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Blog » window treatments
 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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 Blinds and Shades Blinds and shades are quite different, but there is often times confusion between the two. Window blinds typically have slats or vanes (vertical blinds), sometimes referred to as louvers. Blinds can be horizontal or vertical and rotate back and forth (or up and down) to control light. Operating a blind is simple, tilting the slats or vanes will control the light and privacy.
Window shades are different from blinds because they are made with one continuous piece of material or fabric. Window shades are rolled up and down or folded up (folding shades). They come in a variety of fabric and style options, ranging from Roman shades, roller shades and even solar shades.
Both blinds and shades offer shading solutions for windows in your home or office space. There are a few things to consider though when trying to choose between the two. If you’re searching for modern window treatments that will give you privacy, window blinds are a good option. It’s simple to adjust the slates or vanes to allow in natural light which blocking people from seeing in. Window shades also provide privacy, but have to be fully down, blocking the natural light. So, although you’re blocking people from seeing in, you’re also blocking out the natural light. If you choose a thinner fabric, window shades can still allow partial light to enter and keep your privacy.
Another factor to consider when choosing window shades or blinds is the insulation. Choosing a window treatment with an energy efficiency value will help lower energy costs. Window shades have better insulation, hands down. Cellular shades, Roman shades and solar shades all offer great insulation.
Aesthetically, both options offer shading solutions, but you have to consider privacy, energy efficiency and even style when choosing between shades and blinds.
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 Skylight Shades Glass skylights can be a great feature for any room, allowing natural light to enter through the ceiling. The downside is that skylights may also bring unwanted heat and glare. By adding skylight shades to your ceiling windows, you can control the amount of sunlight that enters throughout the day. During summer months, the ability to control the unwanted heat entering your home of office, may help significantly with cooling costs.
Because skylights are very popular, even more nowadays, so are skylight shades. Because of the popularity, skylight shades are available in a variety of options including folding shades or Roman shades, sloped shades, flat roller shades and even pleated shades. Any of these window treatments will provide a great shading solution for your skylight. Skylight shades are made specifically for unique ceiling windows and can be customized. Most manufacturers offer a variety of color and fabric options, including blackout fabrics.
One of the options for skylight shades includes motorizes shading control. Motorized skylight shades are a simple solution for your ceiling window treatments. Motorized shades eliminate the hassle of climbing ladders or maneuvering long cranks when trying to open and close your skylight shades. They also eliminate the dangling cords that some of the window shades come with.
Many prefer the simplified motorized skylight shades, but that’s not to say manual shades aren’t a suitable shading solutions for your ceiling windows. Depending on your want and need, either option can be customized for your windows. For architects, contractors, homeowners and others throughout the New York City area, sunlight shades are a great option for that bright light.
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Decorating or adding window treatments to any office can be challenging. If you’re adding window treatments to a small office, a large office or even a home office, finding the right window shades to compliment the atmosphere can take time. Here are some options to consider for office window treatments.
 office window treatments Roller shades
Roller shades have been installed in hundreds of office throughout New York City and across the country. Since there are a variety of options, most businesses can customize to their business brand look and feel. Roller shades also provide a great window treatment for solar control. Roller shades control the heat, sun as well as the glare. Offices have used this type of window shade for traditional offices as well as conference rooms where projectors or other types of media equipment is used for viewing purposes. Since roller shades offer a minimal look and feel, most businesses use them for the simplistic look. With a wide variety of fabrics and styles available, customization is always an option as well.
Folding shades
Folding shades offer businesses another option when choosing window treatments. There are styles such as Roman Shades (honeycomb shades or cellular shades) or other accordion-style options. Folding shades are also customizable and can be designed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on your shading needs you can use different fabrics, opacities and pleats. Add draperies or a valence to “spice” it up a bit.
Both roller shades as well as folding shades can be motorized, simplifying the opening and closing process. You can open your window shades from your desk! If you’re looking for window treatment options in the New York City area, please contact us and we offer a variety of options to match your needs.
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 Room Darkening Shades are designed specifically to keep light out of a room. There are varieties of fabric and styles to choose from, but most of them perform the same. Most people who are looking to block natural light or want to install window shades for privacy concerns use blackout shades, or some type of privacy shade.
Depending on your want or need (completely eliminating light, block UV rays or both), you can choose which type of blackout shade is right for you. Blackout shades are thicker than your traditional window shades and some require a blackout liner. Roman shades, cellular or honeycomb shades are often made with blockout material and can perform as blackout shades. Other window shades such as woven wood shades require a blackout liner. Each material is different and will have different effects depending on how it’s treated.
Blackout shades also serve as solar control and can help save energy and reduce your heating and cooling costs. Since sunlight passes through windows, by having blackout shades installed during the winter, you can keep in the heat (and keep the heat out during the summer). During both seasons, blackout shades can serve as insulators.
Since blackout shades are pretty standard, you can customize the color and fabric. They offer a sleek look to your window, but if you want to decorate your window even more, consider adding draperies or a valence. All in all, blackout shades are effective. If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep on Madison Avenue with all the commotion, blackout shades can surely help you achieve that. If you’re looking for a dark living room to watch your favorite movie, consider installed blackout shades.
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