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Blog » Greener living
 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.
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 Blackout Shades Blackout shades are a type of window treatment used in homes and offices to prevent light from entering a room. Blackout shades are often used in apartments throughout New York City because well, it’s known as the “city that never sleeps.” If you’re looking for complete darkness in your bedroom to get a full night’s rest, consider installing blackout shades. Many times blackout shades are installed in media or home theater rooms as well, where a television or other piece of viewing technology is. Blackout shades prevent glare from the sun on televisions, computers and other viewing screens.
Material varies for blackout shades and there are different levels of “blackout.” Depending on the amount of light you want to enter, if any at all, you can decide which level of opacity you want. Here are a ways manufacturers determine which blackout shades are appropriate for which clients:
Room darkening shades
Although room darkening shades aren’t exactly “blackout” they are a level of classification. Room darkening shades can block sunlight from entering a room, but they don’t block the same level of light that other blackout shades do.
Blockout shades
Blockout shades actually block up to 99% of visible light. These shades are great for bedrooms and media rooms. Since blockout shades leave a halo of light around them, you can choose to add draperies to completely block off the light entering or allow the seepage.
Light-Tight shades
If you’re looking for full darkness, light-tight shades are the choice for you. These window shades also block up to 99% of light, but there are no seepages as all. They are snug around the edges not allowing light to enter.
Since most of these options can be customized to your personal fabric choice, it comes down to the amount of light you want to enter your room. Each option, whether it be room darkening shades, blockout shades or light-tight shades all offer similar features.
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 Designer window treatments Window treatments are more than just an accent to your home; they are great energy savers as well. Window treatments provide insulation during cold winter months and do just the opposite during summer months, repel the heat. There are many different window treatments to choose from, from folding shades to Roman shades to draperiesand beyond. Based on the types of benefits you’re looking for from your window treatments, you can start considering options for your window shades.
During cold weather, windows are the cause of heat loss. If you’re looking for window treatments to cover your windows during winter, there are a few different options. Roller shades offer homeowners a great solution to keeping the heat in their homes. Since roller shades offer a clean, minimal look, they are great compliments to any interior furnishings. Roller shades sit very close to the glass on windows, reducing convention currents, which doesn’t allow the heat to escape. Since roller shades are available in a wide variety of fabric options, you can meet both your design and function needs.
Any type of insulated window shades or blinds can help reduce heat loss in your home. Honeycomb shades are good insulators and offer a simple design element to your home. Since the honeycomb style window shades offer separation of warm and cold air, they keep the heat in and the cold out. Again, offered in a variety of fabrics and the choice single or double honeycomb configurations, you can customize your shades for both your style and function needs.
Draperies are also great energy savers for your home. The key to using drapery systems is to make sure gaps are closed at the top and on the sides of the window treatments. Let the draperies hang down to the floor (or window sill) “closing” the bottom gap as well. This will help keep the warmth in your home for winter, saving costs on heating bills.
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Window treatments can enhance your office space as well as provide sun and heat control. Aside from style and function, window treatments can be “green.” There are a few ways to keep your office energy efficient through your window treatments. Many window treatment manufacturers are now offering eco-friendly products, which is a start, but there are other ways in addition to the actual product to help make your office more environment-friendly.
Window treatments are a great way to keep your office space energy efficient. All window treatments provide some sort of insulation, helping to keep out the heat in the summer or maintain it in the winter months. There are specific products that are made for preventing heat loss or gain, such as honeycomb window shades, which have been found to be one of the most energy efficient window treatments on the market right now. Honeycomb shades are a type of folding shade that when installed closely to the glass window with the sides of the shade close to the wall, can reduce heat loss by up to 50%! These are a great way to save energy in your office (and reduce your heating bill).
Many window treatments are made from natural materials (cotton, silk or hemp). Most natural materials are re-used or recycled and much better for the environment. Roman shades are a great example of window coverings that offer shades from raw materials and non-chemical fabrics. You can design your Roman shades from a great selection of fabrics and materials.
Another “green” option to think about when choosing office window treatments is the type of materials your window coverings are made out of. Most window treatments are made from natural materials and don’t affect the air quality if your office space, but there are exceptions. Plastic window shades often contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which releases carcinogenic dioxin into the area, decreasing the air quality. Many times, this can affect respiratory problems and inhibit hormonal systems in the body.
There are always things to consider when choosing the best office window treatments for your business. “Green” options are a great way to help the environment, keep the quality of your air positive and reduce your heating bill! Business across the country and many in NYC have chosen green window treatments for their office. There are many styles to choose from and most manufacturers now offer environment-friendly products.
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Interior French doors are very common, especially as an add on in home renovations. Some prefer to not cover French doors at all, but others consider window treatments for their French doors. There are a number of options to consider, from solar window shades to sheer window coverings to customer drapery.
Starting with a soft, elegant option, a simple sheer window shade look can offer privacy, block UV rays and also give the room a gentle look. Nothing more than a thin cover, sheer window shades can be the perfect touch. You can choose from horizontal of vertical sheer window treatments, depending on the room you’re accenting.
Keeping with the elegant theme, another option for French door window treatments is to add custom drapery. Accenting your French doors with a bold look can bring out the beauty in the French doors. You can use thick of thin fabric depending on whether you will want to block out the sun and heat at times, or keep them as décor.
For a different, wooden look, shutters can make a great statement on your French doors. While looking classy, yet simple wooden shutters can be the perfect solution for your French door window treatments. While there are no strings to get in the way, shutters can darken a room when need be, keep clean lines and create a bold look for your room.
Depending of the décor you’re looking for or the function you want your window treatments to serve, adding French doors to your renovation can really make a statement. Many New York City residents customize their French door window treatments to their liking.
Tags: interior design, modern window treatments, window treatmet design | No Comments »
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