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Innovation at Lutron Shines Fresh Light on Shades

Margaret Block, Luxury Shades Business Development Manager at Lutron, discusses the role of shades in AV integration, several new product features, and practical advice on how to get started in shades.

An established presence in the shades industry for more than 25 years, Lutron is raising the bar yet again. Margaret Block, Luxury Shades Business Development Manager at Lutron, recently sat down with Residential Systems’ Cindy Davis to discuss the role of shades in AV integration, several highly anticipated new product features, as well as practical advice on how to get started on your shading journey.

Home with Lutron Lighting

First and foremost, according to Block, we need to start viewing shades as an integral part of any AV installation that involves a room with windows.

“Really, when we think about what an integrator’s hired for—it’s to create an unforgettable, unparalleled experience in all of those spaces. What’s fun is that lighting and shades affect every single one of those experiences.” Block continued, “Both of those working together is how you create a really comfortable, beautiful environment. And that’s actually what optimizes these other solutions that integrators are putting in—audio solutions, viewing solutions, and all of that.”

Among the exciting recent developments at Lutron is Natural Light Optimization—a smart feature that automatically adjusts the user’s shades depending on the position of the sun, as well as their unique viewing preferences.

“When you put the orientation of your windows into the system, it actually knows when that facade is going to experience direct light, and it will change the position of your shades to manage that light,” Block said. “You can also pre-program customization. For example, if you know that that room has a beautiful view that you want to optimize as much as possible, it’ll change how the shade behaves, knowing that input.”

And when it comes to automated window treatments, ideally they’re worked into the project design from day one, while the walls are still open. But for integrators or designers electing to add shades later on, Lutron offers an ever-increasing array of wireless solutions.

“With the variety of styles, aesthetics, and finish options, no one feels like they’re boxed in at any point in their project,” Block said. “And the great thing is, we first started getting into battery-powered shades over 10 years ago, so we have lots of experience and are really proud of our battery technology.”

Immersive experiences at Lutron showrooms across the country allow the public to test how a space will feel, look, and sound with various shading solutions. But for those not near an experience center, Lutron has a luxury experience app for iPad that offers virtual simulation from anywhere.

“This is a great tool to help people visualize what proper and intelligent lighting can do for a space,” Block said. “You can dynamically modify lighting in a variety of different environments and show what it does to each of the rooms.

Related: Selling Shades – Are You Leaving Money on the Table?

But no matter where you are in the installation process, the time of day or night, or what sort of guidance you need, someone at Lutron is always available to lend a helping hand.

“We’re really proud of our 24/7 tech support,” Block said. “We’ve had it for decades and it’s one of the reasons people choose Lutron; we’re there to help you get into this category and to help you through it.”

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