Exciting Windows

Curtains are a fast way to bring new life and color to any room, and now home decorators can create them more quickly and easily than ever. One clever example: simply clip an attractive tablecloth or tea towel onto a rod. Curtains and drapes will give you the more traditional window covering that you can combine with window shades and blinds.

Choosing a great window treatment idea can be a daunting task if you’re not sure where to start.

Measure each window separately and record the measurements on paper. Be sure to check all measurements twice before you purchase a new window treatment. Measuring and installation is available in the Brooklyn, NY area. Measure from the point you’ll hang the shade to the point where you want it to drop. Add an extra two inches to the top portion of the window frame to allow for mounting brackets.

There are many types of window treatments to choose from. Aside from the standard curtains and drapes here are: wood blinds, pleated shades, cellular shades, plantation shutters, aluminum mini blinds, and vertical blinds are only a few of the many options available.

link

Also, the size of the individual cells or cavities will have a direct effect on the capability of the cellular shade.

As the popularity of cellular shades increases, the issue of light control seems to be of primary importance. Conversely, the lighter the color, the more light will pass through the shade. Issue is also taken with the unwelcome brightness which is out of our control unless we have the proper window treatment which can help us regain the peaceful setting we deserve. One shade or two shades for double windows? Should I choose single or double cell? These formulas can play an important role depending on the physical location of the home, i.e. If the functionality of cellular shades is at the forefront of your decision, you will find that cellular shades are a highly functional product which will bring years of comfort and aesthetically pleasing moments into your home or office.

link

Cellular Shades (also known as Honeycomb Shades or Cell Shades) are great for light and temperature control as well as Privacy and sound absorption. Light Filtering Cellular Shades provide a warm glow and let light filter through while blocking direct sunlight and heat. Choose a blackout Cellular Shade if you need total darkness in areas such as bedrooms.  Unlike Pleated Shades that have visible strings, Cellular shades do not have holes that can let light enter the room. The lift cords are hidden between the cellular fabric of the Cellular material so there are no visible string holes or strings to let light in and take away from the beauty of the fabric. Cellular Shades are extremely energy efficient and have a very high insulation R-value.

link

Homeowners looking for shades that are guaranteed to help insulate their windows should consider installing a set of cellular shades. Uniquely designed in an ‘energy efficient’ honeycomb pattern, these interior ‘cells’ trap air to provide sound control and insulate windows against hot and cold temperatures. Attached and housed at the top of the window in an aluminum headrail, the shades are typically controlled by a pulley cord system. Cellular shades appear as smooth panels of fabric when they are closed over the window, then gather up on the pulley cords to fold neatly as they are raised in a manner similar to that of an accordion.

link

cheap blinds made of narrow, light-weight horizontal wood slats, adjustable to admit or exclude light, were developed in 1794, and called Venetian discount blinds. The cellular shades were often used instead of window curtains or shutters. In the 1840s, these faux wood blinds were held together by flat strips of cloth instead of by cords perhaps to shade the lift holes and like today they came in various colors. In 1966, a new pulley system was invented which afforded great improvement in the control mechanism. Over time, narrower slats became more common, as they were easier to clean and they reduced glare at certain settings and their appearance was pleasing to many. In 1946 Henry Sonnenberg and Joe Hunter developed technology and equipment for the production of lightweight aluminum slats (50 mm) for Venetian buy blinds, and by 1979, 25 mm slats were popular.

Link

During the cooler nights of fall and spring, most people like to sit at home with the windows open and enjoy the freshness of the outside within the safety and confines of their beautiful homes. This sought after feeling of relaxation oftentimes is interrupted by the “worldly” sounds of neighbors and nearby roadways which forces us to once again recluse ourselves in order to hopefully find the much desired peace of mind. Issue is also taken with the unwelcome brightness which is out of our control unless we have the proper window treatment which can help us regain the peaceful setting we deserve. These aforementioned conditions can be partially alleviated by the installation of cellular shades. Unique to cellular shades is the pocket of air within the cells which muffles outside sounds and with the advent of light blocking materials, light control can be added to the list of benefits cellular shades are able to provide.

The selection of the right cellular shade for a particular room in your home or office which requires meeting certain criteria according to specific requirements is complicated by the large quantity of materials available. One would think that the greater the selection the easier the process, but the opposite is the reality. There many styles and hundreds of colors to choose from. Many questions arise during this process - What is the best color? Do I need light/sun control? Should I choose single or double cell? Should the cellular shade be installed inside or outside of the window frame? One shade or two shades for double windows? Does the facing direction of the window make a difference? Is privacy an issue? We will try to cover most of these questions in this article as we move forward.

Link

Shades are window coverings or casings, which sieve and filter the strong sunlight from entering a room and hence, helping it remain cool. Cellular shades or light filtering shades are very artistic and are a visual delight. This is due to their unique honeycomb shape. When the shades are lowered, they afford adequate seclusion to the owner but at the same time allow light to filter in. Many a times these shades are made in wood, so that they act as effective insulators by preventing the cold to enter the rooms.

Cellular shades are accordion-style in shape and light in weight. They are available in soft textured woven or non-woven fabrics as well. The blinds are packed in such a manner as to create their unique cross-sectional shape, which traps air and creates energy efficiency and sound reduction. Cellular shades not only provide solitude but also promote energy savings. This is possible because of the natural light filtering in the room even when the shades are lowered. These shades are assembled out of several sheets of materials and have many linked chambers that form a distinctive honeycomb pattern.

Link

Window shades come in a diversity of styles and types. The simple roller shade is now only one preference among a huge selection of textures, colors, and materials. Window shades are repeatedly the first purchase of new homebuyers. No sew roman shades or cellular window shades are among the most accepted today. These shades are designed to insulate and can chunk up to 75% of heat transfer between the window and the room. This quality makes cellular window shades energy efficient in addition to their other benefits. Another trait of many cellular window shades is that they can be raised or lowered in either direction to allow for privacy similar to that of a caf curtain. They can be structured as light filtering which allows for privacy but allows light to fill a room or they can be totally opaque to block out all sunlight, which is good for bedrooms.

LINK 

I thought I’d take a close look at these insulating window shades today that Zero Energy Design is referencing in their energy model. There are a lot of cellular shades that are made up of one, two or three layers of honeycomb fabric with air in between the cells that makes the shade act as an insulator. From what I found, most shades can increase the R-value of a window by anywhere from 2.0 to 4.8 depending on the number and size of the cells and the material used. This is pretty significant since most energy star, double pane, low-e windows still have an R value of around 3.0 or less.

LINK