Interior

April 18, 2008

Add a Classic Look to Your Home with Faux Blinds

Faux blinds have many features that make them a favorite in any home. The elegant style faux blinds brings to your living room or any room in your home is the reason most people select them. The sleek wood can add to a classic look, a rustic log cabin look, and even contemporary. These blinds fit in anywhere and with any style of indoor décor.

There are three types of finishes with faux blinds you can choose from; smooth, sandblasted for that rustic look, and embossed for a more contemporary look. It is hard to decide which finish is best because they all look great.

Faux blinds conform to the required safety child guidelines ensuring no children will get caught up or tangled in any unnecessary and extra cords. You can choose from a wand style or a cord tilt for the faux blinds you choose. In addition, sun facing windows cause blinds to fade easily. The wood includes ultraviolet inhibitors, which protect the blinds from fading and needing to be replaced. The wood is also resistant to moisture and getting wet if you accidentally leave the windows open when it is raining. The warp, heat, and moisture resistant ensure your faux blinds are going to last for a long time.

Another feature of the faux blinds is you have the option for remote operated blinds. This means you don’t have to fiddle with the want or the strings that can be so frustrating when trying to adjust them just right in the light. Now you can manage the blinds with ease by a remote control and never have to leave your chair.

Faux blinds are easy to install and usually include all of the mounting materials needed to mount them. They also include a head rail that matches the blinds. Therefore, you don’t have to go out and buy a valance to hang over the window. The head rail has just enough style and makes the blinds look classy.

Faux blinds add an amazing touch to your room with the right style. With the option to have them remote controlled, who can resist them?

Filed under Blinds, Exterior, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

March 29, 2008

Solar Blinds Provide Protection from the Sun

Solar blinds are perfect for any room providing illumination to the interior of your home without the glare of the sun. Solar blinds are perfect because you like to be able to see outside and you don’t have to pull the blinds up to do so. The sheer fabric allows you to be able to see outside of your home without letting all of the bright light inside.

If you like to watch television or spend time on a computer, it can be irritating when the sun glare is coming in through the windows and you have to block it. You might have to hang something in the way or pull the blinds completely shut. Then you are limited on light and you are forced to turn on the inside lights to get your work done. Solar blinds allow you to have the needed light inside the home and they block the unnecessary glare that is so annoying.

If the windows in your home are facing the sun in the daytime, then opening the blinds to bring the light in means you are also heating up your home. This can be costly when you are running the air conditioner and it is fighting to stay cool but the windows are letting in all of the heat. Solar blinds keep the house cool but let the light in. In addition to keeping the home at a comfortable temperature, solar blinds also protect you against ultraviolet rays that are harmful to your skin and cause skin cancer. Even through the windows of your home you are susceptible to harmful rays. Solar blinds provide similar protection to a pair of sunglasses you wear for your eyes.

Solar blinds have a basket weave design and you can get solar blinds for prices ranging from $50-$110.

Solar blinds provide the perfect protection for your rooms eliminating sun glare, heat, dangerous ultraviolet rays, and still allow you the convenience of being able to view the outdoors without having to pull the blinds up. Solar blinds create an amazing look illuminating the room in all the right ways.

Filed under Blinds, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

December 5, 2007

Why are Aluminum Mini Blinds Favored for Window Coverings?

Aluminum mini blinds are favored for many reasons. Some of them include, price, style, and because they are designed to withstand kids. Aluminum mini blinds give an elegant look to any room that is sleek. You can even manage a retro look with aluminum mini blinds by using the decorative tapes that are included with the blinds.

Kids can destroy blinds by crashing them down with the strings when they are open and destroying the blinds and the string. Aluminum mini blinds include crash proof cords that don’t allow the blinds to come falling down quickly destroying the bottoms of them. You also can buy aluminum mini blinds in different gauges of aluminum like six or eight. If you have kids and are sure they might be bending the blinds and there will be heavy wear and tear with them being pulled up and down over and over, the eight gauge is best for you.

The sleek look on aluminum mini blinds comes from an enamel finish that is baked onto the blinds. These blinds come in different sizes depending on your taste and the amount of light you prefer to let into the room. You can buy aluminum mini blinds in ½-inch micro blinds. These are really small and look great on doors and larger windows. You can buy one-inch minis also which are the standard sizes for aluminum blinds.

