Monday, February 27, 2012

Go Green with Window Treatments

Going green does not necessarily mean it will cost you more money. In the long run it will save on utility bills. If you invest in quality products they last longer and you won’t have to replace them as often. When you put extra thought into the choice of window treatments simply think green and you’ll come out ahead of the game.

Before you decide what type of window treatments you like, you must consider the use of the room. For instance, a hobby center needs more light than a media room where you view television and/or movies. In your bedroom for a day sleeper, dark draperies work well to block out the sun. A home office needs subdued light to keep out the glare; and the window plays a large part in all of your choices.

When there’s a spare room in your home that you previously saved for guests, transform it into a place that has usable space. Possibly you want a private space for study or creativity then you may prefer a bright cheerful room. Your window treatments are easily transformed and green helps to keep it that way.

Exterior blinds help deflect the sun from your windows in the summer, but removed to allow sunlight into the room for warmth in the winter. Window awnings or overhangs work in the same way when installed approximately two feet above each window.

Light colored drapes, shades or blinds in the interior also help deflect the heat. Darker colors absorb the heat inside; all right for the winter, but not in the heat of the summer.

Adjustable louvered shutters or blinds provide you with control over the elements. Tight fitting insulated shades that don’t allow the transfer of light and heat into your room work well and help in the winter as well, keeping the heat inside.

Landscaping when trees help with shade in the summer and allow the sun to come through when the leaves fall in the autumn.

Going green doesn’t have to mean all or nothing. Everything you do toward becoming green will help not only your family, your home, but the environment as well. There are contractors or interior designers who can help you reach your goals. If you plan on remodeling your home you might consider replacing your windows with double paned windows that have a sunscreen included.

Look for efficiency and economy not simply price and remember whatever you do plan on it lasting for a long time.      
 
Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County shutters, Los Angeles shutters, and San Diego shutters.

orange county shutters, los angeles shutters, san diego shutters, orange county window treatments, plantation shutters los angeles

Shutters are Beautiful and Practical

Whether you have a new home or are upgrading your present home, you may want something that makes your home stand out. Consider shutters that can either match or contrast the paint on your home. Closed and locked shutters on the outside of your home retain their beauty whether open or closed. They have the added benefit of another element of safety as well.

Inside shutters have those same benefits with an additional feature that allows the louvered slats to open or totally close that gives complete privacy as you also control the sun that comes into your home.

The styles and materials vary whether you choose the traditional wood with painted surfaces or the new vinyl shutters that never needs painting, the decision is yours alone. Aluminum, fiberglass and plastic have also grown in popularity for shutters.

If you live in an area where the storms rarely bombard your home, you may want the fixed shutters on the outside of your home. The shutters dress up your home and give it a finished look, but never need closing.

The demands for shutters have always been popular as a means to add décor to the inside of your home. Some have fixed louvers and may add a complete door such as a closet door, or even a café style that covers the bottom half of the window. Other styles using fabric or stained glass have grown in popularity as well.

As you look for shutters you may run across the term plantation shutters that refers to the extra wide slat itself and may not be adjustable. Traditional style or California shutters often refers to rotational louvers.

The quality of the material controls the cost and dependability of the shutters. If you want the shutters to remain on the outside of your home, you will want them to be well made with strong hinges to swing open or closed. Choose a wood that will not easily rot and will withstand strong winds and rain.

The only thing left is deciding who you want to install your new shutters. Will you do it yourself, or do you want a professional contractor to install them. It appears easy to do, but unless you know the tricks of the trade, your shutters may not last over one season.

As usual, we try to advise you to hire a reputable company one with references, licensed, with a contract and the entire process spelled out. Don’t pay in full until the job has been completed to your satisfaction.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County shutters, Los Angeles shutters, and San Diego shutters.

orange county shutters, los angeles shutters, san diego shutters, orange county window treatments, plantation shutters los angeles

Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Most Popular Types Of Window Decor

There's often a lot of confusion amongst homeowners with regards to what type of window decor is most popular and most efficient. While the individual tastes of each homeowner will ultimately determine what they buy, there are some indisputable facts regarding window decor and it's popularity.

