Lighting psychologically affects our concentration, focus, stress levels, and happiness. Happiness, in particular, is profoundly impacted by natural lighting, and regular exposure to light throughout the day may help the body’s circadian rhythms stay in sync and improve well-being. It’s common for homeowners to utilize sunrooms with bay windows and skylights to bring natural light into the home. The problem with sunlight, however, is that it also brings higher temperatures, and the light itself can fade and damage belongings.
Luckily, Rivas TechGroup partners with Lutron, whose shade control solutions are the best way to help you regulate indoor sunlight to keep things comfortable and protected. With over 20 years of experience in the automated shading industry, Lutron is the world leader in precision-controlled, motorized shades, offering multiple shade styles and over 1,000 materials and fabrics to meet any budget and aesthetic.
Roller Shades
Roller shades are ideal for homeowners who prefer a sleek and simple design that blends into the rest of the home’s decor. Roller shades are more cost-effective than other shades without sacrificing light-blocking abilities. On days you are home, you can use a schedule for your blinds that align with the placement of the sun and the direction your windows face. For example, when the sun rises in the east, your west-facing windows can be fully exposed to the light, but at sunset, those blinds are closed to prevent an overload of heat and light streaming into your home. For more efficiency, switch between shade schedules on your tablet or a voice command to your home assistant. World-leading textile manufacturers provide three types of fabrics for roller shades; sheer to preserve views to the outside and filter sunlight, translucent to transform harsh daylight into a soft glow, and blackout to block light from entering a space.
Drapery Track Systems
Drapery systems utilize pinch pleat or ripple fold curtains to provide chic and convenient light control. Lutron offers drapery made with a Customer’s Own Material (COM) to allow your window treatments to match your home’s textiles and furnishings. Depending on the material and tightness of installation, your drapery can efficiently trap heat outside in the summertime and inside during the winter. You’ll find that you can save significantly on your energy bills when your shades do more work, keeping the heat where you want it.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are growing in popularity as a window treatment in modern households due to their ease of use and aesthetic. This style of window treatment is known for being energy efficient. Compared to other shades, they offer precise temperature control and may even block sunlight entirely. The best Roman shades are insulated with thermal acrylic foam, cut to the perfect size, and ideal for maintaining the temperature of your home’s interior. However, you are free to select between a wide range of colors and materials for your desired style of shades.
Wood Blinds
Wooden blinds are made of natural materials like bamboo and reeds and can fit most window widths or heights. Optional blackout liners provide extra privacy and cool darkness for days you want to sleep late. Woven shades also block 100% of UVA and UVB rays from the sun and are eco-friendly. Motorizing window treatments are beneficial with woven wood shades, which are heavier than others. Pair most wooden shades with a remote or smartphone to control the motorization. Family members who cannot operate manual blinds will find a convenient control solution with home assistants like Alexa and Google.
Honeycomb Shades
Insulated cellular shades are particularly effective in hot weather due to their honeycomb-layered design. These shades can reduce unwanted solar heat that seeps in through windows by up to 60%. Schedule your cellular shades to open in the cool mornings and evenings and close for the heat of the afternoon with a seasonally-optimized schedule that maximizes the comfort of your home. That means you can enjoy the morning light as you get ready for work with no need to remember to close the blinds before leaving the house. And when you return home, your automated shades will unfold so the final daylight hours can light up your home.
Benefits of Automated Shades
Overall, the shades can help you minimize temperature, control costs, and save energy regardless of the season. Motorized blinds operate independently or with other devices in a centralized system. This integration allows your blinds to work alongside your thermostat and automated lighting to adjust the home’s lighting and temperature. As you wrap up for the night and head to bed, close the blinds and turn down the AC with the touch of a button.
No matter the style you choose, Rivas TechGroup offers a range of automated shades that are an effective energy management solution that will keep your home cool even on the hottest days. As a proud provider of all Lutron products, we will provide the entire shading solution, from the hardware, power supplies, and shade itself. Whether you have questions about the different styles or you’re ready to bring automated shading solutions to your home, contact us today to get started!
