Pages

Customizing Plantation Shutters for Your Home

By   |   

Plantation shutters are sometimes called full height shutters. They cover the entire window from top to bottom with panels that open as portions of a piece. They have a clean line look when they compliment the color scheme of the room where you decide to use them.
Window shutters are also a perfect accessory for homes with a classic or country theme. Most shutters are decorated with plant boxes, shrubs, and flowering plants. However, one can go further and decorate the window treatment itself.
You could customize plantation shutters according to panel and frame options. Here are some tips to get you started.
Identifying the most suitable material for your panels
Wood
With this material, you would have unlimited choices of colors as it could be painted to match your room. Most importantly, shops offer staining services. You could go with stained shutters to blend with other furniture at home. Wood also has a classic and natural look. Choosing wood also means you could go with fewer but larger panels because it is light in weight.
Poly material
If you want a durable shutter, poly material has a long-lasting finish. Basically, it only has two colors, but it tends to hold its color for a lifetime (white and off-white). It doesn't absorb moist and is not prone to warping. Poly shutters are best for areas with direct contact with water, such as showers or bathrooms.
One considered disadvantage, though, is that poly shutters are heavier than the wooden one. Poly materials also tend to limit the size of your panels so you would have to go for more panels in order to cover your windows.
PVC
PVCs are also moist-resistant, but some people don't like their shiny look. They may not be applicable or most suitable in the living room, but they would be a great selection for wet areas.
Choosing the right shutter frames
  • Pick from the most commonly used shutter frames: the trim frame, the L frame, and the Z frame.
  • Initially, plantation shutters could be installed either in the recess of the window opening (inside-mount) or outside the wall's surface to create a bulky look (outside-mount).
  • Trim frame and Z frame:These frames are used for inside-mount shutters without wall trim.
  • L frame: L frames are more versatile. They could be used on both types of installations in corners with or without wall trim.
Installing your blinds
Upon scheduling your window blinds installation, the store staff will go to your house to estimate and fit the plantation shutters for you. They will offer consultation for more details and will usually ask for a deposit when a deal is made. Considering that, it would be easier if you have an understanding of the basics to customize your shutters. However, if your creativity and the whole family is up for the challenge of creating personalized shutters for your home, you can go for the task and consider it a bonding activity for the family.
A more beautiful home without the extra cost is possible if you choose to practice your creativity and implement personal ideas for your home decor. Check out designs via Blinds Online site for more decor inspirations for your home.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9207734



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

How to Choose Vertical Blinds for Our Homes

By   |   

The Benefits of Using Venetian Blinds at Home

By Zack P Bauer  |   Submitted On October 12, 2015

Window blinds are a popular favorite especially among modern homeowners who want to give their windows a clean and put together look. When choosing the right set of window blinds to decorate one's home, it is recommended to give venetian blinds a try. They are easy to install, passed safety standards, trendy and durable.

Venetian blinds are one of the most popular window blinds out there on the market. A great number of homeowners favor venetian blinds because of its aesthetic value. These types of window blinds are known for their classic and elegant appearance. There are many benefits when it comes to choosing venetian blinds:

They give you more control.

One chief reason why venetian blinds are a popular favorite is that homeowners find that they have more control over how much light they want to enter a room. With that being said, they also have the control over the privacy they want. In order to control light, one can simply control the angle of the blind's blades from a fully opened angle or a fully closed one. If one prefers maximum amount of light to enter the room, one has the option to and can raise the blinds all the way up in order to allow the light to fully enter the room. Privacy is uncompromised with this type of window covering.

These types of blinds are easier to install.

Besides giving one more control, window blinds are user-friendly and are easier to install. Those who have purchased a set of these blinds find that they do not have to worry about hiring a professional to have them installed. These blinds can be custom made to fit the type of window that homeowners may have. One simply needs the instruction manual and a basic set of tools. Prior to purchasing a window blind, it is still important to correctly measure the size of your windows. There are many online tools and videos that can help guide even non-professional on how to correctly measure their window for window blinds purchases.

They are easier to clean.

Many homeowners find blinds to be low maintenance and easier to clean. Unlike fabric blinds, which have to be taken to the cleaners in order to keep them looking their best, venetian blinds can be cleaned by means of a damp cloth or by means of a feather duster. It is just that simple. A vacuum cleaner can also be used every six weeks to ensure that blinds are kept clean and dust free.

Besides being elegant and classy looking, venetian blinds can provide many first time homeowners with many advantages that can brighten up their home. It is often advised to choose venetian blinds for a low maintenance upkeep of one's home.

