Going Green Doesn't Have to Cost You an Arm or Leg

 When you decide on going green to not only save money, but to save our environment you don’t have to do everything at once. By thinking small, you can go green over the long run. By doing one room at a time it may be the best way, and pick the hottest room in your home, or the room most used during those hot summer months.
  
In what ways can you go green in your home a little bit at a time? Choose wisely and consider several options along the way. When you find one option works better than another, follow that option as you deal with all of your windows.

If you find that a couple of options will better serve you, try stacking them. For instance when you install shutters on the inside of one of your rooms, and still the sun warms that room hotter than you want. Try adding an awning to the outside of the window. It could be one that folds up or down, and it could be lighter material like canvas or an aluminum awning that’s permanent will serve as well.

Exterior blinds will stop the sun from heating up your window that will transfer the heat right into your home. Most of those roll up when you want the sun to shine in.

Light colored interior blinds, drapes or shades work well too. That’s because light colors reflect the sun and keeps the sun from the interior of your home. Darker colors absorbs the heat and the heat ends up inside.

Louvered Shutters or Adjustable Blinds give you the most control simply by opening or closing the louvers. Some prefer exterior shutters that do the same.

Tight fitting insulated shades will also help to control heat loss, and it will also keep the heat inside during the winter.

Shade Trees don’t get the credit they deserve. Plant wisely and your shade trees will keep the sun off your home, but in the winter when the trees lose their leaves, sun enters the home.

Consult a contractor, interior designer, or a contractor that is a green consulting firm. They will help keep you in the green direction, and you’ll find the many ways that don’t cost that much more than simply changing the window treatment.

You’ll find that you don’t have to go through the entire scope of your home, but by wise choices they can help you get to that end result.

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

Exterior Shutters Made in the USA

Many Americans today look especially for products that are made in the USA. They want not only superior workmanship, and top quality products, but a company that will discuss any problems that may materialize during the entire procedure.

Our customers wouldn’t appreciate talking to a person that doesn’t comprehend our language or the problems that may exist when they receive inferior materials in their exterior shutters. When homeowners want the best for their family and homes, they will search for the best, and made in the USA passes that test.

Price of course is often a prime consideration, but when compared with the final product, they prefer to pay a bit more for quality with the assurance that they will not have to worry about shipping damage, lead, or other hazardous ingredients.

The United States has manufacturing regulations that ensure the products made here are safe without those common problems from offshore and outsourced materials arriving on our shores where transportation is their highest consideration. In other words, the inferior material and low cost labor, keeps the price lower and you end up with a substandard product.

A company that hires workers that can hand craft solid prime wood fixed louvered exterior shutters will have pride in the end product. They insist on top quality in their materials as well and the exterior shutters that you install on your home will bring pride to your home.

That pride will extend not only to the quality of shutter, but the fact that hard working Americans, that are fairly paid, made the exterior shutters that added the new curb appeal to your property. You’ll feel that you did your part in bringing manufacturing back here. The appeal will also extend to the value of your home.

When you order products from a company that has their base here in America you help to keep that company in business. You also know that your purchases help to pay the workers that work there.

You’ll also know that the order you place with an American company will be exactly what you ordered, and they have full authority over every single thing they manufacture. Companies that outsource their shutter production have no control.The hand crafted exterior shutters made in the USA will stand out in your neighborhood. Your home will have a finished designer look that shows pride of ownership with a product that you know will last through rain or shine, and nothing shouts louder than Made in the USA.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County CA Shutters, Los Angeles Shutters, and Plantation Shutters in Orange County.

Blinds, Shutters or Curtains?

When you’ve decided that you want to redecorate, or if your windows have no coverings, you have choices and decisions to make. Blinds, shutters and curtains are three very different coverings for windows, and the first thing you will have to decide is do you want your window covered, uncovered or slightly covered.

You will find blinds offer all of the above and depending on the time of day whether to let the sun shine in or keep it out as you adjust the blinds. To open or close them entirely, you pull on a heavy string to adjust them up or down. There are slats on blinds and they come in vertical or horizontal, and you adjust the slats or louvers with a rod that twists. Blinds are made of wood, bamboo, plastic or metal.

