The Window Covering Lady

Patio Door Curtains

2008-07-16T13:00:00Z

Patio door curtains make the combined window and door more useful still. You can control privacy, climate and light infiltration with the addition of curtains. You want to make sure you have thought of all needs to help you decide which approach to take for your window coverings. And as far as decor, will these curtains be merely a window covering or part of window treatments that fit your home or room style?

Patio doors offer a functional way to get outside of the house and onto the patio to entertain, cook dinner, play with the kids, and more. There are times, however, when you need a functional way to cover this door to help make it more a part of the decor of a room or to add function to it. This is why many homeowners turn to patio door curtains to help make the door more flexible and functional by adding a way to control the light or add privacy. There are many different options for patio door curtains to help you make the most of this doorway to the outside of your home. What do you need to do to find the right patio door curtains for your door? ]]>
Measure
This is the first thing that you must do to begin your search for patio door curtains. Carefully measure the height and width of your patio door to begin. The measurements need to include the area where you are going to be hanging the curtains -- an outside mount is idea for patio door curtains, so that they won't hinder the door operations. By determining where the curtains will hang, you can better determine what size of patio door curtains that you need and want.

Choose
The choice of fabric is entirely a personal one that will be based on your own personal preferences and the decor of your room. If you want to allow some light in through the patio door curtains, you want to be sure that the curtain fabric that you choose is light and somewhat translucent. If you want privacy and/or light control you want a fabric that allows for these options. Climate control is another reason for buying and hanging patio door curtains, and that's going to require heavier fabric, and even insolation. Your reasons for installing the patio door curtains will somewhat dictate the fabric that you choose, simply because it is serving a function. It's important to include the decorating style of your room in your decision, too, however, so that it will mesh well with your room.

Install
Installation of your patio door curtains can be done with specially made patio door curtain rods or with simple Velcro. Whichever method that you choose to hang your patio door curtains, make sure that they are firmly affixed to the door, so that they will not hinder the opening or closing of the door. This can help increase your satisfaction with the patio door curtains and can give your patio door a more cohesive look that meshes well with the decor of your room

Your patio doors can be a functional and beautiful way to get to the outdoors. By using the patio door curtains to add light control and privacy to your patio doors you may find that you are enjoying the doors even more. This can give you a great feeling of pride and accomplishment in a job well done.

Roller Shade Kit

2008-07-09T13:00:00Z

If your window treatment needs more elements than you presently have, maybe a roller shade is the ticket. You can make your own using a roller shade kit, if you don't want to buy it. Roller shades have been a part of window covering approaches for a long time. They still play an important roll because they help with privacy, climate control and room darkening.

Buying a roller shade is pretty easy. You take your measurements to a store or Web site and someone else does the rest. But you pay for that service, and the work of making your own custom sized roller shade is not that great when you work from a roller shade kit. ]]> One beauty of roller shade kits is that they require no sewing. The materials include fusible adhesive fabric tape. All you need is scissors and a steam iron. The Fuse-A-Shade roller shade kit is a very popular item; it is often out of stock on Web sites. Using this kit, you can turn any fabric of your choice into an exciting roller shade. Here are the instructions for making a shade from A Fuse-A-Shade roller shade kit:

Add 10" to the measured length of the window. Cut the fabric to this length.

The tube that comes with the Fuse-A-Shade kit needs to be 1-1/4" smaller than the width of the window. The kit includes complete measuring and installation instructions.

Cut the fusible backing included in the kit to the width of the tube and the length of the fabric. Trim the fabric so that it is 2" wider than the backing.

Place the rough side of the backing against the wrong side of the fabric. Press the two together with a steam iron. Don't move the iron back and forth. Place it on the fabric, lift it, and place in on another area of the fabric.

Fold the sides of the fabric over the backing, and iron. Fold the bottom up 2". Iron, but leave a pocket for the pull rod.

Insert the pull rod in the bottom hem. The rod is scored so that it can be broken to fit.

Start in the center, and use a staple gun to attach the top of the shade to the roller.

Attach the hardware to the roller, and mount the shade over the window.

HancockFabrics.com.

DraperySewingSupplies.com

Patio Shades

2008-07-02T13:00:00Z

The purpose of patio shades is to keep the sun's rays off the patio door glass to keep the indoors and the patio cooler. This is a window covering that can be part of your decor or landscaping. You may opt to just keep the sun from getting indoors, or you may opt for patio and room shade. Knowing your intention will help you choose the right patio shade.

Patio shades provide sun protection for the outdoor living areas of homes, businesses, and restaurants. Patio shades also protect indoor areas near windows against the ravages of bright sunshine. Such useful accessories come in a wide variety of styles and price ranges. ]]> Most patio shades are retractable. In manually operated patio shades, a lever is cranked outward to extend the patio shade, usually by turning an eyehook at one end of the shade attached to the building. A long metal rod with a hook in its end engages the eye, and a bent section of the rod serves as a crank enabling the user to turn it. Some lightweight patio shades are extended and closed simply by pulling on them. More expensive patio shades are opened and closed by electric motors.

