Exciting Windows! by Marisol

Sliding glass doors can sometimes be a challenge, but with a little creativity you can make them look terrific. There are so many choices in the market available to you that at time I know it can be overwhelming.However, there are two forms of treatments that works perfectly for this situation.

• Horizontal – this is your roman shades, horizontal blinds and shades, basically any treatment that goes up or down to be fully open and allow passage or view.
• Vertical – this is a treatment that moves side by side.You move them to the right, left or center to allow full access to the other room or view.

Which one to use is based on how the door is used, owners’ preference, and room design?Right now let us look at what I call vertical solutions type of window treatments.This is the most practical form of treatment for you sliding doors.Keep in mind that each of this type of window treatments will have options available to you depending on the room that you are using them, i.e. blackout materials or layering or adding top treatments to complete the look.

Most common treatments available are:

• Drapery
• Vertical Sheers
• Shutters
• Panel Tracks
• Vertical Cellular
• Averte
• Vertical Blinds

Draperies or Sheers, $$ – $$$$: This is definitely one of my favorite ways to dress up a sliding door. It is beautiful and appropriate for almost any décor.  This is also an opportunity to bring color and texture into your room. You will not have any other treatment that offers you the largest selection of fabrics and styles; from sheer to upholstery type fabrics, to custom printed, the choices are vast.Draperies are the only option available that is unique to you and your family.You have a choice of any fabric and any hardware – truly the sliders become your canvas! A word of advice. First, make sure your draperies clear the floor enough to be able to slide back and forth on the rod without dragging – usually 1/2″ is enough.That is not to say that I have not done them ½” longer when the design calls for it. Second, consider your stack – the width of fabric that the draperies create when in open position. The stack will vary depending on the fabric, lining and design; however, the rule of thumb is about 30% to 50 % of the width of the drapery. So if you want it to clear, say, the entire door, make sure to start with enough width and have the room on the sides to do it.Although sliding glass doors can be a challenge, they don’t have to be hopeless.

Vertical Sheers $$+- $$$$: There are two types of products available to you that fall into this type of window treatment.Hunter Douglas Luminette and Vertical Wraps from a few other manufacturers.They both have a vertical pane of different materials that works just like your typical vertical blind with the added beauty of a sheer material.The difference between the Luminette and the other manufacturer’s vertical wraps has to do with how they are manufacturer, the mechanism and the fabrics available to you.The Luminette’s are you Bentley or Mercedes, the vertical wraps become you Cadillac.They both have great choices of material as well as an option to have room darkening vanes.It is also a treatment that can be used in almost any décor style.  First picture shows the Luminette from Hunter Douglas and the next picture shows the Vertical Sheers from Levolor.

Shutters $$$ – $$$$: From painted white to custom stained, plantation shutters are a great product to use for sliding doors.By-pass shutters are commonly used to mimic motion of the sliding doors.Most of the time a boxed frame is created that holds the panels.You also have the options of louver sizes up to 5 ½ in some cases, with 3 ½ being the most common use.Where to use them and what color to use depends on the look that you want to achieve.They are a higher end product than most when it comes to dressing you window.

[ Panel Tracks or sliding panels$$-$$$: This is definitely a treatment that is not suitable for all decorating styles.It is more of a modern, contemporary look when you use sunscreen or sheer material or an eclectic look kind of organic/natural when you use woven type material that add that earthy tone to the room.This type of window treatment behaves just like a patio door, the panels are a fixed size and they stack in front of each other.There are two types, Hunter Douglas Skyline which are 11” to 17 “panels attached to the top of the track and to each other on the bottom. It is my favorite mechanism when it comes to this type of treatment.Hunter Douglas has a nice selection of fabrics, but it is limited on their materials. The other treatment is attached to the top with Velcro and the panels can be made of almost any type of material.Panels’ size varies depending on the design and the material used.One word of caution: even the Hunter Douglas will tend to get caught at the bottom is they are open and close to fast.You need to be more conscious of the speed in which you open and close these treatments.

