Reno homeowners deal with a combination of environmental conditions that most window treatments are not fully equipped to handle on their own. The sun is intense for much of the year, summer heat builds quickly inside rooms with unprotected glass, and the long daylight hours of summer can disrupt sleep schedules for the entire household. Blackout shades address these issues in a direct and practical way, and they do it without requiring major changes to the home. Horizon Window Fashions works with Reno homeowners to find the right blackout shade options for each space, providing custom Hunter Douglas solutions that fit both the window and the way the room is actually used.
Windows are one of the least insulated parts of a home's exterior envelope, and in a climate like Reno's, that gap in thermal performance becomes noticeable in energy bills across multiple seasons. During summer, sunlight passing through unprotected glass transfers significant heat directly into the room, which raises interior temperatures and increases the demand on air conditioning systems to maintain comfortable conditions. Blackout shades use dense, opaque materials that block a meaningful portion of that solar heat gain before it reaches the interior space, particularly on east and west-facing windows where direct sun exposure is longest and most intense. Reducing that heat load during peak afternoon hours gives cooling systems less work to do and allows the room to maintain a steadier temperature throughout the day.
Winter performance works in the complementary direction. The same material density that resists heat gain in summer also creates an insulating buffer at the window that slows heat loss during cold nights. Reno winters can drop sharply after sunset, and windows without adequate covering allow warm interior air to transfer outward through the glass and frame. A properly fitted blackout shade creates an additional thermal barrier that helps retain warmth inside the room without placing additional demand on the heating system. Over the course of a full heating season, that performance at the window contributes to a more consistent interior temperature and lower energy consumption.
Getting the full energy benefit from blackout shades depends on accurate fitting and proper installation. A shade that leaves gaps at the sides, top, or bottom of the window opening allows heat and light to enter and exit through those spaces even when the shade appears fully deployed. Horizon Window Fashions measures each window precisely and installs shades to fit the specific opening rather than applying a standard size that approximates the right dimensions. That attention to fit is what allows the thermal performance of the shade material to translate into actual results in the home rather than only on a specification sheet.
Reno's long summer days mean that meaningful daylight persists well into the evening hours and returns early in the morning, which creates a real challenge for anyone whose sleep schedule does not align perfectly with those natural light patterns. Parents putting young children to bed before sunset, shift workers sleeping during daylight hours, and anyone who simply prefers a darker room for more restful sleep all face this challenge in ways that a light-filtering or room-darkening shade cannot fully resolve. A true blackout shade blocks the incoming light much more completely than those alternatives, creating bedroom conditions that remain dark regardless of what the sky outside is doing at any given hour. That consistent darkness supports the body's natural production of melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and contributes to deeper, more sustained rest.
The difference between a room-darkening shade and a genuine blackout shade is worth understanding before making a selection. Room-darkening shades reduce the amount of light that enters a space significantly, but they allow some light to pass through the material or around the edges of the shade, which can be enough to disrupt sleep in sensitive sleepers or young children. Blackout shades use materials that are fully opaque and, when correctly fitted, close off the window opening more completely. For bedrooms where light control is the primary goal, that distinction matters and is worth specifying clearly when shopping rather than assuming that any shade labeled as darkening will perform at the same level.
Children's rooms are one of the most common spaces where parents discover how much the quality of the shade affects sleep outcomes. Nap times during bright afternoon hours, early bedtimes in summer, and early morning wake-ups driven by sunrise light are all easier to manage when the room can be made genuinely dark on demand. Blackout shades reno families install in children's bedrooms tend to improve both the ease of getting children to sleep and the duration of that sleep, which creates downstream benefits for the household's daily routine. Horizon Window Fashions can help parents identify the right blackout options for children's rooms, including operating systems that are safe and easy for household use.
Reno's elevation contributes to a level of solar intensity that accelerates UV damage to interior furnishings, flooring, and fabrics more quickly than many homeowners expect when they move to the area. Hardwood floors, area rugs, upholstered furniture, and artwork all experience fading and surface degradation from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight through unprotected windows. This damage is cumulative and largely irreversible without replacement or refinishing, which makes prevention through window coverage a more cost-effective approach than waiting for the damage to become visible before taking action. Blackout shades provide a consistent barrier against UV exposure whenever they are deployed, which reduces the rate at which interior surfaces deteriorate over time.
During Reno's hottest weeks, when temperatures can climb well above one hundred degrees, the interior of a home with several unprotected south or west-facing windows can become difficult to cool even with a well-functioning air conditioning system. The radiant heat load from direct sun through glass adds to the ambient temperature in a way that the thermostat registers as a demand for additional cooling capacity. Deploying blackout shades during peak sun hours interrupts that radiant heat before it enters the room and reduces the temperature differential the cooling system has to overcome. Rooms that receive direct afternoon sun tend to show the most significant improvement in comfort and energy consumption when fitted with a shade that blocks rather than filters incoming solar energy.
