Hunter Douglas Silhouette® and Pirouette® window coverings are both premium products designed to enhance home aesthetics, provide light control, and offer privacy. Though both are part of the Hunter Douglas family and share some similarities, they also have distinct features that cater to different needs and preferences. Below is a comparison of the two window treatments based on key factors like design, light control, privacy, energy efficiency, and ease of use.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal
Silhouette Window Shadings, with S-shaped vanes, help shape ambient light. This design, along with a host of beautiful fabrics, diffuses and softens harsh sunlight. All Silhouette® window shadings feature soft fabric vanes suspended between two sheers that you can tilt to achieve your desired privacy, as well as UV protection for your floors and furnishings.
Pirouette® Window Shadings feature sculptural fabric vanes attached to a sheer backing, an innovative design that provides variable light control, UV protection and reduced glare. Hunter Douglas’ revolutionary InvisiLift system allows the horizontal vanes to appear as if they’re floating gracefully while opening and closing. Pirouette ClearView® Shadings feature a specialized sheer that provides minimally unobstructed view to the outside. Their design is often perceived as more dynamic and architectural compared to the smooth, softer appearance of Silhouette.
Light Control and Privacy
Both Silhouette and Pirouette provide excellent light control, but they do so in slightly different ways.
Silhouette® shades have vanes that tilt between two sheer panels, allowing you to adjust the angle of the vanes to control the amount of light entering the room. The sheer fabric diffuses natural light, providing a soft glow without harsh glare. Additionally, when the vanes are tilted to a closed position, the sheer panels provide an increased level of privacy. However, the level of darkness is somewhat dependent on the fabric choice, with room-darkening shades available.
Pirouette shades also allow for excellent light control, but their vanes have a more pronounced 3D effect when raised. Because of their unique design, Pirouette® shades offer more precise control over how much light is let in, and when closed, they offer superior privacy – making them ideal for bedrooms or rooms that require a darker environment.
Energy Efficiency
Both Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Pirouette window coverings allow control of “daylighting” energy efficiency options. In addition to reducing glare and improving visual comfort, daylighting can reduce the need for artificial light so you can lessen your need for electrical lighting. Daylighting can also be effective in blocking UV (ultraviolet) rays – the invisible part of sunlight that fades furniture, draperies, carpeting, and artwork. The energy efficiency qualities reduce the effects of heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
Silhouette shades are available with PowerView motorization options that include energy-efficient fabrics that help reduce heat loss and gain. The dual sheer panel construction of Silhouette adds to this insulation by creating a barrier against external temperature changes.
Pirouette shades, similarly, feature energy-efficient fabrics, and their design allows for more comprehensive insulation when the vanes are closed. The thicker nature of the fabric vanes helps trap air, creating an insulating effect that enhances overall energy efficiency.
Conclusion
Both Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Pirouette shades come with motorization options, making them easier to adjust and operate, particularly in hard-to-reach places. In summary, while both Silhouette® and Pirouette® window coverings offer superior aesthetics, light control, and energy efficiency, the choice largely depends on your specific needs and style preferences. Visit with a VSC Window Coverings consultant for an understanding of the best options for your needs.
Celebration Of Light Savings Event, Jan 18 – Mar 31, 2025!
Receive a $75 rebate per shade when you purchase 4 – 10 Silhouette or Pirouette Window Shadings that include PowerView motorization. The consultants at VSC Window Coverings will help you with the qualifying products and best selections for your needs.