Bali Blinds » Window Blinds

Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Wood Shades

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:22:26 +0000

There are many interior decorators who believe that the beauty of wood is unequaled. Indeed, wood adds the warmth of nature to living spaces, making them more comfortable. However, using real wood leads to destroying forests, thinning of the ozone layer and so many other negative consequences for our planet. This is what’s been driving more and more consumer goods manufacturers to shift to renewable resources. When it comes to window treatments, big companies such as Bali or Hunter Douglas found an excellent resource of creating exquisite products: bamboo, reeds and grasses.

Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Wood Shades can easily be considered as state-of-the-art in window coverings solutions. Their simplicity, their way of filtering the light, their unique blend of woven wood and fabric makes these shades an excellent option for homeowners who value the natural and a casual yet comfortable lifestyle. One may think that Hunter Douglas blinds are anything but cheap. It’s true, but with this price tag, lots of advantages do come. For example, Hunter Douglas bamboo shades are made with a special technology that helps minimizing bowing. Bowing is one of the problems encountered in bamboo blinds and shades. It often leads to the need of replacing window blinds every few years. Provenance woven wood shades don’t bow that much. Besides, they are strong, thanks to the multiple 5-ply polyester yarns which don’t fade and which are very resistant.

The Provenance line of products is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality certified, which means that they are environmentally-friendly. They provide a good sound absorption, between 75% and 90% UV protection and an excellent energy efficiency. Safety features are also available.

As usual for Hunter Douglas window treatments, Provenance shades come with lifetime guarantee, no matter what operating system one may choose. With a fold size of 5″ and possible width starting from 18″ up to 144″ and height from 20″ to 108″, these window shades will fit basically every type of window. They can be used for covering bay and corner windows, sliding glass doors or French doors. However, in case you need specialty shapes and design options it’s strongly advisable that you consult a specialist before buying anything, as some options may not be possible in all situations.

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Bali Diffusion Glass Essence Blinds

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:58:55 +0000

When we wrote about the new Bali blinds models for the summer of 2009, we were admiring the Bali Diffusion 2″ Glass Essence blinds as being extremely decorative and functional. Since then, many readers asked us to provide a more detailed review of these window treatments, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do in this article.

So, Glass Essence is not really glass, but embossed acrylic, which has the main advantage of offering a good level of privacy while allowing the light to enter the room. As natural light intensity changes, the light in the room will also change, creating interesting effects. The energy efficiency of these window blinds is good, but one shouldn’t count on it to insulate older models of windows with single panes made of glass which isn’t the LowE we’ve got used to in the case of modern windows.

Bali Diffusion blinds are available in solid colors or in patterns that help creating a unique atmosphere. These patterns are really beautiful and creative, from the very discrete Filament Golden Streak, Filament Grass Streak or Filament Grey Streak, to the artistic Flare Licorice whips, Flare Stout or Flare White Wave. The Scroll series of patterns is also a good choice, mostly if the room decoration is rather simple. The most attractive, however, are the Stained Glass imitations: Stained Glass Craft, Harvest and Plum Mist. Samples are available for free.

Bali Diffusion blinds are available with four types of tilt: ControlMate remote control tilt system, cord tilt, wand tilt or ring tilt. The double slat valance is discrete and simple, so it can easily pass unnoticed.

In case you need such blinds for bay windows, it is possible to have them butted together for creating continuity. Cut-outs are also possible, as well as installing multiple blinds on the same headrail, for wide windows or patio doors. Customized blinds can fit sidelight windows, so you can cover even narrow openings without any problem.

The maintenance of Bali Diffusion Glass Essence blinds is easy, but they call for regular vacuuming, if you want them to look like new for a long time. These blinds can be immersed in water, but it’s not advisable to use strong detergents. Dry cleaning is not recommended either.

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Bali Looped Roman Natural Shades, Dimensional Look For Your Windows

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:50:04 +0000

The Looped Roman Bali shades belong to the Natural Shades line of window treatments developed by Bali and they are made of renewable woods such as reeds, bamboo, grass or jute. This is good for our forests, which are already endangered my massive cuts. It’s also goods for our interiors, because such materials give a warm touch, especially when they are stained in natural shades of brown or yellow.

