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Exterior Shades

Posted: Monday, December 24th, 2012 | Filed under: awnings, exterior shades, Home cooling, natural light, window shading, window treatments

 

Window Awning

Window Awning via wikimedia

Exterior shades can be a great solution to help control unwanted sunlight or glare issues. These shades can be great for any window in your house that gets a lot of sun throughout the day. They also make great shading solutions for greenhouses, sunrooms, outdoor patio or seating areas or even glass garages, most often found on businesses or more modern homes.

Most exterior shades can be mounted on any window or patio around your house to control solar heat rays. With the touch of a button, the motorized shades can be opened or closed! Read more »

Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors

Posted: Thursday, October 4th, 2012 | Filed under: exterior shades, Folding Shades, Home cooling, interior design, modern window treatments

Today, with so many window treatment options, covering your sliding glass patio door is easy! Most sliding glass door window coverings are vertical because of the shape and function of the door. Vertical blinds offer privacy and light control, which are two of the most important features. Vertical blinds are also easy to install and don’t take a lot of work.

Sliding Glass Door Window Treatments

Sliding Glass Door Window Treatments

Glass sliding doors are functional and stylish. Most provide easy access to the patio or deck where your family might enjoy barbecues or picnics. On the other side might be your kitchen where you want to keep things simple. Deciding on your sliding glass door window covering should give good balance between the two sides. Here are some options to consider:

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are a common solution to sliding glass doors. They are easy to adjust, provide solar control and are easy to open and close. The modern option of vertical blinds are back-stacking vinyl blinds. This option keeps the blind vanes from tangling up. Vertical blinds are available in different blackout levels, which is a great way to block out the unwanted glare or noise from the outside.

Sliding Panel Blinds

Horizontal panel options are usually the best option if you’re looking for light control. If you’re looking to keep out that heavy sun during dinner or while you’re watching TV, these panel blinds keep out that glare while still giving you the view.

Draperies

Draperies are always an option. Because they move easily on tracks, you can adjust the shades to your liking. If you’re trying to enjoy dinner or want to keep out the sun midday, close them. If you want to watch your kids play in the backyard or keep the screen open during a cool fall day, open them. They also come in blackout options!

There are so many options for sliding glass door window treatments, so decide what your biggest need is and then you can settle on which covering is best for you.

Retractable Awnings Make Your Deck Comfortable During Summer

Posted: Friday, August 10th, 2012 | Filed under: exterior shades, Home cooling, modern window treatments, retractable awnings, Shading systems
Retractable Awnings for Decks

Retractable Awnings for Decks

Many people like to enjoy the summer weather, but can’t stand the sit in the direct sunlight. The sun can give off a significant amount of heat and if you’re trying to lounge on your deck after a long day of work, chances are the heat won’t be comforting. Retractable awnings are a great way to enjoy the weather without being scolded by the sun.

Retractable awnings can be installed in a variety of exterior areas including decks, balconies, patios, cabanas and other outdoor spaces. Depending on your space, you can customize your awning to your liking.

Whether manual or motorized, you can adjust the shades to any angle you desire, depending on if you’re looking for protection from the sun or rain. Motorized retractable awnings can be linked to timers and can automatically retract according to sensors or timers. They can also be manually controlled or with the touch of a button.  Believe it or not, since motorized shades don’t require a fixed frame, they are easier to install than fixed awnings.

Aside from the increased comfort outdoors, retractable awnings can also protect again rain and other weather conditions as well as reduce the amount of heat entering your home, ultimately affecting your air conditioning and energy bills. These shads also cut the amount of glare coming through glass windows.

Retractable awnings can be a beautiful addition to your home as they are customizable. With the wide selection of styles and fabrics to choose from, you can custom design your retractable awnings to match your décor. No matter the size or location of your outdoor space, retractable awnings can be great solutions to avoid summer heat.

Going Green With Window Treatments

Posted: Thursday, August 4th, 2011 | Filed under: exterior shades, Green shading, Greener living, Home cooling, modern window treatments

Green window treatments are a great idea and a smart idea for your home and the environment. Installing interior and exterior window treatments or window shades can be effective for more than just your home, but for the environment too. There are many different window treatment options for going green. How you choose to cover your windows can really make a difference in your energy efficiency and even your energy bills. Green window treatments and window shades help keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter and reduce your energy costs overall.

Here are a few things to consider when going green with your window treatments:

Choose light colored blinds, shades, curtains and drapes. Dark colors attract heat and sunlight while lighter colors reflect sunlight and heat away. Lighter colored shades will keep the heat out of your living space, while darker colors will absorb it and release it into your home.

Controlling sunlight before it enters your home is another great way to reduce excessive heat or sun exposure. Large windows that face towards the sky can be covered with exterior window shades to prevent and reduce solar exposure and heat before if hits the glass. Exterior window shades are a great way to keep out the heat.

Retractable awnings are also a great way to shade your windows. Aside from keeping the sunlight and heat out of your home, retractable awnings cut glare and UV rays before they reach the interior. Shading the exterior windows and doors in your home can reduce interior heat by 77% and can reduce air conditioning use and energy bills by almost 25%!

When you’re thinking about installing window treatments or window shades and you’re in the New York City area, think about going green with ideas from Shading Systems! Environmentally friendly window treatments are beneficial to your home and the environment! Remember: light colors to reflect sunlight, exterior window shades to prevent the sunlight and heat from hitting the glass and retractable awnings are all great eco-friendly window treatment ideas.

Retractable Awnings and House Value

Posted: Monday, September 27th, 2010 | Filed under: awnings, exterior shades, retractable awnings

Retractable awnings are a great addition to any home. Many choose to add retractable awnings to their homes for the simple fact that they increase value of their homes, protect their homes from the weather elements, and are quite appealing to the eye. Retractable awnings not only help us with added beauty and protecting us from the weather elements but they work to extend our living space creating a covered space to enjoy the outdoors underneath.

Retractable Awnings

Retractable Awnings

Protecting your home from the weather elements is by far a great reason retractable awnings increases the value of your home. Not only will your home be more energy efficient, but future home owners will take pride knowing that their home will be protected from the sun’s heat rays. When sun has the ability to peer through your windows, air-conditioners have to work harder, furniture can fade, and your home can be uncomfortable if you’re not running the air-conditioner. Stopping the sun with a retractable awning before it enters the home makes this energy efficient.

How do you add the appeal and space that retractable awnings provide? Choosing a fabric that best captures a welcoming experience helps you increase value of your home and helps create a look like no other. How about those that love entertaining others? Adding space to your home by covering your back patio with a retractable awning is a great benefit. Not only will you enjoy many hot days under the shade as you entertain guest, but those looking at your home as their future home will see this added space a great benefit.

Regardless your motive, to protect your home from the intruding sun, to add appeal to your home, or in adding space to entertain; choosing a retractable awning is simple and a great addition to your home. Creating exactly what you need to be comfortable in your home, your adding a cost effective and energy efficient addition to your home in which also increases the value of your home.