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Cheap Window Blinds – Tips For the Right Discount Roman Shades

Sun and light control are the main functions when it comes to roman shades. They are essentially used to block heat and sun from the exterior of the home. They are capable of darkening rooms especially for those who keep late nights and sleep in most or part of the morning. And they are also great for totally blocking out the external natural light in office areas with presentation rooms. The value add is that they provide a high level of privacy as well. Discount roman shades are available at your neighborhood stores and you can easily get quality yet cheap window blinds if you know how and where to choose.

They belong to the category of the most affordable types of window treatment. However, due to their very versatile and multifunctional usages, they are available in almost all drapery shops, be them high end or discount stores. In fact, it is not difficult to find quality discount roman shades at branded specialty furniture stores too. Both physical and online stores do carry a wide range that caters to varied design, fabric and colour preferences.

However, you would need to thoroughly inspect the discount roman shades at the store or at the point of delivery if you should buy online. Check the mechanisms to ensure that they are in good working order. As help for installation whenever possible. Before you make your purchase, check with the sales agent for more decorating ideas as they might eventually help in your decision to buy a certain type of fabric or designs more suited to your purpose. You need to know that fitting them into your existing decor might be as challenging as buying them for your new home.

Alternatively, if you are very well versed with draperies, shades and blinds, you might wish to customise them to suit your specific taste and preferences. You then have the freedom to choose the fabric suited to your budget, you can fully indulge in your very own creation and have something you fully call your own. Online stores will provide you with the relevant information you need and can come with a good discount when you buy by bulk. One disadvantage is that you are not totally assured of the fabric quality until they are finally delivered to your doorstep.

Discount roman shades not only serve well in terms of their key basic functions of sun and heat control, they are also great at creating a sense of cozy and warm homeliness. You can indeed find great quality and cheap window blinds too.…

Aluminum Windows As Replacement Windows

Why is aluminum better than the UPVC window?

The aluminum window has many benefits over traditional double glazed UPVC (plastic) windows. The main reasons for this are the durability, modern look, sleek design and slim line frames. These are the reasons why the aluminum window are slowly becoming the popular choice for modern homes and ghive the buyer a real chance to ‘add value’ to their property.

Why spend the money?

During these tough times the obvious question is, why should i sepnd more money on an alternative. An important fact to consider is that during these hard economic times, an important approach to take is to make home improvements in the mind set to ‘add value’ to your home with the idea to making more of a profit when selling your home in years to come. Why have a modern looking home and include old fashioned, cheaply designed windows? They are a key centre piece to any home and are an important aspect to any new building prokject, or home renovation.

Product information

The aluminum window, often known as a replacement window, double glazed window or sash window offers a real way to add value to your property. Whether it is a replacement window for existing double glazing, or a brand new extension or new build. Using slimline and thin frames the aluminum window can offer a real alternative to the cheap looking UPVC window.

Aluminum Windows – Thermal Efficiency

A true downfall of the aluminum framed window over the years has been its energy efficiency. This is a real reason why the UPVC double glazed window has experienced a constant boom. However, recent years technological advances in design and materials has meant that the aluminum window can noe achieve the highest energy rating possible. It can reach an ‘A’ WER rating, which is the official government body of efficiency ratings in the window and door industry. As of 2011 every double glazed window must reach at least a ‘C’ WER rating. In order to achieve great thermal efficiency the aluminum window now uses a thermal break which helps to keep the cold out and heat in.…

How to Choose Window Treatments For a Patio Door

You can use blinds both vertical and horizontal, however, if you have quite a bit of traffic, the blinds may not hold up to the abuse as well as curtains that can be washed. If you have children, the blinds are certainly not a great idea if the children are always in and out of the backyard.

Curtains may be the best answer, especially if you happen to install remote control curtains. The main reason this is true is that you can purchase curtains made from washable fabric to keep the curtains clean and with the remote, it will save the curtains from being handled all the time for opening and closing.

If you have younger children that enjoying playing in the backyard, the best window treatment will be curtains that can be drawn open completely and then tied to the side. Now, you can keep an eye on your kids while they are outdoors playing instead of jumping up every few minutes to peek out the door since blinds cannot be opened wide enough for you to see the entire backyard.

You can choose from many different styles and colors that will actually enhance the beauty of the room and even bring your entire theme together. The added touch of a remote control system will be just the right addition to provide you with an elegant or even contemporary style according to the curtains or drapes you choose and of course, you will want to purchase ones that are easy to care for such as cotton, polyester, or linen.…

How to Paint Aluminium Window Frames

If you have old aluminium windows that you want to either restore the existing colour or you wish to change the colour, then, you can rest easy. You’ve come to the right place.

