I’ve actually had trouble finding the history of the bamboo window shade.  Most of the history was based more around window blinds and shades in general and wasn’t specific to bamboo window shades.  Here are some general facts about blinds.

• Window blinds, specifically Venetian blinds came from Persia
• Venetian travelers and traders brought the blinds to Venice and Paris
• In the 1950’s the blinds were made of 2 inche metal slates and were hung with pieces of fabric
• In the 1980’s the metal blinds were replaced with other materials such as vinyl and wood
• The horizontal lines are great from an interior design point of view
• Bamboo window shades create a very laid back and calming atmosphere
• They are very cost effective compared to other types of window coverings such as drapes
• If you use outdoor bamboo shades make sure they are treated to stop water and sun from damaging them

If you find any other information about bamboo window shades feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the list.

After more research I did find some information saying that in Japan around 794 and 1185 they used a bamboo window shade as a type of screen from the sun.

1. Bamboo Roman Shade – This type of bamboo window treatment is usually constructed of some sort of woven bamboo cloth that lays very flat when the shade is down.  They are opened and closed with a pull cord.  When the pull cord is pulled the roman shade stacks as it goes up into very even sized panels.  These types of window treatments do a great job of blocking out the sun from coming through the window.
2. Bamboo Roll Up Blinds – These blinds have a similar look to the bamboo roman shade when they are in the lowered position.  The look is very flat, but instead of a woven bamboo they are a grouping of very thin pieces of bamboo.  When this type of bamboo window treatment is raised it uses the same type of pull cord, but the blind rolls up.  Think of the same way you would roll up a sleeping bad or yoga mat.

There are other variations, but they generally fall into one of the two above mentioned types.  There are other things to consider after deciding on which type of bamboo window shades you would like such as price, size, and color.

1. Environmentally Friendly – Bamboo is a renewable resource
2. Trendy – Bamboo window blinds are very popular and are great for decorating any room in your home
3. Easy to Install – Most come with instructions and require only basic hand tools to install
4. Versatile – They aren’t just for inside the home.  Outdoor bamboo shades are a great way to decorate the patio, deck, or backyard area
5. Choices – They come in many different styles including; bamboo roller shades, bamboo roman shades,  and even cordless and woven styles making it easy to incorporate them into any window design

These are just a few of the advantages of bamboo window shades.