Window patio shades provide shade on the patio and protection for indoor items near the windows. These patio shades are hung on the outside of a window, unlike traditional shades. Window patio shades are often used over skylights and solarium windows to cut bright sunshine. Window patio shades can hang straight down to shade the interior room alone, or a portion of the window patio shade can be cranked horizontal in order to provide shade to the outdoor area as well. Tilting the patio shade in this way also provides an unobstructed view of the outdoors underneath the patio shade.

Patio shades can also be stretched and curved to shade entryways. This type of patio shade is typically not a do-it-yourself job, but requires professionally trained installers who measure and cut the patio shade to the right size; cut and articulate the supports that hold the shade in position; and attach the patio shade to its supports securely.

When buying a patio shade, attention should be paid to protecting the shade cloth when it is furled. It's no good to just bunch up the cloth of a patio shade when it's not in use. Most patio shades roll up the cloth inside of a protective housing that attaches to a wall or ceiling using mounting brackets. These protective shrouds help ensure that your patio shades will last through years of off-season storage under harsh conditions.

Another style of patio shades is the Dutch-style blind. A set of articulated metal frames provide the intricate shape of this patio shade. Cloth stretched over the framework folds up when the framework is folded up, and the whole thing tucks under a protective housing up against the building.

Parasols and giant umbrellas are patio shades, too! Many parasols and umbrellas are the simple variety that opens with a push on a central ring. But others are so large they must be cranked open using mechanisms concealed in their central posts. Some really large umbrellas are seven meters in diameter -- nearly 21 feet!

Patio shades can cost as little as $50 or up to several thousand dollars. They are great ways to cool yourself, you house, and your plants from the sun's rays.

Outdoor Bamboo Shades

2008-06-25T13:00:00Z

One great way to keep your house cool in hot weather is to use outdoor bamboo shades. Keeping the sun from entering your home or office is more energy efficient than cooling the building once the UV energy warms the air and contents of the room.

Outdoor bamboo shades are not much different from the indoor variety of bamboo shades. Often, indoor bamboo shades are used as outdoor bamboo shades. But this substitution can cause some problems. ]]> The durability and weather-resistance of the cords that knot the outdoor bamboo shades together is the most important thing. Regular cotton cords may rot in wet weather. Some types of synthetic fibers may deteriorate under harsh sunshine. It is usually best to choose outdoor bamboo shades that are certified as built for that environment, using weather-resistant cords and rust-proof components such as pulley clutches and returns.

Beyond the weatherproofing cautions, outdoor bamboo shades make a lot of sense. Bamboo is a very tough natural material that will not break down easily under outdoor use. Most outdoor bamboo shades are relatively heavy, so they resist gentle breezes and will not blow aside. The construction of outdoor bamboo shades, which allows air to pass between the bamboo struts, also helps cut wind resistance and prolong the life of the outdoor bamboo shades.

Outdoor bamboo shades are made in much the same way as indoor bamboo shades. Long slivers are split from a stalk of bamboo; these are often called match sticks and give rise to the alternative name match stick shades. The slivers are braided together using heavy cord or twine. The outdoor bamboo shades are made to rise and fall by stringing cords up between the match sticks to form a Roman shade type of closing mechanism, or be stringing the outdoor bamboo shades in a roll-up configuration. Typically, an outdoor bamboo shade will be hung from a wooden batten, and a clutch pulley mechanism will be on the left or right side.

Outdoor bamboo shades come in see-through and privacy styles. The see-through outdoor bamboo shades are loosely woven; they filter light but still allow breezes to blow through, and neighbors to see through. Privacy style outdoor bamboo shades are either more tightly woven to block light and viewing, or backed with a stout cloth such as canvas. Privacy style outdoor bamboo shades do not allow one to enjoy breezes blowing directly toward the shades, and their wind resistance may cause them to blow wildly out of alignment.

The bamboo used in outdoor bamboo shades comes in several varieties. Smooth, green bamboo is the most common, and it is called shizen bamboo. A more rustic, reddish-brown bamboo called musako is also popular. Some varieties of bamboo have mottled stalks, and they are often cut into thicker slivers for use in outdoor bamboo shades to show off this interesting texture.

Outdoor bamboo shades are often used on patios, porches, and balconies to cut the hard rays of morning or evening sun. Such applications often require an outdoor bamboo shade of six feet or more in width. The widest outdoor bamboo shades generally available are 96 inches wide that’s eight feet!

Outdoor bamboo shades are tough, versatile, and beautiful ways to make your outdoor living space more pleasant.