The process of aluminium window painting can be broken down into a series of steps with two distinct stages. These are preparation and application. The inexperienced however, will try and skip on the preparation to the detriment of the look and durability of the finished product.

Preparation

The amount of preparation needed mainly depends on the type and condition of the original substrate. For example, if you have old powder coated painted aluminium windows that has chalky paint and rubs off against your fingers, then this will take a lot more preparation than newer powder coated surface that’s not chalking and is being painted for a colour change.

However, anodized aluminium windows will take a lot more preparation than all other substrates regardless of its substrate condition because, the surfaces needs a lot more mechanical abrasion to key the surface up enough to allow the paint to stick.

Protection of adjacent finished surfaces- Whenever you are painting isolated section, it is important that you protect adjacent finished surfaces. When painting the aluminium windows in your home or apartment, you’ll need to think about putting plastic drop sheets down, followed by canvas drop sheets. I suggest applying plastic film and 3M, which you can with a hand dispenser to protect the glass and the walls directly surrounding the window frame.

Cleaning – Make sure all surfaces are clean and free of dirt. Grime and grease are critical in the process of aluminium window painting. If surfaces are dirty then paint adhesion is reduced. Clean the frames on the outside with soapy water and a sponge. However, use a soap that is salt free such as truck wash. Wash off all excess soap with clean fresh water.

Then, alternately clean surfaces down both inside and out with solvent wash such as prepsol.

Use a scour to apply the solvent. The scour will clean and key the surface at the same time. It is important that you carry out a second solvent wash on dirty windows by applying solvent with a clean cloth then wiping off with another clean cloth.

Sanding the substrate – There is no easy way around this process. This can be difficult and monotonous especially getting into the tighter spots such as the upper channel because there is no mechanical sanding equipment that can make the job a lot quicker. Thus, doing the job manually by hand is hard and time consuming.

If you have powder coated surface that is chalking, I would recommend sanding with 120 grit. The sand paper is less likely to clog. If your substrate is powder coated and is not chalking then 240 grit will be enough to key the surface especially if you have scoured it first. However, if your substrate is anodized then you’re in for some real work because you’ll need to break out the 60 grit sand paper. Have some masking tape band aids for the ends of your fingers ready because this is where you are going to be “rubbing your fingers to the bone.”

Sixty grit will really carve the anodized surface up. And you would want the paint to really stick, right? Skip this and you’ll be doing the job all over again. Once you’ve done this, it’s best that you go over the job again with 120 grit sand paper to smooth out the gouges caused by the 60 grit.

You’re nearly ready to start the fun part which is applying the paint. Just before you paint a window give it another clean wipe using your solvent wash, remember to use two different clean cloths.

Painting- Use a three coat system with the first coat being a primer sealer light coat- use a single pac etch primer. The second coat being the first of the top coats, then the second top coat being the third coat.

At this point, you have to make a couple of choices. First, what type of paint do you want to apply? I recommend either oil based enamel or a two pac poly urethane. If you have little or no experience with using two pacs, stick with the oil based enamels and apply it using a quality brush. However, if you have used two pacs before, then, the only way to apply them is by using an HVLP spray gun in order to gain quality finish. The benefit of using a two pac paint over an oil based enamel, is that you will get a more durable quality finish that closely resembles a powder coat finish.…

Window Treatments Dress Your Room

When it comes to interior decorating, windows offer an amazing canvass to continue a design scheme. Window treatments allow you to use colour, pattern and style to dress a room and showcase your personal taste. Bright coloured blinds can be used to make a bold and funky statement, while black and white monochromatic drapes can inspire a modern vibe to a home. Bamboo roman shades can create a natural feel, while crisp linen curtains can inspire a serene, beach-like atmosphere. There is no right or wrong way to dress your windows, as long as they support your personal taste and style.

There are many different options when it comes to choosing window treatments, however there are three general styles to consider: blinds, shutters and curtains. Classic window blinds are made with horizontal slats of fabric, wood, plastic or metal that adjust by rotating from an open position to a closed position by allowing slats to overlap. Custom blinds can be cut to fit windows of varying dimensions and are extremely versatile as they allow you to adjust the amount of sunlight you would like to shine in, or block out. Not only can you adjust the angle of the slats by rotating the lever, you can also raise the slats from the bottom up, to expose as much or as little of the window as you would like. Blinds are also available in vertical slats and hang by a track at the top of a window. Like the horizontal version, the slats can be rotated to allow light to shine in, or they can gather at one end of the door or window to allow for full sun exposure. Vertical blinds are very good at controlling how much natural light comes into a room, due to the ability of the slats to close tightly.

