diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushPage.xaml b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushPage.xaml
index b1f92c65a2c..7a934c95530 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushPage.xaml
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushPage.xaml
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
                         <effects:ExposureEffect/>
                         <effects:GrayscaleEffect/>
                         <effects:HueRotationEffect/>
+                        <effects:CrossFadeEffect/>
                     </media:PipelineBrush>
                 </Border.Background>
             </Border>
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushXaml.bind b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushXaml.bind
index 4c3d90bfdc4..65233b7e255 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushXaml.bind
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.SampleApp/SamplePages/PipelineBrush/PipelineBrushXaml.bind
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
             <effects:BlendEffect Mode="Multiply" Source="{effects:BackdropSource}"/>
             <effects:BlurEffect Amount="16"/>
             <effects:ShadeEffect Color="#FF222222" Intensity="0.2"/>
-            <effects:BlendEffect Mode="Overlay" Placement="Background" Source="{effects:TileSource Uri=ms-appx:///Assets/BrushAssets/NoiseTexture.png}"/>
-            <effects:BlendEffect Mode="Overlay" Placement="Background" Source="{effects:ImageSource Uri=ms-appx:///SamplePages/DropShadowPanel/Unicorn.png}"/>
+            <effects:BlendEffect Mode="Overlay" Source="{effects:TileSource Uri=ms-appx:///Assets/BrushAssets/NoiseTexture.png}"/>
+            <effects:BlendEffect Mode="Overlay" Source="{effects:ImageSource Uri=ms-appx:///SamplePages/DropShadowPanel/Unicorn.png}"/>
           </brushes:PipelineBrush>
         </Border.Background>
       </Border>
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Brushes/AcrylicBrush.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Brushes/AcrylicBrush.cs
index b0de6c15f72..30c67aa3a37 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Brushes/AcrylicBrush.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Brushes/AcrylicBrush.cs
@@ -66,13 +66,13 @@ private static void OnSourcePropertyChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyProper
         }
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the blur amount for the effect
+        /// Gets or sets the blur amount for the effect (must be a positive value)
         /// </summary>
         /// <remarks>This property is ignored when the active mode is <see cref="AcrylicBackgroundSource.HostBackdrop"/></remarks>
         public double BlurAmount
         {
             get => (double)GetValue(BlurAmountProperty);
-            set => SetValue(BlurAmountProperty, value);
+            set => SetValue(BlurAmountProperty, Math.Max(value, 0));
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -132,12 +132,12 @@ private static void OnTintColorPropertyChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPro
         }
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the tint opacity factor for the effect
+        /// Gets or sets the tint opacity factor for the effect (default is 0.5, must be in the [0, 1] range)
         /// </summary>
         public double TintOpacity
         {
             get => (double)GetValue(TintOpacityProperty);
-            set => SetValue(TintOpacityProperty, value);
+            set => SetValue(TintOpacityProperty, Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1));
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ public double TintOpacity
             nameof(TintOpacity),
             typeof(double),
             typeof(AcrylicBrush),
-            new PropertyMetadata(0.0, OnTintOpacityPropertyChanged));
+            new PropertyMetadata(0.5, OnTintOpacityPropertyChanged));
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Updates the UI when <see cref="TintOpacity"/> changes
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlendEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlendEffect.cs
index 2799770b5ee..ce282c29ced 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlendEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlendEffect.cs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using Microsoft.Graphics.Canvas.Effects;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
+using Windows.UI.Xaml.Markup;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
 {
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// A blend effect that merges the current builder with an input one
     /// </summary>
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.BlendEffect"/> effect</remarks>
