Mike - 5/7 - Mike's Window Decorating Blog

A Brief History of How Todays Blinds and Shades Came To Be

Window decoration had not been introduced far later than the introduction of windows. The first known windows were created for the basic function of letting in air, light and as a viewing channel. The earliest known sightings of windows were said to have been found in Egypt, Greece and Roman palaces, temples etc.

But it would be more than a century before windows are covered with shades.

It was inventor Edward Bevan who patented the patented the first Venetian window blind in 1769. The first recorded shade installation was in St. Peters Church, Rome in the year 1761Window blinds and shades have been in use for these many centuries for their simple yet functional basic design. Although there have been many iterations in the operational capabilities, texture the basic design and purpose remains the same. They are used today for an array of purposes like improving privacy, letting air into the room and helping in improving energy efficiency of a home or a building.

Edward Bevan and the Venetian blind are precursors to today’s large window covering industry. The venetian blind with its horizontal slats have inspired a huge range of products such as the honeycomb blind, vertical blind, horizontal blind, roman shade, roller shade, solar shade, pleated shade, shutters and many others. They are available in many shapes, size and textures based on the window.

BlindsOnline is an online portal that offers discount faux wood blinds and window shades for sale.

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How Window Blinds And Shades Can Help Save Energy During Cold And Hot Seasons Alike

Window shades can aid in the process of keeping heat out during summer and keeping the heat in during cold seasons. Apart from containing heat they also block sunlight.

Energy efficiency:

Cellular or honeycomb design shades have UV radiation filter capabilities. The science of this happens by creating an insulating barrier by trapping air. There are single celled and double celled options based on varying quality of insulation.

The window shades and blinds can reflect light that comes through the window back, the shades are not only an effective accessory in hot seasons but aids in reduction of heat loss from the home during winter.

Wooden window shades have the ability to make rooms look more ambient and the same time aiding in thermal gain. Studies on shade efficiency suggest there was a difference in 5°F between interior and exterior temperatures in a home with shades than in the one that didn’t have one.

So investing in good quality shades will be a worthy investment as far as energy efficiency in the long run is concerned.

Privacy:

Shades and blinds are a good way to cover up windows. Both horizontal and vertical slatted units are available in many different fabrics. With added looks and increased energy efficiency they are a smart addition to your inferiors.

Key points:

• Closed shades protect against cold drafts; opening them during day can have a warming effect
• White window blinds and shades reflect heat away from the house
• Can be useful in both cold and hot climatic conditions
• Improves energy efficiency of homes

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The difference and significance of blinds vs. shades

Blinds:

A window blind has slats that can be rotated in either direction to regulate the amount of light that enters into a room. You may find shutters are called blinds as they have louvers (blind with horizontal slats)

Examples:

Faux Wood Blinds

Many people prefer wood window blindsas they add to the interior design quality of the house. It can be a design accessory and not just a window blind. The wood design elevates the ambiance of the room. Given the fact that real wood can be expensive, hence faux wood is a good choice.

Vertical blinds

They generally consist of louvers that can rotate 180 degrees and can either split left-right or center. They are credited with being easy to maintain and clean.

Shades:

A shade on the other hand usually has a single piece of material connected, that can be raised or lowered. It however doesn’t have slats that are moveable. They act as effective insulators. The shades that operate from top to down and bottom to up are popular. They let some light in without compromising the privacy factor. This is generally preferred in a large rooms, commercial spaces and office establishments.

Examples:

Woven wood shades:

This is a uniquely crafted blind as they are made from wood, bamboo, jute, grass etc. They are also known as bamboo shades, they can act as an insulator from heat and cold. They are pleasing to the eye making it a preference among shades.

Skylight Shades

It’s an accessory that can be found in most homes. They are credited with not only acting as a shade but a big help in saving energy bills of a home.

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Checklist before buying window blinds and shades

There can be a lot of reasons why you want to choose a particular type of window blind or shade. The style its efficiency and how best it’s suited to the window you have.

Once you do have an idea of what you may want, you obviously would want to check for a discount on window blinds. Before heading to your nearest home improvement store be sure to check out for ongoing promotions on BlindsOnLine.com to save the extra money.

