Going Green with Window Treatments

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Mark Lopez

Green window treatments are a great idea and a smart idea for your home and the environment. Installing interior and exterior window treatments or window shades can be effective for more than just your home, but for the environment too. There are many different window treatment options for going green. How you choose to cover your windows can really make a difference in your energy efficiency and even your energy bills. Green window treatments and window shades help keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter and reduce your energy costs overall.

Here are a few things to consider when going green with your window treatments:

Choose light colored blinds, shades, curtains and drapes. Dark colors attract heat and sunlight while lighter colors reflect sunlight and heat away. Lighter colored shades will keep the heat out of your living space, while darker colors will absorb it and release it into your home.

Controlling sunlight before it enters your home is another great way to reduce excessive heat or sun exposure. Large windows that face towards the sky can be covered with exterior window shades to prevent and reduce solar exposure and heat before if hits the glass. Exterior window shades are a great way to keep out the heat.

Retractable awnings are also a great way to shade your windows. Aside from keeping the sunlight and heat out of your home, retractable awnings cut glare and UV rays before they reach the interior. Shading the exterior windows and doors in your home can reduce interior heat by 77% and can reduce air conditioning use and energy bills by almost 25%!

When you’re thinking about installing window treatments or window shades and you’re in the Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio area, think about going green with ideas from Cortina Shading Systems! Environmentally friendly window treatments are beneficial to your home and the environment! Remember: light colors to reflect sunlight, exterior window shades to prevent the sunlight and heat from hitting the glass and retractable awnings are all great eco-friendly window treatment ideas.

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Why to have Motorized Shades?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Mark Lopez

Motorized shades allow you to operate your window coverings by remote control. Simplify your life by pressing a button to open and close your window shades. Not only do motorized shades simplify your everyday opening and closing of shades, but you can increase energy efficiency as well by setting a timer on your window shades. Open and close them at desired hours when the sun is bursting through your window or if you want to enjoy a spring breeze.

Aside from convenience, motorized shades provide the ultimate sophistication to your home by adding a clean look and feel. Designed based on simplicity, the straight lines add a nice sense to your room. Stop messing around with cords and wands and clean up your window treatments with an easy remote control.

In addition to look and convenience, motorized shades are practical for any window that is located in a hard to reach position. Sometimes large windows are positioned in the top of foyers where it requires a ladder to reach. Instead of bringing out the ladder every day or ignoring the hot sun blasting through the window, add sophisticated motorized shades.

Sometimes larger windows pose problems with more traditional window shades. Both tall and wide windows can be difficult to cover with window treatments, many times blinds become too heavy to open and close on larger windows. Other types of window treatments aren’t customizable. Motorized shades can resolve all these problems. Use motorized shades in your home for a sophisticated look and a simple functionality

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Greener work space

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Mark Lopez

The environment and lighting has a significant effect on workers in and office building. Dark spaces tend to dampen the moral of employees, where natural sunlight releases endorphin that improve emotion and mood. Natural light allows ideas to flow as opposed to dark rooms where the brain doesn’t flow ideas as well. You need to take into consideration the location of your windows in comparison to the sun throughout the day before you decide on what window treatments will work best for your office building. Some spaces have a lot of windows, some have little, you need to consider glare problems especially with computer screens. All spaces are different and therefore require different window shades.

Folding shades make great window treatment solutions for offices. They are the classic window covering for style and function. To keep your office neutral, consider Roman shades or honeycomb shades. There are many different types of fabric and colors to choose from. Folding Shades allow employees to open and close their window shades when needed. These types of window treatments are designed to be energy efficient. In the summer, these shades provide a barrier between the sun and the office space and can keep out the scorching heat.

Solar shades may also be a great office window treatment solution. They are designed to control sunlight and heat penetrating the window. This type of window treatment cuts glare and filters light. Employees can retain privacy while still seeing outside. Solar shades are common in smaller office spaces, but can be spread throughout offices as well.

Both folding shades and solar shades give offices a sharp look while being practical in terms of function. Offices throughout Texas use a variety of window treatments, depending on the location, the type of business and so on and so forth. Window treatments can improve the look of your office space as well as the atmosphere.

