 |
...Continued - Page 2 of 2 (
1
2
)
Related Showrooms
• Sears - Custom-Fit Replacement Windows and Entry Doors
• White Lightning Caulk - Caulks and Sealants – Protect, Beautify and Save Energy
• Renovation Experts - Put your home in good hands. Get FREE estimates on your project.
Because they are another very traditional option, Grodnitzky says, shutters really never go out of style. Like with blinds, he recommends that if you’re not going with white, to choose real wood for the most natural look.
Traditional Window Shades
Remember the old roller blinds you probably had in your classroom as a kid? The kind you had to pull just right to make them retract or else you’d end up with the white vinyl shade at your feet? Forget that image, says Grodnitzky, and open your mind to today’s roller shades.
 |
Solar shades filter light and offer privacy without blocking the view of the outdoors. Photo courtesy of Sandra Saft, Window Interiors.
|
“Roller shades are really on the upswing right now,” he says. “Believe it or not, they’re in their prime again. But it’s not exactly what you remember—they’re not on springs anymore.”
Grodnitzky says now the roller shades are on clutches or are motorized. And the stark white vinyl is also gone; now rollers come in fabrics like “sheerweave,” which filters light without completely shutting out the Sun.
Another type of shade that’s big right now are woven solar shades, which block UV light without obstructing the view out the window. “These used to be mainly in commercial applications, but now we’re really seeing this trend of solar shades move into residential design,” says Saft. “The fabrics are becoming more residentially oriented with designs and weaves that can be incorporated into a residential plan.”
Another option that’s gaining in popularity is Roman shades, which have the aesthetics of curtains because they’re backed with material but incorporate the functionality of blinds in the way they’re raised and lowered. They come in many fabrics and options and are great for windows that aren’t huge, like windows in doors. “We’re really seeing market growth for Roman shades,” says Grodnitzky. “People like them because they’re sort of a cross between drapes and blinds.”
Another hot item is natural woven fabrics. Saft mentions reeds, bamboo and grass-cloth as some popular items. “These can be on Roman shades or flat roll shades with a valance,” she says. “And many of these are not just energy-efficient, but they’re biodegradable, too.”
Wide Windows Options
If you have a patio or other large sliding door in your home, you may think the old PVC vertical blinds are your only option. Not so, says Grodnitzky. “Sliding panels are an alternative to the vertical blinds, and they’re making their way over from Europe and are being sold here now,” he says. “They’re not always as functional as the vertical blinds, but they give a nice airy look—very sleek and simplistic.”
The panels fit into separate sliders on a valance, and they can be open or closed with a wood baton that’s attached to the panels. The added benefit of these panels is that many are made of natural materials, an improvement over the environmentally unfriendly PVC option.
Window Films
For hard-to-fit windows or when you’re just feeling a little more minimalist, window films can suit your window covering needs. Dan Birkenmeier, brand manager for Martinsville, Va.-based Gila Film Products, says the main reasons people choose window films are heat control, glare control and privacy.
“Bedrooms and bathrooms are two primary areas people use the films, but we also see it a lot in living rooms and family rooms,” he says.
The films come in a variety of designs, from crackled glass to mosaic, as well as traditional window tints meant to increase a room’s energy-efficiency.
In fact, energy savings are a driving force for many people who choose films because they can be used by themselves or in conjunction with blinds, draperies or other window covering options. “The films can block up to 99 percent of UV rays and have been known to cut cooling costs up to 50 percent,” Birkenmeier says. “We have a real relevance with consumers looking to save energy and lower their utility bills.”
|
Text by Alyson McNutt English
© 2008 BobVila.com
...Continued - Page 2 of 2 (
1
2
)
< Previous Page
- Add To:
-
 Del.icio.us
-
 Digg
-
 Google
-
 Y! MyWeb
-
 Reddit
-
 Technorati
|
|
Related Articles
Related Tips
Related Videos
