Anthony Braun wonders:


It’s no secret that life on Earth is highly influenced by the sun. It affects everything – climate zones, the length of day and night, food for all living creatures. People of many cultures used to worship Sun as a God that created all life on Earth.

Ancient Greeks had a beautiful myth about Helios – he drove his golden chariot up to haven, spreading light on the skies and although the horses were wild, he never lost his course. One day his young son Faeton took the chariot for a drive, but couldn’t hold the horses and they came too close to Earth, causing climate over-warming and wild fires. Actually, this myth could imply that the global warming we are so worried about these days could have happen in the past as well.

But enough said about the past – this introduction is only here to show the importance of the sun and the way it affects everything. From now on we concentrate on the way an architect is dealing with the sunlight – whether he wants to protect the house from it or to enhance its presence.

The ideal positioning of the house is different in various parts of Australia. And if in the north (Darwin) the main concern is hiding from the sun, in the south (Melbourne) we need to think of a way to keep the sunlight in our house.

To keep sunlight in the house means both letting it in and making it stay there for as long as possible. In the past, before people learned about glass, they used ox bladder to replace glass in the windows. But nowadays we have most elegant sealed insulating glass units – which basically two layers of glass with vacuum in between.

The reason for the 2 layers of glass is the hothouse effect, which lets the sun’s warmth in and doesn’t let it out, no matter what is the difference between the temperatures inside and outside the house.

So when we build a house in the south of Australia, we would want to keep the heat in summer and hide from it in winter. One option is to have as many windows as we can face north-east or north-west and no windows on southern walls. As for protection from the sun we will use an external structure, because those means of protection are much more efficient than internal, such as curtains or blinds.

Another thing to be said about sun is that its light varies in intensity during different times of day – less intense in the morning, blazing heat in the midday and quite strong until the dusk.

This is why we should plan bedrooms and nurseries to face north-east, this way they would get most of the sun light in the mornings. Isn’t it a great feeling to wake up to the first rays of morning sun?

Living room, kitchen, meals area and study are best to be facing north and north-west. As for garages, bathrooms and toilets, powder rooms sun makes no difference.

Another option is to build your house is with most of windows facing south or south-east – those rooms will be the coolest in the house. Just a few rays of morning sun would enter through the south-east oriented windows, and all south-facing windows will get is a diffused light (very good for art galleries with artificial lighting).

Moving north, when your house is in the tropical climate all you think about is how to hide away from sun which is everywhere. Our builders didn’t waste any time during the last century – they have learned how to use lot of materials to protect the house from sun, such as concrete, metal, ceramics, glass, fabrics and plastic.

Glass of different colors blocks sun very well, metal lattices around windows are also efficient and concrete embrasures on the facade take all the heat so none enters the house.

Adding ceramics to the concrete makes it rich in color and plastic is indispensable where blinds are concerned. There are many types of blinds – vertical, roman, roller blinds and all of them have become an integral part of any modern house.

So house in the northern part of Australia is a house in tropics, which means that it should have as many walls with little windows or no windows at all. Let the breeze in – plan some open spaces such as galleries and corridors for the air to circulate through. Add sun-blocking lattices and blinds, have terraces and balconies covered. It’s best that the windows face south or south-east, but if that is not possible – add visors above them. Wide-crowned trees also work well creating lots of shade and making bedrooms feel more comfortable. If you have a pool, use a moving plastic see-through cover for it – works well to protect you from blazing midday sun.

David Brooks wonders:


So, you are in the market for new window treatments, the catch-all phrase for almost any kind window shade or blind. Or, maybe you’re in the market for new window coverings, which implies the latter plus drapes and curtains. Still confused? Stay with me. This article is intended to give you a basic primer on the words and qualities of the major choices available to consumers these days within the window blinds and shades consumer market.

The good news for those in the market for new window shades, blinds or curtains is that there is a plethora of choices these days. You can fulfill just about any decorating desire you have. The bad news is there is a plethora of choices, enough to give you a headache and send you running for an over-priced decorator.

The wrong shades or blinds can make a room look terrible, or at best terribly average. The right ones will compliment your décor and really make a room look beautiful. There are other considerations though, there’s price, energy efficiency, opacity (see-though), even durability. It is my belief that once armed with a little information you can skip the costly decorator and choose the right window blinds or shades that will work within your budget as well as compliment your room or home.