+    [ContentProperty(Name = nameof(Effects))]
     public sealed class BlendEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
         /// <summary>
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlurEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlurEffect.cs
index 2442d2915f9..b1e6c9437c2 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlurEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/BlurEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
@@ -12,10 +13,16 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.GaussianBlurEffect"/> effect</remarks>
     public sealed class BlurEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
+        private double amount;
+
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the amount of gaussian blur to apply to the background.
+        /// Gets or sets the blur amount for the effect (must be a positive value)
         /// </summary>
-        public double Amount { get; set; }
+        public double Amount
+        {
+            get => this.amount;
+            set => this.amount = Math.Max(value, 0);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/CrossFadeEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/CrossFadeEffect.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8bd4d183f55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/CrossFadeEffect.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+// Licensed to the .NET Foundation under one or more agreements.
+// The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
+using Windows.UI.Xaml.Markup;
+
+namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// A blend effect that merges the current builder with an input one
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.CrossFadeEffect"/> effect</remarks>
+    [ContentProperty(Name = nameof(Effects))]
+    public sealed class CrossFadeEffect : IPipelineEffect
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets or sets the input to merge with the current instance (defaults to a <see cref="BackdropSourceExtension"/> with <see cref="Windows.UI.Xaml.Media.AcrylicBackgroundSource.Backdrop"/> source).
+        /// </summary>
+        public PipelineBuilder Source { get; set; }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets or sets the effects to apply to the input to merge with the current instance
+        /// </summary>
+        public List<IPipelineEffect> Effects { get; set; } = new List<IPipelineEffect>();
+
+        private double factor = 0.5;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets or sets the The cross fade factor to blend the input effects (default to 0.5, should be in the [0, 1] range)
+        /// </summary>
+        public double Factor
+        {
+            get => this.factor;
+            set => this.factor = Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1);
+        }
+
+        /// <inheritdoc/>
+        public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
+        {
+            PipelineBuilder inputBuilder = Source ?? PipelineBuilder.FromBackdrop();
+
+            foreach (IPipelineEffect effect in this.Effects)
+            {
+                inputBuilder = effect.AppendToPipeline(inputBuilder);
+            }
+
+            return builder.CrossFade(inputBuilder, (float)Factor);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ExposureEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ExposureEffect.cs
index 0fd847584e8..eeb6a708f8c 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ExposureEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ExposureEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
@@ -12,10 +13,16 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.ExposureEffect"/> effect</remarks>
     public sealed class ExposureEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
+        private double amount;
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets the amount of exposure to apply to the background (defaults to 0, should be in the [-2, 2] range).
         /// </summary>
-        public double Amount { get; set; }
+        public double Amount
+        {
+            get => this.amount;
+            set => this.amount = Math.Clamp(value, -2, 2);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/Extensions/AcrylicSourceExtension.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/Extensions/AcrylicSourceExtension.cs
index 0cec9ce4017..ce9f0fd7f4f 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/Extensions/AcrylicSourceExtension.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/Extensions/AcrylicSourceExtension.cs
@@ -22,21 +22,33 @@ public sealed class AcrylicSourceExtension : MarkupExtension
         /// </summary>
         public AcrylicBackgroundSource BackgroundSource { get; set; } = AcrylicBackgroundSource.Backdrop;
 