Vertical blinds: Vertical blinds are one of the most popular type of window decor because of their price, ease of installation, and availability. While it is surely not the most elegant or efficient at trapping heat in keeping it out they remain the most frequently purchased type of window decor.

Wood Blinds: Wood provides homeowners with a natural elegance that's almost impossible to beat. For this reason alone wood blinds remain extremely popular with homeowners. Wood blinds are also popular because like all blinds they are much more affordable than other types of window decor.

Faux Wood Blinds: Window blinds made of vinyl and other materials offer homeowners the look of wood minus the hassles and upkeep that wood blinds carry and require. Their low maintenance requirements and easy installation make them a popular choice for homeowners.

Shutters: While there are many different types of shutters available for homes, homeowners go crazy for wood shutters. Would shutters are available in a multitude of different types of wood as well as textures, architectures, and quality making them one of the most popular types of window decor available.

There many other different types of window decor available though none of them are quite as popular as the aforementioned types. There are of course roller chains, different types of draperies, and even window tinting. Should you have any questions about any type of window decor, it's quality, or its efficiency please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in

Orange County Shutters, Los Angeles Shutters and San Diego Shutters

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Wood Shades: Natural And Warm

In order to make one's home comfortable a homeowner must go to great lengths to give their home a look and feel that is both inviting and warm. This can be achieved through painting, flooring, and the right furniture but there is one ingredient that many homeowners often overlook.

This one ingredient being wood shades. High-quality window shades made from exotic and strong woods like bamboo are available in a number of different styles as well as colors and even painted finishes. Wood shades bring a natural look into the room in which they are installed and can help create an atmosphere that's warm, welcoming, and relaxing.

Of course a homeowner interested in adding wood shades to a particular room in their home or their entire home for that matter should first contact a professional in order to ascertain exactly what style of shades will work best in their home as well as what colors and textures will too. Any individual ready to add shades to their home should first contact us as will be happy to help them choose the right window decor for their home!

Golden West Shutters Specializes in

Orange County shutters, Los Angeles shutters, and San Diego shutters.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Orange County Shutters: Fixed or Functional Window Shutters

The standard window shutters come in two types, fixed or functional. The fixed window shutters normally mounted on the outside of a home and cannot open or close. The cost difference is substantial due to the additional cost for hinges, brackets, and installation. The painted fixed shutters match or contrast the home’s exterior with an added attraction of curb appeal.

The functional window shutters offer added security and installed on the interior window, unless a person lives where hurricanes regularly hit. If that is the case, the exterior shutter would help shelter the home from the storm.

The open or closed functional interior window shutter offers the homeowner the option that provides security as well as privacy. If you live in an area where the sun bombards the home day after day, the closed window shutters helps lighten the load of air conditioners.

Remember the hot sun bleaches color from fabrics inside the home and the window shutters protect that as well.

When a homeowner decides to install fixed shutters to the outside of the home the home takes on a different quality than the neighbors. In many home tracts the homes don’t offer any personal effect and those shutters will make a home stand out from the rest.

Regardless where you install the window shutters, the decisions you make when picking out your window styling shows your taste of both quality and durability. Those shutters remain in the home as a permanent feature and should increase the amount when you sell your home.

The louvers themselves can open or close and options of style and quality of wood enter into the equation. The decisions rest on the homeowner. So pick wisely, and remember you can change the color of your shutters.

Normally carpenters usually install the exterior shutters while window-covering contractors install the interior shutters. One-size-fits-all window shutters simply don’t work on most homes. Custom made window shutters seem to fit better and when the shutters close and lock during a storm, you’ll want that.

No matter the choices you make when you find someone who does the work you desire, get the quote in writing. Ask for references with any contractor and when comparing price with quality ask for more than one quote.

A respectable contractor never objects to a customer asking for additional quotes, they normally are never afraid to put their product up against their competitors.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County shutters, Los Angeles shutters, and San Diego shutters.

orange county shutters, los angeles shutters, san diego shutters, orange county window treatments, plantation shutters los angeles