What Are Light-Filtering Window Shades?

What are Light-Filtering Window Shades?

To say that a window treatment is “light-filtering” most commonly means that it does not block all incoming light, but it is understood that it provides privacy or else it would fall under the description of “sheer”. Sheer window treatments may provide moderate to full privacy, depending on the incoming light and the time of day and they are often styled with other window treatments on the same windows. But alone on a window, a sheer window treatment would never be relied on for privacy unless it was one of the newer sheer shades that is a hybrid between a sheer shade and a light-filtering or room-darkening shade. New modern, sheer shades like Serenity sheer shades and Cascade® sheer shades are dual purpose and are composed of both sheer material and other materials that provide the dual function.

What Material Are Light-Filtering Window Shades Made Out Of?

Popular and versatile, light-filtering window shades are most often cloth shades, made of linen, cotton, polyester, or some combination thereof. These shades are designed to allow soft, diffused light to pass through while still maintaining a level of privacy by obstructing direct views from the outside. Incoming light creates a warm and inviting ambiance in a room and fabric will further add to this ambiance by softening the light and lending soft patterns to that light, borrowed from the textures and patterns of the fabric.

Because fabric varies greatly in density of weave and thickness of fibers, some fabrics will naturally let in more light than others, so there is a wide range of light “filtering” that can come with your light filtering drapes or shades. Loosely-woven linen curtains in light colors will let in much more light than curtains with a denser weave and/or in a darker color. At Blinds To Go there is a wide range of light control options in a wide range of colors, so you are sure to find a color and density of fabric that gives your room the ambiance that you want. Contrast this with window treatments made of wood, faux wood or pvc; these are most frequently blinds and shutters, and in the closed position they will let very little light in because of the solid material from which they are constructed. They can be tilted to provide varying degrees of privacy and light control, but they aren’t really thought of as “light filtering”.

Do Light-Filtering Window Shades Block Incoming Heat?

A question that we get a lot, as design consultants: Do light-filtering window treatments block incoming heat? Yes, light-filtering window shades do indeed help to block incoming heat. While they may not provide the same level of insulation as blackout shades or thermal curtains, they still offer significant benefits in controlling indoor temperatures and reducing heat gain. By doing so, they can help prevent your rooms from overheating during hot summer days. As a result, you can enjoy a cooler and more comfortable living space without compromising on natural light.

How Much Heat Will Light-Filtering Window Shades Block?

Even a sheer curtain would block a small amount of incoming heat and UV rays. Just as it is with incoming light, the looser the weave of the window treatment, the more heat and UV rays they will allow in. Sometimes less is more, if you want beautiful light to spill in then just know that it will bring some heat with it. Certain times of year and in certain climates you may want to bring in as much heat from the sun as possible. At Blinds To Go we have a wide range of window treatments in various materials, lined and unlined, to get you dialed in with the perfect amount of light and heat control for your needs.

The Light-Filtering Window Shade that Blocks the Most Incoming Heat

It's important to note that the level of heat reduction depends on the specific fabric and material used in the shades. Some advanced options may offer additional thermal properties, providing a higher degree of heat-blocking capabilities. Take, for instance, one of our most popular window treatments, cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, which are famous for their insulating qualities. They are constructed of cells that hold air and thus change temperature more slowly than flat one-layer window treatments. The beauty of cellular shades is that they can also be very lightweight and let a lot of light come through while still providing great insulation.

Practical Benefits of Light-Filtering Window Shades:

Versus having no window treatment, a light-filtering window treatment will provide privacy (with the exception of some solar shades). They will also offer some reduction of incoming heat and UV rays and in doing so will make your home more energy-efficient in the summer. Light-filtering window shades will also help to insulate your windows, which will help reduce energy costs year round, especially styles like cellular shades. And of course they provide a beautiful decorative element to your home, in beautiful hues and modern and classic silhouettes.

Are Solar Shades Considered Light-Filtering Shades?

I should mention that if you are interested in blocking heat and/or UV rays and privacy isn't an issue or you want to block heat and retain your view then you should consider solar shades , which come in a variety of “openness” options to allow you to see outside through them while they block incoming heat, light, and glare. Many of our solar shades do not fall into the category of light-filtering because they function more like a sheer, even though they are constructed of a material that is not shee, but rather is woven with so much space between the fibers that they provide a view of the exterior when they are fully closed. These are popular in high-rises with large floor-to-ceiling windows, commercial buildings, and home kitchens and sunrooms.