The combination of UV blocking and thermal performance makes blackout shades a practical choice for sun-exposed rooms beyond the bedroom context. Home offices, media rooms, and living spaces with large west-facing windows all benefit from the ability to control light and heat independently of what the weather is doing outside. Horizon Window Fashions offers a range of Hunter Douglas blackout and room-darkening shade collections in different fabrics, colors, and operating systems so that the functional choice and the design choice can work together rather than requiring a trade-off between performance and appearance.
Standard light-filtering shades provide a reasonable degree of privacy during daylight hours because the exterior is typically brighter than the interior, which makes it difficult to see inside from the street or a neighboring property. That natural privacy disappears in the evening when interior lighting reverses the equation and makes rooms clearly visible from outside. Blackout shades maintain consistent privacy regardless of the time of day or the light conditions on either side of the glass, because the opaque material blocks the view in both directions whenever the shade is lowered. For homeowners in Reno neighborhoods where windows face directly toward neighboring homes or active streets, that all-day, all-evening privacy is a meaningful practical benefit.
Ground-floor rooms and rooms with windows at eye level from adjacent properties are the spaces where privacy concerns tend to be most acute. A living room or home office visible from a sidewalk or a neighboring porch creates a subtle but persistent sense of exposure that affects how comfortably the space is used. Lowering a blackout shade in those situations provides an immediate and complete visual barrier that does not require managing curtains or adjusting the position of furniture to stay out of sight. The shade goes up when the view or the natural light is wanted and comes down when privacy or darkness is the priority.
Blackout shades reno homeowners install for privacy often discover that the thermal and light control benefits they were not specifically shopping for become equally appreciated over time. A shade selected primarily for its privacy performance in a street-facing living room also reduces afternoon heat gain during summer and provides the option of a darker environment for daytime movie watching or video calls. That layered functionality makes blackout shades a more versatile investment than a single-purpose solution, and it explains why homeowners who install them in one room often extend the same treatment to additional windows throughout the house. Horizon Window Fashions helps homeowners think through which rooms and windows benefit most from full blackout performance and which spaces might be well-served by a room-darkening option that balances light control with a softer daytime look.
Reno's climate and residential environment create a specific set of conditions that blackout shades are particularly well-suited to address. The combination of intense sun, high summer heat, long daylight hours, and close neighborhood proximity makes light control, thermal performance, UV protection, and privacy all legitimate daily concerns rather than occasional inconveniences. A well-chosen and properly fitted blackout shade handles all of these needs through a single window covering that performs consistently across seasons and hours of the day. Horizon Window Fashions brings product knowledge, precise measurement, and professional installation to the process so that the shades a homeowner selects actually deliver on the performance and appearance the space requires. Reaching out to schedule a consultation is the practical first step for homeowners ready to address these issues with a solution that fits their specific windows and rooms.
Window treatments do a lot of quiet work in a home. They manage light, provide privacy, contribute to the room's overall feel, and in some cases affect how efficiently a space holds temperature. For Reno homeowners evaluating their options, the cordless window shade has become one of the more practical choices available because it addresses several of these needs at once without introducing the visual clutter or safety concerns that corded systems carry. Horizon Window Fashions works with homeowners across the Reno area to find window covering solutions that fit the way each household actually lives, and cordless shades come up consistently as a strong fit for families, renovators, and anyone who values a clean, functional home environment.
Dangling window cords have been identified as a household safety hazard for young children and pets for decades, and the concern is well-documented by consumer safety organizations. Cords that hang freely from window treatments create an entanglement risk that is easy to overlook because the danger is not obvious in the same way a sharp edge or an open outlet might be. Young children can become entangled quickly and without warning, which is why safety advocates consistently recommend eliminating exposed cords wherever possible in homes with young children. A cordless window shade removes that specific risk from the equation by eliminating the cord entirely from the operating mechanism.
The appeal of cordless designs extends to pet owners as well, since cats in particular are drawn to hanging cords and can become tangled or pull shades loose in ways that create both safety and damage concerns. Replacing corded treatments with cordless alternatives is one of the more straightforward changes a household can make to reduce these risks without a major renovation. The change also tends to be invisible to guests and visitors, since the finished look of a cordless shade does not advertise that a safety-motivated choice was made. It simply looks like a well-chosen, well-fitted window covering.
Horizon Window Fashions helps Reno homeowners identify the right cordless operating systems for their specific windows, since the mechanism that works well on a standard bedroom window may differ from what makes sense on a large picture window or a window in a high-traffic family room. Different operating options suit different situations, and getting a recommendation based on the actual window and how the room is used produces a better outcome than selecting a system from a catalog without that context. The safety benefit of a cordless window shade is most fully realized when the system is properly fitted and easy enough to operate that the household actually uses it as intended every day.