+        private double blurAmount;
+
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the blur amount for the effect
+        /// Gets or sets the blur amount for the effect (must be a positive value)
         /// </summary>
         /// <remarks>This property is ignored when the active mode is <see cref="AcrylicBackgroundSource.HostBackdrop"/></remarks>
-        public double BlurAmount { get; set; }
+        public double BlurAmount
+        {
+            get => this.blurAmount;
+            set => this.blurAmount = Math.Max(value, 0);
+        }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets the tint for the effect
         /// </summary>
         public Color TintColor { get; set; }
 
+        private double tintOpacity = 0.5f;
+
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the color for the tint effect
+        /// Gets or sets the color for the tint effect (default is 0.5, must be in the [0, 1] range)
         /// </summary>
-        public double TintOpacity { get; set; }
+        public double TintOpacity
+        {
+            get => this.tintOpacity;
+            set => this.tintOpacity = Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1);
+        }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets the <see cref="Uri"/> to the texture to use
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/OpacityEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/OpacityEffect.cs
index 1535e58d025..82b8ea33c56 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/OpacityEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/OpacityEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
@@ -12,10 +13,16 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.OpacityEffect"/> effect</remarks>
     public sealed class OpacityEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
+        private double value = 1;
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets the opacity value to apply to the background (defaults to 1, should be in the [0, 1] range).
         /// </summary>
-        public double Value { get; set; } = 1;
+        public double Value
+        {
+            get => this.value;
+            set => this.value = Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SaturationEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SaturationEffect.cs
index 1ed8f924079..cce6eee390f 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SaturationEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SaturationEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
@@ -12,10 +13,16 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.SaturationEffect"/> effect</remarks>
     public sealed class SaturationEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
+        private double value = 1;
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets the saturation amount to apply to the background (defaults to 1, should be in the [0, 1] range).
         /// </summary>
-        public double Value { get; set; } = 1;
+        public double Value
+        {
+            get => this.value;
+            set => this.value = Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SepiaEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SepiaEffect.cs
index 3dea7a9e361..8e3039d0980 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SepiaEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/SepiaEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
@@ -12,10 +13,16 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.SepiaEffect"/> effect</remarks>
     public sealed class SepiaEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
+        private double intensity = 0.5;
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets the intensity of the effect (defaults to 0.5, should be in the [0, 1] range).
         /// </summary>
-        public double Intensity { get; set; } = 0.5;
+        public double Intensity
+        {
+            get => this.intensity;
+            set => this.intensity = Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ShadeEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ShadeEffect.cs
index d4575d226b8..4b6e0debe2d 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ShadeEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/ShadeEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 using Windows.UI;
 
@@ -17,10 +18,16 @@ public sealed class ShadeEffect : IPipelineEffect
         /// </summary>
         public Color Color { get; set; }
 
+        private double intensity = 0.5;
+
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the intensity of the color layer
+        /// Gets or sets the intensity of the color layer (default to 0.5, should be in the [0, 1] range)
         /// </summary>
-        public double Intensity { get; set; }
+        public double Intensity
+        {
+            get => this.intensity;
+            set => this.intensity = Math.Clamp(value, 0, 1);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/TemperatureAndTintEffect.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/TemperatureAndTintEffect.cs
index 6fb4b42afc4..2c31cbe1c65 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/TemperatureAndTintEffect.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Effects/TemperatureAndTintEffect.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The .NET Foundation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines;
 
 namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
@@ -12,15 +13,27 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Effects
     /// <remarks>This effect maps to the Win2D <see cref="Graphics.Canvas.Effects.TemperatureAndTintEffect"/> effect</remarks>
     public sealed class TemperatureAndTintEffect : IPipelineEffect
     {
+        private double temperature;
+
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the value of the temperature for the current effect
+        /// Gets or sets the value of the temperature for the current effect (defaults to 0, should be in the [-1, 1] range)
         /// </summary>
-        public double Temperature { get; set; }
+        public double Temperature
+        {
+            get => this.temperature;
+            set => this.temperature = Math.Clamp(value, -1, 1);
+        }
+
+        private double tint;
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Gets or sets the value of the tint for the current effect
+        /// Gets or sets the value of the tint for the current effect (defaults to 0, should be in the [-1, 1] range)
         /// </summary>
-        public double Tint { get; set; }
+        public double Tint
+        {
+            get => this.tint;
+            set => this.tint = Math.Clamp(value, -1, 1);
+        }
 
