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The Good And The Bad Of Top Selling Blinds

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Many people are looking for new blinds for a variety of reasons. Either they want to fix up the look of their home for personal pleasure, are redecorating an office or home, or are trying to sell their property. No matter which reason you have for looking at top selling blinds, it helps to know about little bit about them so you get the blinds that are best suited to your exact needs.

Here is just a little bit of information about some of the top selling blinds on the market:

* Faux wood blinds are a great alternative to wood blinds. They cost lest, but most people can’t tell the difference. Because of the materials used to make them, they won’t warp so are great for high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms. The downfall for faux wood blinds is they are heavy, so lifting them can be an issue for some people.

* Wood blinds are the real thing. They come in a great variety of stains so that it’s easy to match current wood dcor in the house. Wood blinds may cost more than faux wood blinds, but they are easier to operate, weigh less and cost less than shutters. They also bring a natural element into the home.

* Honeycomb cell shades are best known for their ability to insulate. Several brands qualify for a federal tax credit for energy savings. They have a clean, modern look, which doesn’t suit everyone’s tastes. The do come in lots of colors to bring a splash of brightness to a room or keep it more neutral.

* Vertical Blinds are the best option for larger, hard to cover windows. They are economical and easy to clean. Again, these window treatments offer a more contemporary look to a home.

* Aluminum Mini Blinds are some of the cheapest blinds on the market. The lightweight quality makes them easy to operate by almost anyone. They come in a wide range of colors to add a touch of color, or maintain a neutral feel in a room. One of the disadvantages is that they provide poor insulation. Another downside is the aluminum slats can bend, so these blinds are not ideal for areas heavily trafficked by kids and pets.

* Roman Shades are both stylish and versatile. They come in a wide color selection and offer class to any room. Roman shades are good insulators and versions that pair roman shades with honeycomb cell shades offer some of the best insulation on the market. The only disadvantage is they must be fully raised for a complete view.

* Roller shades cut glare and UV light by up to 99%. They have a weave pattern that allows for views even when they are closed. They come in lots of colors and rollup so that views are not blocked. These blinds are not intended to insulate against the cold.

Hopefully these basics will help you get started on finding the perfect blind for your home or office. Be sure to look for discounts on popular blinds so you get the best price available. Reputable stores will let you order samples so you can test colors and styles against current interior design.

Learn more about custom window shades. Stop by Blinds Chalet to find out more about quality discount window blinds, shades, shutters and custom drapery.

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Tips For Buying Cheap Blinds

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The weather is cooling down and pretty soon there will be lots to celebrate. From Thanksgiving through to January, it’s one event after the next. Unfortunately, holidays usually mean spending money. People want their homes to look the best, want to save money on energy bills and have money to spend on gifts for loved ones. One of the easiest ways to make a home look new and refreshed or even finished is by installing new window treatments. Fortunately, there are tons of options from cheap blinds to expensive, but they all add a nice touch to the home.

Blinds come in all shapes and sizes, colors and costs from expensive to cheap blinds. For those looking for a bargain that won’t break the bank, here’s a list of what to look for:

1. Shop for discounts. That may seem intuitive, but some people don’t associate discounts outside the holidays. In fact, there are companies that offer different discounts throughout the year. Do a search for ‘buy 3 get 1 free’ sales, as well as 30% off, or free shipping.

2. Buy from an established on-line company. Established on-line companies are able to offer better discounts for quality products than companies with storefront properties. Because on-line stores don’t have to cover the cost of renting a property for display, they can offer a more reasonable price for their products.

3. Make sure there is someone available to speak to who knows what he/she talking about.

As of right now, the cheapest blinds I could find that come from quality manufacturers are:

* Classic 2″ Faux Wood Blinds. These blinds look like real wood blinds, but cost only a fraction of the price. The colors available are intended to blend with the rest of the room and come in a crisp clean palette. Decorative tapes can pull in additional colors in the room.