First things first, here are the major types of window blinds: mini blinds, vertical blinds, panel track blinds (also called sliding window panels), shutters (also called plantation shutters), wood blinds and faux wood blinds. And, here are the major types of window shades: cellular or honeycomb shades, woven wood or bamboo shades, roman shades, roller shades, solar shades and pleated shades. Basically anything with a slat or louver (shutters) is considered a blind, whereas, window shades have a continuous length of fabric or other material and can be rolled up. Lastly there are drapes, also called drapery panels or curtains, no further explanation is required.

On the lower end of the price spectrum there are mini blinds and vertical blinds. These are the ubiquitous choice for millions of homes across the world. They work well, look decent and are relatively affordable, especially if you buy vinyl. For more durability consider aluminum mini blinds. If you are interested in vertical blinds and want more insulation, consider cellular vertical blinds.

Continuing on the point about insulation, cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades are designed to act as an insulator for windows. Their honeycomb fabric structure creates air pockets like many other types of insulation. Cellular shades come with single, double or triple cells, depending on how much insulation you want. The price obviously increases with more cells but it is worth looking into because the long-term cost savings are significant.

Pleated shades look almost identical to cellular shades but simply lack the honeycomb structure and therefore most of the insulating properties. They are therefore less expensive then cellular.

Wood blinds are similar to mini blinds with three main differences: they generally have larger slat sizes and are made from wood, usually basswood, as opposed to aluminum or vinyl and, they are more generally more expensive then regular mini blinds

Faux wood blinds are made from either PVC plastic or are a wood composite. They look almost identical to regular wood blinds but are less expensive and will not warp, crack or fade an important detail for hot and humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Plantation shutters come in both wood and faux wood and have louvers, as opposed to smaller slats. These are the classic shutters you see in the old homes of the south, thus the name, plantation. They tend to be on the high-end of the price spectrum but could very well be one of the nicest types of window treatments. They can actually add more value to your home.

Woven wood shades and bamboo shades are a type of roller shade generally made from natural materials like bamboo, grasses, wood or weaves. Roman shades are similar to woven wood shades but come in fabrics like denim or silk and can either roll-up or fold-up via pleats. Both options are in the mid-price range depending on materials and options.

Roller shades are usually fabric and come in different levels of opacity from sheer to blackout. They are simple to use and generally affordable. Solar shades, also known as solar screens are kind of like window tinting for home windows, except that they roll-up. They’re great for windows with views. They filter light in greater or lesser degrees while still allowing see-through. They block harmful UV rays as well as heat gain.

Sheer shades are kind of a hybrid between a shade and a blind. They come in horizontal and vertical configurations. They can roll-up like a shade of you can close the blind portion just like you would on a mini blind or vertical blind. They feature two sheer fabric facings over soft fabric vanes – imagine the functionality of a blind within a roller shade. Sheer shades offer a lot of versatility and are in the mid-to-high price range of roller shades.

Lastly there are panel track blinds. They are much like vertical blinds only with larger panels or vanes which are usually fabric, woven wood or a solar screen material. They operate on a wheeled track system. The panels range in width from approximately 48” to 192” and in lengths to fit most windows and sliding doors. Panel track blinds can also act as a cool room divider. Panel tracks are more expensive the regular vertical blinds but certainly are more unique

Johnny Roberts wonders:


Do-it-yourself plantation shutters are semi-opaque window coverings that normally hinge on either side of a window opening. These shutters are relatively attractive to end users looking to not only improve the appearance of a room, but also enjoy controlled access to light.

Do-it-yourself plantation shutters can come with louvers (horizontal and vertical slats) as small as 1 7/8-inch to 5 ½ -inch. The average sizes for interior plantation shutters include 2 ½, 3, 3 ½, or 4 ½-inch movable louvers and comes in elliptical and flat options. An elliptical louver is thicker in the center and tapers to the front and back. It is considered a more durable alternative to the flat louver. Usually, when getting plantation shutter kits, manufacturers rely on an elliptical louver. It is noteworthy to keep in mind that plantation panels are normally 1 1/8-inch thick – anything narrower is discouraged.

