![]() ![]() Roller and Roman shades are good at blocking light, but even models made from heavier fabrics have much lower R-values, according to the Department of Energy. In the summer, this type of shade can reduce unwanted solar heat by up to 80 percent. The Department of Energy reports that in the winter, cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by as much as 40 percent. Some cellular shades are lined with foil or mylar to increase their R-value even more. This is because their honeycomb-like cells trap air inside them and prevent heat conduction through the window glass. Top-down/bottom-up shades provide plenty of both light and privacy.īut some types of window coverings provide better insulation value than others, with cellular shades delivering the most energy savings. Some shade manufacturers have introduced dual shades that lower a light-filtering fabric when you want lots of light and just a little privacy, and then drop a room-darkening fabric behind it when you want the most privacy and the least amount of light entering the room. The light-blocking properties of room-darkening shades make them a favorite for home theater installations. A room-darkening fabric will block the most amount of light and provides a great deal of privacy. A sheer shade will admit a lot of light, too, but it must be raised to admit the maximum amount of light, which exposes the window entirely. That said, the slats in blinds can be adjusted to let more light in while still providing strong privacy-at least when viewed from afar. The more light that passes through the shade or blind, the less privacy the window covering will provide. Privacy and light control These considerations go hand in hand. Wooden blinds are among the most elegant window treatments, but the motors in them might only adjust the angle of the slats, not lift and lower the entire shade. The slats in horizontal blinds can be pulled up in a stack to fully expose the window, while the slats in vertical blinds are pulled and gathered to the left or right for the same purpose. The angle of these slats can be varied to admit or restrict light, or the slats can be closed tightly to block light and provide privacy. Blinds are a hard window treatment consisting of vertical or horizontal slats, typically made of wood, metal, plastic, or a composite material. They roll or pull up to allow light in, and they roll or drop down to block light and provide privacy. What’s the difference? Shades are a soft window covering, typically made of fabric. We’re using the term “shades” in the headline above, but we’ll cover blinds here, too. But the wow factor they deliver also renders them a luxury item-even deploying them one room at a time can cost thousands of dollars if each room has a lot of windows. There’s a safety angle, too: There are no pull cords that pose a strangulation risk to children and pets. Like smart lighting, smart window treatments offer a host of benefits in terms of convenience, security, and energy conservation. Motorized window treatments that can open and close on command, on a schedule, or even based on room occupancy are the ultimate finishing touch for any smart home. ![]()
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