Nothing ruins a Saturday morning quite like the piercing sun hitting your eyelids at 6:00 AM because your current window treatments just aren’t cutting it. Whether you’re trying to catch up on sleep, keep the nursery dark for a nap, or stop the glare on your TV during the big game, finding the right light-blocking solution is less of a luxury and more of a necessity. If you’re living here in Salt Lake City, you know exactly how intense that high-altitude sun can be—let’s talk about the shades that actually handle it.
Why 2024 is the Year of the “Smart” Blackout
You know what? We used to think of Blackout shades as those ugly, vinyl pull-down rollers you’d see in a 1990s high school classroom. They smelled like plastic and always got stuck halfway up. Thankfully, we are way past that.
In 2024, the Technology behind window coverings has leaped forward. We aren’t just talking about thicker fabric; we are talking about automation, energy efficiency, and seamless integration. It’s not just about blocking light anymore; it’s about controlling your environment.
Living along the Wasatch Front comes with unique challenges. We have blistering hot summers where the sun feels like a laser beam, and then we have freezing winters where your windows become the biggest source of heat loss. The shades on this list aren’t just dark; they are insulating, smart, and honestly, they look fantastic.
1. The PowerShades TruePoE Motorized Roller
Let’s start with the heavy hitter. If you are building a new Home or doing a major remodel, this is the gold standard. PoE stands for “Power over Ethernet.”
Here’s the thing—most Motorized Shades run on batteries (which you have to charge) or standard wall plugs (which can be messy). PowerShades TruePoE uses a single CAT5 or CAT6 cable to provide both power and communication. It’s the same cable you use for internet.
- Why it wins: No batteries to change, ever. The connection is rock solid because it’s hardwired.
- The Look: Sleek, modern, and keeps the window frame uncluttered.
- Best For: Smart homes and new construction in Salt Lake City.
You press a button, or set a schedule, and the room goes pitch black. It’s incredibly satisfying.
2. Cellular (Honeycomb) Blackout Shades
If your bedroom faces the street or you have drafty windows, these are a lifesaver. Cellular shades have a unique honeycomb structure that traps air.
In Utah, where the temperature swing from January to July is massive, this trapped air acts as a buffer. It keeps the heat out in summer and the warmth in during winter. When you get these in a blackout opacity, they usually come with a foil lining inside the cell. You can’t see the foil, but it blocks 100% of the light from passing through the fabric.
The Energy Factor
I’ve seen energy bills drop just by switching to these. It’s not magic; it’s physics. The R-value (insulation rating) on these is significantly higher than a standard roller shade.
3. The Dual “Zebra” Shade (Blackout Edition)
Okay, these are cool. You might have seen them on Instagram. They consist of alternating bands of sheer and solid fabric. When you align the solid bands, you get privacy and darkness. When you stagger them, you get a view with filtered light.
The 2024 versions of these have improved the “solid” bands to be true blackout material. Previously, they were just “room darkening,” which—let’s be honest—isn’t enough for a migraine or a graveyard shift sleeper.
- Versatility: You get the best of both worlds without needing two separate shades.
- Style: Very modern, very chic.
4. Exterior Solar Screens (The First Line of Defense)
Sometimes the best way to block the light is to stop it before it even touches the glass. Exterior zipper tracks are becoming huge in Utah.
Imagine a shade that rolls down on the outside of your window. These are heavy-duty, wind-resistant, and essentially turn your patio or window into a fortress against the sun. While they are often used for patios, installing them over bedroom windows provides arguably the best heat rejection possible.
Why consider this? Once the sun hits your interior shade, the heat is already inside the room. An exterior shade keeps the glass cool.
5. Blackout Roman Shades
For those who feel like roller shades are a bit too “clinical” or cold, Roman shades bring the softness. They stack up in nice, elegant folds when raised.
The trick here is the liner. In 2024, manufacturers are bonding high-performance blackout liners to beautiful, textured Fabrics like linen or velvet. You get the aesthetic warmth of drapery with the functionality of a heavy-duty shade.
Design Note: Just be careful with the “stack.” When these go up, the fabric has to go somewhere. Make sure you have enough room at the top of your window so you don’t lose your view.
6. The Side-Channel Track System
Here is a little industry secret: Light bleed.
You can buy the most expensive, thickest blackout fabric in the world, but if there is a gap between the shade and the window frame, light is going to blast through like a laser. It’s called the “halo effect.”
Side channels are aluminum tracks that run down the sides of the window. The shade fabric rides inside these tracks.
- Result: 100% darkness. Total cave mode.
- Who needs this? Media rooms, home theaters, and shift workers who need to sleep at 2 PM.
7. Solar-Powered Motorized Shades
Maybe you want automation, but you don’t want to tear up your drywall to run wires. I get it. Remodeling is a headache.
