High-end fabric choices for Palladiom shades
by PalladiomOwner• 7 replies• 40695 views
I'm in the process of specifying Palladiom shades for our new build and I'm completely overwhelmed by the fabric choices. We have floor-to-ceiling windows in our great room (south-facing, about 12 feet tall) and I want something that looks absolutely stunning while also providing good light control and UV protection.
My integrator showed me the Lutron fabric book and there are literally hundreds of options. I'm torn between going with a sheer that maintains the view but filters light, versus a more opaque option for better blackout capability. We're also considering the dual-shade option but I'm worried about the stack height at the top.
For those of you who have installed Palladiom in high-end applications, what fabrics have you found work best? I'm particularly interested in:
1. Which fabric lines hold up best over time without fading or sagging?
2. Are the Lutron-branded fabrics significantly better than the third-party options they offer?
3. For south-facing windows, is it worth going with a solar screen material versus a traditional shade fabric?
Budget isn't the primary concern here - I want to get this right the first time since these windows are the focal point of the entire home. Any recommendations from real-world installations would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
HighEndIntegrator43826 hours ago
For south-facing floor-to-ceiling applications, I almost always spec the Mermet E Screen series. The 3% openness factor gives you excellent glare control while maintaining views, and the fiberglass core means zero stretch or sag over time. We've had installations running 8+ years with no degradation. The Lutron-branded Sheer Elegance line is beautiful but honestly performs about the same as premium third-party options - you're mostly paying for the name. For your situation, I'd seriously consider the dual-shade configuration with a solar screen on the exterior position and a blackout fabric behind it. Yes, the stack is bigger, but with 12-foot windows you have the headroom to accommodate it, and the flexibility is worth it.
✓ Accepted Answer
LutronFanatic43730 hours ago
Dual shades are 100% the way to go for that application. Don't stress about the stack height - on 12 foot windows it's barely noticeable. We did the same thing in our living room and zero regrets.
SmartShadeMaster43586 hours ago
I'll add that the Phifer Sheerweave 4000 series has been bulletproof in my experience. Great UV blocking and the colors stay true even in direct sun exposure.
Control4Enthusiast43442 hours ago
Quick question - are you doing Palladiom with the native Lutron integration or running through a third-party controller? The fabric choice matters less than making sure your automation scenes are dialed in properly for sun tracking. We have similar windows and programmed our shades to automatically adjust based on time of day and sun angle. Makes a huge difference in managing heat gain regardless of which fabric you choose.
PalladiomOwner43298 hours ago
Running through Homeworks QSX with native integration. Good point about the automation - my integrator mentioned setting up astronomical clock scenes. I'm definitely leaning toward the dual shade option now based on this feedback.
LuxuryHomePro42002 hours ago
One thing nobody mentioned yet - get physical samples and hang them in the actual space for at least a week before committing. Fabrics look completely different under showroom lighting versus natural light in your specific orientation. I've seen clients love a fabric in the showroom and hate it once installed. Your Lutron dealer should be able to provide large samples. Also, the metallic-backed fabrics offer superior heat rejection but can look a bit industrial from outside - something to consider if exterior aesthetics matter to you.
TechSavvyHomeowner41834 hours ago
We went with Coulisse fabrics for our Palladiom install and couldn't be happier. Premium quality without the Lutron markup.