Style and elegance in your homes can easily be achieved with venetian blinds. There is a wide selections from Blinds Online you can check for styles and colors that will match your home's current theme.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Zack_P_Bauer/1608692

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



Wooden Blinds - Major Benefits of Using Them

By Sean O'Sullivan  |   Submitted On August 01, 2015




Blinds on doors and windows are the main decorating items in interior design. Wooden Blinds are the ones that give a wooden look. Moreover, it gives a warm look to the room's atmosphere. When using blinds made out of wood you can be assured of getting the classy look that can change the look and style of the room. Moreover, customizing the blinds according to the style of the room can make the interior design more attractive.

Decorating interior with wood blinds

Wood blinds are the perfect choice if you prefer to give your room a charm that is graceful without making it look artificial. They have the grace and charm of making a room look much better than the curtains, which were traditionally used for decorating rooms. Wood blinds for windows are the perfect insulators that can give the room the right protection from extreme heat of the sun or the cold weather. Areas which are humid in the house like kitchens or bathrooms can be decorated with faux blinds that give the look and style of blinds made out of wood.

What are wood blinds made up of?

Two different types of wood are usually used for the purpose of making blinds. They are:

• Ramin wood
• Bass wood

Ramin wood is a cheaper option. On the other hand, Bass wood is chosen to make wood blinds that are stronger and sturdier. Blinds can be made without a hole option. This will allow the rooms get a dark effect, as not sunlight is allowed to peep in. Making use of a 3 inch valance can make the blinds more attractive. Usually in ramin, 2 inch valance is used at the top of the window so as to hide the rails made out of metal.

Varieties of wood blinds

There are a lot of variations in wood blinds. They include:

• Woven wood blinds
• Vertical wood blinds
• Faux blinds
• Mini blinds

In the market you will get to see wooden blinds in different sizes, shapes and colours. The wood used in making them too varies. You can also customize your order for wood blinds so as to fit the style of your room. While ordering window blinds, you can choose certain features like motorization, UV control, fabric tapes, cord, or even anti static control features.

Care to be taken while buying blinds

While purchasing wooden blinds, care should be taken to check the size of the slats. For French doors and for windows that are small, one inch slats are perfect. For windows of other sizes and shapes, choosing two inch slats would be better. Those blinds with slats that are bigger than two inches look like the plantation shutters. The see through spaces is also bigger when the blinds are opened. Cordless blinds and valance upgrades are the options that are available according to the needs and requirements of the customers.

Where is it available

You will find wooden blinds in every interior decoration store or home improvement centres. These days, since you can buy everything online, you will find a whole lot of online stores supplying blinds of various kinds. All you need to do is go through any such site and pick your choice.

SL Shutters and blinds is a leading company that is well-known and can supply all types of shutters and blinds. This is a one stop destination for all types of shutters and blinds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_O'Sullivan


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


Here Is What You Need to Know About Roller Blinds

By   |   
What are roller blinds?

So you have moved into a new home. Or perhaps, you've renovated your old one. And now, you are debating about what kind of blinds to use on your windows. Have you considered choosing roller blinds? Made mostly of stiffened polyester, and mounted upon a metal pole to add to the support, roller blinds are easy to use, and easy on the eyes. They are generally designed on the form of a large piece of the fabric, and can rolled up or down from one end.

Why should you choose roller blinds over other kinds of blinds?

Every kind of blinds comes with its own set of advantages. Here is what the roller blind has to offer to your home -

• These blinds are attractive - Roller blinds do not have slates or excess fabric. They come with a very simple design that is easy to use, and does not create a mess. These days, roller blinds are being made out of a variety of materials including translucent fabrics (which let the light in), sun-screening fabrics (which help to screen the sun's glaring rays and the ultraviolet component therein), and block-out fabrics (which do not allow much light through).

• These blinds are flexible - Most of the fabrics that are used in the making of roller blinds enhance the flexibility of the product. Also, since these blinds are designed in a manner that requires them to be rolled up and down, it is crucial that they are flexible. They are also flexible in terms of the purpose for which they can be used. For instance, depending on the material used, they can be used for letting the light in, acting a sunscreen, or for blocking out the light.

• They are easy to use - These blinds can be aided by a spring, operated by using a chain, or can be powered by a motor. In fact, motorized blinds can all be linked together so that multiple blinds can be closed and opened simultaneously. How cool is that! This also makes it easier to operate blinds that cannot be reached easily in case they are blocked by pieces of furniture in your home.

• These blinds are strong and durable - You will not have to make a replacement every few months. In fact, the ones that are of dependable quality can last for several years with very little maintenance. It is one of the important things to remember.

