Spring. Finally time to open up the windows again and breathe in fresh, delicious air. However as spring and summer roll around, the sun’s rays get stronger and it’s time to think about protecting your home against UV rays as well as the sun’s heat. Spring shades and blinds bring in style to a home and help insulate against the sun’s heat.

Temperatures are warming up and snow is melting across the country. With longer days and more sunshine, it’s so nice to be outside, but when you’re inside, it’s important to be ready with the right window treatments. Having solar or roller shades can cut glare that strains eyes and reflects off surfaces like computers and TVs. The sun can also fade furniture, artwork, carpeting and more.

Here are the Top Five Window Treatments for Spring:

1. Solar screen shades. Solar screen shades work to insulate against the sun. With these, you can control light and heat, block glare and keep energy costs down. The openness factor refers to how much light is let in through the weave.

2. Soft Sheer Shades. There are two choices with these window treatments – privacy or light filtering. Their make-up of nylon and polyester makes them a durable window treatment although they appear soft and fluid. They are Greenguard certified. With them it’s easy to control how much light enters a home.

3. Bamboo Shades or Woven Wood Shades. In the summer, these keep the light out, but allow air to move through the home. The woven pattern provides a unique window treatment every time. There are a wide variety of stains to choose from to fit with other wood accents already in the home.

4. Roller Shades. Roller Shades are now soft to the touch. The classic lines of a roller shade are paired with the beauty of soft, drapery style fabrics. They come in light filtering, blackout and sunscreen fabrics for both privacy and light control. There is a vast collection of intriguing textures, weaves and colors that range from traditional to contemporary.

5. Honeycomb cellular shades. These blinds are amazing in any season. Their superior insulating properties help keep homes cool in the summer as well as warmer in the winter. With the bonus of a federal tax rebate on some of these, they are a no-brainer for a lot of people.

Spring cleaning is often an excuse to not only clean out unneeded household items, but also upgrade the look and feel of the home. All of the above spring window treatments help reduce glare, UV lights and more with the end goal of creating more energy efficient homes. The simple installation of a solar screen shade or woven wood shade can cut back on energy bills and protect the furniture and treasured possessions in the home.

Want to find out more about custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best selection on blinds, shades and window treatments.

Many people move into a new home and just accept the window treatments that come with the home. Other people remodeled their homes 15 or 20 years ago and have recently started thinking that some updates or changes might be a good idea. Instead of just heading out and purchasing some more practical shades, why not consider making your window treatments into art. It’s really not that hard. All it takes is a little knowledge and a little creativity and before you know it, blinds and shades have become the focal point of your room. Blinds and shades provide valuable services, such as cutting glare, reducing light, noise, offering privacy and increasing energy efficiency in a home. But they can be so much more that that. Blinds and shades can be fashionable, stylish and attractive.

Here are a couple of great ways to have some fun with window treatments. It will not only increase the value of your home, but window treatments can speak to your individual style. And if you aren’t selling, don’t you deserve to come home to a room, apartment, house or villa that makes you happy? I think you deserve it!

Ideas for Turning Blinds and Shades Into Art:

1. If you want energy efficient blinds, but don’t like the simple clean lines, then layer your blinds. One option is to use custom drapery. With so many lush fabrics to choose from, you can work with any style. Brass or stylized curtain holders will keep drapes open with a soft billowing look. Closed, they will provide an extra layer of energy efficiency and privacy.

2. Step away from your current color scheme and contrast your window blinds with a complimentary color from a color wheel. If your room is neutral, use your window treatments to add a bold splash of color and light. Roman Shades are a great option for this and come with a valance for a finished feel to the room.

For an exotic look, pair bamboo or woven wood curtains with decorative window tapes. The window tapes frame the window, protect the window treatments and can utilize either bright bold colors or patterns, creating a frame for the window, or they can use neutral colors for a more subtle effect.

Install shutters. This adds a quaint feel to any room. Pair it with a nautical color scheme and let the window treatments stand as the focal point of the room.

Paint the window trim as if it were a frame for a piece of art. Use complimentary or contrasting colors of paint.

Believe it or not, you can have fun decorating your home. Consider that window treatments are often the first things noticed in a room. This is because the bright light from windows draws the eye towards them and whatever is surrounding them becomes the next noticeable item in the room. Make an impression with window treatments.

