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Top Five Window Treatment Trends For 2014

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If your windows are still sporting blinds from last century or they look as if they are, it is probably safe to say that it is time to upgrade.
Installing new window coverings and treatments can really make your home shine and act as a source of inspiration for any other redesign plans floating around in your head!
With the new year finally here, you may also want to consider jumping on the style bandwagon. There are a lot of trending ideas going on right now with window treatments, many of which are wholly unique and budget-friendly. Here are just a few popular ideas to help you get started.
How to Dress up Your Windows the Right Way
  • Streamline with silk - There is no easier way to create a soft, soothing effect than by installing silk draperies or curtains. This fabric is well known for its smooth tones and elegant style. Ivory looks magnificent when set against dark wood furniture and also goes really well with earth-tone colors. Though one of the more expensive window treatments, silk is guaranteed to make an impression.

  • Soften your shades - Every one enjoys the convenience of technology. It makes our lives easier, especially around the house. Though remote-controlled window blinds and custom indoor shutters are hip, too much modernity can be a bad thing. To counter the dull effect of all those electronics and gadgets and to make your master more cozy and inviting, add layered or textured organic fabrics to your windows.

  • Go green - If you are looking to maximize your home's efficiency, reduce your energy footprint and improve the air quality in your living space, adding eco-friendly window treatments is a must. Honeycomb shades are designed specifically to keep hot and cold air out; they feature spun woven polyester in the shape of honeycombs that are incredibly effective at blocking outside air.

  • Expand your color palette - Solid-color materials look great in the right space, but more homeowners are deciding to incorporate multiple shades of their key color or add a contrasting hue. Blue with gray or white with black can make a bold color statement.

  • Bring the outside in - Metal is being trumped by organic materials such as bamboo this year. We are bound to see an increase in the popularity of natural textures.
This list is certainly not exhaustive, but should be useful in your journey to decorate those faux wood shutters. The best way to decide on a style and figure out what products to choose is by speaking to a design consultant. They can give you a list of options and recommendations on how best to create a personalized theme in 2014.
Shannon Hodges is Director of Marketing at Eclipse Shutters. Eclipse Shutters is an Atlanta-based custom shutter provider with a network of licensed fabricators around the country. Their company has grown to become the number one shutter selling company in North America and largest manufacturer of tailor-made plantation shutters. Eclipse Shutters was established in 1992 and offers customers fast delivery and a 25-year warranty. Learn more about plantation window shutters at http://www.eclipseshutters.com/about-eclipse-shutters.html.
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Suitable Window Coverings

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Expert Author Linda A Hammond
Every window should have an opportunity to become its best self. Windows add light and ventilation and sometimes a great view, but not always. That said, you need to determine how your windows will function best for your room and your needs.
First assess where the window is in the room; is it on the north, south, east or west wall? Then, you can move on to what effects north, south, east or west light and ventilation will have on your room. For instance, if you have a view, you will want to capitalize on it-- nothing trumps a view. If your view is to the south or west, you will have sun issues that need to be addressed to protect your furnishings and floors; consider tinting so you can enjoy the view.
With a view window, you may want to consider no window coverings at all which will work if you do not have a privacy issue or thermal protection; tinting will also help with thermal conditions. In the case of a view without the need for privacy measures, I usually recommend nothing at all, or "dummy panels", non-functioning drapery panels that add color, design and interest to a room to enhance the view outside and the decor of the room inside.
If you have a window without a view or an unpleasant view, I usually look outside to see what can be done to alter the view. A block wall is decidedly uninteresting until you plant a clinging vine on it, flowering or not. However, beware that non-flowering vines usually are deciduous, turning red in the fall and dropping their leaves in winter, leaving a skeleton of branches on the wall. If planting will not work, I suggest covering the glass with a semi-opaque film, then adding pretty drapes or blinds. You want the light, but can avoid the assault of an unpleasant view.
Odd shaped windows are a challenge and usually require custom coverings; those can be expensive. Again, consider the above solutions if they apply. Custom is sometimes the only way to go, but it does not have to be expensive. Sometimes, off- the-rack drapes can be adapted easily with the help of a seamstress or your own sewing talents. There are plenty of good, off-the-rack options; you just need to think outside of the box. Add some trim, on the leading edge of the panel, or top or bottom, to add length, width, or interest.
Shutters are usually an added bonus, adding value when selling your home. However, they are expensive and view limiting. To take advantage of the view, you will want to have the widest possible louvers, or open the shutters during certain times of the day; but you will have to make sure the blinds will not interfere your furnishings.
Always, think of how you will use the room and its location before investing in expensive window treatments. Sometimes the easiest solution is the best. Consider a room divider screen as a window treatment, allowing ventilation; the design optBy Linda A Hammond


