If you’ve ever moved a rug or piece of furniture and noticed a lighter patch of flooring underneath, you’ve experienced firsthand what UV rays can do. Sunlight is beautiful, but over time it can fade carpet, bleach hardwood floors, and dull the colors of your favorite furniture. As homeowners, we want to protect our investment without turning our homes into dark caves. The good news is that the right blinds can strike that balance.

At Factory Rep Blinds, we work in homes across the Inland Northwest every day and can help break it down.

Why UV Rays Cause Fading

Before comparing blind types, it helps to understand the culprit.
Three components of sunlight damage surfaces:

• UV light – the main cause of fading
• Visible light – the brightness you see
• Infrared light – the heat you feel

If window coverings that block UV but still lets in soft, warm light is the goal, some blinds are better than others: 

1. Solar Shades: Great UV Protection Without Losing Your View

If you love your view and don’t want your home to feel closed in, solar shades are one of the best choices. They’re made of a tightly woven fabric available in different “openness” levels—1%, 3%, 5%, 10%.

The lower the percentage, the more UV they block.

A 1% openness solar shade can block up to 99% of UV rays.

A 5–10% openness shade lets in more light but offers less UV protection.

Pros

• Excellent UV reduction
• Preserves your outside view
• Modern, clean look
• Great for large windows or sliding doors

Cons

• Less privacy at night unless combined with drapery
• Very low openness levels can make the room feel dimmer
• Best for homeowners who want protection but still want to see the yard, garden, or mountains.

2. Cellular Shades: Strong Protection and Energy Savings

Cellular (honeycomb) shades don’t just help with insulation—they also offer good UV protection because of their layered fabric structure.

Pros

• Very effective at reducing UV exposure
• Softens natural light without making rooms dark
• Improves energy efficiency (great for Spokane winters)
• Wide variety of light-filtering options

Cons

• You lose your view when they’re fully down
• Some homeowners prefer a more structured or wood look
• Best for living rooms and bedrooms where privacy and light control matter.

3. Wood and Faux Wood Blinds: Classic Look With Flexibility

Wood and faux wood blinds don’t block as much UV light as solar or cellular shades, but they offer solid protection when the slats are tilted properly.

Pros

• Timeless look
• Easy to adjust—slats can tilt to filter light
• Faux wood is especially durable in sunny or humid rooms

Cons

• Some UV still enters through slats
• When fully closed, they block light well but also darken the room
• Wood blinds may warp in high-heat windows (faux wood is more stable)
• Best for homeowners wanting a traditional look with adaptable light control.

4. Vertical Blinds: A Practical Choice for Large Windows

Vertical blinds, especially in vinyl or fabric, offer moderate UV protection with the ability to rotate the vanes to limit sunlight.

Pros

• Good on sliding doors and wide windows
• Easy to use
• Can block a fair amount of UV depending on material

Cons

• More light gaps than other options
• Style is more functional than decorative
• Best for patio doors where other options may not fit the budget.

5. Sheer Shades: Elegant, Soft Light With Moderate Protection

Sheer shades—sometimes called “silhouettes”—have fabric vanes floating between two layers of sheer fabric. They filter light beautifully but aren’t the strongest UV blockers.

Pros

• Very attractive, upscale look
• Soft, glowing natural light
• Better UV protection than bare windows

Cons

• Not as protective as solar or cellular
• Higher price point
• Best for homeowners who want elegance and controlled softness of light.
• Balancing UV Protection, Natural Light & Your View

This is where most homeowners struggle. We all want to protect the flooring we invested in, but we also enjoy the sunshine—especially in northern climates where winters can be long.

Here are a few practical trade-offs to consider:

Q – Do you want to keep your view?

Prioritize: Solar shades

Trade-off: Higher openness = more view, less UV protection

Solution: Choose 3% or 5% openness for balance

Q – Do you want maximum UV and heat protection?

Prioritize: Cellular shades

Trade-off: You’ll lose your view when they’re lowered

Solution: Top-down bottom-up versions let light in from above

Q – Do you prefer a traditional look?

Prioritize: Wood or faux wood blinds

Trade-off: Some UV still slips through slats

Solution: Pair with light-filtering drapery for added UV blocking

Q – Do you want soft light without darkening the room?

Prioritize: Sheer shades

Trade-off: Moderate UV protection

Solution: Layer with drapery or add a UV-blocking film to the window

The Bottom Line: All Blinds Help—Some Help More Than Others

Every blind provides some level of UV protection simply by reducing direct sunlight. The real difference is in how much protection you want and what trade-offs you’re willing to make in terms of view and natural light.

Here’s a quick ranking of UV protection strength:

• Solar Shades (1–3% openness) – Excellent
• Cellular Shades – Very good
• Sheer Shades (light-filtering fabric) – Moderate
• Wood & Faux Wood Blinds – Moderate
• Vertical Blinds – Moderate with the right materials

As fellow homeowners, we want to enjoy our sunlight and preserve our floors and furniture. The right blinds can help you do both.

If you’d like help choosing the perfect UV-protecting window covering for your home, Factory Rep Blinds offers free in-home consultations and can walk you through the options in person.