Revealing the Magic of Light-Filtering Shades
In the distant past, window shades could only be closed to shut out light, opened all the way for maximum brightness, or kept partially down. The invention of light-filtering window treatments was a huge step forward — today’s versions work like magic. And since Smart PNW partners with Hunter Douglas window treatments, our clients know that they're investing in the finest light-filtering shades on the market.
How Light-Filtering Shades Work
Light-filtering window treatments feature translucent or semi-opaque fabrics that diffuse incoming sunlight rather than blocking it completely. Brightness passes through, but people outdoors can’t see in when the shades are down — enjoy natural light while protecting your privacy from neighbors. The fabric weave controls how much light enters, so loosely woven materials let in more light than heavier or darker-colored options.
The Benefits of Light-Filtering Shades
Besides their pleasing aesthetic, light-filtering window treatments offer multiple benefits:
- Glare Reduction: These shades reduce incoming light by 15-25%, which cuts out screen glare without over-darkening rooms.
- UV Protection: Hunter Douglas light-filtering fabrics can block up to 99% of damaging sun rays, protecting furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading.
Hunter Douglas Light-Filtering Shades
There are many designer-quality options to pick from, and we’ve chosen a few of our customer favorites.
Duette® Cellular Shades
This honeycomb shade provides year-round comfort and a gentle brightness, with an insulating, cellular design and unprecedented versatility. Duette® Cellular Shades offer the industry’s best selection of opacities, colors, cellular pleat sizes, and textures, with highly customizable fabrics. We enhance these shades with upgrades like the Duolite® system, which combines a sheer or light-filtering front shade with an opaque back shade, allowing both to operate independently.
Silhouette® Sheer Shades
This horizontal light-filtering window treatment is one of the brand’s most magical; the Silhouette® Sheer Shades design features soft, S-shaped fabric vanes that appear to float between two sheer fabric layers. The sheer fabrics are stronger than they look, blocking up to 88% of UV rays with vanes open and 99% when closed. The Silhouette® Halo™ and Silhouette® ClearView® options make this style even more versatile.
Luminette® Sheer Panels
With a vertical profile, Luminette® Sheer Panels have a sheer drapery aesthetic with integrated 180-degree rotating fabric vanes that work like vertical blinds. You can shift from natural light with dynamic outdoor views to room-darkening privacy by adjusting the vane position. These sheer shades are available in an impressive selection of fabrics, textures, and colors; ask about the room-darkening option.
Alustra® Woven Textures® Roman Shades
The designer’s choice, Alustra® Woven Textures® Roman Shades come in sheer, semi-sheer, and semi-opaque fabric opacities. Though it’s a woven wood shade at heart, this luxurious style behaves like a Roman shade. Its flexible light control comes from an independent liner housed within the shade's headrail; the liner operates separately to achieve varying light and privacy levels throughout the day.
Stop By and See Light-Filtering Window Shades Near Tacoma, WA
Smart PNW is a proud partner of Hunter Douglas window treatments and Carole™ Fabrics, and our team looks forward to helping you select beautifully customized light-filtering window treatments. Contact us for service in Gig Harbor, Seattle, Belleview, North Seattle, North Tacoma, Olalla, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Bainbridge Island.