Blind Basics
Living in this part of the world sure has its advantages….beautiful views, gorgeous hot sunny summer days, even the change of seasons back to chilly winter weather is all part of it’s charm. But when it comes to our homes and how these factors affect us, we all have a common consideration. Our windows.
Whether they are big or small, round or square, have single or triple panes, our windows have a real impact on our comfort level. Light control, energy efficiency, privacy and style are just some of the issues to be considered. Each room will have specific needs and requirements which will then determine the best window treatment or combination of window treatments for the job. But the world of window treatments is vast and it makes sense to do some research when considering your options, as each type of application will have it’s advantages and disadvantages. So first, start with the basics – determine your needs.
Light control and energy efficiency are very important here in the valley and whether you have floor to ceiling glass to capture that stunning view, or you have a west facing window absorbing the blistering August heat, putting glass in our walls has consequences. We know that 50% of the heat and 40% of the cold air entering a room will come through our windows. Efficient window coverings will translate into serious savings on your utility bills! For energy efficiency, cellular shades with a “honeycomb” construction are considered one of the very best. The hot or cold air is trapped in the cells decreasing the intensity of the temperature before it enters the room.
Not only is the heat and cold that enters our homes causing our bodies and our air conditioners grief, but those UV rays are entering as well. The same UV rays that damage our skin will also do significant damage to our sofas and area rugs. They will fade our fabrics and will actually cause disintegration over time, even hardwood flooring will bleach and dry out if not protected from the sun. Controlling those harmful effects is paramount. In some situations layering your window treatments is necessary. If this is the case, consider using a non-fabric material closest to the glass such as a sunscreen roller blind to protect more expensive draperies (which should be lined with UV lining) and other materials in the room.
Light control and privacy are closely related. Unless you live in a very secluded spot, most homes have at least one window that requires some privacy at one time of day or another. Window treatments that have louvers or rotating vanes are terrific for controlling different amounts of light or visability . Some treatments, such as cellular shades have options such as “top-down, bottom-up”, so that you can see a sliver of sky, bring in a little natural light and still block the view from outside – perfect for around a soaker tub.
When it comes to treatment types there are so many to choose from it can become mind boggling if you haven’t done your homework. There are draperies, sheers, roller blinds, roman shades, cellular shades, woven woods, verticals, metal blinds and the newer and innovative sliding panels or folding panels to name just a few. Luckily our needs and requirements will automatically narrow down our options when it comes to the style type. Even colour will sometimes be pre-determined . In one situation you may want the fabric colour to match a paint colour. In another situation it may be imperative to have a solar screen to block some of the suns rays but at the same time you still want to be able to see through the material. In this case a black colour (yes, black!) is the colour that your eye sees through the easiest - a light colour will stop your eye. A black screen, more than any other colour, will disappear on the pane. Having said that, a lighter colour on an internal application is 30% more efficient for reducing heat .
Overall there is a lot to consider when it comes to making your windows picture perfect. We really didn’t even scrape the surface, so, I think we will definitely have to take one more trip back to the world of window treatments – see you next time.