The latest solar-powered Options are impressive. We aren’t talking about a massive, ugly solar panel taped to your window. These use slim, discrete charging bars that tuck behind the headrail. They harvest daylight (even on cloudy SLC days) to keep the internal battery charged.
It’s a “set it and forget it” solution. You get the luxury of waking up to natural light (because you programmed the shades to open at 7:00 AM) without the wiring hassle.
8. Layered Drapery + Roller Combo
Sometimes, one just isn’t enough. This is a classic interior design move that is trending hard in 2024.
You install a blackout roller shade inside the window frame for function, and then hang decorative drapery panels on the outside for style.
The Benefit: The drapery covers those side gaps we talked about earlier (light bleed), while the roller shade does the heavy lifting. It adds depth and texture to a room, making it feel finished. Plus, the acoustic benefits of having that much fabric in a room are noticeable—it quiets down the echo.
9. Smart Home Integrated Shades (Voice Control)
This isn’t a “type” of shade as much as a capability, but it’s a top feature for 2024. The best blackout shades this year play nice with others.
Imagine saying, “Alexa, turn on Movie Mode.” Instantly, the lights dim, the TV turns on, and your PowerShades blackout blinds lower completely. Or, linking your shades to your thermostat. When your house hits 75 degrees, the west-facing blackout shades automatically drop to cool things down.
That is the power of integration. It’s not just a shade; it’s part of your home’s ecosystem.
10. Skylight Tension Shades
We have a lot of lofts and modern homes in Utah with skylights. They are beautiful for stargazing but terrible for sleeping in past sunrise.
Gravity is the enemy here. A standard shade would just droop. Tension systems use localized cables to keep the fabric taut against the glass, no matter the angle. In 2024, the motorized versions of these have become much quieter and more reliable. If you have a skylight in a bedroom or media room, this is the only way to go.
Comparison: Which One Fits Your Vibe?
Let’s break this down simply. Sometimes looking at a wall of text makes it harder to decide.
| Shade Type | Best For… | Privacy Level | Installation Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| TruePoE Motorized | New builds, Smart Homes | High | Professional (Wiring needed) |
| Cellular Blackout | Insulation, Cold Winters | High | Low/Medium |
| Side-Channel Systems | Home Theaters, Day Sleepers | Maximum (Total Dark) | Medium |
| Solar Powered | Retrofits (Old homes) | High | Low |
| Roman Shades | Design-focused bedrooms | High | Low |
What to Look for When Buying (The “Gotchas”)
Before you pull the trigger on new shades, there are a few things you need to watch out for. I’ve seen homeowners make these mistakes too many times.
1. Opacity vs. Color
Don’t assume a white fabric can’t be blackout. Many people think they need black fabric to block light. Not true! High-quality blackout shades can be pure white, beige, or grey on the front, with a rubberized or foil backing that stops the light. You can keep your room looking bright and airy while still having full darkness capability.
2. The “Inside vs. Outside” Mount
If you mount the shade inside the window frame, it looks cleaner, but you will have small light gaps on the sides. If you mount it outside on the wall (above the trim), you can make the shade wider than the window, eliminating the gaps. For blackout purposes, outside mount is technically better, though inside mount is usually preferred for style.
3. Motor Noise
Not all motors are created equal. Some sound like a remote-control car struggling up a hill. The high-end motors we use at PowerShades are whisper-quiet. You want to wake up because the sun is gently entering the room (or not), not because a mechanical whirring sound jolted you awake.
Why Local Matters
Here is the reality of buying shades in Utah. You can order stuff online, sure. But will those online retailers understand how the dry air affects static electricity in certain fabrics? Do they know that UV index in Salt Lake City fades cheap fabrics in two years?
When you work with a local specialist, you are getting hardware that is rated for our climate. Plus, installation is half the battle. A crooked shade is a broken shade waiting to happen.
We’ve seen it all—from the modern condos downtown to the historic homes in the Avenues. Each window has its own quirks, and getting that perfect, light-tight fit usually requires a pro’s touch.
Let’s Get Your Home Dark and Cool
Look, you deserve a good night’s sleep, and you definitely deserve to watch a movie in the middle of the day without a glare on the screen washing out the picture. Whether you are looking for the high-tech magic of PowerShades automation or just a solid, heavy-duty insulating shade for the winter, we can help you navigate the options.
We know the lighting conditions in Salt Lake City better than anyone. Let us handle the measuring and the technical stuff so you can just enjoy the view (or the darkness).
Give us a call today at 801-518-5242 to chat about your windows. Or, you can simply Request A Free Quote on our website, and we’ll come out to show you exactly what these fabrics look like in your own home.