The visual difference between a corded and a cordless window shade is most apparent when you stand back and look at the window as part of the room rather than as an isolated fixture. Corded shades introduce a vertical line that pulls the eye regardless of how tidy the cord is kept, and over time cords tend to twist, fray, or shift in ways that add visual noise to an otherwise clean space. A cordless shade presents a flat, uninterrupted surface from top to bottom, which allows the fabric, color, and texture of the shade itself to read clearly without distraction. That simplicity tends to photograph well and holds up over time without the gradual deterioration that corded hardware can show.
For Reno homeowners working on renovation projects or furnishing a new home, window treatments are one of those finishing details that either reinforce or undercut the overall aesthetic of a space. Rooms with clean lines, modern furniture, and intentional color palettes benefit from window coverings that do not introduce visual complexity that was not planned for. A cordless window shade sits quietly in the window opening and lets the rest of the room do its work. That quality makes cordless options a reliable choice for contemporary design environments where simplicity and restraint are part of the overall intent.
The appeal extends into more traditional home styles as well, since the absence of cords reads as neat and considered regardless of the broader design direction. A well-fitted cordless shade in a classic fabric and color complements traditional interiors just as naturally as it fits a modern one. Horizon Window Fashions carries a range of cordless shade options in materials, opacities, and colors that work across different home styles, so the choice does not require sacrificing design flexibility in the interest of safety and clean lines. The result is a window treatment that works on multiple levels without requiring any trade-offs that compromise the look of the space.
Reno's climate asks a lot of window treatments over the course of a year. Summer sun comes in at a high angle for extended hours, and winter days shift quickly between brightness and cold. A shade that can be positioned precisely and adjusted easily throughout the day gives a homeowner practical tools for managing both solar heat gain in summer and heat retention in winter. Cordless shades tend to encourage more active use because the operation is simpler and faster than corded alternatives, which means the shade actually gets moved up and down in response to changing conditions rather than sitting in one position for days at a time.
The relationship between shade position and room temperature is straightforward: a shade lowered during peak afternoon sun keeps a room noticeably cooler without requiring the air conditioning system to compensate as much. Cellular or honeycomb shades, which trap air in their structure, add an additional layer of insulation value at the window that reduces heat transfer in both directions. When those shades operate on a cordless system, the ease of adjustment makes it more likely that a household actually uses them in a way that delivers that thermal benefit consistently. A shade that is convenient to use gets used more often, and that frequency of use is where the practical energy benefit accumulates.
Horizon Window Fashions can help homeowners identify which shade materials and operating systems make the most sense for the light and temperature management goals of each room. North-facing windows have different needs than south-facing ones, and rooms used primarily in the morning operate differently than spaces that get heavy afternoon use. A cordless window shade selected with those specifics in mind performs more effectively than a generic choice made without that context. That kind of thoughtful matching between product and application is a practical reason to work with a local specialist rather than selecting a shade based on appearance alone.
Cordless window shades and motorized window shades are related but distinct categories, and understanding that distinction helps homeowners choose the right system for each situation. A standard cordless shade operates manually without a cord, using a mechanism that allows the shade to be raised or lowered by hand with a simple push or pull. A motorized shade takes the cordless concept further by adding a motor that allows the shade to be controlled remotely, through a wall switch, a remote, or a connected home automation system. Both eliminate exposed cords, but motorized systems add a layer of automation that suits certain windows and certain households particularly well.
For windows that are difficult to reach, very large, or positioned in spaces where manual adjustment is inconvenient, motorized operation provides a level of practicality that a standard cordless system cannot. Skylights, high clerestory windows, and windows behind furniture are common situations where motorization changes what is possible rather than simply what is convenient. Systems like Hunter Douglas PowerView allow shades to be scheduled, grouped, and controlled through an app or voice command, which brings window treatment control into the same ecosystem as other connected home devices. Horizon Window Fashions carries and installs motorized systems that integrate with these platforms for homeowners who want that level of automation as part of their setup.
The choice between a manual cordless window shade and a motorized one comes down to the specific window, the household's daily routines, and how much automation adds genuine value versus adding complexity that does not get used. For most standard bedroom and living room windows, a well-chosen manual cordless system is straightforward, reliable, and requires no batteries or programming to maintain. For households that are building out a smart home ecosystem or managing windows in hard-to-reach locations, motorized shades represent a natural extension of the cordless approach. Horizon Window Fashions helps homeowners think through those decisions window by window so that each room gets the operating system that actually fits how it is used.