Because of the wide variety of colors and fabrics, be sure to order samples before making a final decision so you can see how textures and colors work with your current design. Make your room dramatic with window treatments and don’t limit yourself to boring, neutral colors.

Learn more about custom window shades. Stop by Blinds Chalet to find out more about quality discount window blinds, shades, shutters and custom drapery.

As we age, we start to notice little things we never noticed before, like how heavy window blinds can be to open and close every day, especially the ones on oversized windows. For those with arthritis, thin cords to grip to raise and lower blinds can cause pain. Because we all deserve window treatments that are easy to operate and look good, we recommend the following blinds.

Selecting Shades for Seniors

* For bay windows or oversized windows, using a series of window treatments side by side instead of one large blind will eliminate difficulty in raising and lowering the blinds. A valance measuring the entire length of the window will work to unify the look and create the feeling of a single window treatment. This also provides ease of light control and privacy control.

* Lightweight window treatments such as cellular shades, soft sheer shades, roller or solar shades and roman shades are all easy to operate and weigh a lot less than blinds such as wood and faux wood blinds.

* Arthritis can make gripping cords a chore that isn’t necessary. Cordless blinds resolve the problem easily. There is a huge choice of fabrics, colors and styles. Look for honeycomb cellular shads, roman shades, pleated shades and aluminum mini blinds.

* The last and most fun option is motorized blinds. These can be operated by a remote control so you don’t ever have to worry about opening or closing a blind by hand again. Consider roman shades, roller shades, solar screen shades and collegiate shades for easy to adjust glare reduction and blackout privacy.

Cellular shades will offer the greatest energy efficiency and can be used as a series for bay windows or oversized windows, as can soft sheer shades or roller/solar shades. Roller/solar shades are ideal for warmer climates and help protect homes from the heat and UV rays of the sun. All of the above blinds can be easily adjusted. With sheer or light filtering blinds, a privacy liner can be added for complete control of privacy needs. Be sure to purchase the most appropriate blinds for any given climate.

A more traditional look can be had with Roman shades. Roman shades are best known for their rich fabrics that include silk and satin. Alternative options can incorporate a more modern look.

When looking for window treatments and shades for seniors, be sure to find a company you can trust. Trusted companies offer customer service as well as samples of blinds and shades for free so you can match your current color schemes. When ordering window treatments, be sure to measure window treatments according to specifications so the blinds or shades fit perfectly.

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.

I wish these window shades were available when I was in school. Collegiate window shades feature your school’s logo on them. Each school has a number of different logos to choose from, so you can pick your favorite, or the one that goes best with the rest of your dcor.

These blinds were made specifically for college students. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they come with blackout liners. The blackout liner blocks that tiny ray of sun and helps you get a better night’s sleep. And what good does sleep do you? We know it’s college, but when you get 8-10 hours of sleep a night, you will be less grouchy and lots of people will be happy about that. You will also be more alert, be more creative and more productive with the time you are awake.

These blinds are great not just for dorm rooms or student housing, but also for game rooms, rec rooms and more. If you’re a proud alumni, why not consider installing these in your home theater room or man room.

Because there are a few different logos to choose from for each school, there’s sure to be something there you’re going to like. All logos offered are officially licensed when bought through a reputable dealer. Right now 39 schools are participating and more are coming on board monthly. So if you are attending the Air Force Academy, Penn State, or you’re a Wisconsin Badger, there are shades for you. Each window treatment is custom fit to your window specs and all logos are proportionate to the window size.

The window shades are roller shades, making it easy to adjust them to offer the desired amount of light in a room. Without the blackout shades, the light will filter in through them, softening glare and making it easier for students to work at their computers without the risk of eye strain and related headaches.

Dorothy, you aren’t in Kansas any more. You are in college or university and it’s time to show a little pride. Let the world know where you are getting your education no matter what kind of education it is – social or academic. It’s all a learning process! Order Collegiate Window Shades today!

Want to find out more about custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best selection on blinds, shades and window treatments.