When looking through the many styles of plantation shutters, a collection of factors will influence your ultimate decision. The louver width, shutter size and color will all play an important role. For a more fine look, the shutters should have a narrow width louver, while a more traditional look comes with wider louvers. While the most in vogue color of shutters is oak or white, more customers are dabbling with the colors beige, gray, black, grayish green and cherry.

Nowadays, an expanding number of developers are producing homes with enormous rooms and open windows, making plantation shutters a fashionable option in window coverings. This category of shutter is more current than traditional options. The ability to darken a room and enjoy privacy makes this type of shutter is big plus. The flexibility of do-it-yourself plantation shutters continues to impress, as they are used to spruce up kitchens, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms and even dining rooms.

One of the biggest reasons that a homeowner outfits their household with plantation shutters is to improve the general appearance of their house. The shutters have a way of creating a more refined look. Another popular draw behind installing do-it-yourself plantation shutters is to obtain the capacity to adjust the amount of light in a room. With the easy adjustment of the louvers, a great amount of light may enter the room just as easily as allowing only a small amount.

Moreover, plantation shutters are much different than curtains or blinds, as they do not come with the gaps that allow light to seep through when closed. Once plantation shutters are closed, not only is light kept out, but also noises taking place outside of the home. While curtains may fade and become soiled, shutters require a low level of maintenance, with uncomplicated dusting to revamp their appearance.

When considering the pros and disadvantages between window treatments and plantation shutters, it is important to note the initial cost of shutters. The average price of do-it-yourself plantation shutters is a possible disadvantage that many end users face.

The price of plantation shutters is normally based upon a per square meter system. Keep in mind that elliptical widths often cost more per square meter than the flat blade. Calculating the cost of do-it-yourself plantation shutters involves the width and drop of window dimensions. To come to a base price for a kit, multiply the width and drop to assess the total square meters. Although the overall cost of plantation shutter kits is sometimes a setback, the long-lasting qualities are well worth the investment.

A few sample costs include café (or single) golden oak shutters measuring 34 ¼ inches wide and 50 inches tall for $386, while double hung pure white shutters measuring 44 ¼ inches wide and 24 inches tall may cost around $246. Also, remember that the hardware coupled with plantation shutter kits are sometimes bought separately, such as the hinges and magnets that keep the unit steady.

Heather Madison wonders:


Outdoor bamboo blinds provide relief from the sun and rain, and they add a beautiful Asian feel to your home. Outdoor blinds made of materials like bamboo, wood, or other natural element are known in Japan as sudare or misu. The bamboo or wood is held together by yarn, string, or another decorative material.

Many people have outdoor areas on their homes, but use them less than they’d like because the area gets too hot or they get rained on when the weather is bad. In warm climate, outdoor areas can be used year round, particularly if there is some sort of weather protection. Outdoor blinds make your outdoor spaces more usable.

You can attach outdoor blinds to porches, verandas, or other outdoor areas with some sort of overhead structure. They are great for outdoor rooms in any climate because they block the sun, keep out the rain, and deter insects from getting in. Traditionally, bamboo blinds would be put up in the spring and then taken down in the fall. In warmer climates where outdoor areas can be utilized all year long, you can leave them up.

In Japan’s past, sudare were tied together with expensive silk and gold embroidery. Some outdoor blinds had paintings on them, usually on the inside of the blind, and they sometimes have symbols painted on the outside. They were also used for imperial audiences.

Outdoor bamboo blinds can be rolled or folded up when you want to allow more light into the outdoor area. Perhaps your porch faces the south and is comfortable in the morning, but too hot with the sun in the afternoon. In this case, you can roll up the blinds during the morning hours, allowing the sun’s rays in, and then unroll the blinds to block out the sun in the afternoon and early evening.

You can easily install the bamboo blinds on your porch or veranda. You’ll need a few basic tools and the manufacturer’s instructions. Just follow what the instructions direct and you’ll have the blinds up in no time at all. Once you have them up, they are easy to adjust and roll up or down.

Outdoor bamboo blinds will give your home an exotic feel and look. You’ll love how they look and how they help block the hot sun so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces more often. Outdoor blinds block the sun, but they also let in cooling breezes and allow for air circulation. This will help keep the outdoor area comfortable for you anytime you want to enjoy it.