Cordless window shades address several of the most common frustrations Reno homeowners express about their window treatments: the safety concern of hanging cords, the visual clutter that corded systems introduce, the missed opportunity to manage light and temperature more actively, and the gap between current window coverings and a more modern, intentional home aesthetic. None of these issues require a major renovation to address, and the change tends to be one that households notice and appreciate every day. Horizon Window Fashions brings product knowledge and local expertise to the selection and installation process so that the shades a homeowner chooses perform well for the specific windows, rooms, and lifestyle involved. Reaching out to schedule a consultation is the right first step toward window treatments that work as well as they look.
Selecting the right window treatments for your home is more than just a decorative decision; it's about enhancing your living space's functionality and aesthetic appeal. As a leading Hunter Douglas dealer in Reno, Horizon Window Fashions is here to guide you through the process, ensuring you find the perfect blend of style, efficiency, and innovation for your windows.
Before diving into the vast world of window coverings, it's crucial to understand what you expect from them. Are you looking to improve your home's energy efficiency? Perhaps you value privacy or need to control the amount of light entering a room. Hunter Douglas offers a range of products designed to meet these needs, from energy-efficient cellular shades to light-filtering sheers and room-darkening solutions. Horizon Window Fashions specializes in helping you identify which Hunter Douglas products align with your specific requirements, ensuring your window treatments are not just beautiful but also functional.
Each room in your home serves a different purpose and may benefit from specific types of window treatments. For instance, blackout shades can be ideal for bedrooms to ensure a good night's sleep, while water-resistant options are perfect for bathrooms. Living rooms and kitchens, on the other hand, might benefit from light control and UV protection without sacrificing style. Horizon Window Fashions experts can help you consider factors like room orientation, privacy needs, and the room's function to select the best Hunter Douglas treatments for each space.
Hunter Douglas products are renowned not only for their quality and functionality but also for their wide range of styles, colors, and materials. Whether your home decor is modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, Horizon Window Fashions offers personalized consultations to navigate these choices. With an extensive selection of textures and designs, our experts can assist you in finding window coverings that complement your existing interior design or help you make a bold new statement.
Hunter Douglas is at the forefront of window treatment innovation, offering features like motorization & Bluetooth that can be enabled from your phone or tablet for added convenience and advanced materials for improved energy efficiency. Horizon Window Fashions embraces these innovations, providing customized solutions that integrate seamlessly into your smart home systems or meet specific environmental challenges. Our team is dedicated to tailoring Hunter Douglas products to your unique needs, from automated shades that adjust with the time of day to energy-efficient designs that help maintain comfortable temperatures year-round.
As your local Hunter Douglas dealer near Reno-Tahoe and Truckee, Horizon Window Fashions is committed to delivering exceptional service and quality. We invite you to visit us online or in-store to explore the full range of Hunter Douglas window treatments. Schedule a free consultation today, and let our experts provide personalized advice tailored to your home's needs. Choose Horizon for expert installation services, local support, and a dedication to enhancing your living spaces with the finest window coverings available.
In Reno, we've come to know our fair share of scorching summer days. Finding an effective way to keep our homes cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient during these sweltering months can be quite the challenge. Thankfully, we now have an innovative and sophisticated solution from Horizon Window Fashions: the PowerView Automation system.
PowerView Automation is an advanced window treatment system that allows your motorized drapes and shutters to move in harmony with the sun's trajectory. This automation system not only revolutionizes how we manage the amount of sunlight entering our homes but also enhances our control over indoor temperatures and energy efficiency.
By automating your window treatments to open with the sunrise, tilt during peak sun intensity, and close after sunset, you're maintaining an optimal indoor climate throughout the day without constant manual adjustment. This ingenious application of technology makes PowerView Automation an integral part of any smart home setup.
PowerView Automation makes it easy to capitalize on the sun's daily patterns for maximum insulation. By managing heat gain during the summer months, you can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce strain on your cooling system, leading to significant savings on your energy bills.
With PowerView Automation, you're not merely adopting a new gadget; you're investing in an energy-conscious future. This forward-thinking approach aligns with global efforts towards more sustainable living practices, making PowerView Automation an environmentally-friendly addition to your Reno home.
PowerView Automation is not a one-size-fits-all system; it's designed to work seamlessly with a variety of window treatments, allowing you to tailor your choice based on your aesthetic and functional preferences. Be it motorized drapes, shutters, shades, or blinds, PowerView Automation integrates with your chosen window treatments, adding a touch of sophistication and ease to your life.
Motorized drapes offer an elegant touch to any room, enhancing coziness while providing excellent insulation. Shutters, on the other hand, bring a classic aesthetic appeal and superior light control. Motorized shades, available in styles ranging from roller to Roman, offer a sleek appearance paired with versatility. Blinds provide unparalleled convenience and an additional layer of privacy, with materials ranging from wood to aluminum.
