What to Consider When Choosing Window Shades

Interior designers look for window treatments that marry functionality and aesthetics. That’s why it’s important to consider the way that the client will use a space, the shape of a window and its orientation, and the added accessibility and convenience of integrated automation.

Purpose of the Shade

Window shades do much more than just filter and reduce light. They can also:

1. Provide privacy

2. Minimize glare

3. Reduce UV absorption

4. Add texture and contrast

5. Regulate interior temperatures

6. Improve connections with outdoor surroundings

Before specifying shades, designers should talk with clients about the ways their spaces are used and the specific features that are important to them. Note each window’s exposure, the home’s environment, and the way each space is used—a loft apartment will have different shading needs than a home in the woods. Windows with eastern and western exposure receive more direct light, so these may have greater UV light blocking and heat reduction needs, while windows with northern or southern exposure may need shades that provide privacy but let more light in. An east-facing bedroom window that gets full-on sun in the morning may have greater need for light-filtering shades, just as a west-facing dining room may need UV blocking for the intense sun in the afternoon. Shades can also be used to retain heat and light during cold months, and diffuse light and prevent heat absorption in warmer months.

For example, a home office with large windows might require privacy, UV light blocking, and glare reduction. Designers can specify shades that allow users to comfortably see their computer screens without sacrificing a connection with the outdoors. Lutron offers window shade products that attend to these functional requirements as they elevate the aesthetics of interior spaces.

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