         /// <inheritdoc/>
         public PipelineBuilder AppendToPipeline(PipelineBuilder builder)
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Effects.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Effects.cs
index 4011fb7d691..96529ce540b 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Effects.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Effects.cs
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Blur(float blur, out EffectAnimation<float> animation, Ef
         /// <summary>
         /// Adds a new <see cref="SaturationEffect"/> to the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="saturation">The saturation amount for the new effect</param>
+        /// <param name="saturation">The saturation amount for the new effect (should be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
         public PipelineBuilder Saturation(float saturation)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Saturation(float saturation)
         /// <summary>
         /// Adds a new <see cref="SaturationEffect"/> to the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="saturation">The initial saturation amount for the new effect</param>
+        /// <param name="saturation">The initial saturation amount for the new effect (should be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="setter">The optional saturation setter for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Saturation(float saturation, out EffectSetter<float> sett
         /// <summary>
         /// Adds a new <see cref="SaturationEffect"/> to the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="saturation">The initial saturation amount for the new effect</param>
+        /// <param name="saturation">The initial saturation amount for the new effect (should be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="animation">The optional saturation animation for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Opacity(float opacity, out EffectAnimation<float> animati
         /// <summary>
         /// Applies an exposure effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="amount">The amount of exposure to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="amount">The amount of exposure to apply over the current effect (should be in the [-2, 2] range)</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
         public PipelineBuilder Exposure(float amount)
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Exposure(float amount)
         /// <summary>
         /// Applies an exposure effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="amount">The initial exposure of tint to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="amount">The initial exposure of tint to apply over the current effect (should be in the [-2, 2] range)</param>
         /// <param name="setter">The optional amount setter for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Exposure(float amount, out EffectSetter<float> setter)
         /// <summary>
         /// Applies an exposure effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="amount">The initial exposure of tint to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="amount">The initial exposure of tint to apply over the current effect (should be in the [-2, 2] range)</param>
         /// <param name="animation">The optional amount animation for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -476,8 +476,8 @@ public PipelineBuilder Tint(Color color, out EffectAnimation<Color> animation)
         /// <summary>
         /// Applies a temperature and tint effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="temperature">The temperature value to use</param>
-        /// <param name="tint">The tint value to use</param>
+        /// <param name="temperature">The temperature value to use (should be in the [-1, 1] range)</param>
+        /// <param name="tint">The tint value to use (should be in the [-1, 1] range)</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
         public PipelineBuilder TemperatureAndTint(float temperature, float tint)
@@ -495,9 +495,9 @@ public PipelineBuilder TemperatureAndTint(float temperature, float tint)
         /// <summary>
         /// Applies a temperature and tint effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="temperature">The temperature value to use</param>
+        /// <param name="temperature">The temperature value to use (should be in the [-1, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="temperatureSetter">The optional temperature setter for the effect</param>
-        /// <param name="tint">The tint value to use</param>
+        /// <param name="tint">The tint value to use (should be in the [-1, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="tintSetter">The optional tint setter for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -527,9 +527,9 @@ public PipelineBuilder TemperatureAndTint(
         /// <summary>
         /// Applies a temperature and tint effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="temperature">The temperature value to use</param>
+        /// <param name="temperature">The temperature value to use (should be in the [-1, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="temperatureAnimation">The optional temperature animation for the effect</param>
-        /// <param name="tint">The tint value to use</param>
+        /// <param name="tint">The tint value to use (should be in the [-1, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="tintAnimation">The optional tint animation for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder TemperatureAndTint(
         /// Applies a shade effect on the current pipeline
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="color">The color to use</param>
-        /// <param name="mix">The amount of mix to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="mix">The amount of mix to apply over the current effect (must be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
         public PipelineBuilder Shade(Color color, float mix)
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Shade(Color color, float mix)
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="color">The color to use</param>
         /// <param name="colorSetter">The optional color setter for the effect</param>
-        /// <param name="mix">The initial amount of mix to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="mix">The initial amount of mix to apply over the current effect (must be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="mixSetter">The optional mix setter for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ public PipelineBuilder Shade(
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="color">The color to use</param>
         /// <param name="colorAnimation">The optional color animation for the effect</param>
-        /// <param name="mix">The initial amount of mix to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="mix">The initial amount of mix to apply over the current effect (must be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="mixAnimation">The optional mix animation for the effect</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Merge.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Merge.cs
index 56b8fcb1938..9caba936497 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Merge.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Merge.cs
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
-using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
 using System.Diagnostics.Contracts;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
@@ -20,126 +19,100 @@ namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media.Pipelines
     /// </summary>
     public sealed partial class PipelineBuilder
     {
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Gets the aligned pipelines to merge for a given operation
-        /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="left">The left pipeline to merge</param>
-        /// <param name="right">The right pipeline to merge</param>
-        /// <param name="placement">The placemeht to use with the two input pipelines</param>
-        /// <returns>A <see cref="ValueTuple{T1,T2}"/> instance with the aligned pipelines</returns>
-        [Pure]
-        [SuppressMessage("StyleCop.CSharp.SpacingRules", "SA1008", Justification = "ValueTuple<T1,T2> return type")]
-        private static (PipelineBuilder Foreground, PipelineBuilder Background) GetMergePipeline(
-            PipelineBuilder left,
-            PipelineBuilder right,
-            Placement placement)
-        {
-            return placement switch
-            {
-                Placement.Foreground => (left, right),
-                Placement.Background => (right, left),
-                _ => throw new ArgumentException($"Invalid placement value: {placement}")
-            };
-        }
-
         /// <summary>
         /// Blends two pipelines using a <see cref="BlendEffect"/> instance with the specified mode
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="pipeline">The second <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to blend</param>
         /// <param name="mode">The desired <see cref="BlendEffectMode"/> to use to blend the input pipelines</param>
-        /// <param name="placement">The placemeht to use with the two input pipelines</param>
+        /// <param name="placement">The placemeht to use with the two input pipelines (the default is <see cref="Placement.Foreground"/>)</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
         public PipelineBuilder Blend(PipelineBuilder pipeline, BlendEffectMode mode, Placement placement = Placement.Foreground)
         {
-            var pipelines = GetMergePipeline(this, pipeline, placement);
+            var (foreground, background) = placement switch
+            {
+                Placement.Foreground => (pipeline, this),
+                Placement.Background => (this, pipeline),
+                _ => throw new ArgumentException($"Invalid placement value: {placement}")
+            };
 
