When it’s time to update your home with new window treatments, you may want to consider more than just aesthetics. Of course, you’ll want your new window shades or blinds to be attractive and stylish, but you may also want to keep energy efficiency in mind.

In the average American household, over 40% of your utility bill goes toward heating and cooling your home. That wouldn’t be too bad if all of that energy–and money–actually contributed to creating a comfortably warmed or cooled environment. But did you know that heat lost through your windows could add up to 10-25% of your energy bill? Keep that money from going right out your windows–literally!–with cellular window shades. This versatile window treatment solution provides homeowners with all of the benefits of standard window coverings like Roman shades but with the additional benefit of improved energy efficiency. So when you choose to install cellular shades in your home, you get easy operation, sleek looks, and lower energy bills.

Unlike Roman shades or window blinds that are typically made of one or two flat layers of material, cellular shades are formed in a unique honeycomb style. Two or more layers of a non-woven material are pleated together, sandwiching pockets of air between the layers. This distinctive design offers a soft, elegant appearance, but it’s also what helps insulate your windows. By trapping air inside the cells, these window shades create a thermal break between your window glass and the temperature inside your home. This helps ensure the hot air stays in during the winter and out during the summer. High-quality cellular shades typically offer R-values (measures of insulating property) of between R-4 and R-6 for double honeycomb styles. Compare that with a typical R-value of 2.5 for horizontal blinds and 3.0 for basic Roman shades. These numbers spell out just how much more efficient a cellular window shade is than many of your other options!

Cellular shades are a particularly good investment for warmer, sunnier climates. That’s because in addition to heat transfer from the hot temperatures outside, the sun can actually warm up a space with solar radiation. Those bright sunbeams that make the beach so pleasant are also making it hotter in your home, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, and your energy bills through the roof. However, when you install cellular shades in your home, you can combat solar heat gain as well as thermal heat transfer. By drawing your cellular shades when the sun is streaming in, you can block out the sun and insulate your windows at the same time, ensuring your home stays comfortably cool for less.

So if you’re in the market for window blinds or shades, make sure to consider the whole picture, including energy efficiency, before you make your selection. With cellular, or honeycomb, shades, you’ll find that their great looks mean you won’t even have to sacrifice to make your home more energy efficient. Contact your local window treatment specialist to learn more or to place your order for a cellular window shade today.

If your new bamboo window shades, custom draperies, or fabric vertical blinds don’t do what you want them to do, it doesn’t matter how good they look or how well they go with your decor–you’ll never be totally happy with them. When it comes to window treatments, we sometimes get sidetracked by form and we forget about function. In order to make the most of your time, energy, and money, make sure you determine what practical objective you want your window coverings to perform before you get sidetracked by matters of color or construction.

One major practical element of window coverings is light control. Sheer window draperies, for example, will let in a lot of light, while horizontal blinds, often made of wood or aluminum, will block most light from coming through, at least when the slats are turned down. If you are installing new window coverings in your home, think about how you want the light to be in whatever room you’re considering. In a bedroom that has eastern-facing windows, you may want to have coverings, such as cellular shades with blackout inserts, that will block out light very well. That way, you won’t be woken up by early morning light on weekend mornings before your alarm even has a chance to go off! If, on the other hand, you have a room that you want a lot of light to come into, you might consider an option such as roman shades or even sheer window drapery, which will screen some light while still letting a goodly amount through.

In addition to light control, the other major practicality to take into account when it comes to window coverings is privacy. In a given room, how much do you want people on the outside to be able to see in when the coverings are down or closed? Again, your response to this question will likely depend on the particular room in question. If you are putting up window treatments in the first floor bedroom of a city apartment, you’ll probably want the privacy provided by thick roll up shades or mini blinds. In most cases, these treatments will block the view from the outside, including silhouettes, so that you don’t have to worry about sharing your private life with the rest of the world. If you live in a more rural area, though, or if privacy isn’t an issue in a particular space like a living room or kitchen, there are other options to choose from for window coverings. If privacy isn’t a major concern, a more transparent or sheer window shade or blind might be right for you. Whatever your privacy preference, there’s a window treatment out there to make it possible.