Matchstick shades are also known as bamboo shades or woven wood shades. They offer an elegant South Pacific or tropical feel to a room, apartment or guesthouse. Generally, each woven wood shade will be slightly different in appearance as the unique characteristics from each piece of wood will be slightly different.

Woven wood shades are available in many different colors and patterns. The line I prefer is the Tavarua line of bamboo shades, blinds and drapery. They offer a wide selection of textures and colors, so matching these window treatments to existing wood furniture or flooring is a cinch.

Included in the Tavarua line of window treatments are: Tavarua Basics Bamboo Shades, Tavarua Woven Wood Shades, Exotic Woven Wood Shades, Designer Woven Wood Shades, Sunscreen Bamboo Roller shades, Bamboo Drapery and Bamboo Sliding Panels. Because there are so many options of styles, you could use a different version for every room of the house and not double up. It’s a great way to keep a consistent theme in the home without duplications.

Because these window treatments are woven, it means that light and air can pass through, although light is filtered. Some versions maintain views outside and for these, many believe a privacy liner is a must. Privacy liners are also known as blackout liners. These shades add a layer of insulation on cooler days and ensure complete in-home privacy.

The south has really popularized these shades. The amount of sun down south can cause fading and UV damage to interior furnishings, but these shades help cut that. They also come with edge bindings as an upgrade. Edge bindings are a cloth material that matches the blinds and protects the ends against splitting or cracking.

Here are just a few colors of blinds available: Borneo Dappled, Bora Bora Natural, Baja Sand, Aspen Walnut, Sumatra Espresso. The Tavarua line of woven wood blinds also comes with color-coordinated cords and tassels and a matching 6-inch valance. When lifted, the style resembles the roman fold style so the blinds look like a waterfall. When lowered, you get a very basic, unobtrusive face of bamboo.

These window treatments are also available with the top down, bottom up style, which means you can maintain privacy while still allowing the sun in when you please. You get to choose your level or privacy.

Tavarua blinds are available on-line and can be shipped directly to your door. Be sure to find a trusted and reliable on-line dealer. Oftentimes special discounts can be had with off privacy liners, a 30% discount and more.

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.

Anyone who has had a couple of restless night’s sleep knows it can affect everything from mood to ability to function to motor skills. It’s kind of like being drunk as far delayed reaction times and motor skills are involved. Sleep studies recommend 8-10 hours of sleep every night for optimum functioning. People who get a proper night’s sleep often reap the benefits of improved mood, creativity and efficiency. Some people who have the hardest time sleeping are day sleepers, meaning those people who work through the night and try to sleep during the day. The best way to create ideal conditions for sleeping is by creating a dark, comfortable atmosphere. This can easily be achieved with the SlumberShade.

The SlumberShade was specifically designed to help people obtain a more restful night’s sleep. Research has proven that sleeping in a dark, quiet room can help manage not only sleep, but also mood and energy. The results of a good night’s sleep include feeling more refreshed and alert.

For additional tips on getting the most out of your sleep, the National Sleep Foundation is offering their guide Better Sleep Through Light Management with any purchase of SlumberShades. Another cool thing about the sidetrack system is while it offers neutral colors to match window trim on the inside; an inside track of black absorbs light, keeping it out. The sidetrack system works on a magnetic attachment for ease of use removing it to clean blinds. The top has a fuzzy seal so all sides of the window are covered.

These window treatments follow the same design as insulating honeycomb cell shades and improves energy efficiency above shades with the same material but no sidetrack system by up to 3 times more. They also rank an R-value of 7.0 when installed over double-pane vinyl windows.

SlumberShades can accommodate windows ranging in size from 9″x9″ to 96″ x 120″ and Blinds Chalet will custom size these shades to fit individual windows. These shades are available with five hardware options:

* Standard Rectangular

* Top Down Bottom Up

* Smoothly Continuous Cord

* Cordless

* Cordless Top Down Bottom Up

Available in a variety of fabrics, these window shades offer a neutral street facing side. These are the only window treatments available that completely darken a room. They are best suited for day sleepers, baby rooms and home theater systems, as well as office environments where presentations are made.

Be sure to purchase blinds and window treatments from an authorized retailer. On-line stores often offer free shipping as well as additional discounts for shoppers. Look for companies that have a customer service line staffed by people as well as a company that has been in business for several years. Samples can be ordered through on-line stores to ensure color and material matching before an order is placed.

