Saturday 16 April 2011

Are Wood Window Blinds The Right Choice?


When you are deciding on what to do to spruce a room up, you might want to think about the different kinds of window blinds you could use. Wood window blinds have a great way of creating an elegant and sophisticated look and feel to just about any room they are put up in. These window blinds are also a great way of keeping the harsh sunlight out of a room, keeping it nice and cool for you and your family to enjoy.

Being able to insulate a room is one of the most common reasons that people purchase wood window blinds. In the summer, they will keep the heat from coming into the room, especially with windows that have direct sunlight on them during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

They will also help keep the heat in the room when the winter months have made it cold and unbearable outside. Even though a lot of people would think heavy drapes would be better for this, wood blinds create an excellent barrier to the harsh temperature changes that come around with every seasonal change.

Wood window blinds are also extremely durable and easy to maintain, taking only a few minutes to wipe the dust off of them. Metal or aluminum blinds require you to be a bit gentler as they have a tendency to bend when you apply pressure to them. Wood, however, will hold up to the pressure of cleaning very well, and you can see this in the amount of time you are saving. They really are a great all around accessory to any room they are in, or your entire house, if you so desire.

When it comes to choosing the right blinds for you and your family, wooden window blinds always seem to fall into the top of the list. They have a great feel and look a lot more natural than the skinny aluminum blinds that you can buy at any store. Wood blinds can be found in most home improvement stores, and also online. The only issue you might have is in the measurement of the window frame to make sure that you have the perfect fit for your window.

Saturday 2 April 2011

How To Measure And Install Vertical Window Blinds

Vertical window blinds are a great choice for certain rooms in your home, including the bedroom, living room and kitchen, as they provide great versatility and control with pleasing aesthetic design. Here we discuss the best way to measure for and install vertical blinds in your home.

Vertical blinds will either run from the top of your window down to the bottom of your window or as far as the floor. The window blinds can be installed on the inside of the window frame or on the exterior of the window frame, depending on the window style. The latter would put the blinds on the top of the window but on the outer edge of the wood.

When measuring for your blinds you should measure from where you want to install them. If you are putting the blinds up on the inside of the window frame, you will measure on the inside of the window and if you are putting the blinds up on the outside of the frame, you will need to measure from that point.

If your window is 60" wide and 40" long - or tall if you prefer - then if you are putting the blinds up on the inside of the casing you most likely are going to need 58 or 59" across and 39" long. This will depend on the thickness of your window frames and the trim on the window. If, however, you have decided to put the vertical blinds on the exterior of the frame above the window you are going to need wider and longer blinds, likely about 62" or 64" wide, and will measure about 44" long.

You'll need to decide whether or not you want to see the window frame and whether or not you want the blinds to reach the bottom of the window, the frame or right to the floor and adjust accordingly. Some people like to cover only the window area of their window with the blind and this is ok if you are measuring the interior or the exterior areas of your window frame. If you want to have the vertical blinds put on the inside of the frame though, it will be impossible to have your window blinds longer than the window as they will end up sticking out and looking ridiculous.

Check to see if anything is going to get in the way of your blinds once they are hanging. This could be a piece of furniture for example. If it is, consider reducing the length of your window blinds or rearranging your furniture to allow for the length you want.

Now you have your measurements, draw them out on a piece of paper to make doubly sure they are exactly as you want them. If you're happy you are ready to go ahead and have your blinds made.

It is rare that you will be able to find vertical blinds of the width and length you require ready-made, so you'll need to find a window blind company to make them for you. The will also very likely install the blinds for you, saving that trouble.

If you don't want to go to that expense, however, it is perfectly possible for you to adjust blinds and install them yourself, though you should read up on how to do so first!

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Window Blinds and Shades - 5 Tips For Better Choice


Choosing the right window blinds and shades depend on several factors including ease of maintenance, function, decor theme and budget. These window treatments, blinds and shades are both decorative and functional as drapes or curtains. Here are 5 tips that can help you while choosing the right window blinds and shades for yourself.

1. You can choose roller blinds or shades for cost effectiveness and ease of installation. They are simple window coverings that come with easy to install hardware. Since they are mostly made of fabric, paper and natural materials like rattan, reeds and bamboo, they are available at relatively cheaper prices.

2. You can choose roman shades if you want simplicity with a touch of class. As they are also easy to install and operate, they have become the most fashionable window covering solutions. Because of the cascading style, folding and the tendency to use textured, heavy and colorful fabric, these roman shades are good for creating a decorative statement.

3. You can choose Venetian or Slatted blinds for functionality and universal appeal. They are universal because they can be used as is or in coordination with other drapes or curtains. They are easy to set up and maintain (requiring only wiping and vacuuming down) and versatile as well. These blinds are usually more durable than any other style of blinds.

4. You can choose gathered blinds if you want the luxurious look. As they use heavy and textured fabric which create ruffled draping effect, these gathered blinds are best used with affluent decor themes and deep colors. These blinds are the quite expensive than other type of blinds.

5. You can choose cellular shades if you want the contemporary look. They are similar to venetian blinds but are constructed with honeycombs which help in controlling light and insulation from extreme temperatures. These cellular window blinds and shades are available in different types of materials and colors with varying price tags.

