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Energy Efficient Window Treatments

Posted: Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 | Filed under: Folding Shades, Green shading, Greener living, Home cooling, Roller Shades, sustainable living, window shading, window treatments
Honeycomb shades

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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Retractable Awnings

Posted: Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 | Filed under: Green shading, Home cooling, motorized window treatments, retractable awnings

Retractable awnings are great for patios, balconies or any outdoor space where you’re looking for some shade on a bright, hot day or some protection from the rain on a gloomy day. Retractable awnings let you use your exterior areas to the fullest. Protect your patio space from heat, sun or rain with a retractable awning. Retractable awnings are not only great protection against unwanted weather, but because they are adjustable you can adjust them based on certain weather conditions.

Choosing a retractable awning over a fixed awning gives you flexibility. Motorized retractable awnings can be adjusted to any degree with the touch of a button. With motorized retractable awnings, you can also setup timers to link to weather conditions: wind, motion or sun. With automatic controls, your awning can adjust itself for you, even if you aren’t home. Retractable awnings are also easier to install that fixed awnings because they don’t require a permanent frame.

Retractable awnings are practical and can even serve as décor. With the wide selection of fabrics to choose from, customize your own retractable awning, like you would your window treatments, with designs based on your personal style and preference, or to match the exterior of your home.

Homeowners throughout New Jersey and townhouse owners throughout New York City have retractable awnings installed to keep out sun, glare and rain. By customizing your retractable awning to operate based off timers, you can reduce air conditioning costs and energy bills by over 20%!

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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.

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Shades for Your Sunroom

Posted: Monday, December 13th, 2010 | Filed under: Home cooling, interior design, sunroom shades

A sunroom can be a perfect room to relax, particularly in the winter months when you may not be able to get outside as often as you would like. While oftentimes, you enjoy the sunlight in cooler weather, there are times that it is just too bright or too hot. It does not take long for a sunroom to become overheated and stuffy. This is a problem that many people do not consider before adding large windows to a home. But there is an answer that is easier than you think.

Sunroom shades

Sunroom shades

Retractable shades are the perfect solution for the downside of sunlight in your atrium, solarium, or sunroom. Elegant and stylish, the shades systems are available with motorized controls that automatically open or retract based on temperature, brightness, or other conditions. You can also override the system with the touch of a button on a remote control.

Remote controlled window treatments are particularly beneficial for hard to reach areas, such as a sky light or wall-length windows. While residents want the ability to enjoy the view out their windows, they also want the ability to control glare and heat.

One major issue that is a concern for both residential and commercial sunrooms is the inherent lack of privacy in a glass-walled room. A retractable shading system addresses this problem. The modern window treatments can allow a great deal or a small amount of light into a room, while still protecting your privacy.

Privacy window treatments allow those on the inside to see everything out the windows, yet completely shield the view from the outside in. This is especially helpful for rooms located near a busy sidewalk or during confidential business meetings.

Another common issue associated with large windows in a sunroom is the deterioration of furniture, books, or other belongings. Sunlight quickly fades wood, fabric, and most other materials. However, a properly installed retractable shading system will protect your furnishings from potential sun damage.

If you are becoming frustrated with the sun in your “sun” room, you do have the ability to turn your windowed room into all that you imagined it would be with the help of retractable shades.

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Retractable Awnings and home value

Posted: Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 | Filed under: awnings, exterior shades, Home cooling
Retractable Awnings

Retractable Awnings

Most of us want to save energy cost and control the elements of the weather when it comes to our homes. Summer days mean hot uncomfortable days and winter days can mean pouring rain for most of us. Being this is true for most of us, many of us should look into adding a retractable awning to our backyard patio or some of our windows that are most effected by the weather’s elements.

The benefits of a retractable awning are that of many! On a rainy day, stepping outdoors under an awning will be a dry moment instead of a wet moment. On a hot day there are many benefits as well. A retractable awning will stop the sun from hitting the part of the home we aim to protect from the heat. Stopping the sun in its tracks will mean saving on energy cost and staying cooler on a hot, otherwise, uncomfortable day!

Installing a quality retractable awning will increase the value of your home as well. Those looking into purchasing will see the benefits of a retractable awning as an investment as well. A quality awning will last a long time and will benefit the new home owner in regards to comfort, eye appeal, and energy cost. Having this addition will allow you to sell your house for a bit more then your neighbor’s home because of these benefits.

There are many attractive, yet durable, options when choosing a retractable awning for your home. Hiring a professional to help you install or to make the best judgment in where and how to install a new awning for your home is best. Decide what you need from a retractable awning and let a professional guide you in the right direction.

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