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.

Every year children die or are injured from dangling cords attached to window treatments, blinds and shades. The threat comes from kids or pets playing near window treatments where they can become entangled in the cord. While organizations are set up to help educate parents about this issue, we don’t think there can be enough information about children’s safety.

Window treatments installed before 2001 may have dangerous cords. These cords can be retrofitted with a free kit available through the Window Covering Safety Council. However, for parents who want to replace window treatments, blinds and shades, there is a wide selection of styles and brands that use cordless technology to eliminate potential dangers for babies, children and pets.

No matter what style of blinds you are interested in be sure to purchase a cordless variety. Listed below are a few brands and styles that come with cordless options:

* Single and Double Cell shades. These window treatments are great insulators.

* Blackout Single and Double Cell Shades – these offer insulation as well as complete privacy

* EnergyTrack & ComforTrack Cell Shades, which qualify for a Federal Tax Credit

* Cordless Mini Blinds – cheapest window treatments available – not great insulators.

* Light Filtering Roman Shades – roman shades are elegant and classy

* Woven Wood Roman Shades – woven wood incorporates nature and style

* Textured Linen Roman Shades – these combine roman shades with a cell shade liner

* Satin Roman Shades – you can’t go wrong with these.

* Light Filtering Pleated Shades with No Holes Privacy – no holes means no pinpoints of light come through

* Room Darkening Pleated Shades with No Holes Privacy – excellent privacy

There may be other window treatments on the market with cordless varieties, but these are the most popular. Window treatments and shades come in a variety of colors and fabrics for every style of home, whether your tastes are more geared towards modern, traditional, or rustic designs, there is something to fit your needs and protect your children. We encourage you to spread the world about window safety so there is one less thing for parents to have to worry about.

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.

A lot of people have been talking about faux wood blinds. Why? Because these are like the cheap cousin to wood blinds. They look the same, act the same, actually, they are even easier to maintain than real wood blinds and cost only a fraction of the price. We know everyone is looking to save some money after the holidays but repairs need to be made and upgrades need to happen. What better way to start your year off than with a fantastic looking house where you can entertain as much as you like!

And we have good news for you. Some people hear faux wood blinds and they think cheap blinds. Well, yes, they are cheap in price, but most people can’t tell the difference between faux wood blinds and real wood blinds. You get the look without the high cost.

Faux wood blinds are created using advanced technology, PVC and a composite of man-made materials combined with wood particles. Faux wood blinds are easy to clean and can be washed without warping or damage. They are unaffected by humidity, making these window treatments the perfect alternative to wood in southern climates.

Just like real wood blinds, faux wood blinds are available in a variety of colors that mimic real wood blinds, from oak to honey to shades of white and off white, each window treatment can be adorned with a decorative window tape, which is a piece of cloth to cover up the cords that run through the blinds. The window tape can be used to match existing furniture or as a contrast point.

Looking for blinds for your kitchen? Faux wood blinds will work. Looking for window treatments for your bedroom, living room, office – these blinds will work. When you look around, be sure to look for a complimentary free valance upgrade to give you an even more stylized look. Right now there are deals to be had on these window treatments, it’s just a matter of finding them.

You also want to make sure to buy from a company you can trust. This way you’ll not only get great blinds, but the company will stand behind their products and be available to answer questions and send samples if needed.

So just to recap, here are a few benefits of faux wood blinds:

-Cheaper than real wood blinds

-Look like real wood blinds

-Moisture resistant

-Easy to clean

-Less weight than real wood blinds so are easier to raise and lower

-Discounts available

-Decorative tapes that come with faux wood blinds add color to a room.

For those who want their house looking great today without spending a ton of money, whatever your reasons, consider buying faux wood blinds. You won’t be disappointed.

Want to find out more about custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best selection on blinds, shades and window treatments.

Window layers can improve the insulation in a home as well as creating an atmosphere that works through the cold winter months as well as the balmiest summer days. It’s not practical for people to change out their window treatments with every season; it’s costly and window treatments can take up a lot of storage space, not to mention the time and effort it takes to hang and dismantle blinds and shades. Here are a few tips for layering window treatments to create effective and elegant blinds and shades that can work in any season.

