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Cut Energy Costs with these Window Treatments

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Hot enough for ya? Summertime has a way of spiking energy costs. Air conditioners and fans are working overtime to keep you cool and comfortable, but there’s always that feeling of dread when energy-bill time rolls around. We have a few window treatment ideas that will improve the insulation of your home, keep your thermostat in check, and help lower your energy costs.

Cellular shades insulate your home and cut energy costs.

Light filtering cellular shades

Cellular Shades

Also known as “honeycomb shades”, cellular shades have a unique cell design that helps trap air within the shade. This maintains interior temperatures by preventing warm outside air from getting inside. Pretty cool, huh? Cellular shades are available in light filtering and blackout materials, with the latter providing a cooler result (less light, cooler interiors). There are also single and double cell materials, with double cells providing maximum insulation and temperature control.

Privacy and interlining can be added to drapery for improved insulation, and lower energy bills.

Pinch pleat drapery in a heavy Manor fabric.

Heavy Draperies

Have drafty windows? Hang something heavy in front of them. Seems obvious, right? But not everyone is aware of this simple tip. Select a heavy fabric like wool, velvet or suede when customizing your drapery. The heavier the fabric, the more stopping power it has. Our draperies can also be customized with special linings – Privacy, Blackout, or Privacy + Interlining. While all linings will add body and weight, the Privacy + Interlining is specifically designed with a cotton flannel material for improved insulation.

A heavy fabric and lining on roman shades can be a draft-stopping insulator. Great for cutting energy costs.

Flat roman shade in Cheshire Truffle, layered with roller shade in Chelsea Sand

Lined Roman Shades

Speaking of linings, did you know all of our roman shades can be outfitted with linings at no additional cost? This includes our Privacy + Interlining option! Since draperies and romans are made from the same fabrics, the same rules apply here: heavy fabric + lining = draft-stopping insulator.

To learn more about how custom window treatments can help insulate your home and lower energy costs, speak to one of our design consultants today.

Window Treatments for the Perfect Summer Bedroom

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Light Filtering Cellular Shades

Cellular Shades are stylish but functional because of their ability to insulate temperature. Perfect for a summer bedroom.

3/4″ single cell light filtering cellular shade

Cellular shades are stylish but functional because of their ability to insulate temperature. During the summer months, your AC bill can spike, but a well-placed cellular shade can mitigate the burden. Choosing a 3/4” Light Filtering shade as opposed to a Blackout fabric will keep your house cool and allow the passage of natural light. Our Mirage fabric comes in three colors: Cream, Cloud, and Sky. Perfect for an outdoors feel, in the privacy of your own home.

Woven Woods

The Montauk fabric is a Woven Wood Shade that brings to mind lounging under a thatch roof. Great for a summer bedroom.

Woven wood shade with Montauk fabric

Named after the beach town at the tip of Long Island, the Montauk fabric is a woven wood shade that brings to mind lounging under a thatch roof. Installing these shades in a bedroom can transport you to summer paradise. The Montauk fabric comes in seven different hues ranging from a bleached look to a stained dark wood.

XL Vertical Shades

Install XL vertical blinds in your summer bedroom to channel the open ocean.

Light filtering XL vertical blinds, in a Spring material

XL vertical blinds are perfect for a floor to ceiling window. We suggest using this style for larger areas and have seen them used as room dividers, in place of doors! Our Spring collection in Blue conjures up images of the rolling open ocean when applied to this type of window treatment.

Exotic Wood Blinds

Wood blinds are fit for a summer bedroom because they are a modular solution to dealing with overwhelming sunlight.

2″ exotic wood blinds in Zebrano

Wood blinds are fit for a summer bedroom because they are a modular solution to dealing with overwhelming sunlight. Alter the tilt to control indoor light exposure across different times of the day. The Zebrano pattern comes in two varieties: an exotic wood, and an eco-friendly basswood dressed with a protective laminate. This wood blind can be styled with a decorative tape, and we suggest white or silver to pop against stained wood.

3% Solar Shades

We love the 3% solar shade in a summer bedroom because it presents a sandy hue against a white and light blue exterior palette.

Solar shade in 3% Tan

We love the 3% solar shade in Tan because it presents a sandy hue against a white and light blue exterior palette. We’d love to style this product on a window overlooking a lush, green landscape in summer bloom. For a summer bedroom this window treatment is fitting because it is versatile yet seasonal. A Solar Shade in 3% can block up to 97% of all harmful UV rays from entering your home.

Window Treatments for Home Insulation

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Have you ever been sitting comfortably on your couch when, all of a sudden, you get blasted with cold air?  Then you hold out your hand and track the breeze to the source only to realize it’s coming from your windows.  Well we have three home insulation ideas that will keep you warm all winter and help keep your energy costs down.

First up are cellular shades.  Long regarded as the premier shade for energy efficiency and insulation, cellulars are a great option if you’re looking to keep costs down and comfort up.  We offer both a 3/4 single cell and a 3/8 double cell option. If insulation is a top priority, our 3/8″ Double Cellular Shade is the way to go. The double layer of cells traps twice the air and offers maximum energy efficiency.  Continuous loop, top down bottom up and cordless options are available.  Choose from 25+ Eco-friendly materials.

