         Blinds Chalet BlogCellular Shades: Going Eco-Friendly Mar 10 2010 2012 is quickly approaching and with it are more doom and gloom prophesies. Whether these doomsday stories are true or not, people are looking for more green ways of living. For many, that means replacing traditional window treatments with cellular shades. Eco-minded people have discovered cellular shades help the environment in three ways. Blinds Save Energy Usage One of the biggest wastes of energy comes from the windows. That is why people use double pane glass, caulk the edges, and even put up aluminum foil. They do it all in attempts to keep the cool air in during the summer and cold air out during the winter. When you put up cellular shades, especially the cordless kind with tracts, it is like adding a layer of insulation. Matter of fact that is what the honeycomb design is all about. Stolen from nature, this honeycomb shape is the perfect insulator. As all homeowners know, the better insulated the house, the more you save on energy bills. Additionally, the shades contribute a small part to helping with the energy crisis that the world is in. Eco- Friendly Blinds: Good for the Environment Besides the benefits of less energy consumed, eco-friendly blinds are made from energy efficient materials. This means that the waste won't fill our landfills and destroy our atmosphere. The blinds are durable, made to last, and won't damage the environment. When you buy eco-friendly shades from Blinds Chalet, you know you are getting shades made from sustainable manufacturing. Additionally, they manufacture the blinds in such a way that it does not produce greenhouse gasses, generate wastes, and it does not use toxic materials. GreenGuard - Indoor Air Quality In the long list of reasons why cellular shades are eco-friendly is the GreenGuard standard. GreenGuard is a nonprofit organization committed to improving public heath by monitoring and improving indoor air quality. When you see the GreenGuard certification, you know you are getting good blinds. Insulated Window Treatments: Which One is the Best Mar 9 2010 One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is, "What is the best insulated window treatment?" Simply put, the answer is honeycomb shades on a ComforTract Sidetrack System. The Federal Tax Credit of up to $1,500 proves this but let's look at why it is the best. Honeycomb Design Means Better Insulation Cellular shades aka honeycomb shades come in two basic styles. There is the single cell and the double cell. Both have excellent insulation properties, but like most things in life, two is better than one. The idea comes from nature. The honeycomb design is the strongest barrier around. This is why bees use it to store their pollen. You can also see this with bubbles. Blow some bubbles in some milk or dish soap and you will see they start making the honeycomb shapes as well. (It really is a neat science trick.) This strong design traps the air inside, thus insulating the house. It will keep cool air in and hot air out during the summer. Conversely, during the winter it will keep warm air in and cold air out. The ComforTrack Sidetrack System Even the best shades can only insulate as well as they cover. The ComforTrack sidetrack system conforms to the window. It literally hugs the edges so air cannot seep through, not to mention harsh sunlight. This track is so efficient that it provides 5 times the insulation of a normal single pane window. That is why the ComforTrack system when combined with the double cell shades qualifies for the Federal Tax Credit. This system is the best insulation you can get for your windows. Combining Shades We understand that not everyone wants the same window treatments.
Solar Shades: Which Screen is Best? Mar 8 2010 Another popular question we receive is "Which Solar Shade should I buy?" This is a little harder to answer because it really depends on your needs. Are you trying to block out glare? Are you trying to preserve the view? Basically, why do you want the solar screen? How Much Light Do You Want to Block? When you purchase solar shades, it is important to realize you are not getting them for privacy. You get them to block out harsh UV light. At Blinds Chalet, we offer 14%, 5%, 4%, and 3% shades.
Installation Features The majority of time solar shades are mounted inside the window. This gives a very clean look. This means you need to carefully measure the window in order to purchase the right size. All of the shades at Blinds Chalet are custom cut, so measuring is important. You can find a detailed measuring guide in our Knowledge Base. Eco-Friendly Shades What makes the shades "eco-friendly?"
No matter which solar shade you buy, you are making a wise choice. They are all great. The only real difference is how they function. No one is better than another. It really does depend on what you need from your shades. Window Blinds & Shades Offer Color to Match Home Decor Feb 22 2010 The most common selection for window blinds and shades are neutral colors such as white window blinds or tan window blinds. Most wood and faux wood blinds are only offered in white tones or stains. However, there are other options are available if you are looking to add a little color to your decorating. Window treatments are perfect for adding color and can accent an decor. Adding window blinds with color to a room with neutral walls can dress up any room. You can echo the furniture, flooring, ceilings or doors with the color of the blinds. Avoid dividing up the room with blocks of color but bring in color to accent the decor. If color is what you want, fabric window treatments offer a wide selection of color choices. Because fabrics can be made in any color imaginable, the possibilities are endless when it comes to colors. Window shades can even be printed on with borders, patterns and logos. Not only are there a multitude of colors but different styles of fabric shades as well. Fabric is used to make honeycomb cellular shades, roman shades, roller shades, draperies and more. Another possible option for adding color to your windows is mini blinds. Because aluminum blinds are made from metal and are painted, they offer a broad selection of colors and finishes. Choose from glossy paints, jeweled colors to flat tones with little shine. Look for the popular blue mini blinds, black mini blinds, and many more. Faux Wood Window Blinds: Improved Materials Make for Good Looks at Affordable Prices Feb 13 2010 If you picture cheap, fake and tacky blinds when you think of faux wood window blinds, then you are in for a big surprise. Over the last few decades, faux wood has come a long way. Most people can't even tell the difference between real wood and faux wood until the go up and touch it. However, there are some differences that just might make you want faux wood window blinds. Faux Wood Blinds Material One of the things that make faux wood blinds different is the material. At Blinds Chalet, we use a combination of vinyl, PVC and wood to make the blinds. This gives the blinds an authentic and real wood look. In addition, it makes it extremely durable. When looking for faux wood blinds, you will want to stay away from the ones made from foam. These break easily and are not nearly as durable as PVC and vinyl. Resistant to Humidity While real wood blinds look very nice, they do not stand up to humidity and water. Over time, real wood will warp, bend and crack when exposed to high levels of humidity. Therefore, faux wood blinds are a much better choice when decorating a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room. The faux wood will stay looking like new for years, even when exposed to the rapid temperature and humidity changes of a bathroom or laundry room. This alone is a reason to purchase faux wood as compared to real wood. Faux Wood Window Blinds are More Affordable Obviously, the price of faux wood blinds make them an affordable choice to many. The only thing you need to watch out for is the material. Like stated above, cheaper is not always better. Make sure the faux wood is made from vinyl or PVC and not foam. |   | |
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