Are Curtains Popular Window Treatments

2008-06-18T13:00:00Z

Are you asking yourself, "are curtains popular window treatments" as you decorate (or redecorate) your home? You won't ever go wrong with curtains, though they may not always be the right solution for your decor and specific window treatment. They are great window coverings because they let you control climate, light and privacy in a variety of ways.

Curtains come in many varieties and remain one of the most popular window treatments of all time. Different styles of curtains are more popular than others, and the styles go in and out of fashion all the time. ]]> Sheer curtains are popular in many home settings because they allow light in but also provide some privacy. Sheer curtains fall either to the windowsill or to the floor. The trend today is towards sheer curtains that are a little more than floor length, allowing the bottom of the curtains to "puddle" on the floor. This look, which softens the lines of a room, is one of the most popular window treatments right now.

Lined curtains in heavier fabrics are a popular classic window treatment. Lined curtains are especially popular in winter months, when they help hold heat indoors. But more and more people are going with a lighter, airier look that requires less maintenance than lined curtains, which need dry cleaning. A lined curtain should be hung from rings strung on a curtain rod, with finials at either end. All of the hardware should be coordinated, of course. This popular window treatment is seldom enough on its own. Lined curtains that hang or are swagged to either side of a window opening require some additional treatment over the window itself, such as shades or blinds.

While curtains remain popular window treatments, they compete with others. Venetian blinds are the most popular window treatment, although they are often paired with curtains. Wooden and fabric blinds have replaced metal as the most popular material for these window treatments. Wood, in particular, look great in kitchens, dens, and bedrooms.

Shutters and curtains do not go well together, obviously. Curtains remain more popular than shutters mainly because of the latter’s cost. As window treatments go, you are much more likely to encounter curtains than shutters.

Some shades work with curtains, while others do not. Bulky shades such as Roman or balloon shades would ride up against curtains when they are raised. So would bamboo shades that form a thick roll from their bottoms. Traditional roller or roll-up shades make popular window treatments when paired with curtains.

Swagged curtains are popular window treatments in kitchens and bathrooms. They are usually veered from the center of the curtain’s top to about halfway down the sides.

Cafe curtains, also popular window treatments, are often paired with swagged curtains to provide privacy. Cafe curtains usually cover the bottom one-third to one-half of a window, hanging from a horizontal curtain rod. Shirred cafe curtains are fixed in the closed position, sometimes by fastening them to a wooden strip along the bottom of the window. Shirred curtains are often used in eating areas or in kitchen windows.

Curtains are popular window treatments and will remain so indefinitely. This popularity is due to curtains' flexibility, elegance, softness, and style. There will always be room for curtains in any home. Indeed, it is very rare to find a home that has no curtains in it anywhere.

Sheer Shades -- Window

2008-06-11T13:00:00Z

If you want to simplify your window treatment creation by combining two coverings into one window covering, sheer shades window coverings are the way to go. There are several styles of these blinds or shades so shop around to find the one you like best.

Sheer shades give any window a look of luminous softness. Sheer shades are also known as sheer blinds, and there is a reason for the dual names. Sheer shades are a combination of shades and blinds. ]]> Horizontal sheer shades consist of two panels of sheer, stretchy fabric sandwiched around soft fabric vanes that are arranged exactly like window blinds. They can be opened fully for softened light and a blurred view, or closed fully or partially for greater privacy and darkness.

Vertical sheer shades are generally used over patio doors and other large windows. The fabric vanes or slats hang vertically in this case, and are again sandwiched between two layers of sheer, stretchy fabric. Vertical sheer shades can be drawn back to provide egress through a patio door.

Two of the biggest names in the sheer shades window treatment market are Hunter Douglas and Comfortex. Indeed, Hunter Douglas invented the horizontal sheer shade in 1991, and its horizontal brand still goes by the name Silhouette. Comfortex named its horizontal sheer shades window treatment the Shangri-La, and calls the vertical version Stardust.

The standard width of the vanes or slats in horizontal sheer shades window treatments is 2-1/2". But thinner vanes can be used to create a sleeker window treatment that does not bulge out beyond the window casement's edge.

Sheer shades window treatments cannot serve as blackout curtains in a home theater room or bedroom where absolute pitch blackness is required. The many spaces between vanes simply allow too much light to enter a room no matter how tightly the sheer shades are closed. However, sheer shades window treatments can be ordered with vinyl vanes or slats instead of fabric ones, providing an extra degree of room darkening.

There is not much more insulating value to sheer shades window treatments than there is to normal horizontal or vertical blinds. The sheer fabric covering the vanes is too porous. If you want insulating shades, cellular shades are recommended instead.