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How To Save Money When Buying Blinds And Shutters For Home

Expert Author Miki Smith
Keeping the home in a beautiful, well-maintained state is the foremost priority of every homemaker. Specially for women, who are home engineers, it is the most tiring task to keep everything in order. They spend hours of time to clean the furniture, sheets, and other stuffs. They broom and wipe the dust from their house, which is an extremely exhausting everyday duty. However, there are available vacuum cleaners that have successfully replaced sweeping, the traditional method of house cleaning. But, there are many other ways to keep the dust and dirt away from your house.
Window/door blinds and shutters are two fixtures for homes and rooms that provide a rock solid solution against dust and dirt. By getting it installed in your home, you can keep off the dust from your rooms.


What Are Window Blinds?
Window blinds are coverings or new-age curtains for windows. The name comes with its feature of blinding the dust and peepers' view. It looks beautiful in a room, and it gives an alluring touch to the room. There are many horizontal or vertical slates in the window blind system that blind unwanted pollution and peepers. These slates are made from different materials. Some of the materials are - wood, plywood, plastic, and metals - steel and aluminum, cloths fabric, transparent fiber material, and so on. According to some interior decoration experts, window blinds give an astonishing, pleasant look to a room. These are available in various color options, which you can choose according to the color texture of your rooms.
What Are Window and Door Shutters?
Shutters also provide a concrete solution against dust and pollution. These are stable window and door coverings, which are attached to the window, with their frame. In this frame, there are vertical panels and horizontal rails, which make the window look more beautiful. Apart from home decoration, shutters are installed for security reasons also. Some shutter manufacturers have also claimed to have hurricane proof shutters. These hurricane shutters can provide a reliable shelter during the hurricane and other weather conditions.
Saving Money On Window Blinds And Shutters
Home decoration products are expensive, which you think twice before making an investment. Know your requirements - If you invest in wrong entities, it will be a waste of money, and some amount of time, which you invested while shopping. When looking for window blinds and shutter installation, you must know which size and type of coverings will be appropriate for your home. If you are buying it to decorate your house, you can consider, going with fabric and plastic ones. But if you are looking for security, you should opt for metals and wooden fixtures. Investing in the wrong types of blinds and shutters will cost you hard. In addition to, you should always buy home decoration products from a reliable supplier and manufacturer; it will ensure durability and quality.
Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

