for free.
How do I know which fabric style works best for my space?
Simply order a fabric swatch sample so you can see exactly what coloration and translucence each fabric you are considering looks like in your space.
How do I know which remote control to order?
If you would prefer to have a remote operation for our motorized system vs only using our smart phone app we offer two remote options. One is a 5 channel (controls up to 5 different shades) and one is a 15 channel (controls up to 15 shades).
Do I need a remote, or can I just use the Shade Flow app?
You can use the app alone or purchase a remote. However, the app is required to program the remotes and set automatic schedules.
How do I know if I should order inside or outside mount?
If your shades will be mounting inside of a window casing you'll want to order inside mount. Keep in mind your shade valance header will arrive 1/4" narrower than the measurement you provide. This is so it can easily slide into the window sill.
If your shades will be mounting above a window frame you'll want to order outside mount. Your shades will arrive in the exact width measurment you provide.
Can these shades be used on sliding doors?
Yes. For best results:
Recessed handle: Use standard roll (fabric rolls from the back)
Protruding handle: Use reverse roll or outside mount for extra clearance
Note: Reverse roll or adjusted brackets may allow slightly more light at the sides.
Do you offer pull-down rods for manual shades?
Yes—available for $10 each (only available in the color white).
Shipping and Returns
Is Shipping Free?
With DIM, shipping is always fast and free. Keep in mind our window coverings are made custom for you to optimize the best fit possible. Production is typically completed within 3-7 business days. We ship via FEDEX Home shipping and depending on where you live shipping usually takes between 2-5 business days after your order is produced.
What's the Return Policy?
Because our shades are custom made just for your windows, we are unable to provide refunds or replacements unless the product is found to be defective. In the case that the shade doesn’t fit due to an incorrect measurement we offer free adjustments with our Custom Fit Guarantee. We cover the shipping both ways including the return and replacement shipping. Give us a call or send us an email and we'll help you get your shade size corrected.
Measuring and Installation
How do I measure my windows?
Using a tape measure and a helper you should measure your window from side to side both at the top and bottom of the window. Use the smallest measurement to make sure that the shade will fit at each point within the window frame.
Can I install the shades myself?
Yes, our shades come with easy-to-follow instructions with durable snap-on brackets. Installation is much easier with a helper but possible by yourself as well. Our shades come with step by step straightforward instructions.
What if I need help measuring my windows?
It's simple. Give us a call and we'll walk you through it. If you can hold a measuring tape you can do this.
Can I hire someone to install my shades for me?
Yes! Our shades are simple and straight forward to install. Most any handyman service is capable of installing our shades.
My Free Stop shade won't set in place when I pull it down. How do I adjust the tension?
Use the tension wheel on the upper left side of the shade. Turn clockwise to increase tension.
The wheel on the upper right side of the shade is used to adjust stopping points.
General
Why isn't my shade showing up in the Shade Flow app?
Make sure the shade is powered on (located behind the valance at the top left of the fabric roll). Press the power button three times to enter Bluetooth pairing mode.
If your shade is already programmed but still not appearing, uninstall and reinstall the app to force a refresh.
My motorized shade rolled too far up when setting the upper limit and is now stuck - how do I fix it?
Start by resetting the upper and lower limits in the app:
Rooms → Select Room → Select Shade → Settings → Adjust Limits
While setting the lower limit, gently guide the fabric back into place.
If that doesn’t work:
1. Remove the right-side bracket with a screwdriver
2. Slide the fabric roll out from the left bracket
3. Unroll the fabric manually
4. Ensure the motor’s charging port faces upward
5. Reinstall the shade
After reinstalling, reset the limits to prevent the issue from happening again.
What are the cassette and mounting bracket dimensions?
Cassette:
Depth: 3”
Height: 3 1/8”
Mounting Bracket:
Bracket length: 2 ½”
Distance to screw hole: 1 ¼”
Can I upgrade a manual shade to motorized later?
No. Manual and motorized shades use different internal systems.
Do shades need to be turned off while charging?
No. Shades should remain powered on while charging.
How do I clean the shades?
We recommend a little bit of 409 Multi Surface Cleaner on a damp cloth to gently wipe the fabric.
Do room darkening shades block out all light?
No, while our room darkening fabric completely blocks light from passing through the material itself, creating a noticeably darker room with excellent privacy, some light can still seep in around the sides and top/bottom edges of the shade where it meets the window frame.
For near-total light blockage, many customers add simple light-blocking strips or side channels. These accessories help seal the gaps and deliver a much closer-to-blackout effect.