Bali made these window shades in more than 40 finishes, colors going from the Bridgeton White which reminds us of hospital windows, to Nassau Cedar, Makan Terra, Talka Harmony or San Pedro Clay, all of them inspired from nature. Free samples are available for ordering for most of these colors and they can be ordered either online or at a Bali blinds and shades retailer.

The looped Roman Natural shades can come with the standard cord control, which can be placed on the right or on the left, or with continuous loop lift systems, based on a clutch that lifts the shade and keeps it in position. They also feature a safety tension device which prevents children or pets from getting choked with the cords.

Valances are available in several options: the 6″ standard valance is the simplest of all and it is discreet and elegant; the 9″ standard valance is suitable for longer shades, in order to better conceal the shade when lifted. The 9″ Deco-Trim valance can have a Dentil, Horizon or Seascape style and it attaches directly to the shade headrail. If you want, you can opt for a traditional 3 1/2″ wood valance which also attaches directly onto the headrail. Unfortunately, this valance model is not available with the continuous-loop lift system because of technical incompatibilities.

The light control level of these window shades can go from sheer to light filtering and even up to room darkening. The energy efficiency is good and can be made better when a liner is added to the shades.

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Roller Blinds vs. Retractable Awnings

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:40:06 +0000

We’ve got a question from one of our readers who wishes to install window treatments for some very big windows and he wonders whether to buy roller blinds or to get a retractable awning instead and live the windows as they are.

Personally, I think that there’s no connection between the two methods, as they are completely different. Retractable awnings are surely beautiful and extremely functional, but if you don’t have a balcony or a terrace, they prove to be an expense with very little functionality. Why pay more if you’re not going to use them at their fullest anyway? So, in case you have a terrace, you could consider installing retractable awnings, because you’ll love to just sit there are sip your morning coffee fully protected from the sun light. Beware that awnings can be manually operated or electric, the price depending very much on your choice.

If there’s no terrace, but only the big windows, roller shades are better, because they offer an elegant look to your room. Besides, the don’t get dirty when it rains, like retractable awnings do. Go for those cool, sheer, electric roller blinds and you’ll be satisfied with the effect and with the light filtering such window treatments provide. Your shop assistant will surely help you in choosing the most appropriate fabric depending on your specific needs.

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Bay Window Treatments Overview

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:30:31 +0000

There are some of us who enjoy the privilege of having bay windows. If the landscape outside is something relaxing, like the beach or a mountain, it’s even better for the lucky ones. It’s great to sip your morning coffee enjoying the morning light in a room with bay windows. However, later on in the day, you may want some privacy and light filtering, so you need to install some bay window treatments in place. There are many solutions that fit this type of windows, from the Venetian blinds we all know, to Roman shades or pleated shades, or even plantation shutters. Everything goes, provided that you use the appropriate hardware. The main element that makes bay window treatments be a perfect fit is the curved track which has to follow the curves of your windows. This is why most of the times, this part needs to be custom-made, especially for your windows.

Tips For Elegant Bay Window Treatments

If you can, try to install your hardware as close to the ceiling as possible and don’t forget to use a valance to mask the rails. In case of bay windows, treatments that touch the floor such as vertical blinds or curtains and draperies will create a dramatic effect when fully shut, especially if you get some extra fabric to use it for decorative pillows or a table cloth, or at least a few napkins. Although you can make your own window shades without needing special skills, in case of bay windows you’d better address to a specialist installer, so you can be sure they’d be a perfect fit. Otherwise, you could easily spoil the effect, if your shades would hang unevenly at your windows. Bad measurements for window blinds are very easy to take and mistakes are costly to correct after your blinds have been produced.

When it comes to bay window treatments, try to avoid vertical blinds. There are two reasons for this. The first one is that verticals look very formal, office-style, so they can’t help you in giving your home that personal touch that makes great interiors. The second reason is that because of the bay windows architecture, such blinds may be difficult to operate and get tangled.

