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.

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: 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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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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