There are hundreds of different window coverings on the market, and all of them are designed to do a slightly different job. As a customer, knowing what purposes you want your window coverings to fulfill will help you pick the option that will best serve you, and your space, in the long run.

Window treatments don’t have to be formal. Get the right look for your decor with elegant and laid-back looks from custom draperies to mini blinds.

Many homeowners tend to think of formal plantation shutters or custom draperies when they’re considering window treatments, but the simple truth is that window coverings of all kinds are available both to dress up or dress down your decor. Depending on whether you’re going for an elegant look, a down-home style, or a rustic retreat, your local window treatment dealer has the ideal window shades and blinds to help you create the right aesthetic for your home or office.

Plantation shutters, custom draperies, and cellular shades are generally considered more formal options for elegant window treatments. But with the right fabrics and finishes Roman shades, sheer window draperies, and other window shades can all create a luxurious ambience.

Vertical and horizontal window blinds as well as mini blinds, roll up shades, and woven wood shades, are the most common of the “informal” window treatment styles. However, many other window shades can also be quite laid-back if designed in casual fabrics and styles, even traditionally refined options like draperies. In fact, when finished in simple wood tones, some plantation shutters can even be quite informal!

Remember, most window treatment stores also offer ultrasonic blind cleaning services to get old, dusty window blinds and shades looking new again fast. A safe, affordable, effective solution for revitalizing older, tired-looking blinds, professional cleaning services help your window treatments–and your home–look their best.

With all of the options on the market today, you’re sure to be able to find a great shade or blind no matter what your style. Whether you want a sophisticated custom valance or a natural-looking woven wooden shade, your local window treatment store can help you get a great window dressing at a great price. So what are you waiting for? Get started on the plantation shutters or mini blinds of your dreams today!

Not sure where to start when it comes to redecorating your home? Get help from a professional interior design service and get the look that’s right for your style and your home!

Is your interior decorating “style” a mishmash of hand-me-downs and leftovers from your college days? Does your living room look like a flashback to the 1960s? Is it time to revitalize your home with a fresh interior design? If you’re struggling with interior decor that’s outdated, unorganized, or just needs to be freshened up, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. But with your local interior design service by your side, you can make getting the decor of your dreams simple and straightforward!

When it comes to the interior design of your home, there are so many choices. Do you want horizontal blinds or Roman shades for your windows? Do you want new flooring or should you refinish your existing hardwood floor? Is it time to buy a new sofa or chair or should you consider furniture reupholstery? With the expert guidance of a professional interior decorator, you can easily navigate all of these design questions and more. Keeping your budget, lifestyle, and other practical concerns like room use in mind, your decorators can make recommendations about the best products and options for your space. So whether it’s plantation shutters for the living room or a new paint scheme for the den, having professionals on your side can help make certain you get not only the look you want but also the practical function you need for your home.

If you’re considering redecorating your home, don’t go it alone. Regardless of whether you’re interested in doing one room or want a fresh design for the whole house, an interior design service can help make the project a success. From window shades to paint colors to furniture choices, they’ll guide your design from start to finish. Eliminating stress and ensuring you get the look that’s right for you, your local interior decor specialists will help you bring out the best in your home.

Home- and business owners all too often overlook having their blinds professionally cleaned, leading to dingy, dusty, and gross window treatments that just look old and dirty. Ultrasonic blind cleaning offers an alternative to replacing blinds that appear old by providing such a deep clean that they’ll look new!

Window shades, plantation shutters, mini-blinds, and other window treatments are vital to controlling the light in a residential or commercial space. Window coverings, like cellular shades, also help with privacy in a room and are aesthetically pleasing. Many residences and commercial locations are purchased with horizontal or vertical blinds already installed. If properties don’t come with window treatments installed, this is often one of the first things the owners or renters will put up.