Pairing bay window treatments allows for more creativity. Consider, for instance, installing shades paired with panels, or sheer curtains paired with thick, heavy drapes. Bay window shutters are beautiful when used without any additional treatment, but you can consider pairing them with see-through shades.

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Top Down Bottom Up Shades: Full Privacy Control

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:40:32 +0000

Top down bottom up shades are one of the fanciest innovations when it comes to home improvement. Their beauty resides in the fact that they can be either lifted from bottom to the top, like common window blinds we all know from ages, or they can be lowered from top to bottom, creating a look similar to those cafe curtains for country style kitchens. This is a very useful option, because it gives you the possibility to benefit from privacy and still enjoy the morning sky while still in bed. Almost any type of window treatments can be transformed into top down bottom up: shades of all kinds, from Roman to pleated shades, or Venetian blinds.

Brands of top down bottom up shades and blinds

As this type of shades is very appreciated by a lot of customers, almost all big names in window treatments have them in their portfolio.

Hunter Douglas has the Duette 3/4″ and 3/8″ Single Cell Opaque or Semi-Opaque, the Applause cellular shades and the Brilliance Pleated Shades, in either Venetian Crinkle or Haberdasher versions. One interesting model from Hunter Douglas is the Provenance Woven Woods – basic bamboo blinds with of top down bottom up, or a few more expensive versions from the same product range.

Bali blinds come with the Bali Diamond Cell 3/8” Double Cell Semi-Opaque (Northern Lights and Storm), or the Single Cell Light Filtering (Solitaire), the beautiful Bali Natural Shades Basic with top down bottom up option, or the Bali Standard Pleat Crepe or Spectrum.

If you want to go as cheap as possible and yet enjoy modern, beautiful windows and home decor, you can save a few dollars per window by going for generic top down bottom up shades, available from many retailers and online stores.

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Hillary’s Venetian Blinds: Cheaper Than Expected

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:16:21 +0000

Hillary’s Venetian blinds are made of high quality aluminum, specially treated to prevent UV degradation, meaning that their color doesn’t fade or change with time. This is an important edge especially if your windows are exposed to sunlight for more than a few hours a day. For example, if your windows are facing South, it’s most probable that they benefit a lot from the daylight, as they are almost never in the shadow. On the contrary, rooms with windows facing North will be the darkest in a home, so you may not need special, expensive window treatments, because sun and UV rays won’t cause too much damage.

One of the qualities Hillary’s take pride in when it comes to their Venetians is versatility. Besides the possibility of choosing between four widths of slats, 15 mm, 25 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm, you can easily match them with your furnishings, thanks to the wide array of fabric colors and shades available. For instance, one of the best choices for a bedroom are the Blue Venetian Hillary’s blinds, because of the tranquility they suggest and because of their good level of privacy, yet letting enough light into the room. Another aspect of the versatility of these horizontal blinds is the possibility to fit them to skylight and roof windows.

Pricing can be determined only after discussing with a Hillary’s blinds consultant, because all their window treatments, awnings and shutters are made to measure and they come with a large choice of control options, trims, poles or other accessories. This is why a price given before knowing more details wouldn’t be too exact. There’s an example on Hilarys blinds official website: a lady who paid as little as 144 pounds, which is probably less than $300 for Venetian blinds for her dining room, kitchen and bathroom. There are no details on how big her windows were, but yet you can make yourself an idea of what would it mean to buy Hillary’s Venetian blinds for your windows.

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Buy Blinds Online And Save

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:13:54 +0000

With internet becoming widespread, it’s possible nowadays to buy blinds online and have them delivered at your home in a few days. This is a very convenient shopping method, first of all because you save a lot of time, and in the second place because you can also save money. Virtual showrooms and stores don’t have to pay rent, they don’t need so many employees, therefore operating costs are much lower than in case of brick and mortar window treatments stores.

