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Architects and home designers seem to be continuing their best efforts to bring the outdoors inside through the use of larger windows, often designed in unusual shapes. These larger windows may require extra framing to accommodate the weight of the treatment chosen for that window. This framing could include blocking up to several feet away from the window in order to support decorative drapery rods. If a steel header is used above the window, wood blocking should be added to at least a 1 ½” thickness over the face of the header to support a range of treatment options.

As you can see, considerations about window treatments can be just as complicated and important during the design phase of a home as decisions about kitchen layout or plumbing fixtures. Take the time to seek out a qualified window treatment expert to help you early in the pre-construction phase of your new home. You may find this to be some of the most valuable time you spend.

Ed Hopkins is the Principal of Exciting Windows! by Verticals Etc. He and his staff have been trained and certified by over twelve different manufacturers of quality window treatments. See the possibilities for window treatments today by visiting the largest showroom in New Hampshire at 122 Lafayette Road in North Hampton, or online at www.excitingwindows.net. Ed can be reached at 603-964-7282.

As we discussed earlier, protecting the furnishings of a home from the harmful effects of UV radiation, while preserving the view out of the windows is a challenge. Some of the more common answers include; sheer draperies, solar screen shades, shading systems such as Silhouettes or grass cloth shades. All of these options handle the task of blocking UV to some extent. But all also inhibit the view through the window.

Thre are two options to consider that block the UV to a very high level, without diminishing the view. The first is Plantation Shutters. Shutters with 3 1/2″ or 4 1/2″ louvers allow an almost uninterrupted view while bouncing the harmful rays of the sun back outside. It is important to note that the louvers should be tilted horizontally, to slightly up. If the louver is tilted down, the suns rays are invited into the home.

The second option that can be used alone, or with any other window treatment, is window film. The newer window films from 3M are called Prestige films. These are non-metallic films made of ceramic materials. They are non reflective, and have a minor change to the quality of light within the room.

As we continue this series of tips, I am reminded of a product we completed about a year ago in Amesbury, MA for an Interior Designer. The Designer and the client had very specific ideas, and requirements. The home was oriented along the river in such a way that direct sunlight was greatest during the mid-day hours. The front of the home was quite traditional, and actually fairly small looking. the embankment rear of the home was very dramatic, and somewhat more contemporary. this dichotomy posed an additional challenge.

The answer to these challenges varied by room. The client had Conrad woven grass shades in an area not affected by the renovation. He loved these shades and wanted to maintain that type of look at a lower budget; he also hoped that we could deliver this type of look without the ’stack’ of the roman shades. Our proposal was to use a well made woven grass fabric on a roller shade. This fabric would afford a reasonable ‘view through’ while filtering the UV for heat and glare. The shades rolled up tightly and were covered by a valance we created in our workroom of the same fabric.

These shades took care of the glare and UV issues, preserved the view and were a minimal affect on the over all design.

Preserve the view