Balanced Light: Where are Your Windows Facing?

The direction your home faces, and the windows throughout it, can be important factors. In order to reap the most benefits from the natural light and be able to control how the sun lights up your home, it’s key to know which direction each window is facing. The sun plays a strong role in how, and when, certain rooms can be used. Balanced light in a space comes about when the right window solutions are introduced and can work with the natural light instead of against it. 

 

The Sun Rises in the East

The first bit of morning light comes from the East. If some of your East facing windows are located in a bedroom, it can mean early wake ups. Room darkening or blackout shades will provide you a darker haven to be able to sleep in, especially on those weekend mornings. 

Eastward windows with roller shades in Cleveland OH
Designer Banded Shades

Even if your East windows are not in a bedroom, light filtering shades can be a great option! These will help you to filter the morning light as well as soften the strong midday rays that can cause glare.

 

Late Afternoon Sun with West Facing Windows

Westward facing windows mean lots of sunshine pouring in, especially in the warm afternoon hours of spring and summer. With a lot of natural sunlight flowing in, warmer interior temperatures can also come about. This can mean that by mid-afternoon it’s no longer comfy to sit in the living room because of the heat streaked across the couch. 

Pirouette shades on westward window in Chagrin Falls OH
Pirouette® Window Shades

Smart shades are among our top recommendations for west facing windows. They allow you to set your own schedule and make simple adjustments. No matter if you and your family are trying to relax in the living room or eat dinner at the dining room table, even if those rooms face the West, you can adjust your shades exactly how you want them. It’s simple to create a schedule so they are automatically open in the morning hours, then close during the glare bearing hours of afternoon, and then open again in time to see the stunning sunset. 

 

South Windows Are Nearly Always Bright

Where are the south facing windows in your home? These often bring in the most light, all day long. While that can often be a great feature in certain rooms, there can be such a thing as too much light. In addition to the light, it’s important to remember the temperature changes that come along with beams of sunlight shining in all day long.

South facing windows with shades in Rocky River OH
Provenance® Woven Woods

In extremely sunny rooms, by 3pm you may be feeling like a cat ready to curl up on the couch and take a nap in the sun because of the warmth. Top down bottom up shades allow you to have all of the light without all of the heat and strong rays.

 

Glare is Often Found in the North Windows 

Unlike south facing windows, when north windows have natural light coming in, it doesn’t often result in high interior temperatures! However, stronger glares usually come from this direction.

Silhouette shades provide balanced light in Rocky River OH
Silhouette® Window Shades

With the right window treatments you can say goodbye to the heavy glare and still enjoy illumination from the sun. Sheer shades are perfect for just this! 

 

Multiple Windows in a Space?

Oftentimes, rooms have windows that face more than one direction. Even with light coming in on several different walls, we have the solutions for you! 

Floor to ceiling windows with dual shades in Chagrin Falls OH
Duette® Honeycomb Shades with Duolite®

If you’re looking for solutions for multiple walls of windows within a space, dual shades are the way to go. They feature a light filtering shade as well as a room darkening one all in one system. These shades allow you to have balanced light no matter the time of day or direction of your windows! 

 

We Can Help You Achieve Balanced Light in Your Home

Knowing where the sun rises and sets can be a good first step toward finding the right window treatments for your space. Second, watching the sun throughout your own home–and each room–will help you to know exactly what type of treatments you desire for each space. Our team at Timan Window Treatments is here to help during the entire process. Contact us today for your FREE consultation.