Cellular Shades | Light-Filtering | Ivory

Cellular Shades | Light-Filtering | Ivory

Next up are drapes. Nothing stops a cold breeze like heavy drapes. Selecting a blackout or privacy lining will ensure minimal heat loss from your home. In addition to our standard all cotton privacy lining, our cotton flannel interlining was made popular in England where it was used to help keep large drafty estates, flats and fine homes warm during the long cold winters.  Our drapery is available in 8 unique styles and 300+ exclusive materials.

Grommet Drapery | Silk Sphere | Fall

Grommet Drapery | Silk Sphere | Fall

Lastly, we have our Roman Shades in 6 distinct styles and 300+ unique fabrics.  Selecting a heavy fabric and a free lining option (blackout lining or privacy + interlining are best) will provide you and your home with an additional layer of protection from cold winter weather.

Flat Roman | Cotton | Khaki

Flat Roman | Cotton | Khaki

So there you have it.  Three quick home insulation solutions to help you through the cold winter.  Stay warm!

Design Ideas: Door Window Treatments

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Roller Shades from The Shade Store - Door Window Treatments

Roller Shades shown in Paris Orange

Mixing Style with Function

Door window treatments come in many forms: French doors, sliding glass doors & doors with window features.  Consider your definitive objectives when designing your door window treatments.  It helps to break down the basic elements for this type of window treatment.

  • Functional in design
  • Provide levels of privacy
  • Additional temperature control

Keep it Functional

The window treatment can’t interfere with the primary role of a door, entering and exiting. Flowing drapes and lacey sheers might look great, but it’s not a good fit over doors that get used often.  Conversely, mounting shades to doors with large window panes functions well.  This keeps the fabric and cords from getting caught in doors, harming the shade and prohibiting the door from opening freely.

Additional Privacy

Since your door has glass panes, privacy is a key issue. Whether your door faces a high traffic pedestrian area or another area of the home, you’ll want something to obscure the view from passersby. Each shade, blind or drape will provide a level of privacy.  If you wish to have complete privacy, there are linings available for you window treatments.

Energy Efficiency

A window treatment for your door is an excellent opportunity to explore temperature control innovations in window treatment technology.   Windows have a real impact on heating and cooling costs. Choosing the correct window treatments for your doors can save you money, conserve energy and add style to your home.  Insulate your home from heat and cold with products that can improve your home’s energy efficiency. Select from beautiful custom Roman shades, drapery, solar shades and cellular shades.

Sliding Doors

Drapery and verticals are very popular window treatments for sliding doors. These window treatments can be mounted when there is enough for the treatments to be drawn open. Adversely, they can be pulled across for total privacy at night.

Vertical Systems by The Shade Store, for door window treatments

XL Vertical Blinds shown in Floral Night Blue

Use of horizontal shades and blinds and is growing increasingly popular.  They can be installed within the frame or over the glass.

The use of both drapery and horizontal blinds allows for light control on each individual window with the ultimate privacy of the drapes, when needed.

French Doors

There are many choices when deciding on a window treatment for French doors. Roller, solar and cellular shades are popular options, as they can easily be mounted within the door frame and anchored.

Roller Shade by The shade Store, for door window treatments

Roller Shade in Chilewich Basketweave Oyster

Doors with Windows

Roman shades are a good choice for windows on doors because they’re orderly and neat at any level. Pulled up to the top, these shades line up squarely to the top of the door. When unfurled to your desired length, the shade creates a styled look.

Cellular Shades by The Shade Store, for door window treatments

3/8″ Cellular Shades shown in Light Filtering Lace

As always, consider your decor. You may want to match the window treatments you have on your other windows, especially if those windows are nearby. If not, then you ultimately have more flexibility. You may want to complement the colors and textures in the room or use something completely different in terms of texture and color.  Your desired style will be easy to achieve when adding any of our custom window treatments to your doors!

Come visit us at one our showrooms, where you can experience our custom-made window treatments first-hand.  Not by a showroom?  View our entire product catalog online.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter!

All About Summer Whites – The Window Treatment Version

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Looking for a set of summer whites? There are many types & colors of window treatments available at The Shade Store.  Decorators and homeowners alike use window treatments to match and complement the interior décor of their homes.  White window treatments offer versatility and go well with many types of decorating schemes.

Drapery by The Shade Store - Summer Whites

as shown: tailored pleat drapery | embroidered silk | halo

The room’s design and ultimately the primary purpose for the window treatment should always be at hand.  White window treatments can brighten a room, giving it a more inviting and happy feeling.  Some shades and drapery can be created in a sheer white material, allowing more external light to enter a room.

Roman Shade from The Shade Store, Summer Whites

as shown: relaxed roman shade | sheer elegance | white

White shades and drapes offer various levels of privacy depending on style and fabric.  If privacy is the main goal, white window treatments can be lined to ensure privacy.  Blackout lining is another option, if the removal of all external light is preferred.

Roller Shades from The Shade Store - Summer Whites

as shown: roller shades | bamboo | chalk

White blinds, shades & drapery are versatile window treatments that can be used alone or in conjunction with other window accessories.  Combining summer white shades or curtains with a decorative valance or other layered curtains can result in an attractive finished design.

Cellular Shades from The Shade Store - Summer Whites

as shown: 3/8″ cellular shade | light filtering | lace

Come visit us at one our showrooms, where you can experience our custom-made window treatments first-hand.  Not by a showroom?  View our entire product catalog online.  And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter!

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