PowerView Automation gives these window treatments a life of their own. Imagine your drapes, shutters, shades, or blinds adjusting themselves as per the time of the day or your preset schedules. The marriage of style and technology has never been more harmonious.
The PowerView Automation system offers multiple control options. The PowerView Automation App lets you adjust your shades from anywhere, while the stylish Pebble remote control offers in-home convenience.
For those seeking a hands-free solution, PowerView Automation works seamlessly with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Google for voice-activated control.
Beyond convenience, the ability to adjust your window treatments remotely enhances home security. Using the RemoteConnect™ feature, you can create the illusion of an occupied home, potentially deterring intruders and providing peace of mind while you're away.
The innovative design of PowerView Automation has been recognized with the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award. This award-winning design is visible in elements like the PowerView Hub, which acts as the system's control center, and the PowerView Repeater, which extends the signal range throughout your home. These components work seamlessly together, ensuring your entire home is covered and connected.
PowerView Automation offers a harmonious fusion of style, functionality, and convenience. With its intelligent features and user-friendly interface, it's an essential addition to any modern, energy-conscious home. It's not just about beating the Reno heat; it's about embracing the future of home automation and elevating your living experience. Explore the power and potential of PowerView Automation today, and transform your home into a cool, smart sanctuary with the window treatments that best suit your lifestyle and preferences. Contact us today!
Motorized blinds are a stylish and functional interior design addition for modern homes. They compliment any room by optimizing light levels and incorporating beautifully-crafted materials. Still, there are items to consider when researching whether automatic shades are for you. While Hunter Douglas PowerView® blinds can help you achieve the minimalist, modern look you’re going for, let’s take a look at realistic pros and cons that you may encounter with your purchase.
Hunter Douglass PowerView® blinds will go virtually unnoticed in your home until they retract or deploy, which is an elegantly orchestrated sight to behold. (Check out various blinds and shades in action here). Whether you're going for a sleek, modern look or something more traditional, motorized blinds can be customized to fit your decor exactly.
The design of the PowerView® housings has been honed in over the last few years into a seamless, technologically sound system. And speaking of sound – you’ll be hard pressed to hear the faint whir of the motors, as they emit only about 10 dB of noise when in operation. For reference, whispering from five feet away emits around 20 dB.
There are also a few options for how you’d like to power the system. Select from the standard hardware compatible with household alkaline batteries, or a terminal that accepts the rechargeable Hunter Douglas® battery pack. You can also opt for the hardwired route, which eliminates the need for batteries entirely. Your budget and personal preference will determine your setup, but all of these options are perfectly suitable to power your window covering investment.
Motorized blinds are an ideal option for homes with children or pets. The blinds can be set to close and open at specified times and don’t rely on pull cords. That means reduced potential for accidental tangles. You won’t be pulling down hard to retract the coverings, which sometimes fail when a large load is applied to the bracketry. And when you pre-program your PowerView® blinds, you give your furry friends the chance to look outside periodically throughout the day while still maintaining privacy and security.
Blinds with smart automation also add convenience to your life. While you’re perfectly capable of operating blinds manually, wouldn’t it be awesome if you could control them with a touch of a button? After all, the last thing you want to do is get up from the couch while you are reading or watching a flick. And when your hands are full with little ones, it’s nice to be able to tell your smart home device to “close all blinds” when you’re headed out the door to drop them off at school.
Whether you’re using the Pebble® remote control, the PowerView® app on your phone / tablet, or want to take integration a step further by pairing your smart shades with your digital home assistant, there are scalable options to conveniently position your window coverings just where you’d like them.
The beauty of PowerView® blinds is you can chose from several compatible window covering materials, a bunch of which have insulative properties. The R values of the materials alone are enough to keep the air near the windows several degrees cooler, or warmer, depending on the season. To assist in saving energy, you can set up your smart home system to respond autonomously to temperature readings in your home, then shutting or opening the coverings accordingly.
For instance, you may program your blinds to automatically close during the hottest portion of the day to reduce the need for more air conditioning, or to open on chilly but sunny days to naturally warm rooms and give your heater a break.
Of course, one of the most noticeable results of smart shades is their ability to control light levels and set the mood. PowerView® motorization can increase the amount of natural light that can enter your home, especially when used in conjunction with a smart lighting system connected through your digital assistant.
It probably doesn’t come as a shock that motorized blinds can be more expensive up front than standard window coverings. Integrated features like motors, Bluetooth connectivity, and seamless design are definitely reflected in the price. What you’re truly paying for is matching the perfect set of window coverings to your home that you’ll enjoy for years, even decades to come. There are DIY options out there, but they require intensive retrofitting, and you won’t get the same results as expertly engineered fashions. Add in the cost of installation, and Hunter Douglas shades are quite the investment. By nailing the installation and guaranteeing you’re satisfied, our team will help reaffirm that you made the right decision.
