Blind Solutions

   When we think of blackout shades, we usually think of those northern lands like Alaska. In summer, the sun just takes a short curtsy before rising up high over the horizon once again. Blackout shades are a must have if you're going to get any sleep. However, blackout shades are very useful in any home and in any climate. These shades are becoming much more common homes. Blackout shades come in many textures and colors to match any decor. You can even install blackout shades behind your blinds for ultimate light and privacy control! Here are a few short tips on what blackout shades can do for you. Restful Sleep Blackout shades are most known for light elimination properties. Of course, using these shades in bedrooms makes the most sense. They are great for keeping out streetlights at night and the sun during the day. The hardest part about trying to get young ones to take a nap is the amount of light in a room. The more light in a room, the more difficult it is to get to sle...

    So you've done your fall cleaning and spruced up your home for winter. Most people spend much more time in their homes during the winter season as they prepare their house for the holidays. Now that your home is looking neat and tidy, you notice that your plastic mini-blinds have yellowed and cracked. Your living room and kitchen need new blinds. Before you pack up, run to the nearest hardware store and buy a box of cheap, white mini-blinds (only to realize that these blinds do absolutely nothing for the rooms that you worked so hard on to freshen up), here are three quick tips on choosing the right color of blinds for your home. Wall Color One route you can go is to make those blinds blend into the room by choosing a color that matches your walls. The blinds will seem much less obtrusive and less like a white sheet hanging on your wall when the blinds are closed. If your walls are white, they generally are a certain shade of white. Bright, white blinds on eggshell white ...

  This certainly is a DIY age. You can look up anything on YouTube to find out how to install or build just about anything. There are also many companies that sell blinds exclusively for do-it-yourselfers. However, consider the pros and cons of installing your own blinds before you begin your project. As a result, you will be able to make the choice that is right for you. Consider the Type of Blinds You Want Some blinds will be easier to self install than others. Your basic mini-blinds on a standard window are going to be much easier to install than blinds on custom windows. Specialty blinds may also take a little more know-how. There are regular blinds with cords, cordless manual blinds and cordless remote control blinds. Each style will have its own challenges. Remember, the window measurements must be exact. Pros for Installing Your Own Blinds 1)  Of course, the biggest benefit of installing your own blinds is saving money.  2) You can spend the money you saved (by doi...

  Believe it or not ... fall is right around the corner. The leaves haven't changed yet but cooler temperatures will soon have us turning on the heat and pulling out the blankets. It's time to check the heater, clean the gutters and read Three Tips on Getting Your Windows Ready for Fall.  1) Check Window Seals Take a good look at the seals around your windows. The summer-time heat can cause drying and cracking of the seals. As the weather cools, these seals will now contract, causing small gaps that will allow the outside air to filter into your home. Make sure to inspect both inside and outside of the window. 2) Inspect Window Coverings Another tip on getting your windows ready for fall is -- inspect your window coverings. Do your blinds/shutters have missing, bent or cracked slats? Are your shades thinning, torn or have holes? All of these conditions compromise the insulation properties of your window coverings. Decreased insulation equates with higher energy costs when ...

         Vertical blinds were invented in 1950 by Eric and Frederick Bopp of Kansas. These blinds became the practical solution to blocking out the sun and adding privacy to larger windows, especially sliding glass doors. Vertical blinds are quite functional and durable; however, the look can be a bit impersonal. The good news is that there are creative alternatives to traditional vertical blinds.  Panel Track Blinds Panel Track blinds are a beautiful alternative to vertical blinds. These panels come in various colors to fit your home's decor as well as different opacities for desired view visibility and privacy. Have a large window or glass sliding door that provides inspiring views but the sun heats up the house, increasing your cooling energy bills? The Skyline Gliding Panels by Hunter Douglas are perfect. Skyline Panels come in various opacities according to your privacy needs. Sliding Shutters Does your home decor call for a more structu...

It is amazing all the tid-bits of information that we are unaware of. In addition, there are those things we think we know and come to find out we were mistaken. For example, you probably think that venetian blinds originated in Venice, Italy. This is not the case. Venetian blinds actually originated in Persia around 1100AD. It was due to trade routes through Italy that these blinds became popular. Venetian blinds became widely used throughout Europe in the 1700's. Window coverings have ancient origins. Curtains were a utility feature and hardly thought of as interior decorative design. Window coverings were used to block out the sun on hot days and keep out the chill during the winter. The first air conditioning units were hides soaked in water and hung up over the openings of the structure. As a the breeze entered the home, the air would be cooled by the dampened window coverings. The Egyptians used strips of wet cloth to keep the sun and dust from entering their homes. The first...

Summer is just right around the corner.  Temperatures are on the rise. Did you know that by adjusting your window coverings you can reduce the heat in your home by 40 percent or more? Of course, lowering the heat coming in through the windows means lowering your cooling bills. The window covering professionals at Blind Solutions can assist you with choosing the right window coverings to help you beat the summer heat. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home cool this summer. Trap In The Heat The best way to keep your home cool in the summer is to trap the heat coming in through the glass. It is important to install shades as close to the window as possible so as not to allow a large area of heat build-up between the window and the shade. Also installing a cornice at the top of the window will result in further trapping the rising heat. This is a cool solution especially for those south-facing windows. Use White Another way to reduce the temperature in your home during the summ...