Selecting the suitable window dressing can completely change the appearance, atmosphere, and usefulness of your house. If you are looking at high-end pieces, you might have limited your selections between two of the finest models available: Luxaflex Pirouette® and Luxaflex Silhouette® blinds.
Over the past 25 years, our company Blinds by Design has been assisting homeowners in the areas of Bathurst, Orange, the Central West, and the Blue Mountains with the window covering selection process. Being the one and only authorised Luxaflex® dealer in the region, we often lead our customers through this very comparison.
Each of these shading systems delivers really tight light control, excellent UV protection, and great looks. On the other hand, their structural designs are so different that they influence even your outside view as well as light distribution inside the room.
Here is a complete guide explaining the small difference between Pirouette and Silhouette blinds so that you can pick the type of window dressing that fits your home, lifestyle, and privacy needs the best.
The Short Answer: Pirouette vs Silhouette Blinds
The main difference between Pirouette and Silhouette blinds is in how many layers of sheer fabric are used. Silhouette blinds have fabric vanes shaped like an S that are placed between two panels of sheer fabric (front and back), so the light that comes in is very soft and diffused. Pirouette blinds have fabric vanes that are folding horizontally and are fixed to a single sheer backing, so when they are open, you get a clearer and less obstructed view outside, and when they are closed, they look like a modern Roman blind.
What Are Luxaflex Pirouette Blinds?
Luxaflex Pirouette blinds are a kind of window dressing. They have soft, horizontal fabric pieces held to a single sheer backing. When the blinds are lowered and closed, they resemble a modern Roman blind with soft, flowing folds. When the control cord or motorisation system is used, the fabric pieces smoothly fold up, showing the single sheer backing. This design not only allows varying levels of light but also offers a very clear view of outside.
What Are Luxaflex Silhouette Blinds?
Luxaflex Silhouette blinds are a very classy window cover made of soft, S-shaped fabric vanes hanging between two transparent sheer panels. When the vanes are tilted to open, sunlight is nicely diffused through both sheer layers, giving a warm, glowing atmosphere without any harsh glare. This double-sheer style is designed to give you privacy during the day, as it blocks the view into your home from the outside while still giving you an outside view.
Pirouette vs Silhouette Blinds: Quick Comparison
Choosing the right blinds for your home can be a little easier if you compare their features side by side, as this will help you focus on what matters most to you.
| Feature | Luxaflex Pirouette® | Luxaflex Silhouette® |
| Sheer Layers | Single sheer backing | Double sheer layers (front and back) |
| Vane Style | Folding horizontal vanes (Roman style) | S-shaped fabric vanes |
| View Outside | Clearer and less obstructed | Softened and diffused |
| Daytime Privacy | Good | Exceptional |
| UV Protection (Open) | Up to 81% UV block | Up to 88% UV block |
| Closed Appearance | Modern Roman blind look | Clean, flat fabric panel look |
| Light Diffusion | Direct but filtered light | Highly softened, ambient glow |
Detailed Comparison: Which Is Better For Your Home?
In fact, we should examine how these window treatments fare in daily use to figure out which one would be the right decision for your case.
Design & Construction
In the majority of houses, the decision between these two products is generally a matter of architectural taste.
The Pirouette design is bold, sculptural, and architectural. Since they fold inwards, the vanes form strong horizontal lines which give a room texture and depth. Because of this, they are in demand by people living in modern apartments and newly built houses in Orange and Bathurst.
The Silhouette design appears more delicate, minimalist, and a bit like a floating spirit. The vanes don’t fold but they just tilt open and closed, similar to a classic Venetian blind; however, there are no cords visibly running through them. Since they are sandwiched between two layers of sheer fabric, they offer a much gentler look that can go well with both old houses and modern interiors.
Light Control & UV Protection
Australia’s climate is often quite harsh, so it really pays to think about how the sun might affect your floors, artworks, and furniture. Indeed, both blinds are great safeguards against UV rays. Pirouette and Silhouette blinds can block as much as 99% of UV rays that are harmful to your skin when they are completely closed.
The contrast is really noticeable when the vanes are open. Since Silhouette blinds feature two sheer layers, they can block up to 88% of harmful UV rays even at their brightest, that is, when the blinds are fully open. Instead, in this mode the Silhouette blinds gently diffuse the incoming sunlight, turning it into a warm and comforting light. On the other hand, Pirouette blinds that have only one sheer layer block up to 81% of UV rays when they are open.
For glare reduction in spaces where light is extremely powerful in the late afternoon (windows facing north or west), Silhouette blinds will, in many cases, perform better.
Privacy Considerations
If keeping your privacy during the day is your main concern, then Luxaflex Silhouette is typically the better choice. With their dual-sheer design, even though you can see outside, it will be quite hard for someone outside to see you. This is why they work perfectly for bedrooms facing the front, living rooms facing the street, or houses built close to each other.
Closed pirouette blinds maintain strong privacy features. Nevertheless, the single sheer layer of the vanes when they are open doesn’t provide as much daytime privacy from the outside looking in as the Silhouette does.
View to the Outside
Whether it’s a pretty garden, a vast piece of land, or an ocean view that you want to enhance, Pirouette blinds are the perfect choice. Since there is only one sheer layer, your view will be much clearer and less blocked. When the fabric vanes are retracted, they are folded up so tightly, thus creating wide-looking paths, allowing you to enjoy your environment without sacrificing your fashion.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Both products are made of top-notch, anti-static, dust-resistant polyester. When you want to clean them, a light dusting with a feather duster or a gentle vacuum using a brush attachment will be enough.
