//Silhouette® Window Shadings
Silhouette® Window Shadings for Marin County Hillside Homes
Hunter Douglas Silhouette® suspends soft fabric vanes between two sheer panels - blocking up to 88% of UV while preserving your view, measured and installed across Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Marin County.
//View Preservation
Filter UV without losing the view
Silhouette® suspends soft fabric vanes between two sheer fabric panels, diffusing harsh sunlight while preserving a clear connection to the landscape outside. The shadings block up to 88% of harmful UV rays with the vanes open and up to 99% with the vanes closed - near-total UV protection that shields hardwood flooring, fine art, and upholstery from fading while preserving 100% of the panoramic bay and hillside views.
Bay Blinds is an authorized Hunter Douglas dealer serving Mill Valley, Lucas Valley, and all of Marin County with free in-home and on-site consultations. Beyond view preservation, the sheer fabric panels reduce solar heat gain through the glass, contributing to your home’s overall energy efficiency strategy.
//Why Architects Specify It
Adjustable control a sheer can’t match
Traditional sheer curtains diffuse light but offer no adjustable control - once installed, a sheer panel provides a single, fixed opacity. Silhouette solves this by tilting the fabric vanes between the sheer panels: open, you get the soft glow of a classic sheer with a clear view outdoors; closed, the shade functions more like a room-darkening cellular shade, blocking direct sunlight and providing privacy.
Architects and interior designers working on high-end Marin County homes increasingly specify Silhouette over traditional drapery and sheers because it consolidates light filtering, UV protection, privacy, and view-through into one clean treatment - without the visual weight of layered fabric.
//ClearView & A Deux
Two configurations for more versatility
The ClearView® option uses a larger, more widely spaced vane design that maximizes view-through when the vanes are open - the top choice for view-facing windows where an unobstructed panorama matters, with the ability to close down for privacy or UV protection when needed.
The A Deux™ system combines two independently operating panels on a single headrail: a front light-filtering vane panel and a back room-darkening panel. Lower one, both, or neither for four distinct light-control modes - ideal for bedrooms and media rooms. Both configurations support top-down/bottom-up operation and are compatible with PowerView Gen 3 motorization.
//Operation & Automation
Cordless, UltraGlide, or fully automated
Silhouette window shadings are fully compatible with Hunter Douglas PowerView® Gen 3 motorization, raising, lowering, and tilting the vanes from a smartphone app, voice assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit), or remote. Program automated schedules so the shadings close during peak UV hours and reopen later in the day.
Operating systems include cordless, UltraGlide, and PowerView, with an openness factor of 1–10% to tune UV protection. All cordless and motorized options meet the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 child-safety standard, and Bay Blinds installs both battery-powered and hardwired PowerView systems across Marin County.
//Related Products & Solutions
//Frequently Asked Questions
Do Silhouette shades block UV rays?
Yes. Silhouette window shadings block up to 88% of harmful UV rays even when the vanes are fully open and the sheer facing is in place. When the vanes are tilted closed, UV protection increases further. This level of UV filtering protects hardwood flooring, fine art, upholstery, and other interior finishes from fading and sun damage. For Marin County hillside homes with large south- and west-facing windows, Silhouette shadings provide critical UV defense without sacrificing the panoramic views that define the North Bay living.
Can Silhouette shadings be motorized in my Marin County home?
Yes. Silhouette window shadings are fully compatible with Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3 motorization. PowerView allows you to raise, lower, and tilt the fabric vanes using a smartphone app, voice assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit), or remote control. You can also program automated schedules so the shadings close during peak UV hours and reopen later in the day. Motorization is especially practical for large windows, high installations, and whole-home automation setups. Bay Blinds installs both battery-powered and hardwired PowerView systems across Marin County.
How do you clean Silhouette window shadings?
For routine maintenance, lightly dust your Silhouette shadings with a feather duster or the soft brush attachment of a vacuum on low suction. Avoid pressing hard on the fabric vanes, as they are delicate. For deeper cleaning, Hunter Douglas offers a professional ultrasonic cleaning service through authorized dealers that restores the fabric without damaging the sheer panels or vane structure. Do not submerge Silhouette shadings in water or use harsh chemical cleaners, as this can damage the fabric and adhesive bonds.
What is the difference between Silhouette and Luminette?
Silhouette and Luminette both use fabric vanes suspended between sheer fabric panels, but they are designed for different window orientations. Silhouette shadings operate horizontally and are built for standard vertical windows. Luminette Privacy Sheers operate vertically and are designed for sliding glass doors, wide window walls, and other large horizontal openings. Both products offer UV protection and view preservation. If your home has a mix of standard windows and sliding doors, pairing Silhouette and Luminette creates a cohesive look across the entire space.
See Silhouette® shadings in your home
Free in-home & on-site consultations across Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Marin County.