Cleaning is not much of a chore with sheer shades window treatments. A feather duster does the trick most of the time. For extra cleaning power, the upholstery brush of a vacuum cleaner can be used. Any stains that may get on sheer shades must be cleaned with warm or cold water and a mild detergent. Harsh cleaning chemicals can fade spots on the sheer fabric. Comfortex's Shang-La horizontal sheer shades’ vanes can be removed for extra cleaning, although this should seldom be necessary since the vanes are protected by sheer fabric.

Prices of sheer shades window treatments can be fairly inexpensive or breathtakingly exorbitant. It depends on how fancy you wish to get with fabric textures and colors, and how much you want a famous name brand. Hunter Douglas horizontal sheer shades start around $230 for a 30 x 60 inch panel, while Comfortex's Shangri-La is about $260 in the same size. But there are many shades and blinds manufacturers, and a lot of them make their own sheer shades. BlindsChalet.com, for example, sells its house brand of sheer shades for $210.

Sheer shades window treatments are one of the most popular innovations in many, many years. You can go wrong with the softness and elegance of sheer shades.

Tier Curtains

2008-06-04T13:00:00Z

There are some window coverings that let you be flexible in when you get light or privacy, and tier curtains are one such covering. This curtain style lets you be as formal or informal as you want, and tier curtains can go nicely with whatever window treatment you already have going -- or are developing.

Tier curtains are one of the most basic kinds of curtains. A tier curtain is hung in the middle of the window opening and falls to the window sill. A top treatment is usually added to complete the look. Within this simple definition, just about any combination of half-length curtain with or without top treatment can be called tier curtains. ]]> Tier curtains are often called cafe curtains, or tier cafe curtains. The idea is the same; it's two tiers of curtains. Tier curtains may have loop tops or pockets through which a curtain rod passes. They may be hung with tiebacks or without tiebacks; with swags or valances. Sometimes the top tier overlaps the bottom tier, and sometimes there is a broad gap of uncovered window between the two tiers. That latter is what is meant by cafe style curtains.

Tier curtains can be made of any fabric. The style lends itself well to kitchen curtains, so cotton, muslin, and calico are popular materials. But more delicate tier curtains are often made from lace or crochet, and sometimes embroidered dotted Swiss cloth. Heavier materials such as linen or canvas are often used in commercial settings such as cafes. Velvet and satin make elegant living room and bedroom tier curtains.

The colors and patterns used in tier curtains are equally diverse. Polka dots, stripes, checks, plaids, and graphic patterns all find their way into tier curtains. Toile tier curtains are fairly common. The style of tier curtains is bold and sporty looking, so bright colors often work best. But more subdued colors are good in solid-color tier curtains.

Tier curtains can be found just about anywhere. When shopping for tier curtains, measure the length of your window opening and decide whether you want the two tiers to overlap or not. Measure the window opening width as well, and look for tier curtains that are twice as wide.

One place to start shopping for tier curtains is Linens N Things, which has a small assortment of tier curtains in some of the most popular styles. Country Curtains has a much broader selection, including some tier curtains with narrow ruffles and colored trim. Ann & Hope Curtain & Bath Outlet also has an extensive collection of tier curtains. Over at BedBathstore.com, you will find lots of tier curtains that are not called tier curtains; they prefer to call them “kitchen curtains” instead. But you will recognize the look when you see it.

Tier curtains are inexpensive as curtains go. Some of the basic models at the sellers mentioned above go for as little as $8.99 per window. Fancy prints or materials can push the price up to $25, still a relative bargain for a window treatment. Whatever your budget, there is sure to be a set of tier curtains for you.

Tier curtains are fun, inexpensive, and widely available. They are also about as simple to make as anything gets. You might try your hand at sewing a pocket-top tier curtain and a valance to complete the top of your window. Happy sewing!

Bargain Roman Shade

2008-05-28T13:00:00Z

You once had to make a Roman shade to get a bargain, but not any more. Now you can select from a wide range of bargain Roman shades online, and sometimes at discount stores. If you buy a plain Roman shade you can paint it or glue decorations onto it, making it one-of-a kind.

Roman shades are elegant window treatments that enhance the looks of any room from the kitchen to the bedroom. Shopping for a bargain Roman shade combines the thrill of the hunt with the wonder of discovery, as you learn all the fantastic styles and patterns that are available at great prices. ]]> Online stores are the best places to find a bargain Roman shade. The Sierra Trading Post, for example, sells beautiful sheer Roman shades for as little as $19.95 for a 38" wide by 7" long Roman shade. That's a bargain!

Many colors and textures are available in a bargain Roman shade. Vertical stripes are very popular, and so are delicate patterns such as lace or dotted Swiss materials. But most people want a Roman shade that will really darken a room, so they tend to go with heavier fabrics and bold colors.

Before you go shopping for a bargain Roman shade, you had better know what size you need. When measuring your window opening, it is important to use a steel tape measure to avoid errors due to stretching of the tape. For an inside-mounted bargain Roman shade, measure the inside dimension of the window frame to within one-eight of an inch. Do not allow for hardware such as mounting brackets; the manufacturer of your custom-ordered bargain Roman shade will do that base upon your measurements of the window opening. For an outside-mounted bargain Roman shade, measure two inches wider than the actual opening.