Shutters are similar to blinds, but heavier and they mount them on a solid frame. There are shutters made for the interior or exterior of your home, and they swing open or closed. Many attach them permanently to the outside of the home, and they serve no particular function other than beautification. The inside shutters swing away from the window and the wide louvers open and close by moving one louver that controls the rest.

Curtains come in many colors, patterns or designs, and vary from thick to sheer materials. You’ll find curtains that cross the window on a rod and you can push them open. There are types of curtains that attach to the rod on pretty hooks and you can open or close them using a string attached to the hooks. Today many modern homes drape the curtains across the top of the window, and the bottom hangs all the way to the floor. This type of curtain serves only decorative purposes.

The homeowner can easily install curtains while you must measure the blinds and shutters and they must fit your windows especially if you have unusual size windows. Local hardware stores and many department stores carry curtains and the rods to hang them.

We haven’t mentioned draperies. Draperies come in heavy material and are not as popular today as in the past. They often line the draperies mainly to keep the sun out, and they operate on a rod with hooks and strings to open and close them.

While you wash curtains either by hand or machine, draperies usually need cleaning by a professional dry cleaner. The easiest way to keep your blinds and shutters clean is to dust them regularly, and they rarely washing.

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

Interior Shutter Choices

When you consider looking into your interior shutter choices, don’t be confused with the old-fashioned venetian blinds. Their only similarity is that they cover windows. The blinds are long gone and replaced by new, modern, and decorative window coverings like the popular interior shutters.
Your choices are varied, and today even the colors can vary depending on your color schemes. Shutters offer privacy, ventilation and light control, and can insulate your home from the heat or cold. Then when you add their ability to control sound and security, what more would you want for your window coverings.

The shutters are available in different sizes or you can have them custom made to fit any window design. They come in an assortment of materials including wood, vinyl, PVC, or wood composites. The interior shutter louvers are also available in different widths from 1½” to 4½” and the louvers can be adjustable to fit your daily needs. They install the shutters permanently either to the side or on the inside of your windows. They also increase the value of your home.

Wood interior shutters can be painted and repainted to meet the changes when you remodel without modifying the entire window treatment. If you prefer to add curtains or drapes, they will enhance your windows too. However your windows will need no further ornamentation because the interior shutters stand alone in their beauty.

Once you have made the choice of material, design, color and whether custom or pre-made interior shutters, you’ll need to find the most efficient place to purchase them. If you feel confident that you will be able to install them yourself, the pre-made may be your first choice. However if you’re more inclined to have a professional make and install the shutters, you will find companies online to help you in your decision. Custom of course may cost more, but consider that they will also be of a higher quality.

Anytime you hire a contractor to do work in your home especially when you purchase custom interior shutters make sure the professional knows exactly what you want and gives you an exact price. You don’t want any surprises at the end of the process. You want a responsible company who has a place of business, is licensed and carries the proper insurance, like workers comp, and will give you a written contract.

That contract should have all the necessary details including the start time to install the shutters. Since your shutters will be custom made, consider that the contractor will need more of a down payment. Don’t pay in full until they complete the job to your satisfaction.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County shutters, Shutters in Orange County, and window treatments in Orange County.

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Window Frames: Which One Is Right For Your Home?

If you're a homeowner who wants to make a dramatic change or difference in their home there are number of things you can do. Many of these things also improve the quality of your home's appearance and can be accomplished at wide variety of prices. The one way to both improve the appearance and make a difference inside of a home is to work with your home's window frames.

Believe it or not homes with window frames that are worn or damaged can actually allow wind and rain in and they let all the heat and cool air out. New windows frames can cut air infiltration down to almost zero and when installed with advanced glazings, these new windows can slash nearly 40% off of heating and cooling bills year-round. Furthermore many new windows can free a home from its periodic painting and even rival the fine craftsmanship found in cabinetry.

