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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.

Folding Shades for Energy Efficiency

 Folding shades

Folding shades

Folding shades, particularly cellular or honeycomb shades are an excellent energy saver. If you’re in the market for new window treatments and are looking to save on energy costs, these shades are a great way to do so.

Cellular shades provide great insulation for your home. In between the cells of the shades are tiny pockets that trap air to maintain the climate within the room. Since heat moves towards the cold, during winter the heat is drawn towards the cold glass of windows to escape. The shades, particularly the pockets inside the cells block the heat from escaping, maintaining the interior temperature. The same thing happens during summer months when the cool air is trying to reach the warm glass. Whether you’re trying to keep the heat in during winter or block out the heat during summer, these folding shades do both.

Honeycomb shades are a great window treatment for both energy efficiency and light control. Most folding shades are available in a wide variety of fabric and pleat choices, making customization simple. If you’re looking for blackout fabric or a thin opacity to let the light in but still keep in your heat, those are both available.

Honeycomb shades and folding shades have been a popular choice of window treatments for as long as we can remember. If you’re looking to make your life more simple, consider motorized shades. By adding motor control technology to your window treatments, you can open and close them with the press of a button (from the other room!)

Folding shades can also be customized in other types, such as Roman shades. Roman shades. Roman shades don’t have the cell like honeycomb shades do, but provide great solar control for any room! If you are looking for energy efficient window treatments, honeycomb shades are a great option!

Energy Efficient 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.

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%!

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.