Interior window shutters increase both a home’s energy efficiency and resale value. So-called “plantation shutters” can be made of solid wood or a wood composite and are both affordable and customizable.

Interior window shutters – also called plantation shutters – are a great investment for your home. Because they’re generally custom-built and installed in a more permanent fashion than most other window treatments, interior shutters are considered to be an addition to the property and thus add value.

Once upon a time, only the very wealthy could afford to install plantation shutters in their homes. Not so anymore. With today’s advances in window treatment technologies, interior window shutters are now accessible to everyone. Available in a variety of styles, colors and materials, today’s interior shutters can easily fit within even a first-time homeowner’s budget.

Back when plantation shutters were only found in the homes of the rich, they were always made of wood and handcrafted by a master carpenter. Today’s interior shutters still require expertise to install and custom-fit, but this can be done in a fraction of the time it used to take.

Modern composites even allow interior window shutters to be installed in former “no-no” areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Because of their tendency toward high humidity, these rooms were not suitable for installing interior wood shutters. They would warp, crack and split, making their use frustrating and their look an eyesore. Today’s wood composite interior window shutters are made from a combination of real wood and a sturdy polymer, allowing them to function beautifully in areas where solid wood cannot. As a window treatment, “faux wood” shutters create the same timeless look but are less expensive than their all-wood counterparts. As a result, many homeowners choose to save additional money by utilizing composite shutters throughout their house.

Because plantation shutters are considered an addition to your property, they increase your home’s resale value. And because of their design and construction, interior shutters also increase your home’s energy efficiency. With their frame-filling design and the naturally insulating properties of the wood or composite itself, plantation shutters can help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Besides creating a timelessly elegant look for your home, interior window shutters are a great investment because they increase your home’s resale value as well as its energy efficiency. So what are you waiting for? Visit your local window treatment specialist today to get the plantation shutters that are right for your home or business.

If you’re looking to put the finishing touch on your home, why not add window shades. With a huge variety of options available in color, style, design, and price, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your home.

Whether you’re looking to add a little privacy to a bedroom or want to put the finishing touch on your living room, window shades are a great choice for any home. With a truly humongous selection of options available, you’re sure to find one that suits your home, taste, and budget.

Roller Shades

If the term “roller shade” brings to mind the frustrating spring-loaded roll-up shades of the past, it’s time to broaden your horizons! Today’s modern window roller shades use a clutch-and-bead reel lift system, eliminating the pesky springs for shades that operate easily and smoothly. With roll up shades available in a full variety of colors and styles, roller shades are a practical solution for full window coverage. An affordable option for any window, roller shades offer a fabulous combination of style and performance.

Sheer Shades

Sheer window shades are a great way to diffuse bright light and add privacy without eliminating natural lighting or scenic views. Ideal for residential and commercial use, sheer shades offer gorgeous looks and superior performance. When you need a multipurpose window covering, sheer shades may be right for you.

Woven Wood Shades

Natural materials are not only trendy, they also offer a timeless look that fits a wide range of homes and rooms. Constructed from natural grasses and woods, these shades are sometimes called bamboo shades. From urban chic to earthy, woven wood shades can add a traditional touch to beach décor or provide a complement to natural design. With a huge range of options available, there’s sure to be a woven wood shades that fits your home.

If you’re ready to add beautiful window blinds or shades to your home, check out the selection of options available at your local window treatment dealer. With a full range of great looks for any home, these pros can help you get the look that’s right for your home and your budget!

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, your resource for local online advertising.

Whether you are a first-time homeowner or have been in your home for years, it can sometimes be difficult to achieve the look you want in your home and stay in budget.  If you are facing this challenge there are a couple of options you might consider to spruce up your home. Aesthetic adjustments to your home like new paint or roman shades might be the answer you have been looking for.  Having new blinds installed or painters come to your home is an affordable way to change the look of a room.

Window treatments are often overlooked or forgotten in home improvement projects, which is a big mistake since they can add so much to the overall appearance of a room as well as improve energy efficiency. Having a professional service install roman window shades on your windows not only has the benefit of improving your enjoyment of a room and adding energy efficiency, it also helps control the lighting for the room and gives you more privacy in your home.  There are also many options for treatments like fabric roman shades or bamboo roman shades.

Once you have your window decorations planned and before they are installed can be a very good time to consider repainting.  Changing the color of a room has an instant effect on how the room looks and feels.  Painting gets put off by homeowners because the time it takes and how messy it can be, but there are many reliable painters services out there to help you with this task. Hiring professional contractor painters means all you have to do is pick out the color!

There is no reason to delay seeking out these easy, affordable changes to make your house into the home you want it to be. Contact your local interior painters and window shades and blinds dealer today!

Did you know that the right window treatments can make your home more energy efficient? With numerous attractive, high-tech options available, you can choose from a variety of insulating window shades and blinds to decrease your home’s energy consumption!

In the past, your window treatment choices were essentially window blinds or draperies. But today the variety of styles, models, and options in window shades and blinds is vast and varied. In fact, you can even increase your home’s energy efficiency with attractive, practical window treatments! Ranging from insulated Roman shades to unique cellular window blinds, your options in energy-efficient window treatments are practically limitless. Profiled below are tow of the most popular options, cellular shades and plantation shutters, but there are dozens of other options. Visit your local window treatment store to learn more!

Cellular Shades

Also known as honeycomb shades, cellular shades provide luxurious appearance and fantastic energy-efficient performance. Cellular window shades are constructed from two sheets of fabric that are pleated together to for air pockets (the “cells”). When your shades are down, these air pockets form a layer of insulation between your home and windows. Helping keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer, cellular shades help decrease energy costs while still keeping your home comfortable. Cellular window shades come in two styles, single or double honeycomb. Double honeycomb shades provide up to 60% more insulation than single honeycomb versions, but they do tend to be more expensive. Available in a rainbow of colors and models cellular window shades are a great solution for stylish window décor and energy-efficient performance.

Plantation Shutters

An elegant alternative traditional horizontal blinds, plantation shutters are a great solution for gorgeous window treatments and improved energy efficiency. Installed snugly in your window frames, plantation shutters both help eliminate drafts and provide insulation against the outside temperature. Their unique construction and thermal properties help decrease heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, offering improved energy efficiency year-round. Durable, low-maintenance, and attractive, interior window shutters are also a great investment in your home. Highly-valued by home owners and home buyers alike, plantation shutters add more value to your house than any other window treatment. With interior shutters, you can enjoy superior energy-efficient performance now and earn great return on investment when you go to sell!

Remember, heat gain and loss through your windows can account for between 10% and 25% of your heating and cooling bills. Cellular shades and plantation shutters are the most popular, but with all of today’s options in aesthetically appealing, energy-efficient window shades and blinds, it simply makes sense to choose window treatments that can reduce your home’s energy costs. Contact your local window treatment specialist today to learn more about energy-efficient window shades for your home or office!