A real bargain Roman shade is one you make yourself! Making a Roman shade is not that hard; in fact, there are several easy methods. One way I know to make a bargain Roman shade begins with a piece of fabric of your choice, two inches larger than needed to allow for hemming. Sew your fabric and lining material together, finished sides inside, along three edges. Turn the "pillow case" inside out so the finished sides are on the outside. Sew a double row of stitches half an inch apart along the bottom edge, and slip a 3/8" wooden dowel into this pocket. Buy some loop tape and sew it along the back of the shade every eight inches. Fasten drawstrings to the dowel and run them up through the loop tape to the very top. Fasten the top of the Roman shade to a 1"x2" batten, and screw eye loops into the batten. Run the drawstrings through the eye loops and down one side of the finished bargain Roman shade.

Generally speaking, the cheapest bargain Roman shade will be white muslin. This common, inexpensive cloth makes and excellent bargain Roman shade because it folds gently and filters out most light. But it still allows enough light to penetrate to give a room a nice glow.

Finding a bargain Roman shade gives you a good feeling. Finding a bargain Roman shade that fits your decor is a big plus, too. Shopping online for a bargain Roman shade is probably the easiest and fastest way to find one.

Instruction to Make a Roman Shade

2008-05-21T13:00:00Z

If you have a particular fabric you want to use in making your Roman shades, you have found a site that offers simple instruction to make a Roman shade. Be careful when measuring your window opening, and know if you are going to do an inside or outside mount. A homemade Roman shade will add interest to your window treatment. And Roman shades make great window coverings.

Roman shades have grown in popularity in recent years, especially as replacements for blinds in kitchen windows. The sleek lines of Roman shades compliment many styles of contemporary furniture. While Roman shades are for sale in many home furnishing stores, a lot of people are looking for instructions to make Roman shade. ]]> The basic instructions to make Roman shade are not complicated. First, measure your fabric, leaving about two inches extra for hemming. Sew your fabric and lining material together, finished sides inside, along three edges. Then turn this "pillowcase" inside out so the right sides of fabric and liner are on the outside. Then sew two rows of stitches about one-half inch apart near the bottom of the fabric. Slip a wooden dowel measuring 3/8" through the tubular opening made by the two pieces of stitched fabric. Continue making these dowel pockets about every eight inches the length of the shade. Along the length of the shade, equal distances from each end of each dowel, sew a cloth tape loop or screw an eyelet hook.

Tie cording to the bottom dowel and thread it through the eyelets all the way to the top. Fasten the Roman shade to a 1x2" length of wooden batten, and secure the batten to the outside or inside of the window opening. Gather the two cords through eyelets fastened into the batten off to one side or the other. Pull on the drawstrings to raise the Roman shade and watch it fall into neat folds at each dowel. There are you instructions to make Roman shade, albeit very basic ones.

More detailed instructions to make Roman shade -- eleven different varieties, in fact -- can be found at Alternative-Windows.com. The site offers a set of instructions to make Roman shade of the very basic variety free of charge, complete with illustrations and more than 30 step-by-step instructions. Instructions to make Roman shade in ten other styles are available, priced per set, in e-book format that you can download after paying with your credit card.

Unfortunately, most of the search results for "instructions to make roman shade" lead to just this kind of e-book seller, and most of those don't offer any free samples. You can plan on spending about $20 for instructions to make Roman shade. Why so much? Well, look at the alternatives.

Over at SelectBlinds.com Roman shades start at $93 and run as high as $125. That's just for basic, one-color fabric. With prices like those, it's no wonder that so many people are looking for instructions to make Roman shade.

One of the best sources of free instructions to make Roman shade -- and balloon shades and Austrian shades -- is at Make-Roman-Shades.com. You can download PDF files of illustrated instructions to make Roman shade. The site also has a free design tool that will make printable patterns from which to cut your materials. The patterns come with a list of cords, lift mechanisms, battens, cord pulls, lining material, and other things you may need -- all of which are sold on Make-Roman-Shades.com.

It can be hard to find instructions to make Roman shade, but now you have three good sources from which to choose.

Discount Roller Shades

2008-05-14T13:00:00Z

Discount roller shades used to be the purview of window covering sales having close-out sales or discount stores. But now they are readily available online too. If you are competent at measuring for roller shades, buying online is a great way to get great prices and choices.

