To accurately determine the correct size, measure the width and length of your window. Only measure the glass pane; do not include any trim or framing that surrounds it. For more information, please see our How to Measure page.
We recommend additional width to prevent any peek-through on the sides. The extra length compensates for the adhesive strip at the top as well as the adhesive tabs at the bottom, so it can attach securely to the door.
We stock 11 standard shade sizes at all times. Based on our experience and knowledge, these sizes should cover most interior windows in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as universities and colleges. We can also easily manufacture custom-sized shades to fit other windows, such as sidelights, media centers, and entranceways.
Custom sizes are our specialty. No matter whether your school needs standard sizes, custom shades, or a combination of both, we ship all orders in two weeks and can expedite orders within one week if necessary.
In any lockdown situation, the top priority is keeping everyone in the classroom safe and maintaining complete coverage of the classroom door window.
Movement within the classroom, airflow from ventilation systems, or the natural curl that can occur when any rolled shade is deployed after long periods of storage can affect how a shade hangs once deployed.
That’s why securing the shade at both the top and bottom of the window provides the most stable and reliable blackout coverage.
Our patented adhesive-tab design allows the shade to be quickly secured at the bottom of the window without adding extra steps during an emergency. The adhesive tabs help keep the shade flat, minimize movement, and maintain consistent coverage when every second matters.
For schools that prefer a weighted-bottom deployment option, we also offer that configuration.
A weighted bottom can help the shade deploy smoothly and hang neatly, while our adhesive-tab system remains the preferred option for customers seeking the most secure bottom retention.
Our maintenance-free adhesive tabs add no additional operational steps, require no setup during deployment, and remain effective through repeated use.
ALP® lockdown shades are designed to give schools flexible options while prioritizing fast deployment, reliable coverage, and classroom safety.
Quality matters. All ALP lockdown shades are manufactured in our own facilities in New Jersey—we do not outsource production to outside contractors or other manufacturers to save money. We maintain exacting standards to control every aspect of our operations. We are experts in providing high-quality work, and our facilities have ample space that allows a smooth workflow for all orders from beginning to end.
We maintain consistency in the thickness, denier, and density of our fabric that will not change from month to month. The heavier fabric in our shades properly blocks out classroom views and meets all NFPA standards for fire safety.
Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations.
Fabric used in most public spaces, including schools, is required by law to be certified as flame retardant, according to standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In the case of draperies, curtains, and similar hanging textiles, the standard that applies is NFPA 701: Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. This test measures the flammability of a fabric when it is exposed to specific sources of ignition.
NFPA 701 small-scale testing measures the ignition resistance of a fabric after it is exposed to a flame for 12 seconds. The afterflame, char length, and flaming residue are recorded. The fabric will pass the test if all samples meet the following criteria:
Fabric certified as flame retardant is certified to have been tested and passed the NFPA 701 test.
In order to meet minimum FR standards, other companies may use a flame-coating process on their shades that can dissipate in a short period of time. Our fabric is made out of industrial-strength polyester with a flame-retardant agent that is added to the PVC. It will not evaporate over time.