The following are a few things that can act as a basic checklist before buying window blinds and shades

The shade:

The basic purpose of a window shade or blind is to limit the light that enters a room. Figure out how much of natural lighting do you require based on the room. If it’s a bedroom you may want to consider darker shades and lighter shades for the living room, while the kitchen can be always bright. The direction in which the house faces is an important point in choosing a blind.

Cost:

Based on your budget you can moderate preferences, the living room can have large extravagant blinds and smaller blinds for others. Be aware that the materials the blinds are made of have a key role in the price. Special fabrics features can add to the cost.

Safety:

If you have children or pets, it’s best to have cordless blinds to avoid misshaps.

Preference:

Everyone has unique taste, decide on what style are you going for be it, the casual or simple white (which in most cases is best) or any specific colors (light or dark shades and patterns) that can complement the wall paper.

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Up and Down! A few popular lift options of window blinds and shades

Omni-Rise Cord Loop

Omni-Rise Cord Loop is a popular lift system for cellular and pleated window blinds. This system is generally suited for long window shades. You can determine where the shades stop. Even large shades are easy to operate in this system.

Top Down and Bottom Up Shades

These window blinds and shades can be used in either direction for operational ease in either direction of the window. This is a perfect choice for letting light in through the top of the window and covering the lower part of the window.

Motorized Lift Systems

Remote control operated shades eliminate the need to go to a window to adjust the shades. It may not be a great choice for normal size windows in homes.

Cordless System

This is used mainly for the concern of children. This is known as the ‘finger touch shade’ as they can be moved up or down using just a finger.

Cordless Duo-fold Cellular System

They are a versatile cordless system combined with a dual fold system. They can be raised and lowered with just a finger. They also come in energy efficient fabrics and different options to provide a shade that suits you.

Two-on-One Head Rail

This particular rail system allows each shade that is mounted to operate separately. This system is used when the window is big for efficient functioning of other kinds of blinds or simple due to user preference and convenience.

Day-Night Shades

They have two fabrics in the same set-up for blacking out and light control.

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Cleaning window blinds and shades without hassle

Cleaning any kind of window blind requires a little care. Window shades made out of materials such as fabric, plastic blended or woven wood shades have to be occasional cleaned as they are near windows and are prone to gather dust particles.

Here are some basic cleaning methods that can be applied for all kind of blinds

Dust busters can work effectively while cleaning window blinds and shades. Clean the shades across and not from top to bottom.
In case there is deposition of dirt on the shades (which is common) a simple sponge can be used to wipe the dust off. The sponge can be used on other semi-hard fabrics for dust removal too.
For dust spot cleaning you may require the assistance of cleaning liquid or water. Take a dry cloth, wet it with minimal amount of cleaner and wipe of the spot gently. Avoid spraying directly on the shades especially if it’s a wooden shade as it may absorb the liquid and cause surface damage in the long term. (Note: Use minimal amount of liquid while cleaning wooden blinds. Avoid soaking them)
Suitable fabrics can be dry cleaned. While wet cleaning your shades don’t spray them use a hose, a better option will be to dunk them in water.

Wet cleaning steps:

Step 1: Fill a tub with a solution of cleaning agent and water.

Step 2: Immerse the blinds in the tub and let them soak.

Step 3: Use a car wash brush to remove any stains (on both sides)

Step 4: Rinse the blinds and give a rubdown along the surface of the blinds to remove excess water.

Step 5: Dry and reinstall.

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The Advantages of Window Blinds and Shades

Window blinds and shades offer great protection from outdoor climate while at the same time saving your good view and money. In short, they are effective and simply economical. You can find a whole range of window blinds and shades these days made from different materials, designs, and shapes. If you choose to go for good window treatment, whether for light filtering, improved privacy, or for complimentary purposes, here are few advantages to consider:

Economical – Unbeatable Price: With the right blend of shades and variety, window blinds are far economical when compared to its counterparts like installing new energy efficient windows. You can find discount faux wood blinds and other discount window blinds at affordable prices.
Energy Efficient: Wood window blinds not only look elegant, but also help save energy considerably as they block the outdoor weather conditions very effectively. Not only are they suitable for room darkening but also help protect against UV rays and give protection against the sun when you opt for special solar shades. It’s almost like sunglasses for your windows.
Easy to Operate: Today’s window blinds and shades are simple to operate as they come with smooth motion mechanisms whether to lower or raise them effortlessly. Moreover, they are now available in different colors and designs. So options are plenty as you can pick suitable shades that matches your indoor look. This way, they compliment your home decor.