The great thing about aluminum blinds and why they are favored is the durability from kids, the prices of these blinds is affordable, and the light control. The aluminum mini blinds provide excellent control in the privacy and no one can see through the blinds and into the house. You also don’t need to buy a valance to put above the blinds so it looks nice in the window. Aluminum mini blinds contain a built in head rail that looks better than a valance and matches the blinds. Enjoy covering your windows with aluminum mini blinds and rest assured the kids won’t destroy them. Giving your room a sleek and retro style is a great idea with aluminum mini blinds.

Filed under Blinds, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

August 11, 2007

Patio Door Blinds Reduce Heat and Increase Privacy

Patio door blinds are in use to protect the porch or deck area from the heat of scorching sun. More and more people are installing these blinds to block out the hot sun and keep the cool shade in their decks or porches. You can easily find huge number of wonderful patio door blinds to use in the space and thus increase the utility of your patio for you as well as your guests.

You can choose from various shapes and sizes of blinds shades for patio doors. Either you will find ready to use blind shade as per your requirement or you can also get them custom cut to fit into your space. It is easy to find patio door blinds in most of the home improvement stores.

Patio door blinds play a significant role when you wish to give the feel of indoor to your outdoor space like patio or deck. They make the place very much comfortable for you. You have lots of options as far as colors and designs are concerned to serve this purpose.

Other than protecting the space from hot sun and keeping it in shade, patio door blinds also serve some other purposes. These blinds offer you privacy even in your outdoor space. You can enjoy your own lonely moments while sitting in your patio without bothering about people around. These blinds offer you cozy yet peaceful space outside the home.

Patio window blinds are of different types to meet the varying requirement of the people.

Horizontal Window Patio Blinds

These types of blinds enhanced the beauty of your outdoor space. It offers you number of light and privacy control options. You will have a sheer, natural beauty blended with all the practicality of a blind from this type of patio blind.

Bamboo Window Patio Door Blinds

These types of blinds are available in elegant collection of bamboo, rattan, reeds, jute and woven woods. You get flexibility in designing patio door blind shades treatment. You not only have diversity in appearances, but also have various lifting abilities like roman fold bamboo patio door blinds.

Cellular Patio Door Blinds

Due to its numerous features, cellular blinds are among the most asked for blind shades. Its unique cellular construction offers the user with marvelous insulation and sound absorption features. These blinds are available in different pleat sizes and in complete spectrum of colors.

Roman Window Patio Door Blinds

 

These blinds give the plush, custom and tailored look. These blinds offer high-fashion elegance but at appropriate price range. You can get elegant patio door blinds at incredible price.

 

Sun Control Sheerweave Window Patio Door Blinds

These blinds act as a fresh alternative for the commonly used vinyl roller patio door blinds. The blind reduces the fading of draperies but enables you to have a complete view of the outside while maintaining the privacy at the same time.

To conclude, installing patio door blinds is a great idea to create the atmosphere outside as per your desire.

Filed under Blinds, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

August 6, 2007

Why You Need Skylight Blinds

Lots of people are familiar with skylights, but how many know about skylight blinds? These days, lots of modern homes have skylights. Not only do they dress up the exterior look of a house, but they are a good source of natural lighting. In addition, during the cool months of fall and the ice cold of winter, they are a great way for someone to heat their house.

Yet, there is also a downside to them. Isn’t that always the case? Seems everything in life is a "double-edged sword." Those same skylights that warm when it is cold also warm in the hot "dog days" of summer. Not a good thing. Even in times of year when heat is not an issue, there is always that inconvenient time of day when the sunlight just happens to shine at just the wrong angle or place.

The answer? Blinds for the skylights. They not only look nice and really dress up the window, but they also help to save money by reducing heating and cooling costs for the home. Skylight blinds, like any other kind of blind, come in a wide variety of colors, styles and models. Some are like the standard blinds, but as skylights are (by definition) in the ceiling, some are quite high up. That begs the question: how on earth are they operated? In that situation a motorized unit can be installed to allow the blinds to be raised and lowered at the push of a button.

Once they are put in place, homeowners report that the blinds help to lower the cost of heating and cooling, they reduce the amount of light and glare during certain times of the day and year, and they significantly reduce the amount of noise. Purchasing skylight blinds is just like anything else: it is just a matter of finding the right manufacturer. Comfortex, Graber, Hunter Douglas, Bali and Velux are only a few of the firms out there, and all come highly rated for being dependable. As with any other aspect of home improvement, it is important to be careful in selecting the style, model and color carefully. A good blind, well-made and accented to blend with the home’s décor, can give a real boost to the overall appearance. Picking out the wrong color and style can be equally disastrous to a homeowner’s efforts at improving their house’s curb side appeal.

