Seattle Condo Window Treatments: Preserve the View, Beat the Glare, Keep the HOA Happy

Seattle condos have a superpower and a challenge: the views are incredible, but the glass is relentless. Between 2–6 pm, west-facing units cook, screens glare, and neighbors across the courtyard feel a little too close. Add HOA guidelines and tricky window frames, and “just order something online” starts to feel… naive.

This guide walks you through condo-smart window treatments that protect your view, reduce glare, satisfy your HOA, and actually get used every day.

The Condo Reality (Seattle Edition)

• Big, beautiful glass that turns rooms into greenhouses by afternoon.

• HOA rules on backing color, uniformity, and visible hardware.

• Tight jambs and concrete columns that complicate wiring and mounts.

• Neighbors + privacy after dark (solar shades are see-through at night).

• Screens and eye strain from off-angle glare.

Good news: you don’t have to choose between comfort and that skyline/Waterfront/Lake Union view.

Start With the Goals (Not the Product)

1. Keep the view by day.

2. Kill glare on screens.

3. Gain privacy at night.

4. Control heat spikes automatically.

5. Meet HOA requirements without sacrificing design.

When those are clear, the right solution is usually a combo of solar shades by day and room-darkening privacy at night—plus motorization so it all happens on schedule.

The Hero: Solar Roller Shades (and Why Openness Matters)

Solar shades cut glare and UV while preserving views. The fabric “openness” tells you how much view passes through:

• 1–3% openness: Maximum glare/heat control, most privacy by day (darker view).

• 3–5% openness: The sweet spot for many Seattle condos—balanced view and comfort.

• 7–10% openness: Best daytime view, lighter glare control.

Color tip: Darker fabrics improve view clarity; lighter fabrics reflect light and can brighten the room. Many HOAs want a uniform white/neutral backing, which we can meet with specific fabric lines.

Great rooms for solar rollers: Living rooms, dining areas, home offices with screens.

Night Privacy Without Losing Daytime Magic

Solar shades are see-through at night when your lights are on. Three ways to fix that:

1. Dual Roller System (Sheer + Blackout):

   One tube for daytime solar, a second for night privacy. Super clean, ultra functional.

2. Solar Shades + Drapery Panels:

   Keep the view by day; close drapery at night for privacy and warmth. Adds texture and acoustics.

3. Room-Darkening Roller:

   If you don’t care about daytime view (bedrooms), go straight to light-blocking rollers.

Bedrooms = Dark, Quiet, Easy

• Blackout rollers with side channels for hotel-level darkness.

• Blackout cellular shades for insulation and a quieter feel.

• Dual rollers if you want sheer + blackout in one tidy package.

Seattle tip: East-facing bedrooms welcome sunrise early in summer. Schedule blackout to auto-close at bedtime and open at wake time.

HOAs: How to Stay Compliant (and Still Look Good)

We routinely spec products to pass HOA reviews on the first try.

• Backside color: Many buildings require white or a specified neutral facing the street. We’ll bring fabrics that match.

• Uniformity from outside: If your neighbors see your windows, dual rollers or drapery liners keep things consistent.

• Mounting choices: Inside mounts are cleaner and often preferred by HOAs; we also offer discreet fascia or cassette tops that match trim colors.

• Documentation: We provide spec sheets, samples, and photos for HOA submissions when needed.

Motorization: Your “Set It and Forget It” Superpower

Condos with big glass benefit more than anyone from automation.

• Schedules: Drop shades before the afternoon sun hits; raise them at dusk.

• Scenes: “Work,” “Evening,” “Movie Night,” and “Away” are one-tap.

• Voice/App control: Works with popular smart-home platforms.

• Power options:

  • Battery: Clean install, long life, easy recharging.

  • Plug-in low-voltage: Great for frequent use.

  • Hardwire: Best if you’re remodeling or have a chase.

We’ll walk your space and recommend the cleanest path so you don’t see wires—and you actually use your shades daily.

Fit & Mount: Why Professional Measuring Matters in Condos

High-rise frames are not always perfectly square, and mullions can be tight. Precision is everything.

• Inside mount (preferred): Minimalist, great for HOAs; we measure to reduce side gaps.

• Outside mount: Helps block light on uneven frames; slim profiles keep it modern.

• Slim cassettes & fascia: Hide hardware cleanly, match metal finishes, and please building guidelines.

• Corner windows & columns: We spec brackets and fabric roll directions to avoid clashes and preserve sightlines.

Sound, Color Fade & Heat: The Hidden Wins

• Acoustics: Roller fabrics + drapery noticeably soften echo in concrete/glass boxes.

• UV protection: Solar shades protect floors, art, and sofas from fading.

• Heat moderation: Timed lowering reduces AC spikes on west exposures (and saves real money).

Real Seattle Scenarios

South Lake Union, west-facing one-bedroom

Issues: Afternoon glare, hot living room, beautiful view you don’t want to lose.

Solution: 3% openness motorized solar rollers + lined drapery for night privacy. Scheduled 2–6 pm drop.

Result: Cooler space, rich color on furniture/art, and the view stays the star.

First Hill corner unit

Issues: HOA requires white exterior appearance; owner wants darker interior to preserve view.

Solution: Dual-sided fabric with white backing + dark interior tone; slim cassette to match frame color.

Result: HOA approved; owner gets crisp view, no visual clutter.

Queen Anne bedroom (east)

Issues: 5 a.m. sunrise.

Solution: Blackout roller with side channels, cordless or motorized.

Result: True darkness; set-and-forget bedtime scene.

Materials at a Glance (Condo-Friendly)

• Solar roller shades: View + glare control; choose 1–5% openness.

• Room-darkening/blackout rollers: Night privacy and sleeping in.

• Dual rollers: Best of both worlds in one minimalist package.

• Cellular (honeycomb) shades: Superior insulation where drafts or temperature swings are noticeable.

• Drapery (lined): Texture, acoustics, night privacy, and a designer finish.

Cleaning & Care (High-Rise Reality)

• Roller/solar fabrics: Light vacuum with brush attachment; spot clean as needed.

• Drapery: Occasional vacuuming; professional cleaning by fabric content.

• Motors: Low maintenance; we’ll show you battery swaps or charging routine.

Budget & Phasing

• Start where it matters most: Living room (glare/heat) and bedrooms (sleep).

• Good/Beter/Best:

  • Good: Manual solar rollers in living room + blackout roller in bedroom.

  • Better: Add lined drapery in living room and cordless lifts in bedroom.

  • Best: Whole-home motorization with scheduled scenes; dual rollers in main spaces.

FAQs

Will solar shades kill my night privacy?

By themselves, yes. Pair them with drapery or a dual roller to get daytime view and night privacy.

My HOA wants a white exterior appearance—can I still have a dark interior shade?Yes. We carry fabrics with white or neutral backings that read dark from inside but uniform from the street—perfect for HOA compliance.

Can you motorize everything without visible wires?

Usually, yes. Battery motors are clean and long-lasting; we also offer plug-in low-voltage or hardwire if you’re remodeling.

What if my windows aren’t square or have concrete columns?

That’s common. We measure precisely, choose the right roll directions and brackets, and use slim cassettes or outside mounts where they’ll perform and look best.

Do I lose my view with room-darkening shades?

Only when they’re down. Use dual rollers (sheer/solar + blackout) to keep the view by day and privacy at night.

Live with the view—without the glare

Book a free in-home (in-condo) design visit and we’ll bring HOA-friendly fabrics, measure precisely, and set up motorized schedules that make your condo comfortable all day.