Window blinds are the right choice with an amazing blend of great alternatives in terms of price, quality, and colors. In addition, its installation and maintenance is quite economical and simple, making it a popular choice in the market today. It’s time to reinvent your home with nice looking blinds and shades available with multiple lift options for easy access and desired looks. Embrace the window fashion!

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Window Treatment

Window treatments not only accentuate the décor of a room, but also help to lower energy bills. They provide insulation against the summer heat and warm the room during the winter chill. But there are some style guidelines to follow to get the right look. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow;

When matching curtains and blinds don’t pair print with prints: Prints go well with a solid color background. Pairing prints together makes the place look small and unappealing. Ideally the background color should be in contrast to the print fabric.
When selecting curtain for nurseries avoid floor length drapes: Children who’re learning to crawl don’t hesitate to explore the room. They’re likely to pull or climb the curtain or even come up with their own creative idea for using them.
Don’t select treatments that make a room too dark: Victorian style drapes often focus on too many drapes. This may make the place look dark and depressing.
Do imagine the final appearance before choosing a fabric or style: You can also ask your retailer for samples to see how they look at different times in the day.
Do measure correctly: Measuring is where most of us seem to go wrong. Use a steel tape to get accurate measurements. Watch our ‘Measuring is Easy’ video in the ‘How to’ section of our website or call us at xx for a detailed explanation.

BlindsOnLine.com is a web based retailer of blinds, curtains and other window treatments. We sell a variety of window treatments including discount faux wood blinds, woven wood shades and insulated wood shades. Contact us for further details on our weekly specials and discounts.

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Insulated Window Shades – Last time you Felt this Warm your Feet were in the Sand!

Today, an average home spends almost 40% energy on just cooling and heating their indoors. Doors and Windows do add value and bring in adequate sunlight and breeze, but they come at a dear cost of exchanging indoor heat with outside cold. It could be the window glass and air leaks that can lead to energy loss. Here are few ways to keep the cold air at bay and stay warm in your home:

Insulated Window Shades

Hanging in insulated window shades will definitely make you feel the change instantly as they decrease loss of heat by almost 45% by hindering air drafts and avoiding any loss through your windows. With more focus on saving the planet and an improved focus on decreasing energy bills, your desire for making your home more eco-friendly and energy efficient is possible by choosing the best window blinds and shades. You can effectively seal any leaks between the frame and the window with insulated shades and save money on energy bills.

Chimneys

A lot of good warmth can be produced by burning wood, however there could be heat loss through the chimney. So when you are not planning to avail the fireplace, you can ensure the damper gets sealed, as this can avoid almost 10% heat loss going up your house chimney. Always remember to block fireplaces that are seldom used.

Door Bottom Draft stoppers

A small gap at your door’s bottom can be the same as a big hole in your wall, only it looks tiny and inconsiderable. But imagine how much cool breeze that lets in without even you noticing it. By installing an insulated door bottom draft stopper, you can keep the cool breeze out and this helps in saving your energy costs.

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Choose the Perfect Window Dressing Style for Your Home

Window treatments can have a tremendous influence on your home’s décor and style. The color and pattern set by your window blinds and shades are as important as other decorative elements like furnishing and artwork. To help you choose the perfect window dressing style, here are a few tips:

Function:

What do you want your window treatments to do for you room? Do you want them to hide ugly corners and odd surfaces? They can be used to soften the look with elegant folds of fabric. Window shades are also used to block sunlight and allow privacy. Such treatments should be easy to manage allowing the user to open and close the curtains by raising or lowering or by sliding them back and forth. And if they’re meant to serve only a decorative purpose, it can hang over the window frame.

Budget:

Between plain and inexpensive cotton curtains or wood window blinds and expensive materials like silk and velvet, there are dozens of materials to choose from. An easy way to shop for affordable window treatment materials is to look for discount window blinds through online retail shops.

Form:

What should be the length of your curtain? Floor-length styles or those that puddle on the floor are formal. Sill length curtains are considered casual and preferred for kitchens and children’s room. These windows are frequently opened and closed and hence prefer sill length curtains made of cotton or other light material.

BlindsOnLine.com is e-retailers selling affordable window treatments and discount window blinds. They offer a host of services including free standard shipping, free swatches and free design help.

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