* Summit 2″ Wood Blinds are built with high-grade components and wood slats. Wood blinds look good in any work or home environment. They should come with a standard crown molding valance and cord tilt. The color options available include cherry, golden oak, mink wood, or white.

* Classic 1″ Aluminum Mini Blinds earn the prize for cheap blinds. They cost under $20.00 a piece and can bring a finished feel to a home in either white or alabaster. They are easy to maintain and will last.

It doesn’t cost a fortune to dress up your home for the holidays. Take a little time to make sure you get the best deals out there.

Learn more about custom window shades. Stop by Blinds Chalet to find out more about quality discount window blinds, shades, shutters and custom drapery.ou.

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Tips For Buying Door Blinds

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Doors can sometimes be tricky to buy window treatments for because of their unusual size and shape. Not only that, door blinds shouldn’t interfere with your ability to easily open and close the door. Some window treatments ‘fly away,’ meaning they swing out the door when it opens and get caught in it when it closes, often damaging blinds or window treatments.

Tips for Buying Door Blinds:

1. Take the time to visit more than one on-line company. Different companies may offer different prices on the same product. You want to be sure you are getting the best price for your needs. Find someone who can talk you through custom blinds so you know you are making the right measurements.

2. Ask yourself, what do I need this door blind to do? Do I want it to offer privacy? Do I want to be able to adjust the light? Do I need a little extra insulation to help keep this room warm? If you aren’t sure the best door treatment for your needs, call a company and let them ask the questions and offer suggestions.

3. Consider the current design of the room and look for a product that will best match it. As for doorway window treatments, there are several options to choose from.

a. EcoGreen Solar Screen Window Shades and EcoGreen Roller Shades. These are the best fit for the environmentalist or for those interested in conserving the earth’s resources. These window treatments work well in warmer climates or for rooms with a lot of south-facing windows. They cut glare, cut UV rays and help insulate the home. EcoGreen Shades are PVC free and have no volatile organic compounds. They are 100% Recyclable and are LEED Certification-friendly.

b. Roller Shades and Solar Shades. These window treatments help keep a room cool. In an office environment, they provide a professional look. In a home, they help finish a room. As well, most can be installed inside or outside, however, pricing may vary when exterior components are added in.

c. Light Filtering Insulating Blinds. Insulating means warm. These door blinds help keep the cold out while letting light in, so you get privacy and a break on energy bills.

d. Room Darkening Insulating blinds. These are also made of a honeycomb fabric that helps keep homes warm. They are most often utilized in bedrooms, offices or home theater rooms.

e. Wood blinds. With a variety of stains, these will compliment other wood pieces in the room or flooring. The wood slats offer excellent light control and the wood insulates against outside elements.

f. Vertical blinds. These window treatments are the most standard for rooms with large sliding glass doors. They are generally available in faux wood and vinyl.

4. Call before your order and speak to a customer service representative. Based on how helpful they are, you’ll know if there’s a problem whether or not they will be willing to help you.

5. Shop around. Blinds may be discounted at one on-line store but not another. If you find a blind you like, do some comparison shopping to make sure you are getting the best deal. When looking at prices, be sure to factor in additional costs such as shipping, or whether or not you’ll get free shipping. How long will they take to manufacture? Is there any type of guarantee if you aren’t satisfied?

No matter what type of door blinds you end up choosing, be sure they work well with your interior design. Also, be sure they are practical for your climate and the type of home you have.

Learn more about custom window shades. Stop by Blinds Chalet to find out more about quality discount window blinds, shades, shutters and custom drapery.

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Buying Noise Reduction Shades

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Many people face challenges of noisy neighbors, trains, traffic, airplanes and more. For those who want a little peace and quiet in their homes, noise reduction shades are a perfect remedy.

