This is how we transformed a 19th-century barn into a smart and comfortable living space for everyday living and entertaining using Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Shades with PowerView® Automation.
From Heritage to High-Tech
Tucked into the heart of the countryside, a striking barn built in the late 1800s stood as a testament to craftsmanship, history, and resilience. Today, that same barn serves a new purpose—not as shelter for livestock or storage for hay, but as a welcoming home for modern living. When the owners decided to elevate their comfort without compromising the structure’s integrity, they turned to Incredible Windows to bring the space into the 21st century, with a custom-fitted, automated shading solution.
From the hand-hewn beams to the soaring ceilings, this barn was never meant for traditional blinds. The family who owns the property wanted to embrace its rustic architecture while addressing key concerns: too much sunlight, inconsistent indoor temperatures, and challenging window access. The solution had to be beautiful, effective, and unobtrusive.
What We Did for This Project: Tailored Technology for a Historic Setting
Understanding the barn’s unique bones, Incredible Windows recommended Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Shades with PowerView® Automation, ensuring the solution respected the past while introducing sleek functionality for today’s needs.
With the project’s complexity in mind, our team created a custom strategy that addressed the barn’s height, structure, and energy efficiency needs:
- Installed 3% openness Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Shades to filter natural light while reducing glare and solar heat gently
- Incorporated PowerView® Automation, enabling control via app or smart home system—no need to reach towering heights
- Hard-wired installation to eliminate battery changes and ensure long-term convenience
- Managed a scaffold-based setup, disassembling and reassembling section by section to accommodate the barn’s original braces and timber supports
Preserving Character While Embracing Comfort
By sunset, the once sun-drenched interior had been transformed into a balanced, inviting space. The new modern window treatment provides consistent shade, increased energy efficiency, and effortless control, all without detracting from the historic charm of the barn.
The result? A living area that maintains its stunning vertical lines, frames views of the surrounding landscape, and feels comfortable year-round, no matter what Wisconsin’s seasons bring. The family can now relax, entertain, and enjoy their home without the harsh light or temperature swings that once defined the space.
Project Gallery: Be Inspired by the Union of Architecture and Innovation
From the golden glow spilling through shaded windows at dusk to the quiet beauty of timber-framed shadows in the morning, this barn now tells a new story—one where old-world craftsmanship meets smart design. Whether you live in a farmhouse, loft, or custom-built home, explore the snapshots from this installation to inspire your own home transformation.
Old or New, Make Your Home Smarter
Whether your home is 20 years old or 120, the right modern window treatment can drastically improve your quality of life. Better light control, reduced energy bills, and effortless automation are just the beginning.
At Incredible Windows, we believe every space deserves comfort without compromise. Our expert team brings care, precision, and design expertise to every project, especially those with history. Ready to update your home while honoring its roots?
Book a consultation today and let us help you write the next chapter of your home’s story.
