How To Make The Difficult Decision Between Vinyl And Wood Blinds

Homeowners now have many more choices for window blinds than just the old standby blinds of the past that could easily bend and break. Many homeowners and home improvement experts are choosing to go with wood or vinyl blinds with a width of two inches to really make the room look more elegant.

The custom blinds are considerably less expensive than wood shutters and not only that but they also allow for more natural light which makes nearly any room look better. It wasn't too long ago that buying wide blinds like this wouldn't be a cost effective way of dealing with a window treatment situation but now there are varied choices that almost anyone can afford.

So, how does one choose between wood blinds or vinyl blinds? For starters you need to know that there positives and negatives on both, and the major difference is price and color. Wood blinds will be quite a bit more expensive than vinyl but they are also available in a much wider assortment of colors.
You should endeavor to match the wood that is already in you home if you have wood trim and molding. With the variety of color choices it should be relatively easy to match the stain. Wood blinds can add a look of elegance and sophistication and make any room go from blah to wow!

Believe it or not wood blinds are also lighter than vinyl in most cases and could be the perfect choice for those extra wide double or triple windows. Because the wood blinds are lighter this can prevent the bowing that is prevalent in the middle of blinds on large windows. Wood blinds may also be made custom fit the same way as vinyl to give a uniform look.

When it comes to money the vinyl blinds will definitely be a good bit less expensive than their wood counterpart. If your color choices are white, off white, or ivory then vinyl blinds can a good choice for you, especially if you are watching your money. As a rule vinyl is simpler to keep clean because wood is so susceptible to water damage.

These days your choices and selection are so varied that you can have plenty to choose from and save you money the same time. Check with your local supply store like Lowe's or Home Depot. You can also find incredible choices online as the internet is a vast resource for any and all things and the home improvement arena is no different.

Big Boston Loft Window Blind Tips For New Boston Loft Apartment Owners

So you have decided to buy a loft in Boston. You may have already moved into your loft in south Boston, East Boston, Lowell, Cambridge, Somerville to Brockton Lofts. You have invested every penny you have to buy your great new England loft getaway. You may have already signed your loft lease or purchase order and bought your big screen TV or installed a swing into your funky Massachusetts loft home.

Then you realize something is missing for your loft getaway vacation that you call home. You wake up at six in the morning to the bright sun beaming into your nice large New England loft windows. So you do what most new loft owners would do. You put up a big blanket to cover the window. Which pisses off loft property owners and fellow loft owners that have invested there sole into there lofts to have a property that has a bunch of tacky big blankets covering the huge nice windows that all can see from the common area and street.

Then you realize that that whole reason that you bought a loft was to enjoy the big open space and big window to enjoy your new England loft views. So you go out in search of big blinds for your windows. Checking out the large home goods in massachusett blind stores and get sticker shock to what the cost may look to put in nice big windows into your loft. Or you may have gotten lost in how to pick the right type of shades to put into your big apartment. There are several options from Venetian, mini, micro shades, vinyl, aluminum, pleased shadees, and solar shades to wooden window covers.

One concern that you may run into when looking for window blinds in New Englnad, is how to measure your windows. It can be tricky to measure correctly as windows in gigantic apartments can come in many different sizes. But have no fear, there are options in calling in a professional Massachusetts blind consultant to come in measure your blinds and offer you rates at fifty percent less then what the Boston stores charge for window treatment in New England.

There are several resources that you can find from how to measure, to window treatment shopping tips online. Do your homework and meet with a professional thats willing to let you compare blind prices online. Find some great shade treatment and start enjoying your great large funky apartment in New England.

Bamboo Blinds - The Excellent Window Alternative

The versatility associated with bamboo blinds make them an ideal choice for homeowners looking for something a little different. The touch of 21st. century refinement added to ancient culture has transformed the bamboo blind into a more than adequate replacement for traditional blinds.

Bamboo blinds are becoming a preferred window treatment for many homeowners who are discovering the natural beauty of bamboo. Not only do they compliment most decors but enviromentalists will love you for using them.

If you are thinking about installing bamboo blinds there is still a little due diligence required on your part before parting with your hard-earned cash. For example,it can sometimes be a little mis-leading when choosing your colors. Why? Because bamboo colors and patterns can vary significantly from any sample you look at. What may appear, perhaps greenish in a sample, could in fact be more of a brownish color by the time your finished product is ready to be installed. This is obviously a point you'll need to raise with whatever company you are dealing with.

There are plenty of advantages to consider with bamboo blinds. Cost is an important ingredient in any product purchase and bamboo blinds provide an inexpensive alternative to traditional blinds. Many people opt for roll up blinds such as the Roman bamboo shades which are easy to maintain and roll into layers which provides a neat and tidy appearance. These blinds have a rather thin slat which makes the roll up process a breeze yet wider slat design is also available for those preferring a more non-traditional appearance.