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A Guide to Venetian Blinds

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Venetian blinds are among the most common window coverings found in homes and offices today. Attractive, cost effective, and easy-to-install, these blinds are a great addition that is flexible enough to fit the décor of any room. In fact, these window coverings can completely transform the look and style of your home, and may even stand out as the feature of a room. That being said, this guide to Venetian blinds will give you more information about the types of blinds available, their benefits, installation considerations, and even blind maintenance.
Types of Venetian Blinds
Typically, Venetian blinds are made from a number of materials including aluminum, wood, or some kind of plastic. Aluminum Venetians create a chic, sophisticated, contemporary style while also providing great durability. Aluminum blinds come in a wide range of colours and will match the design of any room.
Alternatively, wood blinds can be made from a wide range of woods including bamboo, oak, maple, or cherry. Wooden blinds typically provide a more classic style, but they are highly adaptable when it comes to décor. Wooden blinds are not only stylish, but affordable as well and they are becoming a much more popular choice for home window coverings.
Finally, Venetian blinds may also be constructed from PVC or other types of plastic. These are usually the most affordable type of blind, but they can still make an attractive addition to any room. Sometimes styled as faux wood while at other times more similar to the styles you'd find in aluminum blinds, plastic Venetian blinds are versatile and inexpensive.
Benefits of Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are an ideal choice for home- and business owners who want to increase their privacy, block out light, or even just change the style of a room. Because Venetian blinds give you more control over the amount of light entering a room, they are increasingly popular when compared to curtains or other window coverings. Moreover, because of the range of materials used to make Venetian blinds, these are really one of the most adaptable window coverings available.
Installation
In most cases, homeowners should feel confident installing window blinds on their own. If you are not a handy type, you may want to consider hiring a professional to install your blinds, but the following tips should help make self-installation a breeze:
  1. Always measure your windows in millimetres as most blind manufacturers advertise the size of blinds in millimetres.
  2. Decide whether you want to install your blinds as window face or recess. Window face blinds will cover the entire surface of the window, while window recess blinds are installed within the confines of the window frame.
  3. Face measurements should include the exact width that you'd like your blinds to cover. As a general rule, you'll want to allow an overlap of between 50 and 100mm from the window frame. Similarly, you'll want to measure the drop (or height) of your blinds depending on where you want the bottom of the blind positioned.
  4. Recess measurements should include the width of the recess from one side of the frame to the other. Brackets will be fitted on the inside of your window frame, so be sure to measure the width at least 3 points to ensure the window frame is uniform. Remove 10mm from each side to give you some flexibility in case there are any variations in your wall. Also, measure the drop (or height) of the window recess from top to bottom.
Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

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Plantation Shutters




by John Gresh
Ask anyone who owns plantation shutters why they chose them over blinds, shades or draperies, and you will undoubtedly get a variety of reasons. They may point out their insulating qualities, ability to control light, how easy they are to clean, durability, flexibility in matching any décor, or the fact that they simply make the room look great. It is this versatility and the “wow” factor that has made Plantation shutters the most sought after window treatment of the past two decades.

The origin of these classic window coverings dates to the 19th century, when they were actually used in the harsh environment of tropical plantations. Now, they are used in almost any room in the home and lend themselves equally to both contemporary and traditional motifs.

Increasingly, consumers are seeing the financial benefits of owning plantation shutters. Most window coverings have a relatively short life cycle, since they wear out or are trend-oriented. Quality shutters, on the other hand, have a life cycle of 10 to 20 years and can also be repainted to make them look virtually new.
Perhaps the most interesting trend regarding shutters is that the real-estate industry has begun recognizing the value interior shutters add to a home. Home appraisers are likely to include shutters when evaluating a home— making them a real return on investment for owners.

For the consumer, the popularity of shutters has increased the available options in terms of materials, quality and price. The old axiom, “you get what you pay for,” usually applies. Buyers should do their homework and compare the quality of the construction as well as the professionalism and experience of the dealers and their installers. Good dealers will be happy to allow prior customers to speak for them, so if someone is reluctant to provide references: run.
For years, wood has been the material of choice in constructing shutters, and it still is. Hardwoods, such as basswood, poplar and alder have been the most common, given their light weight and resistance to warping and shrinkage. As for quality, you’ll want to compare the joints, thickness of the materials, and overall fit and finish. Matching your shutters to your trim is the key to achieving a truly custom look, so your dealer should provide custom-color matching at little or no charge.

While wood has been king, synthetic shutters are making a huge dent in the market. Their low maintenance, moisture resistance and energy efficiency have made them very popular with today’s consumer. The difference in materials used in synthetic shutters varies greatly and requires a little more investigation. Additional materials can range from hollow vinyl, to medium-density fibreboard wrapped with vinyl, to solid polymers. Bottom line: Vinyl shutters are generally a lower-price option and will have the look and feel of plastic. They are more likely to sag and yellow over time. The solid polymers, or extruded materials, are designed to look like wood. They can be custom painted and used in arches and other specialty shapes. Ideally, you would like to find dealers that offer both products so they can help you decide what will work best for your particular situation
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John Gresh is the owner of Perfect Fit Custom Shutters in Gaithersburg
www.perfectfitshutters.com

Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

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