| |
Posts Tagged ‘Shading systems’
 Retractable Awning For homeowners who love to spend time outdoors, protection from harmful UV rays is crucial. Avoid an increased skin cancer risk by installing a retractable awning in your outdoor living space. On days with unbearable heat, awnings provide reduced temperatures in both outdoor and indoor seating areas. Deterring the sunlight from reaching the windows, retractable awnings can assist with keeping indoor temperatures nice and cool.
Retractable awnings also offer a safe haven from blinding sunlight, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while reading or playing games. With retractable awnings, there are a variety of design and layout options. Some even feature screens to protect from bugs. One of the best features of the retractable awning is the ability to motorize the shade. With the touch of a button, your retractable awning will assemble itself over your outdoor living space. No work required! Read more »
Tags: awnings, retractable awnings, Shading systems | No Comments »
Posted: Friday, August 31st, 2012 | Filed under: blackout shades, Blockout shades, drapery systems, Folding Shades, Green shading, Greener living, interior design, modern window treatments, motorized window treatments, natural light, privacy window treatments
 Solar Control Not all window shades are designing for solar control, many are simply for décor. If you’re in the market for new window treatments, it’s important to thoroughly identify your needs for window shades. If you’re simply trying to add some color to your room, in addition to the honeycomb shades already on your window, you may not necessarily need solar control. In other cases, if you don’t already have window treatments on your windows, purchasing window shades that don’t protect against the harsh sun, you can fight against your air conditioning.
Many different window shade manufacturers offer solar control options. One of the best options for solar control is a drapery system. Since most draperies are thick and can protect your interior against harmful light or heat, they are a great option to consider in any room of your house.
Drapery systems allow you to adjust your curtains horizontally along with the sun’s movement. You can open and close your draperies throughout the day to allow light in at certain times, and keep it out when the sun is at it’s strongest in mid afternoon.
To ease the process even more, you should consider motorized systems for your draperies. There are a variety of different motorized shades solutions that can be customized for any home. Motorized systems are very easy to use and can be set up on a timer! So, instead of manually opening and closing your draperies all day every day, set up your motorized system to do it automatically for you.
Draperies are a great option for solar control, especially because fabric and color choices are almost endless. You can even opt to add a blackout fabric liner in your curtains to fully block the light. This is a great option for bedrooms, media rooms and other living spaces in your home.
Aside from draperies, there are solar rolling shades that offer a clean, simple look to your home. There are honeycomb or Roman shades, all of which can be customized for your style and need. Most options are also available in a motorized system, so keep in mind the simplicity, compared to manually operated window shades.
Tags: blockout shades, drapes, privacy shades, Shading systems | No Comments »
Whether you’re looking for traditional window treatments or modern window treatments, three things you need to decide are how much light you would like to let in, your aesthetic preferences and the window measurements. Some windows are hard to find measurements for, which may lead you to seek advice and help from shading professionals, but that’s what you need to figure out.
 Traditional Window Treatments Traditional window treatments can be anything from Venetian blinds to drapery systems to honeycomb shades and valences. There are endless options, but these three tend to be popular choices.
First, decide on how much light you want to block. Venetian blinds are a great way to block light. You can open and close depending on the time of day. The downside to this type of window treatment is that they do not insulate heat well. SO, although they may be a good solution for your design needs, consider the lack of energy efficiency they provide before purchasing.
Drapery systems are a great option for any home. Motorizes drapery systems are even better. Once you master the vertical operational system to control sunlight and heat, this window treatment can provide a great aesthetic and design solution. Since draperies can be anything from a sheer fabric to a blackout type shades, you can design your system for your needs. Motorized shading solutions are easy to use and can help control sunlight and unwanted heat if your system can be set up on a timer!
When searching for traditional window treatments, you may face some challenges for awkwardly shaped and sized windows, but don’t give up too quickly. Many manufacturers give you the option of custom window treatments. There are professionals that will recommend the best shading solution for your window, depending on its size or shape. There are always answers!
Traditional window treatments come in more than just the examples we’ve provided. There are folding shades, Roman shades, blackout shades and many more options, but be sure to ask yourself how much light you want to come through, the size of the window and what kind of look you’re really seeking, then start shopping around.
Tags: Folding Shades, Shading systems, Traditional Window Treatments, window shades | No Comments »
 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.
Tags: Shading systems, window blinds, window shades, window treatments | No Comments »
 Skylight Blinds Skylight blinds are an easy way to control light and heat entering your home or office. Although skylights are a great way to allow natural light in, sometimes the heat and glare may become bothersome. Installing skylight blinds on your windows can help give you control of when to open and close your window blinds.
Skylight blinds and shades are made by a variety of manufacturers including Lutron, Mechoshade, Hunter Douglas and many more. With the range of options you have, skylight blinds can be customized for your irregular or traditional sized windows.
If you’re in New York City or other busy cities with constant light entering your home, consider room darkening or even blackout shades for your skylights. With the variety of fabric choices and window treatment options (folding shades, cellular shades, etc.), you can build your own.
Installing skylight blinds can be tricky, especially if you’re considering blackout shades, so hiring a professional may be in your best interest. Depending on the style or type of skylight blinds, you need to install them accurately for them to work in the ways you need.
Skylight blinds are also offered in motorized options, giving you the ability to open and close your window blinds with ease and as quick as 1, 2, 3. Motorized skylight blinds also eliminate any dangling cords or strings that may be distracting or hanging in the middle of the room. Motorized shades are always a simple solution, but might not be as cost effective as manual. Depending on your budget, both options provide great shading control for skylight blinds and shades.
Tags: commercial window treatments, Shading systems, Skylight blinds, window shades, window treatments | No Comments »
| |