Darren Wilson wonders:


How To Fit Aluminium Venetian Blinds

Top Fixing

Venetian blinds First you must measure the distance where any handles protrude from the window frame then mark this measurement on the lintel at the top of the window recess and use this measurement to the point at the bracket of the fixing bracket. First measure to where the brackets will be positioned by looking at where the components are inside the head rail as the brackets must miss these. Then mark the position of the holes using the brackets as a template and screw the brackets to the lintel using screws and rawl plugs with the swing arm facing into the room towards you. When this is done pull all the swing arms on the brackets over to the right hand side of the bracket so they are sticking into the room then offer the head rail up underneath the brackets. Once in place push all the swing arms inwards towards the head rail until flush with the front of the head rail which will cause the bracket then to grip the head rail and keep it in place.

Face Fixing

First you must measure the distance where any handles protrude from the window frame. First measure to where the brackets will be positioned by looking at where the components are inside the head rail as the brackets must miss these .Then mark the position of the holes onto your wall, door or window frame using the brackets as a template and screw the brackets to the required place using screws and rawl plugs with the swing arm facing into the room towards you. When this is done pull all the swing arms on the brackets over to the right hand side of the bracket so they are sticking into the room then offer the head rail up underneath the brackets. Once in place push all the swing arms inwards towards the head rail until flush with the front of the head rail which will cause the bracket then to grip the head rail and keep it in place.

Operating Your Roller Blinds

Operating Roller Blinds Raise And Lower To raise and lower your aluminium venetian blind you need to pull the single cord pull down towards the floor or window sill this will raise the blind upwards then when you have the blind at the required position pull the cord away from the window to the right or left of the blind for the cord lock barrel to grip the cord to keep the blind in position.

Tilt Up Or Down To tilt the blind you will need to use the clear plastic tilt wand just twist it one way to tilt the slats upwards and eventually close and twist the other way to tilt the slats downwards and eventually to close.

How To Clean Your Roller Blinds

Regular and carful vacuuming of your blind will keep it clean and free from dust by using the brush attachment on your hover and gently move the attachment from left to right over your blind will keep your aluminium venetian blinds looking their best, if preferred a damp cloth can be used.

Ron Manwaring wonders:


Blind Coverings are the best way to conserve energy when it seems impossible in the hot Arizona summer months; however, blinds make a difference. Blind Chalet has created an energy calculator to give customers an idea of the impact.

Window treatments are an efficient and cost effective way to conserve energy. During the summer months the sunlight that enters into the home through the windows and doors loses about 20 to 50 percent of the total energy. More energy enters in one square foot of clear glass than an entire insulated wall. This increases the workload of the air conditioner by 50 percent. In hot, arid environments such as Arizona it is important to have effective window coverings for energy conservation. Blinds reduce energy consumption, lower energy bills, prevent the sun from fading the interior, and maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature within the home.

Window coverings can control the amount of energy that enters into the home and the style determines the efficiency of the blinds. The shading coefficient measures the window treatments ability to block solar energy from entering into the home. Customers should keep in mind the lower the shading coefficient the more the blinds keep the home insulated.

Blinds Chalet has created an energy calculator so customers can calculate the most energy efficient window treatments for their home. The tool is easy to use; the customer simply enters the square footage of their home, then Blinds Chalet lists several styles of blinds and lists their estimated energy savings. The calculator displays a savings from $200 to $400 dollar savings on average sized homes. Windows that face east and west need more protection from sunlight than windows positioned on the north and south sides of the house.

The most efficient blinds are honeycomb cell shades and wood or faux wood blinds. It is important to know the color of the blinds makes a difference because various colors respond to light differently. Dark colors tend to absorb more heat than lighter colors and shiny surfaces reflect the light.

Blinds Chalet, has more than 25 years of experience in dealing with many different types of window coverings. Blinds Chalet offers consumers the best in attractive blind options, while also offering high quality blinds that are made from some of the most durable materials available. Blinds Chalet has a variety of blinds that are available for any home, any style of décor, and any budget. For information on what types on blinds, blind accessories, and any other home decorating needs, please visit www.blindschalet.com.