Basic noise reduction shades include:

* Cellular shades. Cell shades have a honeycomb pattern, similar to a beehive that traps cold air, noise and light so it can’t enter a home. While these shades work well in any room in a house, they are especially well suited to home theater rooms and bedrooms. However, if you have large windows in a living room that let in noise, they will work there, too. Cell shades are available as single cell shades, double cell shades and blackout shades.

* Single cell shades are available in light filtering options with a variety of colors to choose from.

-Double cell shades have increased insulation and noise blocking properties.

* Blackout shades can be up to 99% effective at blocking light

* Fusion Shades blend roman shades with cell shades. This gives them the grace of a roman shade, but the insulating power of a cell shade. They are more expensive than cell shades, but those who want to include a design element to their window treatments will love these.

Cell shades and fusion shades come in the following brands: Cordless Translucent Single Cell Shades, Cordless Blackout Shades, Express Translucent Single and Double Cell Shades, Ultimate Cordless Cell Shades, Signature Translucent Double Cell Shades, Room Darkening Cell Shades, EnergyTrack Cell Shades and ComforTrack Cell Shades.

No matter which of the above options you choose, you’ll not only get the quiet you want, but you’ll see a reduction in your energy bills. In fact, some cell shades qualify for a federal tax credit for environmental consciousness. Be sure to ask when you purchase. Cellular shades also cut UV rays, protecting furniture and flooring.

These days window treatments are easy and convenient to buy on-line. All you need to do is ensure you have company you can trust. Well established companies are generally able to offer savings over smaller companies. Any good company will let you order samples of a variety of colors and styles so you can see what might work best.

Now is the time to cut the noise. Enjoy quiet, peaceful nights without other people’s conversations cutting in, or noisy traffic forcing you to turn up the volume on your TV just to hear it. You deserve the best, so treat yourself to insulating, cell shades for quiet and comfort.

Get your noise reduction shades now

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.

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Measure The Difference ComforTrack Double Cell Shades Make

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Fall is here. Despite record setting high temperatures across the country in the last few weeks, cold weather will be moving in soon. In the mountains, nighttime temperatures are already reaching into the 20′s and 30′s. There is no better time to help insulate drafty windows or single pane windows than with ComforTrack cell shades to keep the cold out and help reduce energy bills.

Here’s a challenge. Buy an indoor/outdoor thermometer and take the temperature inside your house at night. Then install Double Cell Shades and see how much warmer your house stays just by adding an additional barrier for windows. When buying cellular shades or honeycomb shades, there are a few things to know. Single Cell Shades will offer less insulating protection than double cell shades. Cellular shades or honeycomb shades with a sidetrack system helps prevent drafts leaking in around the sides of the blinds.

If you are going for LEED certification then look for honeycomb window treatments that qualify for a Federal Tax Credit.

The 3/8″ Translucent Double Cell Shades are designed for maximum insulation. The unique design of the ComforTrack Plus Energy Savings Sidetrack System provides a thermal performance rating up to five times greater than a standard single pane window.

Honeycomb shades are designed like a bee’s honeycomb. They capture the cold before it can get to you. Besides the sidetrack system, they also have a foam seal between the headrail and the top of the window frame so more heat stays in. Be sure if you buy these to cash in on your Federal Tax Credit for energy efficiency.

If you have a room where you want complete privacy and darkness, then check out the ComforTrack 3/8″ Blackout Double Cell Shades. 99% of light will be kept out, helping you sleep, watch movies or whatever you like. The Comfortrack system is not standard on all double cell shades so be sure to ask before you buy. Also be sure the blinds or window treatments you purchase qualify for a Federal Tax Credit.

Aside from the excellent insulation provided by these window treatments, they also look good. They come in a bunch of different neutral colors to fit any home or office environment. A few of the colors include buttermilk, snow cap and wheat. For those who like bolder colors, they can choose from coffee bean, cinnamon, marina, cypress and more.

