Ventanas, LLC

When measuring for window shadings, whether they are cellular shades, roman shades, privacy sheers, Silhouettes, or any type of window covering that mounts directly at the window, it’s important to make the right decision as to whether you want to mount the shade inside the window trim (inside mount), or outside the trim (outside mount). The first consideration is whether or not there is enough room on the inside of the trim to mount your brackets. Some trims are either not deep enough, or have too much detail to allow a flat surface onto which you can mount your brackets. If this is the case, an outside mount is necessary. Likewise, if light gaps are an issue (say in a bedroom, where you want total blackout), an outside mount might be the best option, so you can extend the shade 2-3 inches on either side of the opening. This will give you the most light control.

If there is sufficient depth to the window casing, and you prefer a custom fitted look, an inside mount is the preferable option. Assuming the window is “square”, you can achieve this look if you can measure correctly. A professional window fashions consultant can help you determine your options.

In general, stationary panels are meant to “frame” a window opening, just as you would frame a piece of art. If you’ve ever wondered how wide each panel should be, a good rule of thumb is to use one to one and a half widths of fabric (a standard width being 54″) for each panel. For very wide window openings, say over 90″, 2 widths of fabric would be appropriate. A width of fabric will gather to about 14-17″ for a standard pinch pleat panel. When in doubt, more fabric is better than less.

Horizons B&W has an extensive selection of woven woods for use at the window. A beautiful, textural statement can be made with a variety of grasses, reeds, bamboos and jutes woven into intricate patterns that will not only please the eye, but the pocketbook as well. Since wovens are organic, you can feel good about using these beautiful renewable fibers in your home.

HunterDouglas just announced that several of their energy efficient products will now qualify for up to $1500 in Federal Tax Credits. The new LiteRise Trim Kit, when purchased in combination with Duette Honeycomb shades, provides superior insulation at the window, and will not only result in huge energy savings, but will also translate into substantial dollars off when you file with the IRS next spring.

Summer is over, and winter is just around the corner. If you want the most insulating window covering product on the market, look no further than HunterDouglas Duette Architella cellular shades. The Architella’s “cell within a cell” boasts the highest R-value (measure of heat gain and heat loss) of any product on the market today. If energy savings is your priority, Duette Architella is the product for you. Don’t miss out on the consumer rebates of $25/shade, which begin on September 24th.

Earth Day is a great time to think “green” in window coverings. Did you know that about 50% of your home’s heating and air conditioning is “lost” through your windows? HunterDouglas Duette Architella cellular shades are a great solution for those who’d like to save a big chunk on their energy bills. Their patented “cell within a cell” traps hot or cold air that would otherwise go out the window. Installing Architellas could save you up to 50% on your energy bill. Now that’s worth thinking about.

Ever wish you could tilt your shutters with the touch of a remote? What if you don’t want to run wires through your walls? Norman Shutters has come up with battery-operated shutter solutions that don’t require tearing up drywall, and will allow you to operate several shutter panels with just one touch. Great for hard-to-reach windows, and for the elderly and people with disabilities. Perfect Tilt by Norman Shutters runs off alkaline or lithium batteries that last up to 2 1/2 years. Solar Tilt is a brand-new Norman product that runs off solar-powered battery packs that last up to 4 years. It’s an idea whose time has come.

Staging homes for quick resale isn’t a new idea. But to get the maximum impact from your staging dollars, don’t forget window treatments. The windows have immediate impact on buyers, since it’s often the first element they’ll notice when they walk into a home. Inexpensive hardware and fabric can turn drab windows into dream windows that will put your home ahead of the competition. A few hundred dollars spent on window fashions can yield thousands of dollars in return on investment.

Luminettes by HunterDouglas, are a beautiful alternative to vertical blinds on sliding glass doors. With a layer of translucent fabric folded softly around vertical louvers, Luminettes provide light control and privacy at the window. They can also be drawn to one or both sides of the opening for functionality, when you want to open the door, or just clear everything away from the glass. Elegant, beautiful, functional Luminettes are today’s solution to a vertical problem.

Woven woods are an excellent way to bring organic color and rich texture to a window. HunterDouglas and Horizon are two companies with extensive lines of woven grasses, reeds, bamboos and jutes in their window shades. Conrad is a company out of San Francisco that provides hand-made, hand-tied woven wood shades that are woven to an exact fit. Rather than weave large looms of fabric and then cut it to size, Conrads are woven to exact specifications.