Filed under Blinds, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

August 1, 2007

Looking Into Discount Faux Wood Blinds

Discount faux wood blinds are a good alternative to expensive authentic wooden blinds.

What are Faux Wood Blinds?

The word "faux" means fake so faux wood blinds are fake wood blinds. They look like wood, but they’re made out of synthetic materials. Often times they’re made of vinyl and are manufactured to look like wood. More expensive discount faux wood blinds are made of a mix of real wood and synthetic materials.

Faux wood blinds generally cost 10 to 15 percent less than real wooden blinds. They can be found on-line or at home improvement stores such as Home Depot.

When you start looking for discount faux wood blinds, you’ll need to know two things. One, you’ll need to know how many windows you want to cover. Maybe you just need to decorate a room. Or, maybe you just bought a house and need to find window coverings for the whole thing.

Two, you’ll need to know the size of the windows you’re outfitting. Many of them will be a standard size. Others may need a custom fit. Windows that require a custom fit will cost more than standard blinds. However, you can still save money by getting custom fit faux wood blinds rather than authentic wood blinds.

Comparing the Function of Wooden Blinds

Discount faux wood blinds and authentic wood blinds share many of the same functions. They both keep out sun and heat. They both open and close. They both provide you and your family with privacy.

One big difference between the two is weight. Faux wood blinds weigh more than wood blinds. The synthetic materials are simply heavier. Though this probably won’t affect the function of your blinds, the added weight can make discount faux wood blinds more difficult to install. If installation is a concern, you can always get the blinds installed for you.

Another huge difference between the two is moisture resistance. Wood substances are less resistant to moisture than synthetic materials. Wood is porous, which means it absorbs water. Vinyl and other synthetic materials are not porous and therefore do not absorb water.

What does this mean? This means that wood is more susceptible to rotting or warping. It can’t withstand areas that have high amounts of humidity. Because faux wood can withstand humidity, it’s much better suited for bathrooms and kitchens.

Faux Wood Blind Options

When you go shopping for discount faux wood blinds, you’ll be presented with several different style options. Faux wood blinds are made to look like many different types of wood. Some variations of discount faux wood blinds really look like fake wood. Some customers prefer to buy discount faux wood blinds that are painted white so they don’t look as cheap. Make sure to see the blinds in person before you order them so you don’t have to return your discount faux wood blinds.

Filed under Blinds, Exterior, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

July 31, 2007

Deciding if You Need Skylight Shades

Good skylight shades will keep the sun you’ve invited into your house out when the heat it creates gets to intense.

Why Get Skylights?

Before you can understand why you might need skylight shades, you need to understand why you might need or want a skylight. Skylights are large ceiling windows. They’re placed in areas of the home that need more light. Often times these areas have no other access to natural light. For example, bathrooms are a common place for skylights. Many bathrooms do not have windows. Adding a skylight lets the sun in and naturally brightens up the room.

Those who live in smaller houses might add skylights to various rooms make the house appear bigger. Putting a skylight in at the top of a room gives the illusion that the room is larger. The light lengthens the room. This can be a big attraction when a person is tying to sell a smaller house.

Skylights Don’t Need An On-Off Switch

Skylights are great for letting light in, but what if you want the light out? Let’s say you have a skylight in your bedroom. You love the natural light it brings in during the winter, but what about the summer? Do you want the sun to greet you for a 6 a.m. rising every morning?

If not, you may need skylight shades. You can’t just turn a skylight off. However, you can buy a special shade that will allow you to control access to the light.

There are several different skylight shades to choose from. Light-blocking shades will keep the sun out of your room. Venetian blinds look just like the blinds that are probably on your windows right now. Venetian skylight blinds are made out of aluminum and keep out sunlight. They’re also thick enough to protect your privacy. Cellular shades block some of the sun’s rays. This is a good shade choice in a room that contains a TV or computer because it cuts down on glare.

If your sunlight is in a hallway or bathroom, you’re probably not going to need a skylight shade. You’ll save yourself some money if you only get skylight shades in rooms you do not sleep in.

How Skylight Shades Operate

How the heck are you supposed to open and close a window shade if you can’t reach the window? Good question. Skylight shades can be raised and lowered manually or mechanically. In some homes the skylight might be placed on a slanted ceiling that is within reaching distance. In this case, the homeowner can manually pull down and raise the skylight shade.