Vertical Cellular Shades$$$-$$$$: This is a great option for just any décor, especially modern.Imagine your basic cellular shade or honeycomb, turn vertically.It goes side by side and they are the only ones that have the smallest stack. There are no cords, chains or wands, just a simple slide mechanism with a magnetic closure.It is a very clean and sleek look that can be use behind decorative side panels, or with a top treatment.This treatment is also great for darkening a room.

Averte$$-$$$: A beautiful treatment for a casual/tropical look.If you like the Tommy Bahamas’ look, you will love this treatment.Made out of woven wood, bamboo or grass the colors of these products are your warm tones.There are a few that are painted, but I usually prefer the natural color of the material.There is no mechanism to open or close, just hold it at the wooden edge and slide it as you wish. B&W Horizons is the manufacturer for this treatment.

Vertical Blinds $-$$$: Yes, those tired looking vinyl are still around.The truth is that vertical blinds are truly very functional and practical and they do the job very well.They serve a purpose and are the most economical way to dress a sliding door.There has been some new material introduced and improvement in the mechanism so the choice is no as boring as it used to be.

As you can see there is a good selection of products available to you to cover a sliding door.Cost to cover a patio door is usually higher that most windows mostly because they tend to be larger in size than a typical window.You have options that cover all budgets from the vertical blinds to the Luminette and vertical cellular.Each of the treatments mentioned also have different options available to you, making it a custom product for your place.Even though sliding doors can be a challenge, they don’t have to be hopeless.

Marisol Hernandez OF Exiting Windows! by Marisol has earned certification through the

Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Professional Dealer Program

Marisol has demonstrated a commitment to training and continued learning as an expert in window fashions from the leading custom window covering manufacturer, Hunter Douglas.

“We are very proud when window covering professionals become a Certified Professional Dealer. The training they receive allows them to better serve their customers and to promote themselves as the accomplished professionals that they are,” says Amy Lund, Director of Training for the Hunter Douglas Customer Education and Development Group

“The Hunter Douglas Professional Dealer Program has given me extensive product knowledge and business skills that allow me to offer my customers superior service, quality and delivery. This achievement has provided my business with a competitive edge and it identifies me as a go-to source for quality window coverings” said Marisol.

Exciting Windows! by Marisol is located at www.ExcitingWindowsbyMarisol.com or call 954-600-3419.

Hunter Douglas Inc. is a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity, covering windows in every Habitat home built in the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered in Upper Saddle River N.J., the company is the leading manufacturer of custom window coverings in North America

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You may ask, why bother with a custom window treatment? I will say, WHY NOT? You might want to reconsider the use of custom treatments, they do not only enhance the beauty of your room, and they can also control lighting, protect your furniture and flooring, and even save you money. HOW? This is very simple, by keeping the summer heat out or keeping the house warm in the winter. I live in South Florida so my biggest concern is to keep the sun out and one of my favorite is to use a honeycomb shade, such as Hunter Douglas Duette Architella and pair that with beautiful side panels to complete the look of the room. You do not always have to combine different type of treatments but I have found that the layering effect gives you the option of changing the look of the room.

Imagine adding a sheer layer to the window on top of that shade. You are now controlling the light and at the same time adding a soft glow to the room during the day. Do not be concern about the challenging window; whatever type of window you have there is a window treatment for it.

As your Exciting Windows! Designer, I can help you with some unique and beautiful designs which would bring out the best in your room. So if you are in the South Florida area, do contact me at Exciting Windows! by Marisol for all your custom drapery designs.

I just read the blog from Vision about the comeback of draperies. This is very exciting for me, you see I am addicted to fabrics, YES! I AM A FABRICHOLIC. 

For sometime now, hard treatments, such as blinds and shades or shutters have become a staple for window treatments, for some very good reason.  These treatments are what I call functional window treatments that gives you that privacy and light control that you are looking for.  We all know that there is more to hard treatments than what I mentioned here, however, there is nothing, and I mean nothing that finish a room as a drapery or a soft treatment will.  The selection of fabrics, styles, hardware are so vast that it does not matter if your style is traditional, transitional, casual, country, or even contemporary,  there is something out there for you. 

