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Sheer window shades on bedroom windows

Should You Use Room Darkening Or Light Filtering Window Shades In Philadelphia?

May 16, 2024

When choosing window shades, you need to contemplate more than their looks. Window shades let you govern how much exterior light is brought into your home. The proper shades will make it a breeze to invite natural light into an area or impede it almost entirely. You simply have to determine what you want in your space. When you know if you like more or less light, it’s easy to determine if you should get room darkening or light filtering window shades in Philadelphia.

Light Filtering Window Shades Vs. Room Darkening Shades In Philadelphia

An illustration of five light filtering options for window shades

Window shades change the light in a space in several ways. First and foremost, you can draw them up to allow light or lower them to impede it. Motorized shades of all kinds make governing sunlight levels as simple as the press of a button! You may also get top-down/bottom-up shades that let you open the top of a window for daylight but keep the lower portion covered for privacy.

The thickness of the shade makes a difference, too. Thicker room darkening shades block most light when shut. Light-filtering window shades allow a degree of sunlight through their thin fabric. Whether you select room darkening or light filtering window shades in Philadelphia is contingent on how much you wish to keep light out of a space.

There are varous levels of opacity or transparency. Shades go from sheer—with no privacy and very little light blockage—to room darkening that prevent practically all exterior light.

When To Use Light Filtering Window Shades

White translucent shades on a tall living room window

Numerous Philadelphia families want to bring natural light into their living areas. Sunshine is an excellent source of free illumination and warmth. It is able to brigthen a gloomy area and make you feel revitalized. You could even have an animal who enjoys lying below a sun-splashed window.

Light filtering window shades let in your ideal amount of sunlight. Their thin material lessens powerful sun rays as they light up a room. You might select light filtering shades in rooms where you want to enjoy exterior light without completely uncovering your windows. They’re fantastic for high-traffic spots like a family room or kitchen. Or place them on north-facing or shaded windows that aren’t subjected to a lot of hot sunlight.

When To Pick Room Darkening Window Shades

Sheer window shades on bedroom windows

It makes sense to use room darkening shades in Philadelphia when you would like to do exactly that: darken an area. You might not always want outdoor light coming through your windows. Install room darkening shades in bedroom windows to keep light from impacting your sleep. Or, place them in your home theater to keep glare off the screen. You may also want room darkening shades in sun-heavy rooms that often get too hot. While room darkening shades don’t stop UV rays quite as well as solid window treatments like louvered shutters, they still get the job done and make your windows more stylish

When To Get Both Light Filtering and Room Darkening Shades

You aren’t required to pick between light filtering and room darkening shades. If you would like both options in a single room, knock yourself out! It’s not unusual to install a room darkening shade behind a less opaque shade in one window. This layered strategy provides a way to get room darkening AND filtered light whenever you need it. And integrating these shades back-to-back lends a distinctive look to your window.

Just chat with your local Sunburst Shutters window treatment professional about putting in room darkening shades behind a more sheer shade. By doing so, you can use whichever shade you are needing at the time.

Find The Best Window Shades At Sunburst Shutters

Light filtering or room darkening shades? Whatever style of window shade you need, Sunburst Shutters Philadelphia is ready to help. Our impressive selection of shades and other window coverings has an option for each and every Philadelphia home. Reach out to 215-874-4897 or fill out the following form to schedule a free in-home consultation today. We’ll visit your home to demonstrate our products and help you order the perfect window treatments for your home.