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Posts Tagged ‘window treatments’
 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 »
 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.
Tags: motorized shades, Skylight Shades, window shades, window treatments | No Comments »
 Window Treatments If you live on the East Coast, weather in New York City, New Jersey or elsewhere, chances are you’re no stranger to the frigid winter weather. There are different ways to keep the chill outside through your windows and window treatments.
Insulated windows will help keep the cold air outside, but there are other ways, from the inside, to warm up your home. Window shades are a great energy saver, for both winter and summer months. They help keep the heat inside the house during winter, and block the heat during summer. If you can mount the window shades inside the window frame, this will help close any open space. Empty space allows heat to escape.
Different types of folding shades can also provide insulation during cold winter months. There are many different options of window shades available, but if you’re looking for energy savers, consider folding shades. Insulated Roman shades will help keep the heat inside the house. The strong materials fight the cold, and if it’s a bright sunny day, there’s no reason you can’t fold them up to enjoy the weather. Since folding shades are available in such a variety of fabrics, you can customize your look and feel based on what you’re looking for, both style and purpose.
Drapery systems are also another option for window treatments. Draperies are often the preferred solar control option and can be useful for winter and summer months. If you’re considering window shades for solar control, when choosing draperies, it’s important to make sure the draperies are sealed at the top of the window. Again, with open space the heat can escape. Because draperies offer the ability to adjust based on the sun’s movement or other weather conditions, you have control over solar options.
There are many options for window treatments and window shades, but if you’re thinking about the cold winter weather, consider folding shades (particularly insulated) or draperies. There are both great solutions for solar control and offer a variety of style options.
Tags: Energy Efficient window treatments, window treatment deigns, window treatments | No Comments »
If you’ve decided on adding (or changing) window treatments in your home, but can’t decide on what you want, be sure to run through this list of questions. Each window is different and every room in your home serves a different purpose. There are plenty of window treatments, window shades and window coverings to choose from, so there’s no doubt you can find the best window treatments for your home.
1. Do you want light to enter the room? If so, how much?
Depending on which room your adding window treatments to, that will most likely determine how much light you want to enter. If your windows face the sun, you’re probably going to want the option of keeping the sun out or letting it in. Different window shades can provide different levels of light entering a room.
2. Do you want privacy in the room?
Of course, most homeowners will want privacy in their homes, especially if you’re in a highly populated area, like New York City, but not all rooms need the same amount of privacy. Window blinds and window shades will allow you to determine the amount of privacy your want to keep. These types of window treatments allow opening and closing based on your preference at a specific time.
3. What are the needs for each room in your house?
Each room in your home has a different feel and purpose. When deciding on whether window shades or window blinds will be better, consider the needs for the room. Are your window hard to reach? Do you want full privacy? Do you want to keep the room energy efficient? Do you want the cords to be hidden behind the window coverings?
4. What type of style are you looking for?
Once your determine the function of the window treatments, you can move on to the “fun” part, style. Adding your personality to your home will allow you to choose the right look based on your personal preference. Most window shades, window blinds and other window treatments are customizable.
Take your time when choosing window treatments for your home. Explore your options before deciding on the best treatments. Ask yourself these questions (and others) to help choose the best window treatments for you.
Tags: interior design, window treatment design, window treatments | No Comments »
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