Dave Marx wonders:


With so many different window treatment options available, it’s easy to become confused. But different treatments excel at different aspects of functionality. Knowing which window treatment is right for your needs can save time, money and frustration.

There are three major functions that window treatments can perform. They are privacy, light control, and decor. Very few will perform well in all three areas, so it’s important to priorities which functions are most important to you.

Privacy protection

Privacy is obviously important, especially for windows in the front of your home that probably face a street or other public throughway’s. Windows facing more private areas of a fenced yard, on the other hand might not need to provide much in the way of privacy.

Several window treatment designs can provide privacy. Blinds or thick curtains most notably, but privacy can also be attained with use of window frostings or diffusers. These will however obstruct your view of the great outdoors.

Light control

Sunlight and glare needs to be controlled in the bedroom if sleeping comfort is interrupted by light entering through the windows. In a room where sunlight will interfere with TV watching or computer use needs window treatments that are effective in light control too.

Any room with items that can be damaged by the suns UV rays need window treatments that are good at controlling light. Any kind of artwork, antiques, or photographs can benefit from this protection. Even carpeting and hardwood flooring can be damaged by the suns UV rays. Consider this when deciding on a window treatment type for any particular window.

Window tinting can be very effective at blocking UV rays. Other than that, window treatments that open and close easily are preferred – blinds, curtains etc. excel here.

Complementing the rooms decor

The decor of window treatments in any given room is more important to some of us than to others. If decor is not an issue for you, then some simple window blinds are inexpensive and effective at the other two criteria.

If decor is more important to you, then you can have your work cut out for you depending on taste. Curtains are available in almost any pattern and color of material. A little sewing experience can make a DIY curtain project a breeze, or perhaps you know someone who is willing to sew curtains to your specifications, using our preferred material.

Window treatments aren’t just for decoration, light control, or privacy, but some level of all three. Depending on what is important to you for any given window in a room, you can now easily decide which type is best for you.

Iavor Angelov wonders:


Faux wood blinds are the most common blinds type used as coverings for windows. This is because they are the perfect solution to wood blinds and they are less expensive. The material from which faux wood window blinds are made is vinyl or a combination of vinyl and hardwood. As they look like wooden blinds they are called faux wood blinds. Still, they are more lasting than real wood and fit perfectly for all rooms of the house, even those with high levels of humidity. Besides, faux wood blinds are also much easier to clean than wooden blinds.

The main reason for which faux wood blinds have become so popular among the homeowners is that they enjoy the look of blinds to their windows. Besides, the faux wood blinds are much cheaper. Faux wood blinds may cost up to 30 % less than wooded blinds. They also last much longer than real wood blinds, which make them indeed cost effective. For keeping the faux wood window blinds in perfect condition, you should occasionally do some cleaning and dusting. Actually, these window blinds are so resistant that you may take them down from the window and have them washed in the bathtub.

You can have faux wood blinds in many different sizes so as to fit the smallest or largest window types. Although you can buy faux wood blinds in the store in almost the same sizes as that of your window, you may also have them custom made. Custom made faux wood blinds are not expensive either so you can decorate your windows in the perfect way without implying extra costs.

Custom made faux are available in mini blinds or vertical blinds and you can also have these in motorized versions. Installing faux wood blinds is a piece of cake. You just have to choose where you are going to put the brackets-inside or outside the facings on your window.

Most types of faux wood window blinds come in measurements to fit closely inside the facings, so if you want to put them outside you may have to look for cheap faux wood blinds that are approximately an inch wider. After you put the brackets, you just slide in the head blind rail and insert the small covering that keeps it from falling out. Then you may attach the wand used to open and close the slats and you have finished your work.

No matter if you install the faux wood blinds inside or outside the facing or not you can use drapes with these blinds. If you choose to buy the faux wood vertical blinds, then this comes with a covering for the head rail, so you don’t need to have a valance. Most homeowners still use a small valance or topper over both faux wood blinds and real wood blinds, in order to be in harmony with the appearance of the room and to add to its ambiance.

Ann Marier wonders:


There are many instances when outdoor sign lighting can be distracting to the point of being intrusive, especially to motorists and neighbors. Choosing the right method of illumination however, can make outdoor sign lighting considerably less blinding and with proper planning and right fixture, can be less expensive to operate.