As we mentioned, one of the methods of energizing PowerView® blinds is by hard wiring them into your home’s electrical panel. If you live in an area prone to power outages, this is something to consider (we’re looking at you, California PG&E users). Power outages can also affect the wireless controls, so if you foresee this being an issue in your home, let your Reno automatic shades experts know and we’ll offer potential workarounds.
With any technology, there’s a chance for technical issues to arise. Given that automated window treatments do incorporate both physical and wireless mechanisms to operate, that’s more moving parts involved that do require attention in the rare instance they fail. Both Hunter Douglas, as well as our in-house Horizon Window Fashions experts are happy to help troubleshoot issues with reconnecting your blinds to smart devices or fixing parts if they fail.
Motorized blinds are an attractive, functional, and convenient way to help your home stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They can also boost energy efficiency and keep your family safe. Horizon Window Fashions realizes you are placing this important investment for your home into our hands, and we value that. We work hard to offer you competitive pricing as a Hunter Douglas dealer. Browse through our shades, blinds, and shutters online and take advantage of our ongoing promotions! Please reach out to our knowledgeable staff with any questions you may have. We’re excited to match your needs with the perfect set of motorized window coverings!
Smart homes were once a pipe dream from days past. In the 50’s, companies promised us instant meal machines, stowaway appliances, and robot assistants to free up tasks and streamline the home. While the level of mechanized automation portrayed in mid-century TV shows never quite caught on, there has been promising progress in making smart home convenience a reality for the masses.
Hunter Douglas® Blinds has embraced emerging smart home technology in recent years, creating the Powerview® line of motorized shades, blinds, and draperies that integrate seamlessly with home automation systems. Syncing window treatments to work in unison with smart lights, your thermostat, and entertainment system is at the top of the list of advantages when going motorized. Let’s explore more benefits of smart blinds here!
Closing the blinds when it gets dark so the neighbors can’t see you in full view, then opening them again in the morning to let in the sun isn’t so hard to do. But do this simple task 365 days a year, and suddenly, the time and energy spent going around the house adjusting blinds can add up. Hunter Douglas motorized blinds can be programmed to open and close at specific times, and can even learn when to open/close to keep your home in ideal light. No more rushing around in the morning adjusting blinds when you’re late for work.
Sunlight pouring in usually means added heat in your home, especially during hot summer months when the rays are most powerful. Not only does closing the blinds cut down on heat, the blinds themselves will act as an insulating barrier. Conversely, when you want to let in sun in the winter months, smart blinds can be programmed to automatically open when the rays come shining to gently warm your house and reduce your heating bill. Control over light means control over your utility bill by letting the PowerView app set the best time to open and close your shades, depending on your location and time of year.
On the topic of letting light in when desired, smart blinds can help protect your interior from harmful UV rays. Whether it’s your furniture, priceless pictures, or family heirlooms on the shelf, Hunter Douglas motorized blinds can close automatically to shield your items. Especially if you have out of reach windows, automated blinds are a great option for adjusting the level of UV ray protection.
When you were a kid, do you remember playing with (and possibly breaking) your home’s blinds by pulling on the adjustment cord? Us too. Hunter Douglas motorized blinds are wrapped up in a sleek, cord-free unit that eliminates those mishaps. Not only that, the cord-free designs keep your children and pets from getting accidentally entangled, which in rare cases leads to asphyxiation and injury.
Just like the time-tested trick of putting interior lights on a timer when you’re on vacation, positioning your blinds to make it look like your home can prevent burglary. Combined with your home’s front camera and some automated lights, motorized blinds can effectively keep your home from becoming easy prey for drive-by opportunists.
Digital Assistants like Google Home®, Amazon Alexa®, and Apple HomeKit® are commonplace in many homes. These internet-capable devices already utilize data points to turn your thermostat on, tell you the weather, and operate your entertainment center. Why not add motorized blinds to the lineup? And for those who don’t have a digital assistant, Hunter Douglas offers their own version, the Gateway®. Make your blinds operate autonomously by integrating them with the assistant of your choice.
In many parts of America, it’s still a seller’s market. Whether you’re trying to sell a beloved home, or are a home flipper, adding motorized blinds can give you a leg up on the appraisal. Smart blinds also make your home stand out on tours. People will see up to a dozen homes a day when looking. They’ll remember the one with the smart blinds!
Entertaining friends? Watching a movie? Use a voice command, the Powerview app, or remote-control to set the mood. The PowerView app can also store preset “scenes” to orchestrate the level of light, your BBQ playlist, and more to create the perfect mood for the moment.
Being jolted awake by an alarm is not pleasant. Maybe it’s a necessity on work days, but on the weekends, ditch the alarm and wake up with the sun. Program your shades to gently let in light, and ease into your morning. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you!