Where, oh, where, can you find discount roller shades? Why, on the World Wide Web, of course! The money-saving beauty of the Web is manifold. First, of course, you save gasoline, and that's a big savings these days. You also save time, and time is money. Best of all, you save actual money versus the cost of buying discount roller shades in a brick-and-mortar store. ]]> You save money because the discount roller shades merchant saves money. Instead of maintaining a high-priced retail store at a busy intersection, he can pay low rent in the back of an industrial park. His advertising expense is minimal if he can get his Google search ranking to put his link the first page of search results. Mostly, he has to spend money on getting product and shipping it to customers like you. Better still, he has to compete with all the other online discount roller shades merchants, so his savings get passed along to you. And while you will pay shipping on your order, you won't pay sales tax in most cases.

BlindsGalore.com is one discount roller shades merchant where you find a great selection at great prices. For example, in a 24"x36" shade they offer roller shades starting as low as $34-37 in sheer to opaque styles. These are BlindsGalore.com's house brand. Name brands such a Bali and Hunter Douglas are also available.

IslandBlinds.com is another great place for discount roller shades. Their 24"x36" shade is only $31 in vinyl; $35 in fabric; $47 in Sheerweave; and $53 in Blackout fabric. The Sheerweave shade has a 14 per cent "openness factor". The blackout shade is 100 per cent polyester fabric with an acrylic foam backing.

Even better deals are available to GuaranteedBlinds.com, where a 24"x36" GBasics series discount roller shade starting at just $27.36. They're available in dozens of colors, too. The Signature series patterned fabrics cost more but look stunning. Other options you can select online include cassette of loop clutch; half a dozen pull styles (for clutch mechanisms); surrey or tassel fringes; and even motorization. GuaranteedBlinds.com manufactures blinds in the U. S. A. to your exact measurements, as do the other shades and blinds makers mentioned here.

AwardBlinds.co offers discount roller shades and a full line of real wood, faux wood, aluminum, cellular, pleated, Roman, sheer, vertical, and blackout shades and blinds. A 24"x36"h discount roller shade here will cost only $28.

For the higher end name-brand roller shades, you can still find discount sellers online. One example is AceOfShadesWC.com, an online retailer who offers Hunter Thomas, Graber, Comfortex, and other name brands. Their price on a 24"x36" Hunter Thomas Remembrance roller shade is $75 - and then you get to take another five percent off.

Shopping for discount roller shades is fun when you do it online. The variety of merchants never ends, and the ways in which they present their deals is always entertaining.

Horizontal Sheer Shades

2008-05-07T13:00:00Z

Horizontal sheer shades combine two basic window covering styles -- sheer curtains and blinds -- into one unit. As with everything, there are pros and cons to these shades. They work well alone but combine nicely with other window covering elements to create great window treatments.

Horizontal sheer shades are also called sheer blinds. To say these horizontal window shadings are unique is not far off the mark. In any case, they are beautiful as well as practical. Horizontal sheer shades have characteristics of cellular blinds and traditional shades. They consist of two panels of sheer fabric facings over soft fabric vanes or slats. Horizontal sheer shades provide soft, gentle light filtering when open, darkening when closed, and privacy at all times.]]> Popular brands of horizontal sheer shades include Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Comfortex Shangri-La. A 36 inch by 60 inch Shangri-La horizontal sheer shade can cost around $260, while the Hunter Douglas Silhouette version starts at about $230. Besides the Comfortex and Hunter Douglas brands, Grabor makes horizontal sheer shades. Indeed, many shade and blinds manufacturers make their own versions of horizontal sheer shades, and this can be a money-saving opportunity for you. BlindsChalet.com has its own horizontal sheer shades starting at just $210.

All brands of horizontal sheer shades combine the softness of knitted fabric sheers and significant darkening power from their heavier fabric vanes in the room-darkening fabric options. However, horizontal sheer shades should not be used to achieve a blackout effect, such as you might want in a home theater room. For that type of application, it is better to use blackout honeycomb shades.

Horizontal sheer shades were originally introduced by Hunter Douglas in 1991, and swiftly became one of the most popular window treatments of all time. The basic design has not changed in all this time. Hunter Douglas horizontal sheer shades feature 2-1/2 inch vanes sandwiched between knitted sheer fabric. They provide a diffused view when opened and complete privacy when closed. These horizontal sheer shades also screen out 98 percent of harmful ultraviolet rays.

You might expect horizontal sheer shades to be good insulators. In fact, they are only fair due to the thinness and gauziness of their sheer panels. Cellular shades are better insulators and light blockers

Furthermore, cleaning can be a chore with horizontal sheer shades. The best method entails dusting with a feather duster or blowing off dust with a vacuum cleaner. One other possibility is to vacuum the sheer fabric panels with an upholstery brush attachment. Spots or stains must be treated in place with a damp sponge and mild detergent. Strong chemicals may change the color of the treated are and should be avoided.

For children, horizontal sheer shades are fairly safe. The enclosure of the vanes leaves no openings for kids to stick their heads into. The most important safety feature is the cord, which should end high enough above the ground to avoid tangling little heads and necks.