* EnviroFusion Textured Linen Roman Shades offer two window treatments in one for the best energy efficiency with style. The cellular shade works as a liner that hides cords and offers superior insulation. In the warmer months, leave the liner raised for light filtering elegance of Roman Shades.

* Solar Screen Shades and Custom Drapes. Windows that get a lot of sun are great for views, but can create a lot of fading due to UV rays. The sun can also cook a house pretty quickly and those that want an escape should turn to solar screen shades or roller screen shades. These shades keep views intact, but filter light for less eyestrain as well as glare on computer or television surfaces. The Custom drapes are what make these blinds all-season layers. They keep out the cold in the winter and help improve energy efficiency within the house. They allow for privacy, yet when open, they decorate windows and help complete color schemes in the room.

* Woven Wood Shades and Shade Liners. Shade liners are usually an option for purchase with woven wood shades. Many people think they don’t need them, but liners are great for a couple of reasons. Woven wood shades filter light and create atmosphere, but they don’t offer 100% privacy nor do they offer very effective insulation. Even a thin liner can allow the homeowner to control the amount of privacy they have as well as insulation that will block the heat of the sun and some of the cool of winter months.

* Soft Sheer Shades and Custom Drapes. This combination is one of my favorites. The sheer shades bring a glow to a room, it’s like a gentle fog that allows some views, but softens the light in the room and offers a bit of privacy. For those who have a series of several single windows lined up together, fit the individual windows with soft sheer shades, but have custom blinds made to accentuate all three windows as one unit.

There are many ways to layer window treatments, blinds and shades, however, the above are a few of the most popular methods. To discover which combinations will work for a particular room or office, order samples first to compare and contrast colors and textures. If further help is needed, work with a window treatment company that has a customer service hotline to answer any questions.

Want to find out more about custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best selection on blinds, shades and window treatments.

categories: roman blinds, cellular shades, wood blinds, window treatments, blinds, shades, window blinds and shades, windows, homes, interior decorating, remodeling

Sometimes New Years resolutions are made with the best intentions to keep them, but because of financial situations, they sometimes get pushed over from year to year. This year, why not fulfill those resolutions while there are sales and discounted items so that you not only get to cross that item off your list, but you get the sense of accomplishment of doing what you said you were going to do?

For those who want to see lasting changes that don’t cost a lot of money, changing out window treatments is one of the fastest ways to make a house or home feel new again. It doesn’t take a lot of time and with all the sales and discounts happening now, it doesn’t have to take a lot of money.

The first step is to identify your needs. Do you want something fun? Something practical? Something traditional or something exotic? No matter what you want, there’s a window treatment available for you. From bright bold colors, to a clean neutral palette, there are literally hundreds of window treatments to choose from so you can get exactly the right look for you and your home.

If you live in an apartment building and are sick of watching your neighbors, how about hanging a black and white cityscape of the Eiffel Tower or the Brooklyn Bridge? Now instead of watching George floss his teeth after a winning breakfast of fried eggs and sausage, you can feel inspired by the lights on the Brooklyn Bridge or dreams of California’s Golden Gate Bridge.

Here are few of our top picks for new blinds and shades:

* Honeycomb cellular shades. The honeycomb design traps cold before it can enter your home. These are the best bet if you want to improve energy efficiency. If you buy the ComforTrack or EnergyTrack brands you’ll be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit.

* Roman Shades. These classics offer a rich silk look and feel to a room, immediately dressing up the interior.

* Ready for a little art in your windows? No, these aren’t hanging art pieces; these are roller shades printed with classic Cityscape scenes in black and white. When the light filters through them, you’ll feel like you’ve got the best views in town.

* It’s easy to be green these days, even when it comes to blinds and shades. EcoGreen Roller Shades are sustainable window treatments that are completely recyclable. They contain no PVCs and are LEED Certification-friendly.

* Bamboo is a sustainable material that regenerates like a weed. You can buy woven bamboo shades or bamboo slats. Bring the exotic in.

If you’re ready for a brand new feel to your home without huge reconstruction costs, get ready to go on-line and order your window treatments today. Don’t pay full price. Look for discounts and free shipping. People will be amazed at the transformation!

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.