GE Smart Shades Fabric & Finish Selection Guide

Document Date: December 2025

Overview

• Welcome! GE Smart Shades bring convenience and style to your home. These automated window shades are controlled with a remote or through a smart assistant and are available in a variety of sizes, fabrics, and finishes to fit the aesthetics and practical needs of any room. This article covers all available fabric and finish options, as well as suggestions for common uses and themes.
  

• Available Shade Widths: 24", 30", 32", 34", 36", 38"
• Shade Fabric Length: all standard GE Smart Shade fabrics come in a 76" length. Upper and lower limits can be easily programmed via the remote to accommodate any window less than 76 inches tall.
• Fabric Options: Translucent and blackout fabrics are both available in white or gray.
• Hardware Finish Options: Shade brackets available with white or black finish.

Fabric Selection

Selecting the right shade fabric is one of the most important decisions when choosing smart shades. The shade fabric determines how much light enters the room as well as your level of privacy. GE Smart Shades offer two types of fabric: Transluscent fabric, or Blackout fabric. Both fabric types are available in white or gray color options.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• You can mix fabrics throughout the home. Many homeowners use translucent in common areas (living room, kitchen, office) and blackout in private areas (bedrooms, media rooms).
• When choosing shade fabrics, consider the following questions:
• What’s the primary purpose of this room?
• Do I need complete darkness for sleep or entertainment?
• Is nighttime privacy important in this room?
• Do I prefer natural light throughout the day?
• Will this room be used during daytime hours?
• How close are my neighbors?

Translucent Fabric

Translucent fabric gently filters natural light while providing privacy during the day. Think of it as wearing sunglasses for your windows—it softens harsh sunlight while keeping the room bright and welcoming.

Key Benefits

• Softens Harsh Sunlight - Reduces glare without darkening the room
• Daytime Privacy - Blocks the outside view during daylight hours
• Maintains Natural Light - Keeps rooms bright and cheerful
• UV Protection - Blocks harmful rays that fade furniture and floors
• Energy Efficiency - Provides moderate insulation
• Creates Ambiance - Produces a soft, diffused glow

Best Rooms for Translucent Fabric

• Living Rooms - Natural light without TV glare
• Home Offices - Reduces computer screen glare
• Kitchens - Soft light for cooking and dining
• Dining Rooms - Pleasant atmosphere during meals
• Bathrooms - Privacy with natural light
• Hallways & Closets - Just enough light to see
  
  IMPORTANT!: At night when interior lights are on, silhouettes may be visible from outside. For ground-floor rooms or homes close to neighbors, consider blackout if nighttime privacy is a concern.

Blackout Fabric

Blackout fabric blocks virtually all light, creating a dark environment perfect for sleep or entertainment. It also provides complete privacy 24 hours a day, making it ideal for bedrooms and media rooms.

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Key Benefits

• Blocks Nearly All Light - Creates darkness any time of day
• Complete 24/7 Privacy - No visibility through fabric
• Better Sleep Quality - Darkness promotes melatonin production, and allow shift workers to sleep during daylight hours
• Optimal Viewing Conditions - Perfect for TVs and projectors
• Superior Energy Efficiency - Excellent window insulation
• Temperature Control - Keeps rooms cooler in summer, warmer in winter

Best Rooms for Blackout Fabric

• Bedrooms - Essential for quality sleep
• Nurseries - Helps babies maintain sleep schedules
• Home Theaters - Remove all external light for a truly cinematic experience
• Media or Gaming Rooms - Eliminates all screen glare
• Guest Bedrooms - Accommodates different sleep schedules
• East or West Windows - Blocks intense morning or afternoon sun
  
  TIP!: For maximum darkness with blackout fabric, choose above-the-window mounting. This covers the entire window frame and minimizes light gaps.

Hardware Finish Options

GE Smart Shades are currently available with hardware in black or white finishes. Choosing the finish best suited for the room the shade is installed in is important to ensure the room theme is cohesive and complimentary. Use the examples below as references when deciding which finish fits your needs:

Black Finish

White Finish

Example Rooms

Bedrooms

• Fabric: Transluscent for a warm inviting feeling, Blackout for utmost privacy
• HELPFUL TIP!: Mount above the window for maximum light blocking in bedrooms.
• 24/7 privacy for comfort and security
• Blackout blocks early morning or late evening sun, Transluscent lets it in to brighten the room
• Transluscent allows for natural lighting, Blackout helps regulate room temperature for better sleep

Living Rooms

• Fabric: Translucent
  
  • Natural light creates welcoming atmosphere
  • Reduces TV glare without darkening room
  • Maintains bright, open feel
  • Daytime privacy from neighbors

Bathrooms

• Fabric: Translucent or Blackout
  
  • Translucent: If you want natural light with daytime privacy
  • Blackout: If neighbors are very close or you need complete privacy

Home Theaters & Media Rooms

• Fabric: Blackout
  
  • Complete darkness essential for screen visibility
  • Eliminates all glare and reflections
    HELPFUL TIP!: Mount above the window and order a size larger than your window frame for maximum light blocking.

Dining Rooms

• Fabric: Translucent
  
  • Natural light creates pleasant dining atmosphere
  • Can adjust for evening meals without complete darkness

Nurseries & Kids’ Rooms

• Fabric: Blackout
  
  • Darkness signals bedtime, even when sun is still up
  • Helps babies and children maintain sleep schedules
  • Creates consistent sleep environment for naps

Home Offices

• Fabric: Translucent
  
  • Reduces screen glare on computer monitors
  • HELPFUL TIP!: Position your desk perpendicular to windows to minimize glare, and use translucent shades to further reduce screen reflections
  • Maintains natural light for energy and productivity

Kitchens

• Fabric: Translucent
  
  • Natural light makes cooking more enjoyable
  • Soft glow during meals