             async ValueTask<IGraphicsEffectSource> Factory() => new BlendEffect
             {
-                Foreground = await pipelines.Foreground.sourceProducer(),
-                Background = await pipelines.Background.sourceProducer(),
+                Foreground = await foreground.sourceProducer(),
+                Background = await background.sourceProducer(),
                 Mode = mode
             };
 
-            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, pipelines.Foreground, pipelines.Background);
+            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, foreground, background);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Cross fades two pipelines using an <see cref="CrossFadeEffect"/> instance
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="pipeline">The second <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to cross fade</param>
-        /// <param name="factor">The cross fade factor to blend the input effects</param>
-        /// <param name="placement">The placement to use with the two input pipelines</param>
+        /// <param name="factor">The cross fade factor to blend the input effects (default is 0.5, must be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
-        public PipelineBuilder CrossFade(PipelineBuilder pipeline, float factor = 0.5f, Placement placement = Placement.Foreground)
+        public PipelineBuilder CrossFade(PipelineBuilder pipeline, float factor = 0.5f)
         {
-            var pipelines = GetMergePipeline(this, pipeline, placement);
-
             async ValueTask<IGraphicsEffectSource> Factory() => new CrossFadeEffect
             {
                 CrossFade = factor,
-                Source1 = await pipelines.Foreground.sourceProducer(),
-                Source2 = await pipelines.Background.sourceProducer()
+                Source1 = await this.sourceProducer(),
+                Source2 = await pipeline.sourceProducer()
             };
 
-            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, pipelines.Foreground, pipelines.Background);
+            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, this, pipeline);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Cross fades two pipelines using an <see cref="CrossFadeEffect"/> instance
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="pipeline">The second <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to cross fade</param>
-        /// <param name="factor">The cross fade factor to blend the input effects</param>
+        /// <param name="factor">The cross fade factor to blend the input effects (should be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="setter">The optional blur setter for the effect</param>
-        /// <param name="placement">The placement to use with the two input pipelines</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
-        public PipelineBuilder CrossFade(PipelineBuilder pipeline, float factor, out EffectSetter<float> setter, Placement placement = Placement.Foreground)
+        public PipelineBuilder CrossFade(PipelineBuilder pipeline, float factor, out EffectSetter<float> setter)
         {
-            var pipelines = GetMergePipeline(this, pipeline, placement);
-
             string id = Guid.NewGuid().ToUppercaseAsciiLetters();
 
             async ValueTask<IGraphicsEffectSource> Factory() => new CrossFadeEffect
             {
                 CrossFade = factor,
-                Source1 = await pipelines.Foreground.sourceProducer(),
-                Source2 = await pipelines.Background.sourceProducer(),
+                Source1 = await this.sourceProducer(),
+                Source2 = await pipeline.sourceProducer(),
                 Name = id
             };
 
             setter = (brush, value) => brush.Properties.InsertScalar($"{id}.{nameof(CrossFadeEffect.CrossFade)}", value);
 