When it comes to choices for window frames, homeowners have a bigger selection than ever to choose from. Manufacturers have given homeowners more choices through framing materials, different types of glazing, and of course installation options. A good example of this is window replacements. In years and decades past replacing window frames simply meant replacing an old or damaged frame with a new one of exactly the same kind, shape, and design. In more modern times however homeowners looking at window replacement can select from virtually any style, material, and installation. Speaking of installation, homeowners are no longer limited to the old-fashioned "rip out and replace" technique.

The materials used in the construction of window frames has grown exponentially in recent years. No longer is wood the only choice for homeowners. These days homeowners looking at replacing their frames or adding new ones to their home can select from vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, and even composite plastic. Each of these materials carries pros and cons and selecting the right one can be difficult for some homeowners. Vinyl window frames for example are the most affordable and one of the most durable though they aren't always the most aesthetically pleasing. Wood frames on the other hand are far more expensive and look great but are hard to care for and can begin decaying rather quickly. While the choices are many and will remain so for the foreseeable future, many window frame manufacturers now offer vinyl replacement kits as those types of frames are far more durable than they wood counterparts.

When homeowners begin shopping for window frames they should look for uniform color throughout the frames they are interested in. Also important is to look for joints that are welded with heat instead of joints that are held together with screws and fasteners. While the more affordable screw and fastener joints might seem like the economical way to go, these can easily begin to fall apart and look ragged after only a short time around a homes windows. Homeowners should also take careful notice of blemishes on the frames they are interested in and try to purchase window frames whose finger joints are invisible.

Homeowners interested in completing a window frame replacement project on a small budget might also wish to consider aluminum frames for their windows. Many aluminum frames carry a cost that's comparable to vinyl frames but aluminum remains slightly more durable than vinyl. The only real drawback to using aluminum window framing is that they conduct heat very easily and can be dangerous in homes where careless people and children reside. They're also prone to condensation which can cause wear and tear which is something many homeowners might want to avoid lest they don't mind replacing their window frames at regular intervals. Aluminum frames should essentially be the choice for homeowners who live in warmer climates were cooling bills are far more expensive than their heating bills.

One type of window frame that homeowners often overlook but are pleasantly surprised by is fiberglass. Fiberglass and composite window frames are the newest options on the market and are made from materials very similar to those found on car bumpers. Additionally these types of window frames are both strong and maintenance free just like their vinyl counterparts. If that isn't enough to convince a homeowner to go with fiberglass or composite window frames, their energy efficiency exceeds that of even vinyl and they're extremely affordable too.

Homeowners who want to replace their window frames or have new ones installed will likely be working with a professional as installation alone is backbreaking work that requires precise measurements and fittings. While homeowners may feel there are too many choices available for them after digesting the information in an article such as this one, a professional will help them determine what works best for their home and for their budget.

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

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Beautiful and Affordable Plantation Shutters

You rarely, if ever, see the words beautiful and cheap when describing plantation shutters. They are available, and all you have to do is search for them. When you find those that are beautiful, and expensive, keep looking.

The varieties are too numerous to count in both materials and color. The interior shutters will be cheaper than those installed on the outside of your home because you won’t have to deal with the weather. Normally their use is strictly to control the light and heat or cold from entering your home. The cheaper shutters open or close by turning the louvers by hand with the shutters in the desired position; and you will not need a remote control because they are so easy to move, and one louver controls them all.

There will also be an element of privacy and security when the shutters are in their closed and locked (from the inside) position. Possibly when a person is looking to break into your home, they view the interior shutters as an additional barrier, they will go onto your neighbor’s house where only glass prevents their entrance.

So the most important decision you’ll have to make will be to buy ready-made shutters from the local hardware store, or shop the local professionals who know the ins and outs of custom shutters. The professional will tell you what will work for your area, and also what is not suitable.

If wood is your choice and your shutters must follow the décor in your home, there are still many choices. Shutters painted or stained with simple or elaborate modern designs are there for the asking. There are shutters that need assembling and installed by the homeowner, and they normally come with instructions.

When you want a finished look without looking like those old venetian blinds, with the louvers controlled by cords running through the existing louver that is where the similarity ends. The louvers on most shutters are wider, easier to clean and adjust.