The picture shown has a very nice roman shade from B&W Horizons, however, the panels or drapery shown is what really completes this room.  Imagine with me the same style, but with sheer panels in a mesh style fabric and underneath a ligh filtering solar screen shade.  Of course, the room colors will change to complement the design, very crisp, white colors.  You get an different look with the same drapery design.  Something to thing about.

Marisol Hernandez, a window fashions decorating consultant and owner of Exciting Windows by Marisol , is teaming up with celebrity interior designer, Michael Payne, host of HGTV’s “Designing for the Sexes, to promote the $10,000 Michael Payne Exciting Windows! Makeover Sweepstakes – a national contest open to anyone 18 years or older living in the United States that is currently a homeowner. Mr. Payne is a spokesman for Exciting Windows! – a national network of professional custom window coverings decorators - of which Marisol is a member.

The winner of this contest will receive $10,000 worth of window coverings for her home, compliments of Exciting Windows!, along with a free written design consultation for total room decorating from Michael Payne. An Exciting Windows! consultant will provide the expertise with measurement and final installation services.

On his show, Payne served as a ‘mediator’ in helping couples solve their decorating dilemmas. His role with Exciting Windows! promotes his own philosophy of excellent customer service by listening to clients’ needs, respecting budgets, providing solutions and delivering beautiful finished products.

There is no purchase or consultation necessary and one Grand Prize winner will be selected randomly when the contest ends in May, 2010. To enter the Contest,

log on to www.excitingwindows.com/marisol and complete the Sweepstakes registration by filling out an Official Entry Form.

To obtain additional entry forms and information, contact

Marisol Hernandez at (954) 600-3419

Join me on FACEBOOK and LINKEDIN

Save $25 to $600 per Window on selected Hunter Douglas Window Fashions

From the clean and simple lines of our blinds, shades and shutters to the luxurious look and feel of custom draperies,we have everything it takes to dress your windows.

Call us to arrange a relaxing in-home consultation and let us show you how we can make your windows say WOW!

CALL to schedule your appointment (954) 600-3419, or visit our site for more information

Promotion – Ends November 30, 2009

Here is How:

• Earn an instant rebate of $10/foot* when you recycle your old window coverings and replace them with new ones.

• Lower your energy bills by using beautiful & energy efficient custom shades, blinds, shutters & draperies

• We will recycle your gently used window coverings by donating them to charity

Call Us today to take advanatge of our convenient, no charge In-Home Consultation. We can show you how to make your windows both beautiful and energy-efficient.

(954) 600-3419

* Maximum of $100/window

Hunter Douglas Priority Dealer

Shown above Hunter Douglas Precious Metal and Heritance Shutters

Take advanatge this summer of the Hunter Douglas Summer sale.  You get $20 to $100 instant rebate for selected window fashions from Hunter Douglas.  In addition you get another $20 to $100 mail in rebate.  There is no limit on the amount of windows.  What a great opportunity to redo your home with a window treatment of such quality and beauty as the shades and panels from Hunter Douglas.

Visit HunterDouglas.com for detail.  You can also visit me at ExcitingWindows.com for more great ideas.

You can also follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/marisolh

For those of you looking into saving on both your energy bill and your 2009 taxes, you can consider the Ecosmart Insulating Shade System which is Certified For Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credits.  A client of mine just purchase two shades for her house earning her around $285 in tax credit and saving in the years to come on her energy bill.

Summer heat is here in South Florida and this shade is a great way to conserve energy, get a break from Uncle Sam and keep your home cool.

Call me for a free consultation (954) 600-3419 or visit my site www.excitingwindows.com/marisol to schedule and appointment

Adding new custom top treatments to your windows, such as valances, cornices and the like, can make your rooms look like they’ve been totally redecorated. It’s also an economical way to upgrade your existing window fashions, making them more tailored, personalized and elegant.

Call me at (954) 600-3419 and I’ll fill you in on what can be done within your budget!  If you want you can also schedule an appointment by visiting my website