Horizontal sheer shades are beautiful, practical, versatile, and only moderately expensive. They can provide the privacy you desire while admitting soft, glowing light to a room. As an investment, horizontal sheer shades are a good one because despite their delicate and airy appearance, they are made of very tough, durable synthetic fibers. They’re good choices for any home.

Bay Window Curtains

2008-04-30T13:00:00Z

Bay window curtains let you finish the special touch the windows add to a room as well as control privacy and light transmission. Combine the curtains with other window coverings to create a complete window treatment. There are lots of ways to tackle bay window curtains, so read on.

Bay windows are considered a "must-have" in many home searches and in new home construction. Although they add a wonderful touch of class and style to the outside of your home, it may not give you the same feeling if you are looking out the window, simply due to the view or orientation of the window. It sometimes may be necessary to use bay window curtains to help dress up the windows or make them more functional for your use.

]]> Finding the right bay window curtains for your room and your decor is essential to help make the most of the style and design of the window and make the window more functional for your use. Combining window treatments like shutters or blinds with curtains can help you create a special look. The curtain rod you use can make a difference as well.

First, consider the decor of the room that the bay window is located in so you can focus on the right style of curtain. For example, if it is in a formal living room, then you will want and need a more formal look for the windows. This may include silk, satin, or another rich material that adds drama and formalness to the room. Some colors that are very common in formal rooms include dark reds, rich golds, cool creams, and more. Designs can range from very small and sophisticated to large and bold, depending upon the style. From formal to casual to everything in between, you will be able to find the right bay window curtains for your room's feel and style.

Measurements of your bay windows are essential. Bay windows are normally separated into a large window in the center that is flanked by two smaller windows on either side. The two smaller windows are the same size in most cases, but the larger window is significantly wider. By taking careful measurements of your bay window, you can ensure that your bay window curtains will fit and work well in this area.

The design of your bay window will dictate where you want to hang the curtains. If the bay windows have unique features or beautiful framing, you may want to hang the curtains inside of the window frame to accent the features. If you don't want to accent the features of the bay window's frame, you can choose to hang them over the window frame with specially made bay window curtain rods or curtain tracks. Or you can hang the curtains in front of the bay window space making it look as if you don't have a bay window when the curtains are closed. Either way, you can help make your bay windows more functional for your use by giving you a way to control the light and take care of your privacy needs.

Bay windows offer a beautiful frame to the world outside, but often the scenery outside is not very appealing and they are better suited for bringing daylight indoors. By using bay window curtains to help control the light, keep your privacy, or close off a less than appealing view, you can make the most of this beautiful window to make it a part of your room and your decor. You will then find that you enjoy the window and the room even more.

Swag Curtains

2008-04-23T13:00:00Z

Swag curtains can accentuate the style you are creating in a room. Depending on the style of swag you choose you have anything from an informal to formal look. Combine curtains, a swag and curtain rod and you can create any kind of window treatment you desire. What a way to make window coverings work for your decor.

Windows are a very important facet of your rooms and by decorating them with window treatments, you can help make them a decorative element as well. Swag curtains are one window treatment you may want to consider when dressing your windows. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors to allow you to create just the perfect look for your room and your window. In no time, you will find that your curtains enhance your decorating style, rather than just fade into the background or, even worse, detract from the decor in your room.

]]> Swag curtains look much like a waterfall in a window. They add curves and movement to a room, which is inviting and welcoming. They frame a window in a way that just curtains don't, enhancing the architectural features of the room or the view outdoors. These are some of the reasons people are drawn to them for their own homes or offices. By choosing swag curtains and using tiebacks, you will find that your windows are framed in perfect beauty and visual appeal.

If you are looking for a way to add drama to a room or window, then swag curtains are what you will want to choose. Swag curtains are a wonderful choice to frame a window, but they can also work very well to frame a big screen television in a media room as well. Curtains are not just for windows. They can be used in many different ways to help add drama and frame a focal point in your home. Be open to using swag curtains in new and different ways, because you may find that they were exactly what the room needed.

Swag curtains can be found in many different design styles. From formal to casual and everything in between, you will be able to find just the right swag curtains for the decor in your room. Country plaid swag curtains are great for adding a bit of country to a home, while silk or satin swags look great in a more formal room.

You can also use swag curtains with other window treatments. They will look great when paired with curtain panels, blinds, or shades. By coordinating them with your existing window treatment, you can create a beautiful look that you will love and enjoy. The swag curtains frame the existing window treatment to create a new and exciting look. In no time, you will have updated window treatments that you will love.

Swag curtains are easily found at your local department store, home improvement store, discount store and online. If you cannot find just the right ones for your room and decorating style, you can easily make them on your own. Whether you sew or not, you are sure to find directions for creating beautiful swag curtains on the internet that you can use to make just the right swag curtains for your personal preferences and decorating style.

