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Choosing Window Treatments: The Pros of Plantation Shutters, Horizontal Blinds, and More!



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Looking for window treatments but not sure what you want? We've compiled a brief overview of many of the most common styles to help you select the right window shades, blinds, or plantation shutters for your particular needs.

Whether you're redecorating or designing the interior for your new construction home, the finishing touch is almost always window treatments. Providing benefits like light control and privacy in addition to purely aesthetic considerations, it's important to choose the window coverings that match your particular functional and appearance needs. Not sure what all the options available to you are? Then keep reading for a quick overview of window shades and blinds to get you started on your search!

Horizontal Blinds

The most traditional type of window blinds, horizontal blinds include a full range of options from aluminum mini blinds to natural wood blinds. These are very versatile window coverings, offering variable light control, easy operation, and simple, attractive looks. Real wood horizontal blinds may offer some insulating qualities; however, most people do not consider horizontal window blinds to be an energy-efficient window treatment. Horizontal blinds are available in aluminum, wood, and wood composite construction.

Plantation Shutters

Similar to horizontal blinds, plantation shutters also feature rows of slats that are adjustable for different levels of light control. However, while horizontal window blinds are supported/operated by a series of cords, the slats on interior shutters are installed in a frame that fits into your window. Because of this more substantial, more permanent appearance, plantation shutters are often referred to as the "fine furnishings" of window coverings. In fact, installing plantation shutters will earn you the greatest return on investment of any window treatment when the time comes to sell your home. Interior window shutters are available in vinyl, wood, and durable wood composite materials.

Vertical Blinds

Instead of featuring horizontal slats, as their name suggests vertical blinds are composed of vertical slats or panels. Once looked down on as dated or unattractive, today's vertical window blinds offer a variety of different materials and styles that are both beautiful and modern. Ideal for covering large windows or patio doors, vertical blinds can come in insulating designs for improved home energy efficiency. From sliding panel verticals to fabric vertical blinds, there are a number of different types on the market today, so make sure you evaluate all of your style options before you pick one vertical blind or another.

Window Shades

Window shades encompass a spectrum of different window covering options from roll-up shades to cellular shades. These window treatments typically cover the entire window when down, potentially limiting their versatility in terms of light management. On the other hand, many window shade styles also provide energy efficiency, black-out options, and elegant style.

Of course, these are just the most common general types of window shades and blinds that are on the market today. All of these options can be customized in terms of size, color, and often even texture/pattern to complement your decor. Now that you know the basics of the different window treatment styles, you can get started on selecting the exact blind or shade you want installed in your home. For more information, visit your area window covering showroom to speak with a professional!

Maria Allen is a home improvement and design enthusiast. He is also an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, providing SEO to help local businesses connect with customers online.

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How to Clean Aluminum Mini Blinds



Expert Author Tiffany Treadwell
Most housekeepers' top concern when it comes to buying new window treatments is will it be easy to clean. This, of course, is a very valid point, since these items will be exposed to a lot of things, being placed directly in an opening in the household. Luckily, when it comes to aluminum mini blinds, cleaning it up is one of the easiest things to do.

These blinds are very easy to clean. Unlike wooden ones which are very prone to molding when exposed to high levels of moisture, aluminum is resistant to stains and even scratching, which makes it a very home-friendly item. Even if you have a good dozen of kids around, you don't have to worry too much about these things because they will surely not give you a hard time when cleaning time comes or look like a mess from the exterior of the house.

However, what most people forget is the fact that one still needs to apply some measure of care when cleaning these kinds of blinds. You see, with smaller slats, you are only given small gaps to work with when dusting or vacuuming each blade. Mini blinds are normally less than an inch wide while micro blinds are much smaller, so you will have to use smaller brushes, dusters, or vacuum heads to effectively clean them without making them too wide apart.

Some owners prefer these blinds in black, because soot can't be easily noticed in that color. Of course, if you don't have a lot of time in your hands to clean too often, this can be a very wise move, too, but you will also want to consider if that shade suits the design of your home. Remember that such a dark hue can make your home look darker and gloomier, so make sure consider that before installing.

Generally, if you need to clean your aluminum mini blinds, all you have to do is to dust or vacuum them. Afterwards, washing them with soap and drying are also a good way to keep them clean, so you can be sure that you've really gotten rid of the harmful dirt that might've accumulated in the corners over time. Once you've got all of these covered, then, your blinds are now clean and once again perfect for your home.