To know more about blinds, please check our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aman_Tumukur_Khanna


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






Ideas for Decoration of Windows

By   |   

Windows are often neglected for other important areas like doors and shelves and ceilings. However, decorating the windows in your home can add a wonderful touch of beauty. And it is easy to do as well, because windows do not normally occupy much space. Some ideas for decorating the windows in your home, office, or even your school or crèche are given below.

1. Making use of creative panels - Painted fretwork panels can act as a wonderful accessory to your windows. You can choose the color and pattern according to the composition of the rest of the room.

2. Try the old fashioned, but nevertheless trusted, curtains - Curtains have been used for window decoration for decades now. As a result, there are different varieties of curtains available - fabrics, laces, strings, shells, and so on. You have a wide range of options to choose from, and so, you can pick the one that best complements the existing décor in your home.

3. Add that feminine touch - Place flowers in vases along the window sill, or use floral curtains to cover up the panes. Either way, adding anything sweet or flowery will bring a softer side to an otherwise hard edged décor. You could even add delicate vines and creepers to curl around the bars on the window.

4. Blind fold your windows - There are several varieties of blinds available - roller blinds, Roman blinds, electronic blinds, and more. Shades can be used too. These kinds of decorations serve a dual purpose. They add to the decorative aspect, and at the same time, they help to filter the light that gets into the room.

5. Painting and art frames - If you have one of those windows where you decide to keep one or more of the doors locked and closed forever, then it would be a novel idea to treat it as a wall, and therefore, hang in paintings and art frames on them. You could also doodle and paint some of your favorite quotes on the frames.

6. Personal touches - Just like how paintings can be added to up the decorative factor, so can photographs. You could hang photos of family and friends, or even just place them in frames on the window sill. There are also several Do-It-Yourself projects available on the internet, and these can be used to add a pop of color to your windows easily.

To know more about roller blinds or blinds, please check our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aman_Tumukur_Khanna

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


Window Covering Ideas for the Bedroom

By   |   
Window treatments are not only versatile decorative accents but also provide a couple of important functions, especially in the bedroom. When it comes to window covering ideas for the bedroom, you want to consider decorative elements in addition to the factors that make your bedroom a calm and peaceful place for sleep. Indeed, window coverings in the bedroom need to fit your personal style while also offering exceptional privacy and light and sound control. Here are some tips for getting the most from your bedroom window treatments.



Make a Statement

No matter the room, window treatments can make a bold first impression. You obviously want to choose window coverings for your bedroom that match your decorative style. So, for example, if you prefer a contemporary style that features clean, straight lines, consider custom blinds or solid-panel curtains. Another accent feature for your window that matches well to a variety of styles is a cornice. Cornices are essentially upholstered valances that make a great window accent while also covering rods and rings from which curtains hang.



Think Comfort

Typically, bedrooms are not the most formal rooms in your home, and there are good reasons for that. Your bedroom should be a calm and relaxing place, so your window treatments should reflect a sense of comfort or coziness. Roman shades are a great choice because they are available in a variety of colours and patterns. They can provide the textural features of woven fibres while also providing excellent noise and light control. Wood blinds or plantation shades also offer exceptional light control, or consider brightly coloured, lined curtains for a bit of pop.



Singles or Pairs

Sometimes simplicity is best and you really only need one window treatment in your bedroom. Blackout curtains block light and noise, and they sometimes even help reduce heat exchange. Cellular shades are the perfect choice for bedrooms in cold climates as they help improve window efficiency without compromising style - they're available in a wide range of patterns and colours.

On the other hand, you may want to get a little more sophisticated with your bedroom window coverings. Layered treatments create an elegant decorative accent, so consider combining contemporary blinds with an attractive valance and patterned curtain.

Suit Yourself

Ultimately, your own decorative preferences should guide your choice of bedroom window coverings. All the experts in the world can tell you what's right for your space, but at the end of the day you want your bedroom to be a relaxing place for you. Don't be afraid to take risks or think outside the box when considering window covering ideas for the bedroom. There really is no right or wrong - as long as you're happy.

