We’ve spoken with experts from all kinds of specialties – and you’d be surprised what we’ve learned. The addition of shading to a home ( or even a business), can add benefits that are very real and highly appreciated. We’ll start with the most obvious and expand from there.
Privacy – This is usually the first thing that people think they need shades for. They want to be able to relax at home, be with their family, enjoy their entertainment in the privacy of their home. Today’s motorized shades are the perfect solution to deliver these benefits. And with the specialty shades available – almost any kind of privacy can be provided. E.G. if you wish to see out the tops of your windows while the bottoms are covered by shading – no problem. Top-down-bottom up shades can do that at the push of a button. Or just about any other configuration you can think of!
Comfort – Visual and Temperature – Everyone wants to be more comfortable when in their home. We’ve all had the experience of sitting down in the “wrong” chair when the sun is low in the sky (early morning or late afternoon, and been blinded by sun coming straight in. You literally have to change your seat to be able to see!
But shades help control temperature too. We lived in Reno, Nevada for a few years. One of the reasons we chose this particular home was the incredible views from a 40’ roofed-over patio with 180-degree views of the mountains and a built-in fireplace as well. It was a fabulous place for a drink with sunset, dinner at dusk or even an afternoon BBQ. Luckily the previous owner had installed shading that went between the 4 pillars and could drop down almost to the Mexican tile floor. But if not for those shades we would have been blinded at every sunset – and roasted all summer long. By having those shades we gained an extra 600 square feet of living space – and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors 10 months out of the year.
Sun and UV Protection – It’s hard to appreciate the strength of the sun’s UV rays – until you look at a couch or a picture that has been exposed to sunlight for a period of time. We had a wonderful denim couch that was our favorite for a long time – until we discovered that thanks to our lack of shades – it had become a two-tone denim couch. So that was the couch that went to college – and cost me a new couch!
Along the same topic – protection from the power of the sun can take on much stronger financial implications! If your home is graced by artwork of any type – paintings, sculptures, crafts, etc. – it behooved you to make sure they are not exposed to the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Don’t take this to mean that you have to endure having your home resemble a sunless warehouse on those sunny days. There are shade options that screen out the sun’s power, yet allow you to still enjoy the views that mean so much to you.
Wind, Rain and Weather Protection – The latest advances in shade protection have gotten very robust indeed! With storms and hurricanes getting more dangerous with each passing year. And many of these wonderful outdoor living spaces have lovely furniture, TV, plants, rugs, art and more in them. The shading industry has responded with the creation of shades precisely for protection from storms, winds, rain and more. These new shade solutions can be clear, they can be partially darkened (for shading), and they withstand significant forces. There are even automatic weather sensors like the Breeze Pro from Bond that will activate your shades when the wind is above a certain speed – or if it starts to rain.
Automated shading solutions – Everyone’s life these days is busier than ever before. Lots of folks just aren’t able to be there at the right moment to lower the shades to protect their home from the sun – or raise them after the early morning light – or lower them as the sun goes down. Enter the automated home! Whatever the optimum timing for the control of your shades can now be accomplished by clever systems from folks like Josh.ai.