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Office Window Treatments

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Mark Lopez

Taking time to choose the perfect blinds for your office windows will really help make a difference in the work atmosphere. Take the time to learn about your different options for window shades and what would work best for your office. Most likely, you want enough light to enter the room, but don’t want it to be excessive. There are a lot of other concepts to consider too, for example: which floor is your office windows located, which time of the day does the sun hit the hardest?, and so on and so forth.

Your window treatments can really say a lot in terms of your business and how you work. Although you want enough light to enter, it shouldn’t be distracting or cause a glare. Folding shades, or Roman shades are simple and can be adjusted based on the location of the sun. Employees can choose to open or close when they need or keep them open/closed at all times.

Curtains added as window treatments can help make a bold statement and can access the decor in the room. Depending on your type of business or message you’re trying to send, what area you’re located in (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston or other surrounding areas), curtains can also be an option.  Drapery Systems make great solutions and you can even add motorized shading systems as well.

Be sure not to create a dark feel where employees (or even yourself) have a difficult time concentrating.  Natural sunlight is important and shouldn’t be hidden by office window treatments. Consider speaking with a professional to discuss these and other options for your office window treatments. You can always explore all different types of shades, from roller to drapery to skylight, in all different colors, fabrics and thicknesses. A great way to express your business is through window treatments!

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Window Treatments and New Construction

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Mark Lopez

Considering window treatments during the construction process of your home can be very beneficial. Planning and budgeting for window treatment before the building phase is becoming an important part of residential construction. With the variety of window treatment options, from roller shades to folding shades to solar shades and more, homeowners can choose their preference ahead of time.

Motorized shades have become a popular choice for homeowners, integrating lighting, audio visual, home automations and even home theater systems. Controlling yourwindow shades with the touch of a button is a desirable feature for your motorized shades. Installing motorized window shades during construction can help cut costs in comparison to adding the option after construction. Residents on Austin, Dallas and throughout Houston have experienced such options during their construction phases. Being able to provide the electrician with wiring plans will ensure your desired outcome.

Planning out the interior of your home with architects and home designers can result in the best outcome. Window treatments can be chosen based on the type of windows you’re covering, the furniture in the room or many other reasons. Working with your construction crew to accommodate for specific window coverings can also help. Larger windows may require extra framing to accommodate the extra weight of the large window shade chosen for it. The wood block should be a certain thickness based on the window treatments you choose.

Window treatments and window shades require some thinking and planning. If you’re working on new construction, it’s very helpful to plan your window treatments as well as the rest of the building work. The time and construction to accommodate certainwindow coverings can be incredibly valuable for your home and your wallet!

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Window Treatments for Child’s Room

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Mark Lopez

Window treatments in a child’s room can really make the room special but safety is the most important measure to consider. While something colorful and whimsical is ideal for window treatments in a child room, safety must come first. Little hands can grab longer drapes and pull them down, while cords can cause strangulation and need to be removed or need to be easily breakable, one hard tug and it breaks to avoid any dangerous accidents. Making sure window covering are absent of decorations or beads as well. A young child can easily pull decorate beads off of drapes, this can be dangerous if swallowed.

Window treatments for children must be safe as well as functional, colorful, and fun. Light and airy window treatments are ideal, but you may want to couple these light and airy window treatments with a darkening window treatment for those that still take naps.

Wood blinds can be easily adjusted to control light, are easy to maintain, and have a nice and clean look for a child’s room. A roller shade may work better in a nursery. Coupling your blinds with a decorative fabric makes for a decorative and updated look. You can couple your blinds with drapes or with an attractive valance.

Another option to a valance is cornice boxes. Cornice boxes help to hide the hardware of a blind or shade. Cornice boxes also look nice if you continue the decorating theme of the child’s room by using the same fabric throughout your child’s room by adding the same fabric to cushions and pillows or other like items in the room. Your cornice box can double as a shelf because you can place collectibles on top of the board. In the end, whichever window treatments you use, make sure the window treatment is functional to your needs, looks nice, and is very safe.

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Retractable Awnings

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Mark Lopez

Retractable awnings are a great addition to any home.  Many choose to add retractable awnings to their homes for the simple fact that they increase value of their homes, protect their homes from the weather elements, and are quite appealing to the eye.  Retractable awnings not only help us with added beauty and protecting us from the weather elements but they work to extend our living space creating a covered space to enjoy the outdoors underneath.

