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.

Shutters: What Wood Is Best?

While it's true that modern shutters are often constructed from a wide assortment of different materials, the professionals who construct them and the homeowners who purchase them always seem to fall back on shutters made of basswood. Basswood has been consistently popular almost professionals and homeowners because of its consistent color, extremely low sap content, and it's tight grain structure.

Professionals prefer to construct shutters from basswood because of its workable nature. Professionals can carve, sand, and shaped basswood into some elegant and intricate designs. Homeowners on the other hand loved basswood shutters because of their classic elegance and their eye-catching appeal.

While some homeowners and even professionals may construct/purchase shutters made of vinyl, cedar, oak, among other materials, basswood will likely remain the most popular for quite some time. It's very difficult to top the luxurious aesthetics basswood shutters bring to a home.

Should you have any questions regarding basswood shutters please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance!

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

Shutter Colors And Stains

When people begin shopping for new shutters they are often surprised when they learn that custom-made modern shutters are available in nearly an unlimited number of colors and/or stains. While it's common knowledge among most individuals that new shutters are available in white, black, and a natural wood color, many are pleasantly surprised when they are told that they can have their new shutters can come in the color of their choice.

Even those homeowners who aren't too keen on standout colors for the new shutters will still have a myriad of different options available when it comes to stain finishes. With everything from dark stain to light stain in every shade in between available, even the most fastidious of homeowners will have no problem finding a stain that suits them and their home.

What homeowners must keep in mind however is that while shutters are available in a wide variety of different colors and stains, not all styles of shutters are and those that are maybe a bit more expensive than those that are not. Of course anyone interested differently colored or stained shutters should first contact us in order to find out what colors are available for which styles and how those colors and styles factor into their budget.

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

Custom Window Shutters

Customized window shutters have changed as much as our country has changed throughout the years. Originally they installed the plantation shutters over open windows (without glass) and they opened completely or closed completely as well. They provided security and privacy, but afforded a way for the inhabitants of the home to control the weather.

They installed the original shutters on the outside of their homes. You can still do that of course, but many custom window shutters have made their way into the interior of the home. You’ll see those custom shutters throughout the home and sometimes they even close off one room from another by installing shutters across the doorways.

The shutters are that strong, or rather they should be. When you decide on 100% real wood custom window shutters, you’ll be amazed at their strength. When the company you choose to construct and install the custom shutters, they will tell you what works best in your home.

Without doubt, custom window shutters are way beyond simplicity. They have a beauty all their own and can be installed with other window treatments and still have the uniqueness that only they can give. From heavy draperies to sheer curtains your rooms will emerge from their drab existence to an elegant setting where your pride will shine through. Even when you let them stand alone, they bring the final touches to your room and are very pleasing to any observer.

The custom shutters still provide security and privacy and even if you live where four seasons don’t exist, they control the heat escaping or entering your residence or work place. They mount those wide louvers into a solid wooden frame, and the louvers on the shutters are between two and three inches wide. There is hardly any resemblance to those old-fashioned venetian blinds.

The air can flow freely with the shutters open wide, or when you place the louvers in the open position. They open in any position between open and close and can provide that privacy simply by making adjustments in the louvers.

The variety of styles and window treatment will astonish you. No matter the size or function of your windows, the custom window shutters will fill that window entirely. The strength, beauty and amount of options will convince you that you have made the right decision.

Whether you want one window, a room full or your entire home covered with quality customized window shutters, their superiority over the competitors will ease your mind and you’ll realize that you made the correct decision.

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

Quality Custom Shutters

If you’re considering purchasing shutters for your windows, you might consider investing your time and energy to find out the difference between 100% solid wood shutters compared to poly or vinyl. Many simply call the vinyl plastic, and that in itself turns many people away.

One hundred percent wood doesn’t always mean the same thing either. Solid wood does not include particleboard that consists of composites that are manufactured from wood shavings and then pressed together. If that doesn’t bother you, look up the process online.

Quality custom shutters, made from solid 100% wood, are not manufactured, and not glued together to create the look of 100% wood. However they will not stand up to the scrutiny of customers who demand high quality 100% wood.

Now that you know the wood to look for, check out the paint on the shutters. The top quality shutter will have 3 coats of base coat and 2 coats of topcoat. Many companies paint their shutters with the louvers closed together. When that happens, the paint is not even and moisture can penetrate the shutters. The correct way to paint the louvers is to paint them before they assemble them. Otherwise the paint does not seal totally so check the edges of the louvers. Staining should be done in similar ways.

The length of the staples used in construction should be 5/8” to 3/4” and when a company cuts corners on the staples, you end up with a product that will not last. Another way to cut corners is by using dowels instead of cutting a solid piece of wood and fit it together like a puzzle. The dowels are easier and faster to install, but will not stand up to the test of time.

Using catches is cheaper than using magnets that are normally recessed into the wood and placed on the backside of the shutter. You should check out the hinge. A quality hinge will not be a butterfly hinge that is cheaper and easier to install. Full panel hinges will be stronger and hold up much longer.
We could go into the making of the vinyl, or plastic shutters, but because of space, we’ll just mention the things that the salespeople claim make them better than wood. They say price is the biggest concern, and many would agree that their customers don’t demand quality, but are interested only in the price factor.

They also claim that the vinyl will not yellow, crack, and never need painting. Some of that may be true, but certainly not all. Some of the vinyl shutters are reinforced with aluminum, and that would make them stronger, but not all manufacturers use it.

So your best bet is to learn the facts before you decide. Check out the materials on both the 100% wood (not composites), and the vinyl. Another great modifier is to find out how long the company has been in business. You certainly don’t want a fly by night operator, but you do need to do your own homework.

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

Shutters And UV Protection

Due to their cost many homeowners often remain apprehensive about purchasing new shutters for their home only because they worry that they won't last. This is especially true of homeowners who live in climates that receive harsh sunlight and are extremely hot in the spring and summer.

While this is certainly a legitimate concern for homeowners, what many are surprised to learn is that the vast majority of modern shutters are protected by a special UV coating that's placed over and/or under the finish of shutters. This UV coating prevents the light we don't see coming from the sun from destroying the beautiful finish and/or paint on shutters. It also protects the material that shutters are made from as well which should give homeowners peace of mind enough to follow through with a purchase.

Of course homeowners should be cautious when shopping for new shutters because as mentioned previously not all shutters are coated with some sort of UV protection. Those that are not will quickly fall prey to the suns ultraviolet rays and will begin to lose their color and may even begin to crack, rot, and peel.

Should you have any questions about UV coating for your new shutters please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance!

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