Silhouette blinds have a little open pocket formed by the two sheer layers, so once in a while a tiny insect or a speck of dust might find its way inside the vane. You can sort it out very quickly by blowing the debris away with a hairdryer that is on the cool setting. Pirouette blinds, on the other hand, only have a single-layer backing and no enclosed pockets, which makes them a bit easier to clean and keep free of dust and insects in such areas.
Motorisation & Smart Home Integration
Yes, both Pirouette and Silhouette blinds are fully compatible with Luxaflex PowerView® Motorisation.
Turning these types of blinds into motorised ones is something we do quite often for customers in case they want the highest level of comfort and convenience. PowerView lets you manage your blinds through a remote control, a smartphone app, or by making voice commands through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. It also allows you to programme scenes so, for example, your Pirouette blinds can be set to open automatically at sunrise to gently wake you up or your Silhouette blinds can close at sunset to provide you with privacy at once.
Which Blind Works Best In Australian Homes?
Choosing the right blind depends almost entirely on the particular room and local environment. For Central West and Blue Mountains homeowners, due to our highly variable climate – the hot, dry summers and cold, frosty winters – thermal efficiency and light control are top concerns.
- For Street-Facing Rooms: An excellent choice for window treatments is Silhouette blinds. The double sheer layer is alive with Australian sunshine and glows richly while at the same time preventing neighbours from seeing into your house during the day.
- For Rear-Facing Rooms & Large Windows: Our first choice is Pirouette blinds. If your bifold doors are large and open onto a backyard or entertaining area, then the single sheer layer of Pirouette will still allow a strong visual connection to your outdoor space while the light can be controlled.
- For Bedrooms: Both blinds can be made with room-darkening materials. However, specific to total darkness, i.e., shift workers, you may want to combine them with thick curtains or really consider an alternative operation such as Luxaflex Duette® honeycomb blinds, which possess excellent thermal insulation properties.
Are Pirouette Blinds Worth The Price?
Pirouette blinds are commonly regarded as a high-end addition to your home. It is a great purchase because these are able to successfully merge the features of two different window coverings, the delicate charm of a sheer curtain and the privacy and light control of a Roman blind, into a single, very well-designed, long-lasting product. Exclusive fabric choices, a patented operating system and strong warranties, among other things, help make sure that they really boost the value of your home and keep up the style for years to come.
How Long Do Luxaflex Blinds Last?
Luxaflex blinds are made to the highest industry standards and, with proper care, can last for a very long time, even beyond 12 years. When you buy authentic Luxaflex products from a trusted dealer such as Blinds by Design, your window furnishings are secured with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. Besides that, we provide a 12-month local service warranty on the installation to make sure your investment runs smoothly right from the start.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Both the Luxaflex Pirouette and Silhouette blinds represent the very top of window furnishing design. In the end, your choice would be mostly about your own aesthetic taste and the exact requirements of your room.
- If you want the softest light, a delicate and elegant look, and maximum privacy from the street during the day, then go for Silhouette blinds.
- If you want the definite shape of a Roman blind, strong architectural lines, and the clearest possible view of the outdoors, then choose Pirouette blinds.
Here at Blinds by Design, we are aware that the selection of window coverings is a major decision and you want to make an investment that you will be happy with. We are the only Luxaflex licensee for Bathurst, Orange and the Central West regions, and we have full-scale operational models of both Pirouette and Silhouette blinds available in our showrooms.
Come and feel the quality of our fabrics. Try out the latest motorisation. Experience how different light diffusion can transform your room. Either call our super nice team and schedule a free measure and quote, or set up an in-home consultation with us. We will assist you in selecting the ideal solution for your one-of-a-kind space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are more expensive: Pirouette blinds or Silhouette blinds?
The prices of Pirouette and Silhouette blinds are very close since both are Luxaflex high-end products. The main factors that might affect the final price are the sizes of your windows, the particular fabric types chosen, and the choice between manual operation and PowerView® motorisation.
Do Silhouette blinds offer nighttime privacy?
Yes, while the sheer layers give privacy during the day, the interior fabric vanes prevent visibility when they are closed. To get the most privacy at night, make sure to choose a room-darkening or opaque fabric vane instead of the translucent one.
Can I put Pirouette blinds in a bathroom?
In general, we don’t recommend Pirouette or Silhouette blinds in most cases when you want to use them in highly wet areas, i.e., in the bathrooms and maybe over the kitchen sinks where the fabric of the blinds can be exposed to heavy moisture. For wet areas, Luxaflex PolySatin® Shutters or very specific types of roller blinds that are well suited to these environmental conditions would be far better options.
Are these blinds safe for young children?
Definitely. Pirouette and Silhouette blinds are especially made to be safe for children and comply with the strict Australian safety rules. You can use child-safe wands (UltraGlide®) or cordless systems (LiteRise®) or even full motorisation, which means no dangerous loose cords at all.
Can I get these blinds for sliding doors?
Yes. Even though they are basically horizontal window coverings, Pirouette and Silhouette shades can be installed on large windows and sliding doors as well; however, they will be moving up and down instead of sliding horizontally together with the doors.