For more information on window covering ideas, visit Arlene's Interiors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Pupkin


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



Creating a Beach Style Home With Window Blinds



By   |



When you are someone who loves everything about the beach, then you are precisely dreaming of having a home that exudes an ambiance similar to it, right? When you want to create a beach style home, you can actually achieve it with the help of window blinds.
Window blinds as your home's window treatment offers versatility. With the many types of window blinds available from different suppliers nowadays, you can surely find the best set that will not only complement with your abode's general design but will also bring out its natural beach-y feel.
Achieving a beach style home is not only limited to a structure built near the coastline. It can likewise be a home kilometers away from the long stretch of naturally blue water and white sand.
For each nook in your home, you can design it in such a way that it will display a beach-like atmosphere. So read on to learn more about these practical tips and strategies.
Coastal Den
To design the bay windows of your coastal den, you may opt for woven wood sliding panels and woven bamboo vertical blinds in prints which could be the picture of flying cranes or the serene coastline. And if you have huge windows, you can try looking for woven wood Roman blinds.
Living Room
It is best that you pick neutral-colored furniture and furnishings for your living room. And to make it grand and beach-looking, you can install window blinds in ocean blue hue. You may also try printed roller blinds. Choose prints that characterize the beach - blue waves, star fishes and seashells, white sand, and sprawling beach line.
Bathroom
One major thing to keep in mind when designing your bathroom is to never make everything white, or else, you will have to watch your tiles, bath tub, and window treatment disappear all at once. Therefore, if your bathroom essentials are white, break the monotony by picking top-down bottom-up kind of window blinds that are made of bamboo or wood. You may also check on the available vinyl vertical blinds in brown or pastel colors.
Kitchen
If you want your kitchen to have a beach-like feel yet totally chic-looking, you can make everything in it, from furniture pieces to furnishings, plain. But your window blinds must be attractive enough to complete the design. For the kitchen of your beach-style home, you may look for oak-colored wood window blinds.
Windows Near the Patio
For the windows near the door leading to your patio or to the breakwater, you can use Roman blinds in brown or off-white shade depending on the color scheme of the said area. You have to ensure, though, that your window covering does not wash-out when combined with your decorations and furniture.
Bedroom
For your personal nook at home, choose bed sheets and pillow cases in blue or green prints like stripes. Meanwhile, select white vinyl window blinds to come up with a nautical atmosphere.
Since you have some tips in mind already, order blinds online now to start transforming your home into a beach-looking nook. Just keep in mind, of course, that in achieving a beach style home, your window blinds are not the end of it all since you also need to have furniture and furnishings that will help you design your abode the way you want it to be.
Jenny is a Senior Writer at Article and Design, a one-stop shop for all types of web services. For window blinds concerns, please visit http://www.directblindscork.com/.

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




Comparing Honeycomb and Silhouette Shades

By   |   


Blind options have continued to increase on a daily basis. Polymer blinds are some of the most common blinds that are available on the market today. This can be attributed to the fact that they are fairly cheaper than most of the other blinds that are currently available in the industry today. Over the years, wooden blinds have also become common. Despite being more expensive than most of the blinds that are available in the industry, the wooden blinds have actually continued to be very popular. This can be attributed to their unique attributes such as being easy to clean and being durable. But, there are other blind options that you can consider if the wooden blinds do not meet your personal desires. You can take advantage of honeycomb shades and silhouette shades. Here is a good comparison of the two shade options. You can use this comparison to decide whether to choose one of these shades.
The honeycomb shades are available in multiple colors. This explains why they are more useful than most of the other blind options that are popular today. Over the years, they have also continued to rise in popularity based on this rare attribute. They come in a variety of styles depending on the preferences of the customer choice or desires. This is actually what makes them capable of serving more purposes than ordinary silhouette shades. Unlike most blinds, the honeycomb shades can be used during winter as well as summer. You do not need to change your blinds when winter approaches. All you have to do is to continue with the same honeycomb shades. They will work as perfectly during the summer as they do during winter. As a matter of fact, they are preferred by most people on this basis.
In as far as energy saving is concerned, honeycomb shades are more popular compared to their silhouette counterparts. Over the years, honeycomb shades have proven to be the most reliable shades as far as energy saving is concerned. They can prevent the loss of heat during winter. This means that you can enjoy your winters even if your neighbours are busy complaining about the low temperatures that have invaded their homes. On the other hand, silhouette shades have no capacity to enable you to save energy during winter and neither are they good at enhancing heat loss during summer. As such, they are not as energy efficient as the honeycomb shades are.
When it comes too being very easy to install, you will never go wrong with silhouette shades. They are very easy to install and can enable you to realise your desires quickly. On the other hand, honeycomb shades have to be installed in a certain way for you to realise the benefits that are associated with them. if you are not careful during the installation, you will never be able to realise the advantages that are associated with them. The arch honeycomb shades also show greater ability to allow for the entry of light compared to silhouette shades which often fail to allow any light when they are closed.
Ciaran Pilkington who provides informative and detailed articles and reviews for home improvement & interiors. In this article he writes about honeycomb shades & arch honeycomb shades.He has been vehemently writing articles for Buyhomeblinds.com