Bamboo blind installation is reasonably straightforward. Once you have selected your design and your blinds are ready to be installed, the installation process should be a breeze for any budding handyman. However, for those less gifted in this area and with a little handyman phobia, you should have your bamboo blind installed by a professional or an understanding friend or relative skilled in this area. I want to point out though, you should always make sure you understand the installation process from the beginning. Some bamboo blind dealers may offer free installation while others will charge a fee. If you have the know how, then do it yourself. If not, ask from the outset about installation; is there, or is there not a fee involved?

Finally, one of the things I like about shopping for bamboo blinds is the ease in which the internet is able to bring them to me. Shopping for bamboo blinds online is virtually hassle free. The only drawback is the color issue. As mentioned earlier, the color you see in a display photo may not be the exact same color blind that is delivered to your door. Clearly clarify this before making your purchase.

A Closer Look At The Many Different Window Treatment Options You Have

Most of us would consider the stage where we actually get to choose our window treatment as the best part of decorating our windows. The choice of styles, colors, and fabrics available is nothing short of fantastic. We are fortunate in that we are free to choose the type of fringing, cording, or borders that reflect our individual taste and lifestyle. We can also choose to take a specific color from our window treatment and use it to accent color, either in the same room or through the rest the house. In this way, we have the opportunity to add an extra touch of decorating flair to our environment.

If your decorating preference is to hang drapes in your home, you can choose from several styles of draperies and co-ordinating valances. These valances are available in many styles and can be shirred, pleated, swagged, or gathered in many different ways. Some will have scalloped edges, while others are flat. Both the traditional formal and more casual decorating choices can be accommodated by the use of draperies of some type. There certainly are enough choices to make the windows in your space reflect your personal taste.

If blinds or shades are the right choice for your room setting, you also have a variety of choices. Blinds are available made from such materials as aluminium, natural materials, or even wood. Mini blinds made of metal offer consumers many special options, such as a variety of sizes, an absolute rainbow of colors, a wide range of finishes, many cloth tapes, and numerous choices of header. Different privacy options, depending on the consumer's wants and needs, can be factored in as well.

Fans of natural products might want to consider including mini blinds made of wood in their decorating scheme. Wooden blinds can be purchased in a whole host of sizes. A wide range of color options are yours for the asking, along with a selection of finishes designed to complement a wide variety of decorating options. Natural blinds are once again readily available; most of us have seen bamboo blinds at some point. These blinds are available in both matchstick and sewn slats. Some newer types of natural blinds give off the appearance of being constructed out of fabric.

Perhaps a cellular or a fabric shade will create the atmosphere you are trying to create. Cellular shades are available in both see-through and opaque materials and will give a window treatment a very clean look. Fabric shades are available in such styles as Austrian, Roman, pleated, balloon, or bottom arched. Of course, the flat panel shades that most of us are familiar with are another viable option.

Savings, Style, and Security Make Blinds A Smart Choice

Mini blinds, vertical blinds and even horizontal floor length blinds are not only stylish additions to nearly any room, they also offer some benefits plain drapes and sheers don't. When properly chosen, positioned and used, blinds can add to a home's energy efficiency and security measures. By keeping light and eyes out, these little decorator wonders pack a triple-purpose punch few other window treatments can boast.

The advantages to blinds are fully felt when they are properly chosen to fit windows and designed with higher quality materials that most dime store blinds offer. Custom blinds can even be made to match decorating schemes and even fit unusual window shapes and designs.

For added security, blinds should be used in conjunction with drapes or sheers to block vision into a room or home. What thieves can't see, they tend to not want to steal. When blinds are kept closed and down, people cannot see in. Even the best drapes can have leaks that allow vision, but well made blinds can make it virtually impossible to see in.

The same way in which blinds work to keep eyes out, they can help with keeping heat or cold in a room. By shielding the window more than an ordinary drape can, they work well in conjunction with good window dressings to limit energy loss. Plus they can also help in the reverse by helping to keep the sun's hot rays from coming in or cold breezes, too.

When choosing blinds, it's important to make sure they don't clash with a room's overall look. Even the most dressed up of windows can benefit from the right blinds, but one's that don't go with the feel of a room can wreck its tone and feel.

Before buying blinds consider the following things:

* Colors. Will blinds be making the statement for the window, or will they just serve as a backdrop to another window dressing such as a sheer or drape? If something plain is wanted, consider a solid color. White goes with almost everything, but colored blinds do well with patterned drapes and can even lend themselves to blending in more if an accent color from the drapes is chosen. Colored blinds, too, can act on their own without the need for drapes.