-            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, pipelines.Foreground, pipelines.Background, new[] { $"{id}.{nameof(CrossFadeEffect.CrossFade)}" });
+            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, this, pipeline, new[] { $"{id}.{nameof(CrossFadeEffect.CrossFade)}" });
         }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Cross fades two pipelines using an <see cref="CrossFadeEffect"/> instance
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="pipeline">The second <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to cross fade</param>
-        /// <param name="factor">The cross fade factor to blend the input effects</param>
+        /// <param name="factor">The cross fade factor to blend the input effects (should be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="animation">The optional blur animation for the effect</param>
-        /// <param name="placement">The placement to use with the two input pipelines</param>
         /// <returns>A new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance to use to keep adding new effects</returns>
         [Pure]
-        public PipelineBuilder CrossFade(PipelineBuilder pipeline, float factor, out EffectAnimation<float> animation, Placement placement = Placement.Foreground)
+        public PipelineBuilder CrossFade(PipelineBuilder pipeline, float factor, out EffectAnimation<float> animation)
         {
-            var pipelines = GetMergePipeline(this, pipeline, placement);
-
             string id = Guid.NewGuid().ToUppercaseAsciiLetters();
 
             async ValueTask<IGraphicsEffectSource> Factory() => new CrossFadeEffect
             {
                 CrossFade = factor,
-                Source1 = await pipelines.Foreground.sourceProducer(),
-                Source2 = await pipelines.Background.sourceProducer(),
+                Source1 = await this.sourceProducer(),
+                Source2 = await pipeline.sourceProducer(),
                 Name = id
             };
 
             animation = (brush, value, duration) => brush.StartAnimationAsync($"{id}.{nameof(CrossFadeEffect.CrossFade)}", value, duration);
 
-            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, pipelines.Foreground, pipelines.Background, new[] { $"{id}.{nameof(CrossFadeEffect.CrossFade)}" });
+            return new PipelineBuilder(Factory, this, pipeline, new[] { $"{id}.{nameof(CrossFadeEffect.CrossFade)}" });
         }
 
         /// <summary>
diff --git a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Prebuilt.cs b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Prebuilt.cs
index 52ef3f2d1b1..f1ec4ccf407 100644
--- a/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Prebuilt.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Media/Pipelines/PipelineBuilder.Prebuilt.cs
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ public static PipelineBuilder FromHostBackdropAcrylic(
         /// Returns a new <see cref="PipelineBuilder"/> instance that implements the in-app backdrop acrylic effect
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="tintColor">The tint color to use</param>
-        /// <param name="tintOpacity">The amount of tint to apply over the current effect</param>
+        /// <param name="tintOpacity">The amount of tint to apply over the current effect (must be in the [0, 1] range)</param>
         /// <param name="blurAmount">The amount of blur to apply to the acrylic brush</param>
         /// <param name="noiseUri">The <see cref="Uri"/> for the noise texture to load for the acrylic effect</param>
         /// <param name="cacheMode">The cache mode to use to load the image</param>
@@ -129,10 +129,7 @@ public static PipelineBuilder FromBackdropAcrylic(
             Uri noiseUri,
             CacheMode cacheMode = CacheMode.Default)
         {
-            var pipeline =
-                FromBackdrop()
-                .Shade(tintColor, tintOpacity)
-                .Blur(blurAmount);
+            var pipeline = FromBackdrop().Shade(tintColor, tintOpacity).Blur(blurAmount);
 
             if (noiseUri != null)
             {