If you want to save money on energy bills, then install the ComforTrack line of Double Cell Shades and notice the difference. Take the challenge and look at the temperature rating in the house with and without cellular or honeycomb shades. You will stay warmer, you’ll get money back from the government for taking initiative and increasing energy sustainability and you’ll have a good looking home. This is a win-win situation so head on-line to order your Shades today!

Learn more about custom window shades. Stop by Blinds Chalet to find out more about quality discount window blinds, shades, shutters and custom drapery.

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Mexican Decorating Trends Are Fashionable At Home Nowadays

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Mexican decorating style is all about earth tones that center as well as relax. They also use bright colors along with handmade accessories. This style is a beautiful combination of two distinct cultural styles: Native American style and Spanish style. The final result brings to life a highly sophisticated work of art that is made of pure soul.

The Mexican style makes great use of carved wood in its items. Also it uses wood textiles, such as in the case of Navajo wool rugs or the Southwestern rugs. These rugs are actually woven by hand into various motifs that depict life intensely. The two styles are quite different from each other, even though they look quite similar at first glance. The Mexican style strongly depicts a passion for its native culture, whereas the Southwestern tradition style is a bit quieter and calmer, with more muted tones.

For designing your rooms in the well known Mexican style decor, you need to pay attention to a couple of things such as replacing your floors with hardwood, stone or tile covered by strong and vibrant rugs in the popular Mexican strong colors.

The next thing to take care of are the walls. Use the Mexican color palette to add various wall decorations such as stenciled geometrical figures as wall borders. You can easily find many types of Mexican art pieces that can be hanged on the wall. No matter what you do though, avoid cluttering your walls as sometimes less is more. You need to give the wall the place to ‘breath’ fresh air. Also an uncluttered wall looks much nicer than one that is full of things.

As a last decor touch you can also add some tall plants in terracotta pots. Use wrought iron wall light fixtures on the wall for added lighting and also use wooden candlesticks on the tables to enhance the Mexican decorative theme.

You also need to think about the patio door security exiting from your Mexican style room. Check out these patio door curtains to learn more.

categories: Mexican decor,home decor,room decor,interior decorating,home improvement,curtains,flooring,rugs,wall decor,wall art,candles,colors,home accessories

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Elegant Kitchen Window Blinds

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What window blinds will work in the kitchen? Why do you need specific window treatments for kitchen window blinds? Because kitchens come with their own set of challenges. Kitchens often produce steam and moisture. Grease spatters and gets in the air. Food odors can sink into window treatments. For all these reasons it’s important to buy the right window treatments if you are thinking about replacing window treatments or buying kitchen window blinds for the first time.

Step one is to avoid fabric materials. Fabrics stain easily. Grease can and most likely will show up on fabric window treatments. Fabric, as we all know from our clothes, retain odors. Unfortunately they don’t make odor resistant window treatments in fabric materials. In order to clean cotton or fabric blinds, they need to be taken down and sent to a dry cleaner. If you want to know what will work, check out this top three list:

1. Embassy 2″ Faux Wood Blinds. These faux wood blinds are affordable and look good. They don’t absorb moisture and are built to withstand cracking and chipping. These window treatments are built to last. Faux wood can be easily cleaned with a little bit of sudsy water. They come standard with a 2×2 metal headrail and a 3 inch custom crown valance.

2. Aspen 2″ Faux Wood Blinds. These blinds offer style and charm. The appearance closely rivals real wood, without the high price. They come with a great selection of stains (similar to wood) or painted versions. They are perfect for kitchens and are easy to clean.

3. Chalet Composite Shutters. Composite shutters add a quaint touch to a kitchen, or any other room in the house for that matter. They are composed of American hardwood and polymer so they look like real wood. A bar helps tilt the shutter for privacy and light control. Made in the US, they are built within 15 business days.

Kitchens take a little planning to decorate. You want to use materials that will make your life easy. Simplicity of style, attractive and easy to maintain are what you want. Before you order wood stains, order free samples from your manufacturer so you know they will match existing furniture. If you want a cleaner more neutral look, consider painted faux wood kitchen blinds or shutters.