Many signs have a translucent backing with internal lighting shining through to show what is on the sign through backlighting. Others may have flood lights mounted on the top of the sign, with the light directed to sign’s face while still others use a landscape post to attach a light on the ground point to the sign. Ones with especially bright lights may do a great job as outdoor sign lighting, but can blind drivers approaching from the opposite direction.

Many commercial business turn off their outdoor sign lighting when the business closes however, there are some that leave them on throughout the night as a form of advertising. This can be an expensive proposition and many businesses are looking for ways to reduce energy costs while still maintaining their level of outdoor sign lighting. Switching to low voltage lighting or even to solar power lighting can be an option to help reduce costs.

New Sign May Be Time For Alternative

When the time comes to install as new sign, it may be the perfect opportunity to change the outdoor sign lighting system for a more economical alternative. Businesses that want their sign lighted throughout the night, may want to consider solar powered lights. The cost of operating them is basically nothing as they are battery powered with the batteries recharged by the sun. Since no electricity is used, there is no power cost.

Some outdoor sign lighting systems are considered hybrids with electricity being used whenever the batteries are not charged enough to power the light. This may happen during cloudy days when there is not enough sunlight to adequately charge the batteries in solar powered outdoor sign lighting. They can automatically switch to electric power or can be designed to use the electric to recharge the battery when the sun cannot be seen.

Low voltage systems for outdoor sign lighting are also available, but should be close to the transformer supplying the low voltage current to account for voltage loss. Larger wires can be used to reduce the loss, but when the light is more than 100-feet from the power supply, there is a chance of losing enough power to make the light appear dull and almost burned out.

David Brooks wonders:


I grew up in upstate New York, where the winters were long and the snow deep. Then after college, I took an opportunity to go live in Iceland for a few years, an even more extreme environment. So, for most of my life I have dealt with cold. I thought it would be a welcome change when I was offered a job in Phoenix. In my mind, I was thinking shorts, tanning, afternoons by the pool and the end to winter.

I moved in the winter and got a false impression of what living in the desert was going to be like. It was cool in the morning and comfortably warm in the afternoon. In fact, it was downright pleasant. Then the summer came rolling along and the thermometer just kept climbing ever higher. By July it was well above 100 degrees by late morning. It was so hot that I was often sent into a bit of a panic when I would go into my car and it was like 140 degrees in there. It would take several minutes for the air conditioning to start making a dent in the heat. My home has central air like most homes in the valley but it was costing an arm and a leg to keep my home cool. I am not talking a little expensive; I am talking like $600 per month. I was having trouble sleeping at night because it was so hot and when I left the air conditioning on all night I felt guilty about the expense of running the compressor so much, knowing that the power meter was just rolling and rolling. I needed to do something and fast.

My house is already fairly well insulated so what more could I do to improve its energy efficiency? My answer came when I looked at the cheap mini blinds that were covering my many windows and the fact that many windows had no blinds at all. I needed to improve my insulation and decrease the heat gain that happens when the sun shines through my west-facing windows.

I did some research on the internet and looked into solar screens and insulating window blinds. I learned that you can purchase solar blinds for your windows with views and honeycomb shades, also known as cellular shades, for maximum insulation. I have two large bay windows that overlook a nice piece of desert and I didn’t want to block out. So, I decided to purchase some opaque solar shades for those windows and triple cell cellular shades for all the rest. The triple cell cellular shades, so I was told, can improve the insulation properties of a window by like thirty percent. They weren’t cheap though. But what the heck, I was already spending $600 per month to cool my home. These babies would pay off in no time.

For my bedroom, I purchased a blackout liner for the cellular shades. For the rest of the windows, I just bought the regular variety. I installed all of the blinds and shades myself and I noticed a difference immediately. I noticed that my air conditioner compressor was not coming on as often, I noticed that the temperature in my home stayed relatively constant, kind of like a cave. I noticed that I could leave the temperature gauge at 72 degrees instead of 65 and it felt just fine. Yes, life was looking up and my desert experience was certainly getting easier to deal with. It turns out that new window blinds were the answer to this desert dweller’s prayer. Now if only I could stay indoors all summer.