Swag curtains can help to make your window more beautiful and can help it become a part of the decor of your room. Whether you want to add drama, frame a window, or just dress up a window, you are sure to find the right style and color of swag curtains.

Sewing Curtains

2008-04-16T13:00:00Z

Sewing curtains is one way you can ensure getting the right touch for your window coverings and window treatments. When you sew your own curtains you can choose the fabric and style you want and make them exactly the size for your windows. Choose a simple or an elaborate pattern, add the touches you want, and have fun.

Finding the right curtains for your window and your decorating style is often difficult, but there are options that will allow you to have the right color and style of curtains. By purchasing just the right fabric for your decor and your room, you can create your curtains yourself. Sewing curtains may seem like an impossibility if you are not very craftsy, but there are ways for you to create curtains for your window, no matter what your crafting skill level or sewing experience.

]]> If you have some experience sewing, you will be happy to know that most curtains are very easy to sew. Curtain panels only need a hem on three sides and a rod pocket for the top, so that you can hang them on a curtain rod. If you can sew a straight line, then you will be able to make a basic curtain. You only have to choose the fabric and determine what size of curtains that you need and you will be well on your way to sewing curtains in no time to help dress up your windows.

If you want a specific style of curtain, then you may want to find instructions for creating the type of curtain that you have in mind. You can find patterns online and in fabric stores to create just about any style of curtain that you can imagine. By taking a pattern, cutting out the fabric for your particular curtain using the pattern, and sewing curtains, you will soon have a curtain to hang in your windows that you will love and be proud of.

You can also choose to make your own curtains without having to sew at all. Using iron-on adhesive, often called no-sew, Velcro, or fabric glue to hem the curtains and to create a rod pocket is one option for you. Another option that takes no effort is to use sheets. They have a ready-made pocket in the top of them that will allow you to put them on the rod without any sewing or crafting at all. You can then add embellishments to the curtains, using sequins, ribbons, beads, and more to create a one-of-a-kind look for your windows.

Sewing curtains can give you the curtains that you want and need. You only need to go to the fabric store or the fabric department in your local department store and you will see that the choices in fabric are many. This can allow you to find the perfect look and design for your room and your decor.

Whether you are an experienced sewer, a beginner sewer, or a non-sewer, sewing curtains could be just the thing to help create the perfect window treatments. Then you will have a look that fits your aesthetic needs that you will love and be proud of.

Curtain Track

2008-04-09T13:00:00Z

A curtain track hangs from the ceiling, giving you more flexibility in where you hand and use curtains than curtain rods do. They are commonly used in hospitals, but are used in homes and offices too. Use curtain tracks to divide rooms for visual privacy. Incorporate them into your window treatment. Curtain tracks can be a great solution to your decorating dilemmas.

Curtains are highly functional window coverings. There are many different ways curtains can be used in a home or other building. For example, in a hospital, curtains in a curtain track give privacy to a patient's bed. Most people don't think of this when they want a way to separate their room, but you can purchase curtain tracks to mount on your ceiling to help break up a room. You can use any curtains you want as a way of creating a whole room inside of a room , breaking up or dividing a large room that you want to use for several different purposes.

]]> If you have a living room that flows into a dining room and want to have the flexibility to close off them from each other for a cozy, romantic dinner, then using a curtain track can be a good solution. Just choose curtains that work well with the decor of your living and dining room and mount them on the ceiling to the track, so that you can open and close them as you wish. This is a beautiful and easy way to separate off a room from the rest of your home for privacy and for function.

Whether you want to divide an entire room or just a portion of a room, like a corner, you will find it simple to do using a curtain track. The great thing is that curtain tracks can be any shape, from straight to curved, to help fit your particular needs. If you want to cordon off a portion of your family room that you use as an office, you can do it with curtains and a curtain track. From separating an office space to separating a reading nook for a child's room, it's easy when using a curtain track and curtains of your own choosing.

One of the best things about using a curtain track is that if you don't want the curtains to separate the room, then you simply pull the curtains back. It is very user friendly for even the most unhandy of homeowners. You can open or close the curtains according to your own needs and desires, which gives you added flexibility of use and function.

A curtain track is also great for windows that have an uncommon shape, like a bay or bowed window. You can follow the line of the window with the track, so your curtains will fit exactly the shape and size of window you have. This is a great way to make the most of those unusual windows that add so much character and style to a house.

You can choose between motorized and manual curtain tracks to give you maximum function. If you plan to open and close your curtains quite a bit, it can be well worth the extra expense to have the motorized curtain track. This makes it easier on you and helps you get more function out of your curtains and curtain track.

Whether you need curtain track for separating off a room or for a window that is a hard to fit shape, you will find curtain track to fit your needs. Curved or straight, curtain track can make your windows more functional to use and enjoy.