So choose wisely, go online to see pictures and see what you like and how the shutters will change your entire room. Guests will believe you changed your entire home, when in fact you only dressed the windows. Intelligent choices are wise because those shutters will last much longer than curtains or drapes.

However if you still want additional coverage, side drapes or curtains add dramatic tributes to your windows without covering your plantation shutters.

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

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Orange County Shutters: Choose Between Blinds and Shutters

Most people know the differences between blinds and indoor shutters. They are made from different materials and that more than anything else affects the price. Shutters cost more, are sturdier and are usually made from various types of wood that can be painted and repainted, or, aluminum, fiberglass or vinyl that never need painting.

Blinds on the other hand are usually much cheaper and come in a variety of materials and colors. They are not as sturdy as the indoor shutters and will have to be changed more often. When you consider blinds for your home, you may remember the venetian blinds of the past.

Similar to today’s blinds, but no longer will you see them in many homes or offices.

Interior shutters, whether wood or vinyl, are attached to a frame on the outside of the window and are hinged to the frame itself. Normally there are two shutters per window, and they swing on hinges and either open or closed. The slats themselves are wider than the blinds and you open them by moving one slat that controls all of them. You have the option of slanting, opening, or closing the slats while the shutter is in the closed position.

They attach the blinds on the top and inside of the window. An attached cord controls the blinds and easily pulls the blind up to open, or lowers it to close the entire height of the window. An attached bar twists to control the feature of opening or slanting the slats to control the amount of light coming in.
The tightly closed slats overlap on the blinds and control the light. Users or small children can damage the blinds by twisting the slats if they aren’t careful.

Many people prefer to install blinds on their windows and then install curtains or draperies to make the window look finished. However you more often than not see the shutters or blinds alone on a window.
Like we said, blinds don’t last as long as the interior shutter. Often they guarantee the shutters for life. When you choose shutters over blinds, you’ve made the decision that the shutters will remain on the windows if you sell the home. They become a permanent fixture of the entire room the moment they’re installed.

When you choose interior shutters, consider them an investment because they add value to your home. If blinds are your choice, they can be an added benefit as well, and the choice is yours.

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

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Internal Home Enviornment

With Spring officially just a couple of weeks away now is the perfect time to begin thinking about environmental control for your home. As the weather begins to warm up you may notice that some rooms in your home stay warmer than others while others become cold or don't retain any heat at all.

While there are many ways to control the internal environment of a home, one of the best ways to do so is to ensure that your home's windows are covered properly. Some homeowners may utilize draperies which can keep the intense sunlight of spring and summer out a room while others will simply choose cheap blinds to do the same. The problem with these two choices however is that neither blocks out light very well nor helps maintain a comfortable temperature in any given room.

Shutters on the other hand do both in spades and depending on which style and material you choose for your windows, shutters can help keep the home warm at night by trapping heat and cool during the hot spring and summer days by keeping heat out in trapping cool air in.

If you're a homeowner who wants reduce energy costs and maintain a comfortable environment without spending an arm or leg then be sure to contact us to discuss shutters for your home.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in

Orange County Shutters, Los Angeles Shutters and San Diego Shutters

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. 

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.

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.

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Interior Plantation Shutters Traditional or Functional

As you compare interior plantation shutters, you will find that you don’t have to choose between traditional and functional. The interior plantation shutters are both and when you consider the options of color and style you can’t go wrong as you strive to update your windows to popular trends.

First let us explain exactly what the plantation shutter is. The shutters provide the ability to control the sun like no other window coverings. The horizontal wooden slats with the center vertical bar, controls the slats that can be widely opened or tightly closed. That in itself is worth the cost of the plantation shutters. You, the homeowner, can also choose the color and paint the shutters to match your own color scheme, and they will bring uniqueness to your home.

Then when you consider that the interior plantation shutters offer another layer of insulation to your home to either keep the cold out and heat in or the reverse is true as well. That’s one more positive thing for the shutters.

You will also be able to control the position of the shutters from open or closed to anywhere in between. You’ll learn by twisting that center bar you can allow light to seep in and still maintain your privacy.

