Letting in the Light

On the second Sunday in March each year—this year on March 9—the clocks spring ahead, meaning more light in the evening and a darker start to the day. According to The Farmer’s Almanac, the biggest change in our bodies during the time change is in how it affects our sleep and circadian rhythms. It often takes circadian and sleep rhythms a little “lag time”—some 5 to 7 days—for our bodies to get used to the transition.

It can be tough to adjust the body and sleep schedule during daylight savings, but there is a way to help with the transition and keep the circadian rhythm on track: blinds and shades to manage light control. Here are a few tips from experts in custom window treatments, on how to optimize windows during daylight savings time next month: 

» Smart Home Technology

Motorized window blinds and shades make adjusting light levels a breeze. Graber, a leading brand of custom window treatments with ten area dealers, offers a motorization app that lets users set blinds and shades to raise and lower at scheduled times of the day. Connect it to an in-home voice assistant through a gateway device, and users can open, close, or tilt their blinds through a simple voice command.

» Cellular Shades

With the right window treatment, it’s easy to adjust natural light to suit new morning and nighttime routines. Cellular shades are made of two layers of fabric joined to create a honeycomb-shaped structure. The chambers hold air, which helps the shade insulate against heat and cold so that even with time changes and weather changes, your home maintains its temperature. Cellular shades allow users to choose their desired level of light, from sheer to blackout. New and improved room-darkening side channels help to block the small amount of light that can seep in along the sides of the shade—providing even more light control for a better night’s sleep and easier wakeup.

» Solar & Roller Shades

With light filtering options from sheer to blackout, homeowners get to decide just how much of the sun’s rays they let in with roller shades. Similarly, solar shades come in a range of openness options, each providing a specific level of light filtering. Regardless of preferences, roller and solar shades offer customizable solutions for when the sun starts setting later.

» Wood Blinds

Enjoy the beauty, visual warmth, and natural elements of wood, but with the convenience of motorization of blinds. Choices range in paint finish, stains and style, and wood blinds come with cord, wand and motorized control options. A window treatment refresh with wood blinds can help let in more natural light to make the most of lighter evenings. ϒ

Learn more about Graber at www.graberblinds.com.