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





How to Take Care of Venetian Blinds

By   |   
Venetian blinds are versatile and popular window treatments that are constructed from a wide range of materials including plastic, metal, or even wood. If you have Venetian blinds in your home, you're no doubt aware of their propensity to attract dust. As such, cleaning these window treatments is a necessary endeavour that requires special attention to the type of material and even the amount of dust.
Regular Maintenance is Best
Ideally, you want to regularly clean your Venetian blinds so they require only light cleaning. Weekly wiping and dusting of your blinds will prevent stains and dirt from building up making the job of cleaning much easier. Simply put your blinds in the closed position and wipe them clean. Flip the blinds to the opposite position and wipe again. Using a soft cotton glove, dust-attracting cloth, or even a clothes dryer sheet helps to remove dust more easily. You may even want to spray your blinds with a mild cleaning spray or warm soapy water if you're cleaning metal or plastic blinds. If you have wooden Venetian blinds, wipe them with a dry glove or cloth to avoid streaking.
When you're wiping your blinds, start from the center and wipe to the edge on both sides and from the top of your blinds to the bottom. This will help ensure that you remove all dust the first time. Also, if your blinds are more heavily soiled, be sure to change your cloth or gloves regularly to prevent spreading dirt across your blinds.
Vacuum Cleaning
Another method for cleaning Venetian blinds is to vacuum them. Again, regular cleaning is ideal to maintain the quality and condition of your blinds, so you probably want to vacuum them at least a few times a year. Most vacuum cleaners come with a soft brush attachment that can be used for cleaning blinds. If you don't have this attachment, you should purchase one as other attachments may scratch or chip the slats in your blinds. With the blinds closed, vacuum each of the slats from center to edge and from the top of the blinds to the bottom. You'll also want to steady the blinds with your free hand. Once you have vacuumed one side of the slats, flip them to the opposite direction and repeat this process.
Deep Cleaning
Even the most assiduous cleaner will likely discover that their blinds need a deeper cleaning at least once a year. For plastic or metal blinds, immerse your blinds in warm water and add a cleaning solution such as dishwashing soap or bleach. Allow the blinds to soak for at least half an hour and then gently wash with a soft cleaning brush. Then just rinse your blinds clean and allow them to dry. For wooden blinds, you should never use bleach or detergent, so it is important to maintain a more regular cleaning schedule.
For more information on blinds and how to take care of it, please visit Arlene's Interiors

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



Motorized Window Blinds For Your Kids' Safety

Expert Author Jenny Grace Molbog-Mendoza
When you have little children and pets at home, you certainly want your environment safe for them. In fact, you would look for home furnishings and furniture pieces that are not hazardous, especially when they are running around.
When it comes to window treatments, you are eyeing for something affordable and fashionable. So you decided to opt for window blinds. However, with the pull cord or string, you become somehow hesitant because it may pose danger to your playful children and pets. You definitely know that playing and making fun are what they love most. Thus, you want to get rid of those dangling materials.
Hunter Douglas

One major strategy of eliminating those cords and strings in a chic and modern way is to buy yourself the motorized set.
By opting for motorized window blinds, you can actually enjoy a number of benefits. Among these are the following:
1. No ugly and safety-hazard cords and strings. Apart from these pull cords and strings can be cause of strangulation among little children and pets, they can also be an ugly component of your abode. And this particular dilemma can be answered by window blinds in motorized designs.
2. Children can operate your window blinds by themselves. When you are very busy attending to something important like household chores, you do not want to be bugged about adjusting your window covering, right? So with just a press on a remote control, your children can already operate your window blinds according to their preference, whether to slant the slats or to pull the entire covering up. Sounds simple, huh!
3. Friendly to install. With the way the motorized blinds are designed, you can surely install them by yourself. And if you find it difficult to figure out how to keep them hanging, you can always check the operations manual that comes with it.
4. Many colors, many designs mean great designing. Motorized blinds also come in different designs and colours. Therefore, you have an array of options in order to come up with a great designing idea.
5. Easy on the pocket. Some may have thought that the motorized variant of this window treatment is expensive. Actually, motorized blinds are affordable. If you are going to check with a number of suppliers now, you will be amazed at how easy they come on your pocket.
So visit your potential supplier right away! And if they have a website, you may check for their available colours and designs there first. And if you think that you do not have enough time to do actual shopping, you may ask them how to order blinds online.
Jenny is a Senior Writer at Article and Design, a one-stop shop for all types of web services. For window blinds concerns, please visithttp://www.directblindscork.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Grace_Molbog-Mendoza

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