How to Choose Window Shades for your Home

Ultraviolet Protection in Retreat Pure - Alustra Woven Textures

Alustra^® Woven Textures^® Fabric: Retreat Color: Pure

Sunscreen for Your Art, Fabric, Rugs & Furniture

We all know the importance of protecting our skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays. But have you ever thought about what the sun could be doing to your valuable art, furniture, flooring and other home interiors? Luckily, the right window treatments can not only protect your furnishings from the sun, but they can increase energy efficiency, add value and create the perfect ambiance in your home.

UV Protection in Satin Champagne - Pirouette

Pirouette^® Window Shadings Fabric: Satin Color: Champagne

Even Furnishings Need Sunblock

The damaging effects of the sun on your furnishings can be brutal. Even on cloudy days, the sun can fade and deteriorate your fabrics, carpet, hardwood floors and even your artwork. It can bleach and dry out your wood furniture, breaking down the stain or paint finishes and joint sealants. And on top of that, the heat can run up your electric bill. But with all the window treatment options out there, how do you know which ones are right for you?

Designer Screen Shades Fabric: Flux Color: Onyx

UV Protection with Blackout Shades

Rooms that get a lot of sun require a window treatment that both blocks sunlight and regulates room temperature. And while a room-darkening fabric might be fine for a room with less light, a blackout shade lets you enjoy complete darkness in light-facing rooms, any time of day. A great choice for excellent UV protection that also maintains your view of the outdoors, Designer Screen Shades are perfect for patios and sunrooms, and they offer opacities that range from sheer to opaque and 14% to 0% openness, so you have a variety of options for controlling light. Like Designer Screen Shades, many other shades, drapes and shutters increase energy efficiency as well.

Duette Fabric: Architella^® Alexa Color: Desert Sands

Honeycomb Cellular Shades: Light Control + Energy Efficiency

Honeycomb cellular window shades also have a selection of light-control options from sheer to opaque, plus an energy-efficient design that adds a layer of insulation at the window. For even more energy efficiency, Duette^® Architella^® Honeycomb Shades have a honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design with more insulating air pockets than the single construction. But you don’t have to go with a traditional honeycomb design. Solera^® Soft Shades feature two styles in one—the soft, sculpted look of Roman shades with the energy efficiency of cellular shades.

UV Protection in Originale™ White Diamond - Silhouette

Silhouette^® Window Shadings Fabric: Originale™ Color: White Diamond

Sheer Window Treatments = UV Protection?

Thing is, depending on your needs, you don’t have to go with non-sheer window treatments—although they typically block 98%-99% of damaging UV rays. Sheer window coverings, like Silhouette^® Window Shadings, featuring our Signature S-Vane™ that floats between two sheer fabric panels, can block up to 88% of UV rays—and that’s with the vanes open! Just be sure that at the very least, you protect the most vulnerable furnishings in your home like artwork and family heirlooms.

From selecting materials and colors to expert measurement and installation, our window treatment specialists can help you create the perfect window treatments for your home. Find a specialist near you to get started today.

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