Tiffany Treadwell writes various review for the Aluminum Mini Blinds. Visit her site for more info at http://www.blackoutblindsreview.com
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Types of Roman Shades


Expert Author Ray Bork

Fabric Roman Shades combine the softness, warmth and beauty of fabric drapery with the tailored look and function of a shade. Raise them for an open view to the outside, or lower them when you want privacy and light control.
Choose a Hobbled design and enjoy a classic look with billowing folds cascading the shade's length.

Select a flat style that provides a tailored look as the panels hang smoothly when lowered and gather evenly when raised. A relaxed Roman Shade is a style that lies flat with a gentle "smile" at the bottom when lowered, and billows up in soft gathers when raised. There is also the London Shade which is an elegant alternative to the standard Roman Shade. The London Shade lies flat with folds at the bottom approximately 10" in from each side.
The Fusion Insulating Roman Panel Shades by Comfortex combines the insulating benefits of a cellular shade with the beauty of drapery style fabric to offer you a product that is as functional as it is beautiful. Horizontal fabric panels hang smoothly over a double honeycomb cellular liner and when raised, the panels nest neatly behind one another.

Roman Shades made with the Persona program, also by Comfortex, allows you to personalize your window shades with your choice of any combination of colors, patterns and textures. You can even have your shades made with your own custom graphic.

There is also the Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades. They consistently present a clean, neat appearance. Beautifully designed front and back without cords, grommets, or gathers. The soft overlapping fabric folds give them their uniquely elegant styling.

Combining the classic look of a custom drapery with the utility of a roller shade, vignettes are concealed inside a fabric-covered fascia for a completely uncluttered look when raised.

These shades are available with the Top-Down/Bottom-Up, motorized, and other advanced lifting systems. There are hundreds of fabrics to reflect your personality and lifestyle from formal to contemporary, Natural, or Romantic. For that time-tested warmth and soft feeling, Roman Shades may be the perfect answer to your window covering needs.
Ray Bork is the owner of New View Blinds and Shutters, located in Colorado. Visit our website, http://WWW.NVBAS.COM. We have information including pictures and videos on most types of window coverings to help you in your buying decision.
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Why Faux Wood Blinds are so popular

by Danette Miller

More and more of our customers are requesting horizontal faux wood blinds.
They are in demand mostly because they give your home or office a rich classy look, they are energy efficient, and because they are less expensive than real wood blinds while simulating the appearance and experience of wood.

They also resist scratching and don't warp or split as actual wood blinds can do.
 Faux or fake wood blinds come in a variety of styles and colors, from shades of white to various wood tones, with smooth or embossed finishes.

The controls are either wand tilt or cords, and they can be ordered "routless"  which means that there are no cord holes on the slats.
They are also moisture resistant and can be cleaned easily with just soap and water.

Our line of faux wood blinds are custom made to fit you windows, and I highly recommend them.
They fit in beautifully with most the decor of most homes and offices, and they are more affordable than you might think.
You can save money and save trees at the same tiime.

I am a design consultant at Blinds 4 Less with over 20 years experience in the window covering business, and I would be happy to meet you at your home or office to show you our product line and give a you free estimate.

Cellular Shade - The Important Part of Interior Designing

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Cellular shade has become a very important part in the world of interior designing for home or house décor. It is also known as honeycomb shade. It improves the interior of the house and takes it to its quality. There are lots of different cellular window shades available in the market. And they come with all colors, shapes and sizes. They are also available in different materials depending on what effect you want in your house. Usually cellular shades are used for light filtering and privacy.

These are also called Honeycomb shades sometimes and they are called so because the basic in both the shades is same. Cellular cells can be categorized by the number of cells like some are only one single cell deep or some are two cells deep and three cell deep are also available. The greater number of cells in a shade will provide the more energy efficiency in it. It behaves like that because the air in each cell provides an insulating layer. In the matter of heat it is measured by a number called the shading coefficient. Higher number means shade blocks less heat and lower number suggests that shade blocks more heat.
Cellular shade is available in both corded and cordless varieties. Cordless shades are operated by grabbing them from the bottom and moving them up and down, without the need to deal with cords. Cellular shade also saves your money. First, most of the energy of your home is lost through the window, the cellular shades reduces energy loss. Second, they lower your energy bill by reducing the temperature in the home. It is said that the temperature near the window is 9 degrees higher than the rest of the room.

Some people worry that their cellular shade will look odd or tacky, but in fact it looks very good and it energizes the environment of the home.