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I held a large sample panel in white in the window, and asked the clients to step outside and take a look; they were horrified! Installing any shade or shutter that showed white to the exterior would ruin the affect they worked so hard to create in building this home. So we began to look at the window treatments as not just a functional necessity, but an addition to the overall appearance of the home that needed to work in harmony with the rest of the construction materials.

Shutters were still desired for their inherent beauty and function. We reviewed the readily available materials, but decided that any other wood grain would contrast too much with the grain of the Fir. The answer was to match not just the color of the surrounding trim and moldings, but to match the wood as well.

The result was astounding. It appeared that the shutters were made in the same mill as the moldings, and had been installed by the same finish carpenter.

When selecting all window treatments, but especially plantation shutters, be sure to think out of the box. Consider the appearance from within and from outside. Make sure you are working with a designer or shutter specialist that truly knows the product and is able to offer more than just the usual fare. To our knowledge this was the first time Fir was used as a shutter material for a home in New England. After seeing the beauty of this home, I am sure it will not be the last.

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We just completed work on a beautiful custom home in Gilford, NH on beautiful Governor’s Island in the middle of Lake Winnipesaukee. This architect designed home is nestled within the trees along the waterfront giving the impression that it has always been right where it is. The main design theme of the home is Craftsman style, where the wood used in construction is the main design element.

The primary wood used for moldings and detail is straight grained Fir. A wood commonly used throughout vacation homes in Northern New England. This wood has a distinctive grain pattern and natural color that is right at home in the woodsy waterfront setting.

When we first met the clients, it was immediately decided that shutters would be used only in the bedrooms and bathrooms for privacy and light control. Other shadings would be used in the main rooms. The clients had assumed that a painted shutter would be most appropriate. But I was concerned about the appearance of a white shutter from the exterior. As described above, the home is constructed of all natural materials on the exterior. The Cedar shakes and beams that surround the windows are fully natural in appearance. I was concerned that a ‘wall of white’ showing through the window would ruin the affect.

To be continued

Let your Stratham, NH home glow this Fall!

What could be a better motivation than a change of seasons to help you get started making your home as beautiful as it can be for the coming holidays, indoor entertainment and your family’s warmth, comfort and enjoyment? October is really a perfect time to consider new window decor ideas so as to be certain your updated home will look fresh and new in time for holiday parties and family get-togethers.

Change Any Room Just by Changing the Windows!
Your windows are the one place in any room where it is possible to completely change the design without having to completely change the room. With an almost infinite selection of fabrics to choose from, and with today’s window covering innovations (think shadings, blinds, shutters, etc.), you can make a room look brand new without changing another single thing! By working within your room’s existing decor, and from its existing color pallette, you can bring that custom-tailored look to any part of your home without even changing a wall color!
Value, Savings and More…
Added benefits you can realize from new custom window fashions include enhanced home value, heating and cooling cost savings when you choose high thermal quality rated fabrics and materials, and the pride of knowing your home is as comfortable as you want it to be for everyone who enters.

For one window or many, I’m here to help!
It’s so easy to update your home decor, AND have it ready before the busiest time of the year, just by giving us a call. We are ready to drop by at your convenience to show you how, together, we can add more value, beauty and comfort to your home. We will help you do all that within your budget, too.

www.excitingwindows.net

Plantation Shutters

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.

The desire to motorize window treatments is one of the most important details to plan during the construction phase. An experienced and certified window treatment dealer will be able to assist the home buyer in making the appropriate product choices, while also providing the electrician with wiring schematics that will ensure the desired outcome. Wiring a home after construction often makes the option of motorized window treatments highly cost-prohibitive.

As the expense of heating and cooling our homes continues to escalate, the wise consumer will seek out a window treatment professional for advice about products that will provide the greatest level of performance and deliver the desired decorative effect. Here in New Hampshire, we are primarily concerned with maintaining warmth in the home during the winter months. Most window treatments will provide some insulation value, but superior products can actually triple the “R” value of the window being covered.

Continuing our discussion of privacy control for beach and water front homes we have our next option;

2. Louvered treatments, both horizontal and vertical blinds are very functional for water front homes. This category includes the common mini and vertical blind as well as the very traditional wood venetian blind. The most popular option in this category today is the plantation shutter. Shutters are ‘furniture for your windows’ . they are beautiful by themselves and are incredibly functional. The larger louver preserves the view, and a flick of the wrist ensures privacy. All Horizontal blinds and shutters should have the louvers tilt horizontal or up at all times to protect from UV damage.

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.

Plantation Shutters are among the most popular form of window treatments available today. When quality wood shutters are installed properly, they become an extension to the architecture, adding a timeless beauty that cannot be matched by any other form of window covering. The ease of light and privacy control, low maintenance and investment value are several other reasons for the strong interest in shutters.

Shutters are available in a number of different materials, styles and louver sizes. Shutters can be found in solid vinyl, vinyl coated wood, and various wood species. Traditional or colonial shutters are available with 1 1/4″ louvers to accent historically accurate homes.

Plantation style shutters are the most popular with louvers available in 1 7/8″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/2″, 4 1/2″ and 5 1/2″. The larger louver sizes allow more light to shine through the opening when the louvers are open, giving an almost unobstructed view of the outside.

Properly designed and installed plantation shutters will add beauty andvalue to any home for many years. Our preferred manufacturer of shutters is Kirtz Shutters, made in Stillwater, OK. These craftsmen build shutters from furniture grade woods in any shape of window made. See the beauty of this amazing product at www.kirtz.com or at www.excitingwindows.net.