Sunday 13 March 2011

Arched window blinds – Voguish window blind


Besides, it also give an added challenge when it comes to covering them. Obviously you don't like anyone to be able to see in your arched windows anytime they wish, but the perfect solution is arch window blinds. They are especially made to suit the arch windows and may be closed and opened easily. It could be functioned from the ground and may be manufactured to enter and exit using motorized controls. Arched window blinds let the consumer to manage the quantity of light that filters in through the window.

Modern arch window blinds are available with simple yet elegant designs and models primarily meant to act as obstacle to excessive sunlight and improve home privacy. While maintaining and preserving the style and architectural design of your abode, you can enjoy such benefits. Arch window blinds may look complicated but actually it is easy to set up such blinds. Get help from the installer, if you are not confident about installation. Several manufacturer give instructions to consumers regarding how to measure their arch windows in their site. You can order the custom arch window blinds by giving these measurements to the manufacturers.

Collection of material is done by the consumer by browsing through online from the manufacturer catalogue.If you are extremely interested about physical verification can obtain samples of material to be mailed to them for a small fee. A well known, economical way of making use of arch window blinds would be to opt for pleated polyester window blinds. These are made to specific sizes using polyester material chosen by the consumer. Choices of material with diverging effects are offered for the customer to select from. The popular effects are darkening the room, blocking sun and heat, hammered silk effects and so on.

Window arch blinds are greatly enhance the aesthetics of any type of abode and also allow the consumers to enjoy the original look of their homes while blocking excess sunlight with the use of such treatment. They perfectly match any hue and design of the windows, and even coordinate with its uniquely styled dressing.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Custom Window Blinds - Frequently Asked Questions

A lot of people are interested in the custom window blinds. However, few of them have the right knowledge about them, because there are not proper reading materials about them. Thus, in this article, I will propose the frequently asked questions about the custom window blinds, and then give the right answer and discussion.

What is the function of custom window blinds?

The windows can let the sunshine come into, and give a good view of the outside scenery for the people in the room. A window may give us unwanted light at certain times of the day for whatever reason. There may also be times when we don't want anyone looking in on us in our homes Thus, the custom window blinds provide the proper method to prevent these happening. Custom Blinds are blinds made specifically in styles and measurements based on the customers specifications and preferences.

Which type of custom blinds can I choose?

The blinds can be made of many kinds of materials, such as arch, fabric, wood. Various types have different features. For example, the Roman type gives a historic style looking. When purchasing Custom Window blinds in addition to the measurements of the windows; the materials are also considered in the pricing. Thus, before purchasing the blinds, you should recognize the specific feature of each type, and select the right one.

Which is the cheapest type custom blinds?

If you do not own enough money to purchase the high level ones, there are some alternative types, which also provide a decent looking. In order to maintain a cheap blinds budget you want to stay away from elaborate custom made blinds. One of the most reasonably priced shades is the good old roller blind. One of the affordable types is the rice paper,which can be purchased them from the Internet shops. You can find a basic woven wood blind for about $24.00. The price will go up with customizing. Customizing includes privacy and light control liners.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Wood Window Blinds - The Epitome of Sophistication and Durability

Wood window blinds are fast becoming more common in households and are used as multiple purposes. Their natural wood color and textures make them very versatile for various interior decors. Stain them and you could even enhance the ambiance with the new shade of color. But the main advantage of these shades is still the integrity and sophistication it accords its owners.

The pros are undeniable as they are capable of adding to the sophisticated ambiance to the home. Depending on your theme and interior decor of your home, they work perfectly for all. For the country style wooden interior themes, these shades help to exude the country essence. Alternatively, the minimalist wooden theme is further aesthetically enhanced with long horizontal thick slats across long huge windows. Here you see two types of extremely different ambiance being created and accentuated by wood window blinds.

The most common wood window blinds are horizontal but verticals are fast making their presence felt. The latter are by far the more expensive version, but they do add a lot more class and avant garde sophistication to your home, if you can afford them. They are, however, durable to say the least, often with manufacturer guarantees of five years or more. Admittedly, they do weigh much more than their other counterparts too.

There are a few drawbacks, not withstanding the fact they are not cheap and require strong sturdy frames due to their weight. You need to be very careful when choosing your wood window blinds are only those made with quality real wooden materials and treated are warp and crack resistant. There is a variety of wooden materials to meet your choice, like aspen, poplar, basswood, all three of which are the best quality any home owner would dream of having. The other more common type of wooden material is American hard wood, which scores well in the aspects of durability. Slat sizes come mostly in the two inch category bit some even thicker to give a stronger and more sturdy look and feel. Thicker and larger shades offer better unblocked view of the exterior.

Apart from the undisputed aesthetic feel of wood window blinds, their functionality of having natural insulating capabilities also make them the best choice for smart home owners looking for long term cost savings. They keep in the heat in winter and help ventilate the hot air in summer, hence, enabling cost and energy efficiency, translated into money saved from cheaper utilities bills.

Wood window blinds are by far the key choice of homeowners especially when they are looking for durability, sophistication, and are not overtly concern with budget.