Often times, the homeowners that come in looking for automated blinds consist of two personalities. One partner enjoys picking out the type of window covering and perfect fabric, while the other enjoys learning about all the technology integrated in PowerView blinds. Regardless of which category you fit under, the staff at Horizon Window Fashions has the knowledge to make the shopping experience fun and informative for anyone.
You’ll likely discover even more benefits of motorized blinds based on your unique needs as a homeowner. As the Reno area’s Hunter Douglas Blinds supplier, Horizon Window Fashions can help you navigate the types of window coverings available with motorized capabilities. Book an appointment and tell our knowledgeable staff about your project! We’ll help you discover how motorized blinds can bring your home into the new era of automation.
When it comes to selecting new window furnishings, we’ve got you (and your windows) covered! Shades, shutters, and blinds are a great investment in the look, feel, and functionality of your home. And in this age of smart homes, it’s no surprise that automated blinds are growing in popularity. Since 1999, Horizon Window Fashions has been adopting the latest technologies, then mastering the selection, installation, and customer support behind them. As a Hunter Douglas certified dealer, we carry motorized blinds that increase automation, energy savings, and enjoyment of your home.
Motorized window coverings are an efficient solution to optimize the positioning of your blinds throughout the day. Maybe you want to be able to shut all blinds simultaneously when heading out the door. Perhaps you desire the ability to adjust your shades remotely while out of town or at work. Or it could be that your windows are out of reach and you want a solution to control light levels up high. Whatever your needs are, Horizon Window Fashions will help you find the Hunter Douglas motorized shades that cater to your unique situation.
Hunter Douglas motorized blinds feature discrete, rechargeable battery packs that can last up to a year on a single charge. Operation of the blinds can be set up through the PowerView® smart phone app, remotely controlled via the Pebble® wireless remote, or connected with the PowerView Gateway Hub® for completely autonomous operation. PowerView blinds also integrate seamlessly with home assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and as of May 2022, Hunter Douglas has incorporated Bluetooth® technology into new systems for two-way communication between your shades and the PowerView system. It’s entirely up to you to choose the level of automation you desire. Whether you’d like the blinds to operate on preset schedules, be adjusted with your fingertips, or be at your beckoned voice command, there’s a solution and style waiting just for you.
Light is a powerful energy source that is waiting to be harnessed (or blocked out) in your home. In the winter, Hunter Douglas power blinds can be programmed to let in light, and welcome heat while you’re away. In these hot summer months, automated blinds can block out harsh UV rays that are silently driving up your energy bill and causing fading to your furniture, flooring, and priceless pictures. Some compatible fashions even feature a honeycomb design that insulates your windows further against heat and cold. The high desert of Northern Nevada sees temperature swings from single to triple digits, and an average of 250+ days of sunshine a year. Investing in Hunter Douglas power shades is one more way to bolster your home’s energy-saving defenses in our unique climate.
A home is typically the biggest purchase made in our lifetimes. Some upgrades you make won’t have much impact on the value of the home, but motorized window fashions definitely do – especially when done right. DIY motorized conversion kits do exist on the market, but the online reviews say it all. Big, clunky motors. Loud gear drives. Cords in plain sight. As they say, buy nice or buy twice. Conserve your DIY energy for other projects in your home, but for a seamless fit & functionality, leave power shade installation up to the pros.
The automated blind selection process can be overwhelming. Our customers have come to rely on Horizon Window Furnishings for prompt installation service, a strong manufacturer warranty, and friendly customer service to help you navigate the array of window covering options available. We’ll help you select a style of automated shutters, blinds, roller shades, or drapery to compliment your home.
Our in-house team of skilled, trained window fashion experts is among the best in the state – all certified in Hunter Douglas products. With our Gallery website tab, you can get inspired. Once you have an idea of what you like, schedule a Powerview™ Automation Consultation so we can begin working with you on a custom automated window covering solution for your Reno home!
With summer quickly approaching, the Reno area is about to get scorching hot. With UV levels being at their height during this time of the year, it’s important that you make sure your window shades will keep out unwanted sunlight and heat. This summer, give Hunter Douglas solar shades a try! They’re specifically designed to maximize your views while adequately filtering out unwanted light. Learn more about our summer solar shades below.
Hunter Douglas solar shades, which may also be called sun shades, are roller shades that are specifically crafted to create a balance of light and visibility in your home. Solar shades are often rated by an openness percentage that determines just how much light will be able to come through the shades and how well you can see out of them. Their fabric is woven just tight enough to block light, protect against UV rays, and reduce glare, while leaving your views unobstructed.
You can rely on your solar shades to keep unwanted sunlight and heat out of your home throughout the hot summer months.