Compare the plantation shutters with shades, blinds or even draperies that simply don’t have the versatility of the shutters. Once those are open or closed, there is no in between. The window when open, even a little bit, offers no privacy; and when closed you can’t see out unless you move them aside.

When you love the looks of heavy draperies you can add them as a valance, or side drapery. Sheer curtains can be placed in the same way to soften the harsh reminder of the bare window. They can be pulled closed if that is your preference.

The next decision that you will have to make is where to buy them. You will find various types of wood, and in some instances the vinyl shutters are popular however they come with few color choices.
Since the interior plantation shutters will be on your windows indefinitely choose quality over price. A few more dollars will be worth it in the long run. There are also contractors who will help you choose the styles and colors you want, and they will even install them for you.

When you hire professionals just make sure they have references and don’t be afraid to check them out.

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

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Purchasing Window Blinds: Things To Consider

Installing and purchasing window blinds a home isn't an overly difficult job by any stretch of the imagination. There are however a great number of decisions homeowners must make prior to both the installation and purchase of window blinds. The majority of homeowners are surprised to learn that there are nearly countless name brands as well as knockoff brands and even materials that blinds are constructed from. A homeowner must therefore determine what type of material works best for their home, budget and environment prior to setting foot into a showroom or considering a purchase online.

Homeowners should also keep in mind that different rooms in their home may require a different type of window blinds. The amount of light a room receives and how hot or cool a homeowner wants a specific room to remain need to be taken into heavy consideration before settling on any one type of window blind for a specific room. Of course homeowners can easily select one type of blind and use it throughout their home but the end result will be rooms that are either too light, too dark, too cold and of course to hot.

Window blinds for the living room are the easiest for homeowners to choose even when you consider all of the different brands of material available for such blinds. This is because the living room, while large, is a room that homeowners want to see have the same amount of light throughout the entire area nor is a living room usually damp or overly hot. The only thing that homeowners really need to consider for blinds in the living room is the type of material to use and to select blinds that match the furniture in that specific area.

When homeowners want window blinds for their bedroom there are many relaxing colors and even soft fabrics that can be used for bedrooms. When it comes to blinds for bedrooms however homeowners will usually want a type of window blind that keeps light out to make the room more comfortable for lounging and sleeping in. There are plenty of styles and materials available for bedroom blinds so homeowners will need to spend some time perusing through the many different choices available for these types of blinds.

Window blinds for the bathroom can be a bit tricky for homeowners. Things like humidity and condensation must be factored in and blinds that can withstand these things in spades will need to be selected. Many Venetian blinds as well as roller blinds are great options for bathrooms. In contrast homeowners should avoid fabrics and real wood as those tend to collect mildew in environments that are constantly damp.

Homeowners looking for blinds for the kitchen need to consider many of the same things they would if they were shopping for blinds in the bathroom. This is because kitchens are often full of steam and smoke both of which can easily damage fabric and wood blinds. In fact homeowners should consider purchasing only treated blinds for their kitchens so that their investment is capable of standing up to years of moisture and extreme heat.

Regardless of the room a homeowner wants to put new blinds into, they should always seek the help of a professional. While they may remain apprehensive or have no desire to actually higher a professional contractor for installation, homeowners should at least make a phone call and find a professional who will offer a free consultation so that they can start off on the right foot and so they don't purchase blinds that are wrong for their home.

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

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High Quality Window Decor

Adding things like blinds, draperies, and shutters to a home's windows can be an exciting process for a homeowner. Homeowners with more fastidious tastes in shutters however sometimes shy away from adding these things to their home simply because they're unsatisfied with the selection of window decor they find at local home improvement and other retail stores. While some of these stores carry some decent offerings homeowners looking for top-of-the-line shutters, blinds and draperies will need to turn their attention towards the Internet.

There are plenty of online vendors who specialize in creating unique designs for all types of window decor and many of these vendors allow there customers to customize their shutters, blinds and draperies. While customization may cost a few more dollars than does purchasing assembly-line window decor, the end result we far more appreciated and luxurious.