If your skylight is far to high to reach, you can get mechanical skylight shades. These skylight shades are operated using a handheld mechanical device and are very easy to operate.

Filed under Interior, Shades by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

July 22, 2007

Choosing Discount Window Treatments

When you’re decorating on a budget, finding discount window treatments should be tops on your list. There are many options available and saving money on window treatments gives you extra to spend on other items like flooring, furniture, and decorative items. You can find great window treatments without spending a great deal of money.

Although it’s tempting to go without window treatments when you’re working on a limited budget, window treatments provide many advantages. Blinds or other treatments give you privacy, help maintain indoor temperatures, and keep carpet and other fabrics from fading.

Consider some of the following options:

 

  • Blinds: vinyl blinds tend to be inexpensive and newer styles are made to look like fabric covered blinds or faux wood. Because blinds are easy to care for and they stand up to a lot of wear and tear, they are very cost effective. If you like the look of wood blinds, consider using faux wood blinds that will look like wood but cost less.

 

 

  • Shades: roller shades are the least expensive option and you can dress them up with fabric, wallpaper, or paint for a customized look on a budget. Other shade styles include Roman shades and balloon shades. While they are more expensive, you may be able to find some on sale or at a discount window treatment store. Shades will also help regulate indoor temperature, saving you money in the long run by keeping energy costs down.

 

 

  • Curtains: while curtains can dress up a room fast, they can also be expensive and more difficult to care for than other options. There are many options in curtains including floor length panels, swags, scarves, and café styles.

 

 

  • Hardware: dress up window treatments with rods, tie-backs, and other items. Great hardware can make inexpensive window treatments look elegant and expensive.

 

You can also consider combining window treatments in order to fulfill multiple functions for your room. For example, pair mini blinds with curtains for great privacy and temperature regulation while still softening the room.

Whatever option you like, you can find discount window treatments with a little searching. You may be able to find discount options that you like in local stores or in online stores. Keep an eye out for additional sales or promotional deals and don’t forget to consider faux wood or materials.

Filed under General, Interior by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment

July 19, 2007

Why You Need Interior Window Shutters

Interior window shutters keep out the sun, give you privacy and keep out the heat. They come in all different shapes, sizes, styles and materials. They can be used by themselves as the sole protection against the sun. Or, they can be used in conjunction with blinds.

Affordable Interior Window Shutters

The most affordable interior window shutters are ones that come with your house or apartment. It’s very unusual for the previous owner of a house or apartment to take interior window shutters with them when they move. Interior window shutters aren’t necessarily hard to remove, but they don’t fit every window. If the person doesn’t have the exact same windows in their new house, there is no reason for them to take the shutters with them. Either way, before you purchase a house, ask if the shutters are staying. It’s never fun to move into a new house only to discover that you have no window coverings or privacy!

That being said, the next cheapest window shutters are vinyl window shutters. Vinyl window shutters come in all different shapes and colors. Faux wood vinyl shutters are becoming increasingly popular. It used to be that you could only buy wood interior window shutters. These are expensive and are often called plantation shutters. However, due to high demand, manufacturers have started making vinyl knock-offs.

One really nice thing about vinyl interior window shutters is that they work well in high humidity areas. This includes bathrooms and kitchens. Vinyl doesn’t warp like wood does. With that in mind, if you plan on getting wood shutters, make sure to ask your salesperson about the durability of the shutters.

If you have an odd sized window and have to get custom interior window shutters, you’ll have to pay more money. To cut costs, opt to put interior window shutters in the rooms of your house that get the most sunlight.

Advantages to Interior Window Shutters

Interior window shutters keep out sunlight, heat and cold. Thicker, higher quality shutters will keep out more heat and cold than cheaper interior window shutters. Wooden shutters are made of a heavier, denser material that is more apt at resisting the elements.

That being said, some people like small pieces of light to shine through. Vinyl shutters will let in more light. Unlike wood shutters, they’re hollow, which allows some light to slip through the shutters and into your house.

Interior window shutters also keep out peeping eyes. Some types of blinds and curtains are too thin to block what’s going on inside. These shutters are thick enough to give you complete privacy.

Interior window shutters are also very easy to open and close. They do not get crooked or out of place like blinds. They also don’t have strings that can get tangled and broken. Interior window shutters aren’t for everyone, but they are becoming increasingly popular among young homeowners.

Filed under Interior, Shutters by Heather Madison

Permalink Print Comment