Don’t neglect decorating your kitchen because you aren’t sure what will work. Faux wood kitchen window blinds will look great in every kitchen. Throw out the old aluminum window treatments and bring faux wood into your home. They cost less than real wood but look just as good.

People will think you spent the money to get real wood blinds for your kitchen, but these window treatments will last longer, look better and will be easier to clean that other window treatments.

Looking to find the best deal on custom window shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best advice on custom window treatments.

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Energy Efficient Shades

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With winter coming, many people are looking for energy efficient window treatments to help save money on energy bills. There are a variety of energy efficient window treatments that work to different degrees. Below are a few of the most popular energy efficient shades.

A single pane window can cause warm air to seep out of a house and let drafts and cold air in. In fact, using energy efficient shades can be five times more effective at keeping cold air out than regular windowpanes. Almost all window treatments create some sort of insulating barrier, however, the following are some for the most efficient insulating shades on the market.

* U.V. Protection Shades. These shades are designed to keep UV rays out of the home. They are great insulators and will protect furniture and flooring from fading.

* Temperature Control Shades. These energy efficient shades are designed to keep the temperature in a home stable. They insulate from outside air and are perfect for houses and work places.

* Light Diffusing Shades. Light diffusing means you sill get privacy within a home as well as getting natural light. They help keep temperatures steady.

* Energy Smart Shades. Cellular shade fabric is energy smart! Honeycomb structure traps air and keeps homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer helping to lower energy costs!

Energy Smart Shades include single and double cell shades. Cell shades employ a honeycomb design to trap cold air before it enters your home. Double cell shades are one of the most effective insulating window treatments on the market. They are available in light filtering or translucent materials as well as blackout materials for complete protection. Look for insulating sidetrack systems to ensure cool air won’t be able to seep in the sides.

EnviroFusion Textured Linen Roman Shades fall into the Energy Smart Fusion Shades line. These blend the look of roman shades with the insulating qualities of honeycomb or cellular shades. These combine beauty with practicality for a window shade that dresses up a home, combining beauty and function.

Energy Saving Solar Screen Shades include the Smart Weave line of roller shades, Eclipse Roller Shades, Pfifer SheerWeave Roller Shades, AlumaScreen Solar Shades, EcoGreen Roller and Solar Shades and Tavarua Sunscreen Bamboo Roller Shades. All of these window treatments offer UV protection and cut UV damage by almost 100%. These shades are designed to retain color on the window covering without damaging interior furniture or art work.

Energy efficient shades are designed to look good, be practical and help insulate homes. Some combine light filtering qualities with insulating qualities. Others focus on cutting UV rays to help protect furniture and art from fading. All of the window shades mentioned above improve a home’s value and can increase the resale cost of a home.

For warmer climates, consider solar screen shades. For cooler climates and maximum energy efficiency, consider cell shades or honeycomb shades, or EnviroFusion Roman Shades. If you have any questions, call an on-line window treatment dealer and let them guide you to the best product for your home.

Want to find out more about energy efficient shades, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best selection on blinds, shades and window treatments.

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Curtains And Drapws For Bay Windows And Patio Doors

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If you are lucky enough to have a property with bay windows, you also know the troubles that come with finding the best bay window window treatments for these very classy windows. Getting the right window treatments is not easy and many people spend lots of money initially trying out various things until they find the right curtains. You don’t have to do this if you follow the tips in the article below. This is also pertinent for patio door blinds for your home, as long as the windows are big and covering a large area or surface.

Treating a bay window or a patio door is not difficult as long as you understand what these are. Patio doors are usually made of two windows, and bay windows contain 3 glass pieces: a big one in the middle and two smaller ones side by side. This allows the sunlight to enter freely the room and this also gives the impression that the room is actually bigger than it really is.