Protecting your home from the weather elements is by far a great reason retractable awnings increases the value of your home.  Not only will your home be more energy efficient, but future home owners will take pride knowing that their home will be protected from the sun’s heat rays.  When sun has the ability to peer through your windows, air-conditioners have to work harder, furniture can fade, and your home can be uncomfortable if you’re not running the air-conditioner.  Stopping the sun with a retractable awning before it enters the home makes this energy efficient.

How do you add the appeal and space that retractable awnings provide?  Choosing a fabric that best captures a welcoming experience helps you increase value of your home and helps create a look like no other.  How about those that love entertaining others? Adding space to your home by covering your back patio with a retractable awning is a great benefit.  Not only will you enjoy many hot days under the shade as you entertain guest, but those looking at your home as their future home will see this added space a great benefit.
Regardless your motive, to protect your home from the intruding sun, to add appeal to your home, or in adding space to entertain; choosing a retractable awning is simple and a great addition to your home.  Creating exactly what you need to be comfortable in your home, your adding a cost effective and energy efficient addition to your home in which also increases the value of your home.

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Take a look at some new videos for Security Shutters

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Mark Lopez

Installation in Kyle, TX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-jOmDZCl_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmIhQZz6Yjc

www.cortinashadingsystems.com

 

 

 

 

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Modern Window Treatments – Living Room

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Mark Lopez

We spend most of our time in our living rooms and our family rooms, this calls for great attention when choosing a window treatment for these rooms. Not only do we spend most of our time in the living room, our living rooms are usually a large focal point for guests. Adorned with larger windows then the rest of the home, the correct choice in window blinds, shades, curtains or draperies are very important.

Privacy, the sun’s glare, and the décor of your living room play an important part in choosing which window treatments are best for your home. You may have a media center on one side of your living room and a large window on the opposite end of your living room causing glare to your television. This situation can ruin any family movie night at its best! In this instance, blackout shades or heavy roman shades could be a great addition to your window.

Color, texture, patterns and style all play a huge factor in the type of window treatments you select in your living room. If you’re starting your living room’s décor from a clean slate make sure you incorporate your window treatment into the plan and not after your décor is complete. If you’re only updating your current window treatments make sure to consider the design of your living room and find ways to make your window treatment choice work well within your living room’s design.

It’s vital to consider function first and window treatments styles second; remembering what we discussed regarding a glare in your television ruining a family movie night, there are other ways your window treatment can be functional for you. If you’re the type to like privacy part of the day but like to open the house up and get fresh air most of the day, maybe a roller shade would be ideal for you. Darken the room when you want privacy and rolling your shades up as you want to open the room up may work better for you. Think about the appearance and the functionality of a window treatment when choosing which is best for your home.

www.cortinashadingsystems.com

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How to Make Existing Windows Energy-Efficient

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Mark Lopez

You don’t necessarily need to replace your windows to help keep the heat outside during the summer and inside during the winter. Save on energy spent heating and cooling your house by making your existing windows more energy-efficient. Attractive additions like roller shades and awnings, as well as a new tree or two, may be just what you need to go green.

  1. Hang thermal curtains and close them to help keep out the cold of winter and the heat of summer, especially on windows that face south and are exposed to direct sun. Other helpful window treatments are cellular window blinds, insulation shutters and solar screens.
  2. Seal your windows with caulk to help stop air leaks around the edges and window.  Remove old caulk with caulk solvent (follow the manufacturer’s instructions) and a putty knife before applying new caulk to all window joints in the window frame, as well as between the window frame and the wall behind it.
  3. Apply weather stripping to seal the area between the window sash and the frame. This will also help prevent air leaks.
  4. Plant trees that lose their leaves each year near enough to your home so that they provide shade near your windows in the summer and allow light to come through in the winter. However, don’t plant them so close that their roots will threaten integrity of your foundation. Discuss your plans with a professional at a local nursery to choose the right deciduous trees for your yard, and call 811 a few days before digging to ensure you don’t damage buried lines, pipes and cables.
  5. Install exterior roller shades outside your windows to help reduce the temperature around them by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially helpful on south-facing windows, as it protects them from the glaring sun. Work with a professional at a home store who can help you choose an awning that compliments the style of your house and correctly fits your windows.

 

 

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