News
Bird-Friendly Windows: Exterior Patterns and the Role of Shades
For bird-collision prevention, start with the appearance of the glass from outside. Interior shade patterns can be hidden by reflections, so a decorative sheer shade should not be treated as...
Day-Night Shade Programs: An Illustrative HVAC Evaluation Plan
This illustrative evaluation plan shows how to compare a day-night shade routine using your own records. It does not report a measured household experiment or supply an expected savings percentage....
Layering Shades and Curtains for Thermal Comfort
Layering a shade and curtains can combine different light-control and coverage functions, and the installed arrangement may contribute to thermal comfort. More layers do not guarantee a fixed energy saving;...
Summer Heat Control: Reflective Fabrics and Solar Shade Openness
Solar shade openness and solar reflectance describe different fabric properties. Openness describes the share of open area in the weave. Solar reflectance describes the share of incident solar energy reflected....
How Cellular Shades Trap Air: A Winter Window Routine
Cellular shades hold air within their honeycomb fabric structure. Lowered over a window, that structure adds resistance to heat flow and can help reduce winter heating demand. The practical result...
Motorized Roman Shades: Coordinate Folds, Power and Daily Controls
Motorized Roman shades combine folded fabric with powered lifting. Their appeal is the ability to keep the Roman appearance while reducing the need to reach the covering for every adjustment....
Zebra Shade Day/Night Control: Open Bands, Privacy and Light Gaps
The “day/night” description of zebra shades refers to changing the overlap of their sheer and solid bands. It is a useful way to adjust a room through the day, but...
Integrating Shades With Smart Lights and Thermostats
A useful connected-home scene solves a specific room problem: reduce screen glare, close the shades before lights reveal the interior, or prepare a living room for a film. Start with...
Smart Shades While Traveling: Privacy and Away-Routine Planning
Smart shades can repeat chosen opening and closing routines while you travel, but visible movement is not a guaranteed deterrent or a substitute for home security. Plan them first for...
Shade Schedules by Sun Path: Plan Controls and Useful Positions
A useful smart-shade schedule puts the covering in the position you need before unwanted sun, glare or lost privacy becomes a problem. Automation can make that routine easier to repeat,...
Seven Shade Automation Ideas to Check for Your IFTTT Setup
Use IFTTT shade ideas only where your exact motor/controller and the required services support the trigger and action. A motorized shade is not automatically IFTTT-compatible, and a familiar brand name...
Smart Shade Controls for Beginners: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Power
A smart shade setup has several parts: a motor that moves the covering, a power source and a control path. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth describes part of that control path; it...