Usually they are common in Victorian architecture that became popular around the the 1870s. Currently San Francisco is a great example of a place that has many homes with these types installed. Most of the times they are available in several styles such as double hung windows, casement windows and various other window configurations that are more suitable.

Each bay window curtain or drape is used on a different type of window or door so you need to first make sure you understand what you have in your home. This makes the home rather unique and different from others.

Having beautiful window treatments for bay windows is not difficult to achieve at all. All you need is a bit of creativity and if you are stuck, you can always check out some curtains pictures on the internet to spark your creativity and give you new ideas.

You might also have a home with sliding folding doors or with vinyl patio doors. Visit patiodoorcurtains.org to learn more.

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Bamboo Window Treatments

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Bamboo has become increasing popular with consumers for many reasons. The first is bamboo’s sustainability. Harvesting bamboo is nothing like harvesting trees from the forest. Bamboo grows at a faster rate than almost any other plant on earth, up to four inches per day. The next reason bamboo is becoming popular in home decorating is the flavor it brings to a room. Bamboo offers style, as well as an ‘island’ feel.

More and more window treatment companies are offering bamboo roller shades, blinds and sliding panels. Take some time to research the companies offering the product. If possible, ask for samples before ordering, so you know what kind of quality product you will get. Tavarua Bamboo Roller Shades are biodegradable, kind to the earth because they don’t use pesticides or insecticides, and are made from a woven bamboo that offers an elegant solar screen roller shade, but brings and exotic bamboo flair to the design.

The first product to mention from Tavarua is the new Tavarua Sunscreen Bamboo Roller Shades. They are sleek and come in a variety of weaves, meaning more or less light will come in depending on how tight the weave of the blinds. With the Tavarua Sunscreen Bamboo Roller Shades, there are three different weaves to choose from: Akita – 20% openness, Bamboo Palm – 10% openness factor, Sendai – 8% openness factor. Each roller shade has an optional upgrade for a bamboo valance. Valances clean up the look of the blind and create a more upscale feel for a home.

Bamboo is pretty much an all-adaptive plant. It can grow virtually anywhere in the world. No water needed besides what the rain provides. Nature takes care of itself. No insecticides like cotton needed.

Basic Bamboo Shades are also available from Tavarua. These shades offer poised, stylish simplicity that hints at exotic. This is the ideal choice for chic, easy style and quiet confidence in any decor, and an economic alternative to other Tavarua woven wood shades, without compromising quality or beauty. Ideal for areas where some shading without complete privacy is desired, these roman fold shades are woven to gently filter light (liners not available). Add the sort of texture and natural feel to your room that only bamboo Available in an attractive, limited color assortment with coordinating cords and tassels.

Woven Wood Shades from Tavarua come in three varieties: Tavarua Woven Wood Shade, Exotic Woven Wood Shades and Designer Woven Wood Shades. They are generally available with edge bindings and have the option of upgrading to a fabric liner for privacy or light filtration. They ‘fold’ up to resemble roman shades when open without sacrificing their natural elegant beauty.

Bamboo has even spread to ring drapery. Bamboo drapery is already bound, so additional edge bindings are not needed. This keeps the ends from cracking or breaking. Because they are woven wood, bamboo blinds can be fragile and are not recommended for high traffic areas where kids and pets have access to them.

The last bamboo product to consider from Tavarua is the exotic bamboo sliding panels. These are perfect for southern homes or homes that are utilizing a tropical theme or design. They fold behind one another when open, so will come out of the wall a bit. The ambiance they offer can’t be matched by a traditional window blinds or shade.

The environmental qualities of a product are becoming increasingly important to consumers. It’s no surprise that the line of Tavarua Bamboo products has taken off. It’s nice to know there are economic, attractive, sustainable and biodegradable products on the market.

Want to find out more about bamboo blinds, then visit Blinds Chalet for the best selection on blinds, shades and window treatments.

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