Let there be light — or shade

New windows, unsullied by dust, weather, smudges and fingerprints, can bring unexpected joy upon moving into a brand-new home. That said, you’ll need to cover most of them to a degree.

With new construction, you can count on having Low-e windows with UV protection and heat reflective properties that keep heat out on warm days and retain heat on cooler days. Your window treatments don’t have to do as much work as in an older house, but they can if you want them to.

Imagine in advance how you will live in each room or space in your new house. Be sure to write down which direction each room faces, noting that west- and south-facing windows get the most sun exposure.

Next, consider not only the function of each window treatment but how they look, both from the inside and the outside. Keep in mind functional needs while looking at window treatments that are popular for their style, flexibility and durability.

Roman shades

There’s a belief that Roman shades have been used since the time of the Roman Empire, and for good reason. Roman shades provide timeless beauty while offering a range of light filtering or blocking options as ideal for Rome’s climate as it is for California’s.

Using either a cord or a cordless system, properly fitted Roman shades fold evenly when raised open. When closed, they cover the entire window.

These classic shades blend the warmth, softness and texture of fabric with the functionality of adjustable blinds. Roman shades are a terrific choice for bedrooms, powder rooms or casual living areas. And in bedrooms, you can add blackout liners to Roman shades.

Keep in mind that, given their weight, especially with blackout liners, Roman shades are best for standard-size or narrower windows, as they can get cumbersome to raise and lower at wider widths. For wider windows, especially in a great room or living room, consider either a lighter-weight fabric or double-hung Roman shades.

Roller shades and roller blinds

Made from various fabrics and designs, roller shades and roller blinds are easy to use and ideal for offering sunshade, but not total darkness. They’re best for areas such as the family room, kitchen, home office or windows on staircases. The fancier the room, the fancier the fabric can be.

The more popular option, roller shades, are made from a long piece of fabric fitted carefully over a roller that is made of wood or metal. When anchored to the window, the fabric easily pulls down from the roller to cover the window.