Shutters are a timeless and versatile window treatment that can add class and style to any room. In addition to being esthetically pleasing, shutters serve a much more significant purpose: they control the sun, heat and air flow entering through a window. Shutters consist of a frame of vertical stiles and horizontal rails that are attached to the window sills. Mounted within this frame are horizontal louvers that can be adjusted by pulling up or down on the stabilized lever to control the sun, heat and airflow. Shutters offer great privacy, as well as protection for furniture and flooring from damaging UV rays.

Curtains and drapes offer a far more relaxed and romantic style to a room than any other window treatment. Curtains can be made from a wide variety of materials ranging from heavy velvet, to sheer linen and depending on their material, they can block out a lot or a little sunlight. Although whimsical and attractive in any room, curtains are inferior to other window coverings in terms of sun protection.

When it comes to interior decorating, choosing the appropriate window treatments for your taste and style will allow you to carry a fantastic design scheme, floor to ceiling.…

Window Treatment Ideas

The best window treatment ideas are those which enable the buyer to pick the best possible materials and styles for getting the perfect look for the window.

Out of the many popular window treatment ideas, you can decide on the one you want to go for depending upon the type of window that needs working on. If the window is placed in the room where ample amount of light is required, then light colored curtains are suitable. The material of the curtains which would be most desirable in such a case would be cotton, linen, polyester and net. These styles of curtain fabrics allow light to pass through without compromising with the privacy. These types of curtains use up light colors like white and cream. Window treatment ideas like these are best suited for study rooms and kitchens where the interiors are supposed to be bright.

Apart from the light colored curtains, you can also put light colored shades and blinds. The blinds can be placed in a vertical, horizontal or rolling fashion. The material of the blinds also varies depending on the use. For a contemporary look and low budget solutions, one of the best window treatment ideas in blinds are the PVC blinds. These are heavy, strong and easy to maintain. These come in many colors and their slats can be placed horizontally or vertically depending upon your preference. The wooden blinds have a good visual appeal to them. These are best suited for rooms and houses with wooden finish. The wooden blinds are good for excessively bright rooms where the interiors of the rooms require darkening. Roman blinds are also quite popular. This category of window coverings are easy to handle can also be made at home using either new or old curtain fabrics.

Other window treatment ideas for overly bright rooms are curtains with heavy fabrics and dark colors. Such curtains coupled with the valances complete the whole look of the window treatments. Heavy shutters can also enhance the look of the windows drastically. The various shutter styles suitable for the purpose are raised panel or colonial style. Rolling blinds are available in various printing designs, semi-light filtering and black-out type and these also give a new look to the windows. The rolling shutters can be placed both inside or outside the house and can be decorative due to the use of different colors or materials such as bamboo. Awnings are a common choice for highly lit rooms. The positive point in the case of awnings is that the window treatment ideas which make use of awnings allow breeze to come inside while keeping the sun out.

Every room requires different window coverings. The living room or the lounge windows must be both decorative and stimulating. Apart from the decorative curtains and valances, your windows can undergo a complete makeover by adding a huge ornate glass or a crystal shelf to the window. This would replace the simple and drab look with exquisiteness.

The window treatment ideas and styles like the awnings, bay, casement, sliders, grille panels and stained glass can be used for remodeling your windows.…

How to Choose a Security Door

Finding the right door is not easy, especially when it has to adhere to the exterior and interior design of your home, as well as security measures. You will find many options ranging from wood, fibreglass and metal. Here is a checklist while you are choosing a security door:

o What is the best option for security doors? We would say metal. Even though wood may look appealing, stainless steel and aluminium doors provide extra protection, do not corrode easily and are difficult to break down. Stainless steel doors can be laminated with wood and other decorative patterns.

o A good frame is essential for a good fit. The fit should be snug with no gaps and unnecessary spaces. This way the door cannot be forced open. Inspect the frame well; a weak frame can be detrimental.

o Choosing and installing your locks is just as important the door itself. Always choose locks that are of good quality. You have the option of single and double cylinder locks. Single cylinder locks uses a key and knob, while double cylinders uses a key from both sides. Use multiple locks and install a peep hole or a visual aid. During installation of the locks, make sure you have the master key as well as the duplicate one. Take extra care that no key remains with the locksmith. You can never be too careful.

o Be aware of the fire regulations and home security rules enforced by the local council. You could be penalised for not following the rules and instructions.

o If you need a pet door installed, choose a secure door with multiple security lock settings. The different settings can be one way where the pet can only go out and you have to let him back in or vice versa. It can also open both ways or be locked both ways. There are smart doors now that actually recognise your pet and open it only for them through infrared technology.

o Make sure the basic framework of your door allows you to install a shutter if necessary. Shutters enhance the look and safety of your home. With a shutter you can control the amount of sunlight seeping in. You also have the option of trellis doors for the main entrance.…