What Type of Blinds Can Be Purchased Online

Many people think that it’s difficult to buy blinds online, because one needs to know how to measure in order to be able to choose those sizes. This is why they prefer to have a window treatments specialist installer come at their place and take the measures.

There’s no need to worry about correctly measuring your windows. Most online blinds stores offer detailed measuring instructions with drawings, for all types of window blinds they sell, be them Venetian blinds, roller shades, Roman blinds, timber blinds, drapes, pelmets or valances or roller blind valances. You’ll find instructions for every type of mount, either we are taking about recess mount or face mount, or if your windows have architraves or not, so measuring is only a matter of paying attention.

When you buy blinds online, you can either choose your color directly from the website, or order swatch samples of all colors and materials and have them delivered to you so you can see how they look in reality. Some online blinds and shades stores deliver such samples free of charge, others charge $1 per sample, others have flexible conditions.

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Cordless Cellular Blinds

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:48:38 +0000

Cordless cellular blinds are the latest craze when it comes to window coverings. We’ve expected that to happen somehow, because of two reasons:

First of all, cellular blinds are appreciated because of their energy-efficiency which makes them good money savers on long term. Their honeycomb structure acts like a barrier, preventing cold air to get into the room and to form air drafts. If you were curious to touch your windows during cold winter days, you’ve probably noticed that the glass surface is cold, even if you have those modern double-glazed windows with low-E glass panes. This is why even is such cases, installing cellular blinds will still improve your R-value.

The reason for more and more people choosing cordless blinds and shades is that they have children or pets, and those cords are really a hazard. They can easily get tangled and strangle a curious cat or a baby who thinks window blinds are the best toys ever.

Combining these two considerations, we come to the conclusion that cordless cellular blinds are the way to go for secure homes with lower energy bills. Of course such window coverings come with a price tag, but thinking on the long run, it’s a good investment. Here are a few of the cheaper cordless cellular blinds models we could find:

Levolor 9/16” Designer Single Cell – for a limited time, Levolor offers the cordless option for free on these cellular blinds. At the 36” x 60” size, these shades cost $131. They are spring-motor activated, so they move by simply pushing or pulling the bottom rail. This system works fine on small and regular sized blinds, but in case you have big windows, cordless cellular blinds may not operate that smoothly on spring motors, therefore you may think of using those continuous cord loop systems.

Bali Diamond Cell 3/8” Single Cell (Solitaire) Cordless cellular shades: at 36” x 60”, these window shades cost $81 plus $36 for the cordless option. If you want to add also the top-down, bottom-up opening option to the cordless feature, you’ll have to pay $88 extra, but you’ll be able to open those shades from whatever end you wish.

What do you think? Is it worth paying extra to get cordless cellular blinds for your windows?

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Timber Blinds

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:14:23 +0000

Timber blinds are an interesting alternative to aluminum blinds, because they can offer similar UV protection and blackout properties, with a more elegant and natural look. The only room they are not recommended for is the bathroom, because the wooden slats will fade and bend after a while, if kept in humid environment. Timber blinds come in many types and models, the most popular being those horizontal, Venetian timber blinds, with the slats made of 100% basswood timber. Lacquered cedar is another beautiful option. These ones are usually available in three color options: light, medium and dark cedar.

The natural insulator properties of wood makes timber blinds energy-efficient enough to matter. Probably they aren’t better thermal insulators than honeycomb or cellular blinds, but they still offer some protection, so they can be suitable for low-E glass windows.

It seems like the name of “timber blinds” is more popular in Australia and New Zealand. In US and in Europe, the names of wood Venetian blinds, wooden horizontal blinds or basswood blinds are more popular. In Australia there is a company which is called Timber Blinds Express and has a kangaroo as logo, in order to signify their fast delivery service. Their wooden blinds seem high quality, as they are UV coated or PU painted, therefore customers don’t need to repaint them. The 12 month warranty against defects in material or human errors is a good value for money, as the defects would surely show up within this time frame, if any. Timber Blinds Express also takes pride in their slats thickness of 4mm, which is the best on the market, at least that’s what they claim.

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