What’s the trend in window coverings
Window treatments not only frame and decorate fenestration, they also allow for privacy and may provide some sound integrity and insulation. Of course, the amount of light that can penetrate into the room is key. And the homeowner who places a premium on a view to the outdoors will shop for treatments that will maximize the prospect.
So what’s popular in window treatments in today’s Bay Area? We talked to a couple of designers to get the skinny.
“At the present time, what’s really popular with my company (are) honeycomb shades,” says Terry Leake, owner/designer at Innovative Window Ware in Berkeley.
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Honeycomb shades are also known as cellular shades. And why are they so highly favored?
“You can get them in room-darkening or lightfiltering (options). They do a really great job of insulating. … And they also do a little bit of sound deadening as well.”
As heat, light and sound protection are primary window-covering purposes, cellular shades appear to cover all the bases, according to Leake.
Moreover, cellular shades are available in as many as 800 different hues and may be coordinated easily with wall paint color. These days, Leake reports, “shades of white and gray seem to be the ‘in’ colors.”
Exactly how do honeycomb shades provide sound integrity?
“Honeycomb shades are (made of) two pieces of fabric that have a dead space” in-between, he explains. “Sound doesn’t travel as fast through the honeycomb as it would through any other shade.”
The cellular construction of the shade “creates a thermal break as well,” he explains. “So if it’s hot outside, a cellular shade will stop some of the heat from transferring through. … If it’s cold outside and warm inside, it will stop the warm air from going (out) through the windows.”
The best-selling window covering option is typically made of a spun polyester, according to Leake, which also allows for easy cleaning.
Another type of shade — at the lower end of the cost scale — is also in demand.
“We sell a lot of solar shades,” says Deborah Carson, owner of JLS Window Coverings in Oakland. “Solar shades block the sun and reflect back heat. So they’re really great … if you have a lot of windows that are facing south or west.”
“A solar shade is rated at 1 percent, 3 percent, 5 percent or 10 percent,” adds Leake. “That number (represents) the percentage of light that actually comes through the shade. It’s really meant to be used for UV protection. And you can basically see right through it” to the outdoors.
Newer to the market is the zebra shade. Composed of alternating sheer and opaque panels, zebra shades allow for great versatility as to degree of privacy. You can align the opaque panels to shield the interior from prying eyes or line up the sheer panels to allow more light penetration.
On the pricier end of the scale are blinds known primarily by their brand name, Silhouette.
“Silhouettes are really elegant ... and they do a really good job for privacy,” Leake advises. “These treatments feature a layer of sheer fabric on either side of the vanes. The facings are developed especially to diffuse sunlight into a softer, more livable, almost ethereal light.”
Area homeowners are privy to a broad variety of window covering choices that provide a range of options in terms of light penetration, thermal protection and privacy. Understanding your needs room by room will enable you to make appropriate treatment selections for your home.