The Beauty and Function of Window Treatments
Window treatments control light and shade, but are also an investment in comfort and well-being and should be selected with specific needs in mind. Not all window treatments serve the same purpose.
The first step is to determine the objectives for window treatments:
Pure aesthetics: Window treatments can transform an area as the focal point of a room or make a statement that suits personal style or décor.
Outward visibility while maintaining privacy and natural light
Protection of interiors, furniture, paintings and bedding from sun damage
Darkness for a sound sleep, home theatre, or video gaming
Glare control for computer use or ease of television viewing
Optimize a view: Frame the view of a beautiful garden, a serene lake or natural scenery.
Disguise or obstruct unsightly outdoor views: Hide the neighbour’s brick wall or neighbouring construction site.
Convenience and security through automation: Control through a phone, timers, sun sensors or even voice control.
Make it unique: Express creativity with custom printed shades.
A combination of fabrics, operating systems and shade types can achieve all of these objectives.
There is a wide range of fabrics, including decorative and performance options, available in various transparencies to meet all daylight control needs. Opaque fabrics offer room darkening, transparent fabrics enhance a view, translucent fabrics soften daylight entering a room and privacy fabrics let some light in while preventing inward views. Sunscreen fabrics are also available in different levels of openness and can be selected to give just the right mix between outward visibility and light control. Fabrics have a wide variety of properties including fire retardance, sustainability, ease of cleaning, sound absorption, reflective backing and various “green” or eco-friendly ratings. There are fabrics suitable for every décor, with attributes suitable for different applications.
Roller shades are the most common type of window shade with numerous fabric and valance options, and they can be accessorized with sophisticated or fun braids and pulls. Easy to operate, they simply roll up and down with the ability to stop at any level. Roller shades are also available in a bottom-up option where the shade is mounted on the window sill to provide privacy at sight level and natural light above for diffused light during the day and complete darkness when needed. Dual shade systems combine two different fabrics in a single system. Each shade can be operated independently for precise control of light and privacy.
Interlude shades (layered shades) and illusions shades (triple shades) create a softer look by diffusing sunlight. They are elegant and modern, yet compatible with different décor. Both of these shade types incorporate two types of fabric, sheer/transparent and privacy or opaque, to allow just the right amount of light to enter a room. A slight lowering or raising of the shade adjusts the vane locations to provide more privacy and less light.
Roman shades provide a touch of sophistication, with soft rolls that fold together to create an elegant look even when the shade is fully retracted.
Panel tracks are composed of sliding vertical panels that are ideal for large windows, sliding glass doors or room dividers. They can provide a contemporary look and layer on top of each other when not in use.
Fixed shades are non-operable shades that work well for unusually shaped windows such as arches, angled or inclined windows and solariums. With the right fabric selection, fixed shades allow better control over glare while allowing natural light in.
Another aspect of window treatments worth considering for managing light and shade is the method of operation. Standard chain or cord operation is easy to use and practical for many situations. Where a cleaner look or safety concerns might come into play, a chainless system is a good alternative, intuitively operated with a gentle pull on the shade pull or hem bar, and easily retracted with a light tug.
Motorization and automation are also in high demand for window coverings and add another level of control for light and shade. Shades can be motorized and operable using a switch, a remote, a timer, a light sensor or a mobile app, and motorized shades can even integrate into a smart home system or be operated using voice commands. Power options for motors can vary depending on the application and installation conditions from hard wired, to battery powered, to solar rechargeable. Automation also allows for setting various scenes. For example, in a morning scene, all blinds can be set to open at a specific time.
For the contract market, light shelves harvest sunlight and reflect daylight deep into building interiors, in order to reduce the need for electrical lighting during the day. Light shelves are operated by motors and ideally work with sun sensors that will move the light shelves to an optimal angle for sunlight to reflect off the light shelf to the ceiling and from the ceiling to the interior workspace. They are ideal for commercial buildings to save on energy costs and make effective use of natural sunlight during the day by extending the reach of natural light.