Not only do online window decor vendors offer greater quality in their products but they also offer homeowners far greater choice in terms of brand, design, and cost. If you're a homeowner who has a few extra dollars and/or wants only the finest window decor installed in their home then we urge you to contact us for assistance.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in

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

Reduce Heating And Cooling Costs With New Shutters

Do you live in an area that experiences particularly cold winter's? Many people do and those people find themselves running heaters constantly only to watch the heat dissipate rather quickly through windows. Homeowners living in these types of scenarios and experiencing these types of frustrations do have an option available to them. This option is of course to have shutters installed.

Both interior and exterior shutters can help homeowners trap heat in their homes and keep the cold out during the winter months. Likewise during the summer months homeowners can utilize the same shutters to keep excessive heat out of their home and the cool air generated by their air-conditioning unit inside of the home.

While the initial cost of having shutters constructed and installed may cause apprehension in some homeowners, these homeowners need to understand that the shutters will pay for themselves rather quickly. Having good shutters installed reduce electric bills that have run high due to prolonged and excessive heater and air conditioning usage.

If you're sick and tired of running your heat and air nonstop in order to create only a semi-comfortable indoor environment then consider shutters and consider contacting us for assistance!

Golden West Shutters Specializes in

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

Decorating With Interior Shutters

When you decorate with interior window shutters, you add a permanent décor to your rooms, one that can be opened entirely, or in the closed position, the slats can be open or closed. You can also add draperies or simply drape a thin curtain across the top of them to give them a finished look. However you don’t need anything else on your window. The interior shutters will add another layer against the heat or cold from the outside. They also add privacy, and will block the sunlight.

The type of shutter you choose will be wood that can be painted to blend or contrast the remainder of the room. You can paint the entire interior wooden shutters before you install them. Vinyl would be your second choice, and you never have to paint the vinyl shutters. They may need dusting or even wiping off with a damp cloth, but that’s all. You don’t have the variety of colors with vinyl and they normally come in tones of white. The wooden shutters should be dusted regularly and unless they are installed in a room where there is steam and/or dampness, the vinyl shutters would be preferable.

The interior shutters can be easily installed by a ‘Do It Yourselfer’ and you wouldn’t need many tools to do the job. If you mount the shutters on the inside of the window box, then all you need to do is secure the screws to the 2x4 frame of the window. If the shutter will be attached outside the window frame, then it will need to be carefully mounted with drywall anchors or attached to a stud to insure stability. Normal hinges will hold the shutters in place.

Without doubt decorating with interior shutters will add uniqueness to your home. They can be seen from the outside, and on the inside you can adjust the light coming into your home. They can be closed to insure privacy or open wide to allow the warmth of the sun to penetrate your home on a cold winter day.

They also add another layer to protect you from the harsh heat of summer days or the cold that blasts against your outside window. In today’s world where you need to control the cost of your utilities, and still have the beauty and privacy of your own desire and tastes within your home, interior shutters are the way to go.

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

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Today's Consumers Customize Their Shutters

Today's homeowners are largely much more fastidious than homeowners of the past. In years and decades past the homeowner looking to add or redecorate their home would have little choice in the way of customization if any at all and would usually have to settle for items that rolled off an assembly line and items that were easily found another homes. There wasn't much of a chance at having a uniquely decorated home.

Over the course of the last couple of decades however homeowners have enjoyed the luxury of customization and this is especially true of those homeowners who wanted to either upgrade existing or add completely new shutters to their home. No longer must the homeowner settle for wood or metal shutters as vinyl and some or other materials are now available for the construction of shutters. Moreover shutters can be customized to fit any size window or door and their actual designs can be heavily influenced by a homeowners personal tastes.

If you're interested in having custom shutters made for your home or should you have any questions about shutters in general please do not hesitate to contact us as we will be happy to assist you.

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Keep The Cold Out And The Heat In With Shutters

With the weather growing colder outside day by day and the traditional season of winter just a week or so away, it's likely that you are looking for ways to keep both you and your house warm without running up heating and electric bills.

By installing shutters on either the interiors or exteriors of your windows you can actually control the climate in the room that, that window belongs to. Many homeowners opt to install shutters placed throughout all of the windows on their homes for climate control reason alone.