Openness refers to how tightly woven your solar shade fabrics are. The percentage of openness for shades varies from 0-14% with 0% being the lowest and 14% being the highest. The lower the percentage, the more tightly woven the fabric is, resulting in less light penetrating your home and limiting visibility. The higher the percentage of openness, the looser the fabric is woven. These shades block out less sunlight but provide greater visibility of your views.
When it comes to choosing the best solar shades for you, the decision will depend on how much light you want to filter out and how much visibility you wish to keep.
With hundreds of fabrics and opacities, numerous decorative options, and a variety of top and bottom treatments, you can customize your solar shades to fit your personal taste. Designer Screen Shades are available in widths ranging from 12" to 192" and heights from 12" to 144". They can also fit bay and corner windows as the materials are custom made to fit. However, when it comes time to choose a color, we recommend thinking about the location of the window and your desired effects of the window covering. Lighter colors better reflect heat and illuminate a room, but the view might be a little hazy. (similar to that of sheers). Dark colors, on the other hand, are excellent at reducing glare and providing better view-through.
From selecting materials and colors to expert measurement and installation, our window-treatment specialists can help you find the perfect window treatments for your home.
Aside from being available in just about every color, style, or fabric imaginable, solar shades have a wide range of benefits. From being energy efficient to preventing sun damage, solar shades are a must-have in your home. Check out the benefits of Hunter Douglas solar shades for your home:
We are happy to offer a completely free consultation to any and all customers interested in customized window coverings. By coming to your home and assessing your needs, we are attempting to streamline the process of choosing the best treatments for your windows, putting you and your family first. Whether you’re looking for Hunter Douglas solar shades or want something else to adorn your windows, we’re here to help.
If you’re interested in window coverings but aren’t fully committed, simply fill out our contact form or give us a call at 775.853.2025 and we are happy to provide you with any information you need!
A quality window covering should be functional, stylish, and energy-efficient. Not only do you want your window shades to look nice and match the aesthetic of your home, but you also need them to be able to keep out unwanted sunlight and prevent air leakage. If you’re looking for a solution that checks every box, then check out some of the best insulating window shades Reno has to offer at Horizon Window Fashions.
Horizon Window Fashions is a Hunter Douglas shades supplier in Reno that’s eager to transform your space with custom window shades. Ask us about our collection of window shades, shutters, and blinds today!
Insulating window shades are great for energy savings all year round. The honeycomb construction of cellular insulation shades helps regulate indoor temperatures by retaining heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Because of this, cellular insulating shades are the most favored performing window coverings to maintain room temperatures. Hunter Douglas insulating shades are designed for optimal energy efficiency and are tailored to match the look and feel of your home. The top four insulating window shades from Hunter Douglas include:
The DuetteⓇ ArchitellaⓇ cellular shades take the honeycomb construction to the next level. For even greater insulation, the DuetteⓇ ArchitellaⓇ shades contain a honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design. This construction holds more layers of fabric that are able to trap in more air for greater energy efficiency. The honeycomb pattern has been considered one of the most popular cellular shades among Hunter Douglas owners for its top-notch quality and performance. Duette Architella Honeycomb Shades also come in vertical side-to-side openings, sliding glass doors or as room dividers, Vertiglide™.
The Applause Shades from Hunter Douglas are a collection of honeycomb shades that are known for their energy efficiency. Their classic honeycomb design traps air in discrete pockets hidden in between the front and rear of your shades. They create insulation that keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And by creating insulation right at your window, you’ll save energy without having to lift a finger. Vertiglide™ is also available for Applause Shades.
Roman shades are highly sought after for their elegant look and versatility. They have a luxurious look and feel that makes home much more comfortable and chic than other options. And now, with the SoleraⓇ Soft Shades from Hunter Douglas, you can have the look of Roman shades and the insulating abilities of a cellular shade. SoleraⓇ Soft Shades feature soft folds that create air-trapping pockets for added insulation right at your window. These shades are available in woven and nonwoven fabrics, a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, and in both light-filtering and room-darkening opacities.
Roller shades are preferred for their sleek and smooth look. Though this style isn’t typically considered to be insulating, the SonnetteⓇ Cellular Roller Shades are here to change that. The SonnetteⓇ shades from Hunter Douglas combine the insulating construction of a cellular shade with the clean lines and simplicity of a roller shade. SonnetteⓇ shades’ curved shape gently softens light coming in for a nice low glow. This improves energy efficiency in your home and allows you to control the amount of light coming through your shades. You can choose from four separate fabric collections in 48 different colors ranging from neutrals to vivid hues. These shades are also available in both light-filtering and room-darkening opacities.
To enhance your window coverings and energy efficiency even greater, pair your Hunter Douglas insulated window shades with our PowerView Automation feature. Window treatment automation allows you to position your Hunter Douglas motorized drapes and shades according to the sun’s daily patterns to ensure maximum insulation in the summer and winter. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation.