When you begin any home improvement project, you’re faced with more decisions than you bargained for. Paint or wallpaper, tile or hardwoods, sconces or pendant lighting? It’s no different with window coverings. Should you choose outside mount or inside mount, manual operation or motorization, filter light or block light? Our team from At Home Blinds can guide you through, citing years of experience to draw from. You’ll still have to go room-by-room to determine your lighting needs, but you won’t be alone in making these tricky decisions. We’ve got you.
Let’s Be Clear…
Sometimes, we get carried away, and forget that most people don’t think about window treatments 24/7 like we do. So, let’s define the terms we’ll be using today. First, we consider light filtering shades your everyday shades, the ones that provide the best working light when you want to be uplifted and productive. Second, room darkening shades. These shades are best for blocking light, darkening a room for sleeping, even taking a midday nap. Your choice will be driven by the rooms in your home and the activities that take place within them.
The Deep Dive…
Light Filtering Shades
If you breakdown the term “light filtering”, you’ll understand it better. These shades literally take natural light from the outside, and then filter it as it passes through the window. This filtering transforms the light into a pleasant, useful, unobtrusive light for your family’s comfort–a sort of glow. These window shades can be sheer or semi-sheer, which both provide significant protection against harsh UV rays.
Also, light filtering window shades are available in different opacities…there we go again with the fancy words. This just means the fabric you choose determines how much light is filtered through. If you want privacy, choose a more dense fabric for more opacity. If you prefer a view to the outdoors, there are lighter options. You get the idea. It’s all in the fabric choice, and we have something for everyone.
Room Darkening Shades
For the rooms where you’ve decided blocking the incoming light is best, look to room darkening shades. They do an incredible job keeping the majority of the light out. Homeowners look to room darkening shades to protect from harsh sunlight, transform their living room into a theatre, or help their family get a goodnight’s sleep.
For an additional level of darkness, try our blackout shades. What’s the difference between room darkening and blackout? Blackout shades rely on different features and fabrics to completely block light from the room. Typically, room darkening shades are just enough to keep most of the light out, but a sliver of light can be seen at the sides with light gaps–great for bedrooms, media spaces and rooms with direct sunlight. To be clear, the distinction is that blackout shades seal out the light. Both may have a place in your home.
Room for Both
By now you may be thinking, “I need both”! Can I have light filtering and room darkening in one? Why yes, you can. It’s common for homeowners to want levels of light control and the ability to change the atmosphere at any time throughout the day. Our dual shades feature allows two shades on one headrail, making the transition simple. The light filtering shade can be in place when you want natural filtered light and a view outside. When you need more control, the secondary room darkening shade can be lowered into place for a dark, private atmosphere.
In addition to the dual shade option, we also offer a best of both worlds solution on one shade. This type of shade system offers a two-in-one function. In one position, the shade provides soft, filtered light. In another position, the shade stops the light from entering.
Option number three is to explore the beautiful world of layering treatments. You can combine light filtering shades with drapes to start. Enjoy soft, filtered light with a shade covering the windows, flanking each side with drapes. When you want a darker atmosphere or privacy, draw the drapes closed. Again, your fabric choice will determine the level of darkness you can achieve. The sky’s the limit with layering, and you have the ability to truly customize your look and function this way, too. Some of our favorite projects include layered window treatments.
Get Custom Light Control.
The window coverings you choose will truly set the tone inside your home. Ask yourself, what type of atmosphere do I enjoy in each room? Go from there. Working with a specialist can help you quickly determine if you want to filter light or block light in each room. Preserving the light and outdoor view is important in some spaces and not so much in others. Let’s begin working toward your goal by providing a clear plan for each room in your home. Get in touch with us for a FREE in-home consult OR come visit us in our showroom to see which window covering innovations have come to pass since the last time you updated your window treatments.
