Conrad Original® Shades: The Architect's Choice for Sonoma County
Conrad Shades are precision-engineered roller and solar shades specified by AD100 architects for contemporary residential and commercial projects. Known for minimal light gaps and exact color matching, Conrad is the gold standard for architectural shade systems. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters installs Conrad shades throughout Sonoma County wine country.
Conrad Original® is the architect-specified shade system built to exact dimensions with no minimum orders and unlimited fabric selection through its COM program, making it the default specification for high-end Sonoma County residential projects. Unlike mass-market shade brands that limit you to a fixed fabric library, Conrad accepts any material and builds every system to exact specification. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters is your local source for the full Conrad Original line, providing custom window treatments from measurement through installation across Windsor, Healdsburg, and all of Sonoma County.
Why Architects Specify Conrad Original®
What shade brand do Sonoma County architects prefer? Conrad Original® is specified by architects and interior designers for projects requiring unlimited fabric selection, precise hardware engineering, and gallery-quality finish. Unlike mass-market shades, every Conrad system is built to specification with no minimum orders. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters provides full Conrad Original service from measurement through installation.
The architecture and design community gravitates toward Conrad because it solves a problem other shade manufacturers cannot: it works with any fabric. When an architect specifies a particular textile for a project - whether a performance mesh for solar control or a handwoven linen for a living room - Conrad's fabrication team engineers the shade system around that material. The hardware is equally considered, with spring-loaded rollers, concealed brackets, and integrated fascia that disappear into the ceiling plane or window pocket. For projects coordinated by firms like Strening Architects or Healdsburg-based designers, Conrad is the default specification because it never forces a compromise between design intent and product capability.
Unlimited Fabric Selection: Bring Your Own Material
Conrad Original® is the only shade system that works with any fabric. Their COM (Customer's Own Material) program accepts textiles from any source - a designer showroom, an overseas mill, or fabric the homeowner brings back from a trip abroad. This sets Conrad apart from every other shade manufacturer on the market, including Hunter Douglas, which limits you to their proprietary fabric collections. If your designer has specified a Belgian linen, a Japanese screen mesh, or a hand-blocked Indian cotton, Conrad builds precision shades from that exact material without substitution. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters Window Coverings manages the COM submittal process end to end, including fabric evaluation, yardage calculation, and coordination with Conrad's fabrication team. Paired with custom drapery, a Conrad shade in the same fabric creates a cohesive layered treatment that no off-the-shelf product can match.
Precision Hardware and Engineering
Conrad's hardware is engineered to the same standard as the fabrics it carries. Spring-loaded roller systems provide smooth, consistent tension across widths up to 192 inches, eliminating the sag and drift common in lesser mechanisms. Integrated fascia - available in aluminum, wood, or fabric-wrapped profiles - conceals the roller tube and mounting hardware completely, creating a clean architectural line at the head of the window. Concealed brackets are standard on every Conrad installation, not an upgrade, ensuring the shade appears to float within the window opening. For motorized installations, Conrad integrates with Somfy, and PowerView drive systems, allowing seamless control through smart home platforms. The hardware is built to handle heavy fabrics, wide spans, and daily automated cycling without degradation over time. This level of mechanical precision is what separates an architect-specified shade system from a retail product.
Conrad Original\u00ae Shade Specifications
| Feature | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shade Types | Roller, Roman, Panel Track | All custom-built |
| Fabric Source | Conrad Collection + COM (Customer’s Own Material) | Unlimited selection |
| Max Width | Up to 192″ (roller), 144″ (roman) | Full-wall coverage |
| Hardware | Spring-loaded, Chain, Motorized | Concealed brackets standard |
| Motorization | Somfy, PowerView compatible | Full integration |
| Fascia Options | Aluminum, Wood, Fabric-wrapped | Custom sizes |
| Lead Time | 4–6 weeks | Built to specification |
Specifications and Standards
Independent references for the performance and safety claims on this page.
- Conrad Shades official site, manufacturer specifications and material sourcing
- NFRC.org, National Fenestration Rating Council, U-Factor and SHGC certification body
- U.S. Department of Energy, energy-efficient window treatment guidance
- WCMA, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 child safety standard
Mill District Penthouse
We specified Conrad Original® roller shades for a Mill District penthouse (ZIP 95448) renovation coordinated by Strening Architects. The project required shades fabricated from a client-supplied Italian linen sourced during the homeowner's trip to Como. Conrad's COM program allowed us to build precision roller shades from this bespoke fabric without compromise. We integrated Somfy motorization across 12 windows, programmed with sunrise/sunset scheduling through the property's Control4 system. The concealed aluminum fascia was custom powder-coated to match the unit's Venetian plaster walls. This level of customization is exactly why the architecture community specifies Conrad.
Conrad Original® Questions Answered
Can I use my own fabric with Conrad shades?
Yes. Conrad Original® operates one of the most flexible COM (Customer’s Own Material) programs in the industry. You can supply any fabric - whether sourced from a local design studio, an overseas mill, or a personal collection - and Conrad will engineer a precision roller or roman shade around it. There are no minimum orders, and their fabrication team works directly with the material to ensure proper roll, drape, and tension. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters coordinates the full COM process from fabric submittal through finished installation.
What is the lead time for Conrad Original?
Conrad Original® shades are built to specification with a typical lead time of 4 to 6 weeks from order confirmation. Because every shade is custom-fabricated - not pulled from inventory - the timeline reflects precision engineering, hardware assembly, and quality assurance. Rush options may be available for select configurations. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters manages the full timeline so your project stays on schedule.
How does Conrad compare to Hunter Douglas?
Conrad Original® and Hunter Douglas serve different segments of the market. Conrad offers unlimited fabric selection through its COM program and architect-grade hardware engineered for custom residential and commercial projects. Hunter Douglas offers broader retail distribution with proprietary fabric collections and branded product lines like Duette and Silhouette. For projects requiring bespoke fabric, concealed hardware, or integration with a specific architectural vision, Conrad is the preferred specification. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters is authorized to provide both brands.
Can Conrad shades be motorized?
Yes. Conrad Original® shades are compatible with Somfy, and Hunter Douglas PowerView motorization systems. This allows full integration with smart home platforms including Control4, Crestron, Savant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Discount Best Blinds and Shutters handles motor selection, wiring coordination, and programming as part of every motorized Conrad installation in Sonoma County.
Related Products and Solutions
Installed in Sonoma County Homes
Specify Conrad Original® for Your Next Project
Book a free consultation and Phil will bring Conrad fabric samples and hardware profiles to your home or design studio. We serve architects and homeowners across Windsor, Healdsburg, and all of Sonoma County.