• search

Blog » Roller Shades

Window Treatment Ideas for Apartments

Posted: Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 | Filed under: Folding Shades, Green shading, modern window treatments, natural light, privacy window treatments, Roller Shades, Roman shades, room darkening window treatments

Window Treatment Ideas

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: , , , , | No Comments »

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.

Tags: , , , | No Comments »

Types of Window Shades

Posted: Monday, April 23rd, 2012 | Filed under: blackout shades, Folding Shades, Roller Shades, Roman shades
Window Shades

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: , , , | No Comments »

What Are Blackout Shades?

Posted: Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 | Filed under: blackout shades, modern window treatments, privacy window treatments, Roller Shades, Shading systems

Blackout shades are a type of window treatment that is used to prevent light from entering a room. Blackout shades are often used in bedrooms when the light needs to be shut out to allow for a comfortable sleep. This type of window treatment can also be referred to as blackout shades, room darkening shades or light-tight shades, depending on the amount of light they allow into a room.

Room darkening shades reduce the amount of sunlight entering a room. They don’t block out as much light as blackout of light-tight shades, but can still control the amount of exterior light entering the room. Depending on the fabric you choose for your room, you can determine how much light is blocked.

Blackout shades and curtains are typically an effective solution to block light and trap energy. Exposure to light when you sleep can trigger health problems. Employees that work night shifts are forced to sleep during the day and without blackout shades can disrupt natural sleep patterns. Blackout shades are a great solution and an excellent idea if you work night shifts or even if you just need to block out the morning sunlight to be sure you receive your full eight hours.

Blackout shade materials can vary. Some blackout shade window treatments are made with fiberglass, others are vinyl and plastic. Large windows can be a bit more challenging to cover, but adding a motorized option can help solve the problem. Power controlled shades can simply resolve the awkward opening and closing of blackout shades. Homeowners in New York City are very familiar with blackout shades because as you know “the city never sleeps.”

Tags: , , | No Comments »

Safety of Window Shades

Posted: Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 | Filed under: Folding Shades, Roller Shades, Roman shades, Shading systems

We are all aware of the dangers of hanging window cords. Families with small children or pets must be aware of the strangulation hazards and take steps to protect them.

Child safe window treatments

Child safe window treatments

Older window coverings are particularly dangerous and often have long, tangled cords that reach the floor. These products do not meet the latest standards for window treatment safety.

Older shades and blinds should be replaced with cordless window products, according to The Window Covering Safety Council. This is particularly true for rooms of young children and infants, where cords pose a strangulation threat.

Parents of pets must also keep in mind that cords can also be a danger to curious cats and dogs. Cats enjoy perching on window sills and dogs often like to look out windows to see where you go during the day, if you’re coming home, and who might be trespassing in their yard. Therefore, they open themselves up to the strangulation hazards that many pet parents do not even consider.

Addressing safety issues in window coverings with newer cordless blinds can also provide a cleaner appearance to windows. Cords can be an eye-sore, particularly for older blinds. Oftentimes, the string needs tied to prevent it from touching the ground, even when the blinds rest on the window sill. When the blinds are pulled open, the string lengthens and needs to be adjusted, tied up, or hidden, resulting in an unkempt appearance even in a spotless room.

New cordless blinds are slick, stylish, and come in a variety of styles and designs. Folding shades, for instance, are available in accordion-style pleats, honeycomb, and Roman shades. Additionally, there are a virtually unlimited number of fabric and pleat options to design the perfect match to your room and your tastes. Custom fabric designs and a variety of shapes can be used to create a unique window treatment specific to your needs.

Cordless blinds are also available with remote control technology, allowing you to raise or lower the shading system with the touch of a button. Systems can adjust automatically to light levels, temperature, or other factors.

Removing a safety hazard from your home is especially beneficial when you replace it with something that is elegant, convenient, and uniquely you.

http://www.windowcoverings.org/basic_cord_safety.html

Tags: , , | No Comments »

« Older Entries