* Sizes. Are the windows you're looking to dress standard in size or are custom blinds needed? If so, choose a good maker for the blinds.

* Patterns. Custom blind makers can often create heavy duty blinds that come in a variety of patterns and colors. Generally cloth in outer material, these blinds take the place of drapes and look wonderful doing so while offering other benefits.

* Budget. Blinds, especially custom ones, can get expensive. Since they can run from a few dollars a window to the hundreds and more, it's a good idea to set some quality feature requirements along with a budget first.

Blinds are a great way to go to help increase security and energy savings. Finding the right blinds to fit just about any room's style and needs is more than possible. If off the rack blinds won't do, consider custom made materials for a designer look that's incredible.

How To Find Perfect Blinds For Your Bedroom Windows

There are probably no window treatments that are as important as the ones you will use in your bedroom. These blinds will hold out the early morning sun so that you can sleep in on weekends, or weekdays, and keep out prying eyes from the activity that takes place inside every night. What's more, you will be looking at them more than every other blind in your house, seeing them when you go to sleep at night and again when you wake up in the morning, so they should be attractive and convey what you want them to convey.

Getting the window blinds in your bedroom to meet your specific requirements can be difficult with pre-made blinds. Windows vary in size, and blinds that are too small will look skimpy and let in light. Blinds that are too big will clutter the wall and look awkward. You will want a perfect fit for your bedroom.

Besides a fit, there is a look. Blinds that are premade are made to appeal to all tastes enough to sell, but no taste enough to exclude another. This means that the vast majority of pre-made blinds can be quite bland. For your bedroom, the place where you will spend a large portion of your life and have some of your best times, you will want blinds that are expressive of your own personal taste. So, you should select a set of blinds to suit your demands, even if you have to special order them.

Once you are ready to look for a set of blinds custom made to your specifications, you can do a search online and see what turns up. You will want to look for stores or manufacturers that specialize in making custom window blinds. Look for stores that are local to you, or check into a store that has an online storefront from which to order. Online stores offer the advantage of pressure free browsing. There is no pushy salesman insisting that you choose this blind or that style, simply because it will give him a nice commission.

When you are browsing, you will see all the various types of blinds, such as wooden or fake wooden blinds, plastic blinds, and horizontal blinds. Think about which one will fit best in your bedroom.

It is indisputable that getting custom made blinds costs a bit more than pre-made blinds. But it is definitely worth the cost. Custom made blinds ensure that you will have window treatments that are constant with your personal style and tastes, and fit precisely to the needs of your windows. Using custom made blinds; you can put the finishing touches on your home decorating, and get the best in window treatments.

Choose Bali Blinds - Enjoy The Choice Of Vinyl Or Aluminum

Bali blinds come in a wide array of colors in both vinyl and aluminum window blinds. You can choose vertical or mini blinds depending on the look you want to achieve in each room of your home. For a special coordinated look, contrast Bali vertical blinds with horizontal Bali blinds in the same room. The type of blind you choose will, of course, depend on the size and shape of your window, but you can get Bali blinds custom made to suit irregularly shaped windows as well.

If you choose vinyl vertical blinds in the Bali style, the slats are 1 inch wide. For horizontal aluminum Bali blinds the slats are larger - 2 inches wide. One inch vinyl Bali vertical blinds or mini blinds are perfect for the bathroom or kitchen window or another room of the home where they may be high levels of humidity on times. These Bali window blinds come with a light-blocking head rail, but it doesn't have a valance. It is designed so that you can install it between the window facings. If you wish you can have a cloth valance over the top of the Bali blind.

For a more contemporary look, try the sleek ? inch micro aluminum Bali blinds. Both these and the 1 inch aluminum Bali window blinds come in an amazing array of colors. The aluminum blinds by Bali contain an advanced finishing technology so that they will resist dust and dirt and are easy to clean. They are also hard to dent or scratch, so that if you want to peep out the window without raising the blind, you can pull the slats apart a tiny bit.

To care for and clean your Bali blinds, regular vacuuming will do the trick. If you notice a stain on one or more of the slats, you can easily wash them off with lukewarm water and a mild cleaner. If you have Bali vertical blinds, you can take out the vanes individually and let them soak in water or lay them flat to wash them off. You may be surprised to learn that if you leave a thin film of detergent on the vanes, it will help eliminate static electricity. Therefore, there is no need to rinse your Bali window blinds completely.

Bali blinds are very durable and will provide you with the window coverings you want for many years. Along with giving you the privacy you need, you can choose to completely block out the light or allow some light to filter through the window blinds. Browse the catalog of Bali blinds to see all the different kinds available and to read about the features of each one.