What many people don’t realize is that interior shutters, mini blinds, and other window decor need routine upkeep. Just like dusting your bookshelves or vacuuming your carpets, cleaning your window treatments is key to keeping your home clean and beautiful. Overlooking this important task has a negative impact on the appearance of your home of business, as dust and debris build up on your blinds and shades and just make them look dingy. To keep window coverings looking like new, it is necessary to call the professionals for help. Seeking out an ultrasonic blind cleaning service provider is the best option to keep your space looking beautiful, no matter how old your window treatments!

You certainly do not want the first impression of your home or office to be dusty, allergen-laden, or dingy looking blinds. You will be amazed at the dirt and dust that accumulate on and around your window treatments, and how a good blind cleaning service can truly have them looking like new again. Extend the life and looks of your window draperies or blinds with ultrasonic cleaning on a regular basis! Don’t just put this service off until spring cleaning when you could have a brighter and more pleasant view through your windows today. If you are in doubt of how much impact a thorough blind cleaning will have, just ask your local ultrasonic blind cleaning service for before and after photos of recent projects. You’ll be amazed the difference. Stop putting up with unsightly window shades and stop tolerating grungy vertical blinds: call for blind cleaning services today!

Your home decor says as much about you as your own wardrobe. Contact your local interior design specialist and make a statement with custom window shades and treatments today!

When you first meet someone, what’s one of the first things you notice? Their clothing. A person’s style can speak volumes about them, indicating anything from their profession to unique quirks to musical tastes. The same goes for the first time you enter a business or a friend’s home: you infer certain pieces of information based on the decor. Window shades and treatments are an integral part of any design scheme, so you’ll want to make sure you’re sending the right message with your Roman shades or horizontal and vertical blinds. That’s where calling a professional comes in handy.

A talented interior design specialist will work with you to create a motif for your home or business that fits your self-image like a glove. Whether you want professional-looking mini blinds for your corporate office or rustic plantation shutters for your French bistro, expert designers are great for planning the appropriate decor for any commercial setting. Similarly, creative specialists will collaborate with you to select your home’s ideal vertical blinds or interior shutters, ultimately producing a design scheme that complements your unique, personal flair. A custom window shade is all you need to create the perfect image for yourself or your business.

Aside from merely developing your interior design, an expert decorator will likely provide full installation services as well. This is an extremely important point to consider when decorating, as both taking measurements accurately and hanging window treatments precisely require an experienced, meticulous eye. Don’t ruin the gorgeous appearance of a Roman shade or plantation shutters by attempting to install them yourself; instead, contact your local interior decorator and get the window treatment fashions that best represent you as well as the quality installation you can rely on.

The wrong window treatments can put a major cramp in your remodeling style. Get professional advice and get the window shades and blinds that put the perfect finishing touch on your newly renovated space, whether it’s your bathroom or your study!

When you’re putting the finishing touches on a newly remodeled home or room, the right window shades can make a huge difference in the overall outcome of the space. Selecting the appropriate style, performance, and even materials can ensure your new window treatments coordinate with the look of the room as well as provide you with the practical function you need. Window shades and blinds aren’t one-size fits all–so don’t try to make one style fit all! Contact your local window treatment dealer today to get the customizable window coverings that are perfect for your newly remodeled space.

Just imagine putting bulky, heavy velvet drapes in your newly created master bathroom suite. Not only would their appearance clash with your Caribbean spa feel, the fabrics would quickly succumb to mold and rot in the high humidity of the bathroom. But if you choose woven wooden shades or composite wood horizontal blinds, you’ll get a material that’s capable of withstanding years in a humid environment and a style that flows cohesively with the look of the space. And that’s just one example of how window shades and blinds can make or break the final results and appearance of your remodel.

But with professional window treatment specialists on your side, finding the best window coverings for your style and needs is simple and easy. In fact, most even offer in-home consultations for your convenience! These experts will guide you through all of your window treatment options, from plantation shutters to Roman shades, and help explain the qualities and features of each different product. Offering suggestions about resiliency, style, and quality, your window shade pros can help match your newly renovated space with precisely the right window covering.

So what are you waiting for? Get the best window shades and blinds for your new space today. Don’t let the wrong window treatments mess up your dream of a beautiful renovation! Enlist professional help and it’s smooth sailing for all of your window blinds and shades.