What you will want to remember however is that different types of shutters are going to offer different types of protection in terms of how they help manage the environment in a room. Shutters are made from many different types of materials ranging from wood to metal and even vinyl so individuals will want to speak with someone who works in the shutter industry in order to determine which type of shutters will work best in their home and for the environment that they aim to create and maintain in their home.

Should you have any questions regarding shutters for your home please contact us as we happy to field any may have!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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New Shutters Plantation or Hurricane?

Your choice of new exterior shutters may depend wholly on where you live. Is your area subject to hurricanes on a regular basis? If not, you probably will never want hurricane shutters. However if your home sees a frequent amount of wind, then the hurricane shutters would be ideal.

Hurricane shutters need to be hardy, of a greater quality, and installed with great care. You won’t want the shutters torn off in a great wind, and you wouldn’t want to hear them slam against the house or window because they weren’t installed correctly.

In comparison plantation shutters are usually for looks, and they may be attached to the house permanently and are not made to be moved. However in warmer climates they may be the more popular kind. Some claim that they originated in Greece and were popular in the south on plantations, thus their name.

The weather may be your first consideration in choosing new shutters, but you also have additional choices. Do you want shutters that can be closed or opened? If your shutters are often closed, then you may want them to have adjustable slats. The advantage to those will be to slant them open to adjust the influx of sun into your rooms, or to close the louvers for complete privacy as well as security.
The width of the louvers may be another choice, and if you’re having them custom made, the choice will be yours. Color is still another choice. Do you want them to match the color scheme of your home, or do you want them to contrast?

What kind of material do you want? Wooden shutters are traditional, and they can be painted and repainted, and natural wood may need more upkeep. Vinyl shutters normally come in tones of white, and will need very little care. The weather does not have the same effect as with wooden shutters.
Another consideration you may have to make, will your old window frame be structurally strong enough to hold your new shutters or will you have to replace the framework of the window? A qualified carpenter can answer many questions regarding the installation, and will also be able to suggest the best material for your area.

Regardless which decisions you make, just insist on quality material, and when you hire a contractor, ask for referrals. Although most professionals will ask for a deposit, you should never pay them the entire amount until the job is completed to your satisfaction.

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

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Vinyl vs. Wood Shutters

As you compare interior shutters, before you make your final decisions, possibly you should check out both vinyl and wood shutters. They both have advantages and disadvantages.

Look at shutters and as in everything, quality matters. Whether vinyl or wood, when you invest in a product that is inferior you will definitely get what you pay for. Choose better craftsmanship with the product and when you pay a professional to install them you will be insured of the lasting quality.
With that said, let’s look at the vinyl shutters first. Vinyl shutters are easier to clean than wood.

Humidity will not damage the vinyl shutters so you will be able to install them in areas like the kitchen or bathroom. They will not crack, peel, fade or deteriorate. They are also available in fire retardant materials, and insulate better than wood. The quality vinyl shutters are manufactured in half the time as wood, and they cost less.

So we’ve almost convinced you on the vinyl shutters? The one thing that you may not like is the color. They come in various shades of white, period. If those colors suit your purpose, great.

However if you want added color, or even a natural wood grain shutter, you will have to settle on wood shutters. Wood does deteriorate, and often has to be repainted or refinished even in the interior of your home. Wood is not suitable for high humidity areas like the kitchen or bathroom where steam can cause damage.

All right, so why would you want wood shutters? It comes down to choice. If you prefer to have natural wood shutters in the colors of your choice, and if you want a warm, authentic traditional look; you could make no better choice than wood shutters.

If the vinyl shutters seem bland and you want a product that commands high quality and top of the line characteristics, wood shutters should be your choice. However if you want something that you only have to dust, never have to paint, and they will last as long if not longer than wood, then why would you want wood?

Neither vinyl nor wood shutters will offer the same thing to everyone. They are both fine products, so compare, shop around, prices will vary, and so will quality. Because the shutters will last a long time, select cautiously and make sure they fit your rooms and your pocket book.

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

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