| |
 Window Treatment Ideas Sometimes living in a small space can be tough, but there’s no reason to take it out on your window treatments. Decorating a small space can be challenging, but there are plenty of options to choose from including draperies, window shades, roller shades and more that will suit your needs perfectly.
One of the most common window treatments for apartments is draperies and curtains. Draperies are a great window treatment for any size room. They help increase energy efficiency and have the ability to adjust horizontally to the sun’s movement. Draperies block heat from entering during hot summer months and keep in the warmth during the winter. Draperies come in so many different fabrics; you even have the ability to add a blackout liner to have the option of room darkening shades. There are different design elements you can add to draperies as well such as tassels or decorative rods.
Another great window treatment for apartments is roller shades. Since roller shades are a clean/minimal look, they are a great complement to any modern or contemporary home. Roller shades control the sun, heat and glare making them a perfect solution to any window treatment need. Roller shades can be customized to include blackout materials or solar control sunscreen materials. This type of window treatment is also available in a variety of fabrics to give you the look and feel you need for your home.
Both draperies and roller shades are great window treatments for any apartment, whether you’re in New York City or Los Angeles. Both provide sun and heat control and given the choices, can be customized to match any décor. There are also other window treatment options to consider including Venetian blinds, window film, valences and more. Depending on your personal style and preferences, any of these window treatments will work for your apartment.
Tags: custom window treatments, drapery systems, Folding Shades, modern window treatments, Roller Shades | No Comments »
 Honeycomb shades Summers in New York City can get pretty hot and sticky. Therefore, it’s important to keep the sun and heat out of your townhouse or apartments. There are many different energy efficient window treatments that can help keep out the scorching heat so you can be comfortable in your living space and save on energy costs!
One of the most energy efficient window treatments are folding shades, specifically honeycomb shades. Since about 40% of unwanted heat enters through windows, it’s important to consider energy efficient window shades. By simply closing them during the day and opening them at night n the summer months, you can save tremendously in energy costs.
Folding shades are a great option for energy efficient window treatments. The accordion style pleated shades are available in a variety of colors and fabrics to match any décor in your space. By installing the honeycomb shades as close to the window as possible, you can save even more.
If you don’t necessarily like the look of honeycomb shades, there are plenty of other options to choose from for energy efficient window treatments. Drapery systems are another great way to keep out the heat during summer. The thick fabric will block the sun and heat from entering your home. You can even find draperies with blackout liners for energy efficiency, room darkening and to block the noise.
Remember, the closer to the window you can get install your window treatments, the more energy you will be saving. Most window treatments these days are available in a wide variety of style options, including fabric and color choices, so depending on the look or function you’re hoping to achieve, there’s no doubt there’s a solution right for you.
Tags: custom window treatments, Folding Shades, honeycomb shades, window shades | No Comments »
 Window Shades There are two distinct categories for window shades: folding shades and rolling shades. Both offer great shading solutions and are excellent window treatment options for your home or office. Since folding shades and roller shades have a few different features, one may be a better option than the other, depending on what you’re looking for in window treatments.
Folding shades come in many different styles. The three main types of shades are Roman shades, honeycomb shades and pleated shades.
- Roman shades are used to block out the sunlight. What makes Roman shades different from other window shades is that when opened, they stack up evenly.
- Honeycomb shades are accordion-style pleated shades. If you look at these shades from the side, they look like a beehive, hence the name. What makes honeycomb shades a great window treatment option, if there high level of energy efficiency.
- Pleated shades are similar to honeycomb shades except that don’t have the cell. These shades don’t block light fully, but offer great style features and privacy.
Rolling shades are usually a single, solid piece of fabric that is opened and closed on a roller mechanism. These types of window shades offer great solar control. There are two main categories: Solar roller shades and privacy or blackout roller shades.
- Solar shades are designed specially for controlling heat and light. Because of the variety of fabric choices designed for these two demands, solar shades can satisfy both function and style demands.
- Privacy shadeswere designed for privacy solutions, but there are a variety of levels of privacy. Basic privacy shades block other from seeing inside your commercial or residential space.
- Room darkening and blackout shades serve both privacy concerns and light concerns. These types of roller shades are usually installed to block visible light from entering a room. Often times, businesses seek shading solutions for media and conference rooms in the New York City are to block the outside light and noise.
Folding shades and roller shades are both great window treatment options. With all of the style choices as well as the fabric choices available, it’s easy to customize your window treatments to fit your style and aesthetic demands.
Tags: Folding Shades, rolling shades, types of window treatments, window shades | No Comments »
 Blinds and Shades Blinds and shades are quite different, but there is often times confusion between the two. Window blinds typically have slats or vanes (vertical blinds), sometimes referred to as louvers. Blinds can be horizontal or vertical and rotate back and forth (or up and down) to control light. Operating a blind is simple, tilting the slats or vanes will control the light and privacy.
Window shades are different from blinds because they are made with one continuous piece of material or fabric. Window shades are rolled up and down or folded up (folding shades). They come in a variety of fabric and style options, ranging from Roman shades, roller shades and even solar shades.
Both blinds and shades offer shading solutions for windows in your home or office space. There are a few things to consider though when trying to choose between the two. If you’re searching for modern window treatments that will give you privacy, window blinds are a good option. It’s simple to adjust the slates or vanes to allow in natural light which blocking people from seeing in. Window shades also provide privacy, but have to be fully down, blocking the natural light. So, although you’re blocking people from seeing in, you’re also blocking out the natural light. If you choose a thinner fabric, window shades can still allow partial light to enter and keep your privacy.
Another factor to consider when choosing window shades or blinds is the insulation. Choosing a window treatment with an energy efficiency value will help lower energy costs. Window shades have better insulation, hands down. Cellular shades, Roman shades and solar shades all offer great insulation.
Aesthetically, both options offer shading solutions, but you have to consider privacy, energy efficiency and even style when choosing between shades and blinds.
Tags: Shading systems, window blinds, window shades, window treatments | No Comments »
 Skylight Blinds Skylight blinds are an easy way to control light and heat entering your home or office. Although skylights are a great way to allow natural light in, sometimes the heat and glare may become bothersome. Installing skylight blinds on your windows can help give you control of when to open and close your window blinds.
Skylight blinds and shades are made by a variety of manufacturers including Lutron, Mechoshade, Hunter Douglas and many more. With the range of options you have, skylight blinds can be customized for your irregular or traditional sized windows.
If you’re in New York City or other busy cities with constant light entering your home, consider room darkening or even blackout shades for your skylights. With the variety of fabric choices and window treatment options (folding shades, cellular shades, etc.), you can build your own.
Installing skylight blinds can be tricky, especially if you’re considering blackout shades, so hiring a professional may be in your best interest. Depending on the style or type of skylight blinds, you need to install them accurately for them to work in the ways you need.
Skylight blinds are also offered in motorized options, giving you the ability to open and close your window blinds with ease and as quick as 1, 2, 3. Motorized skylight blinds also eliminate any dangling cords or strings that may be distracting or hanging in the middle of the room. Motorized shades are always a simple solution, but might not be as cost effective as manual. Depending on your budget, both options provide great shading control for skylight blinds and shades.
Tags: commercial window treatments, Shading systems, Skylight blinds, window shades, window treatments | No Comments »
| |