Vinyl Mini Blinds

                        Vinyl Mini Blinds



For high humidity rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom, or waterfront locations, vinyl binds are an ideal choice. Vinyl blinds with the standard braided cords and non textured gloss stats are easy to clean, unbreakable, and very resistant to sun bleaching.


The richly textured embossed prints, elegant neutrals, and wood tones all help to a add a decorative dimension that isn't found in horizontal blinds. Vinyl blinds are available in both solid colors and embossed finishes, and are also available in many different sizes as well.

PVC blinds are great as well, as they are a very durable and fashionable solution as a treatment for your windows. They will also remain durable and easy to maintain regardless of the humidity or other weather factors.

Lightweight vinyl blinds are the least expensive type of vinyl blinds available, although the thin slats can sag a bit, the cords can shred, and the mechanisms used with the blinds can break or malfunction.

On sale, you can find vinyl blinds as low as $5.99. The darkening mini blinds on the other
hands, are better quality with less space between the slats, and run as high as $10.99.

There are some vinyl mini blinds that are imported that will contain lead, which is a serious hazard for your health. Lead poisoning is acute for pregnant women or tiny children because of their fast growing vulnerable tissue. The vinyl blinds that are made in the United States however, are lead free.

Vinyl blinds are also the easiest types of mini blinds to maintain. You can clean them by hanging them on a clothesline pole then spraying them down with a garden hose.

Vinyl Shutters VS Wood Shutters

         Vinyl Shutters VS Wood Shutters


Interior shutters have always been one of the most popular window treatments. They maintain their
value a lot better than any other type of window covering, and they aren't only attractive and
enhance your home's appeal but they also help to regulate light, insulate, and fit in to almost any
decorating style to make your window appear amazing.


These days, indoor shutters are more popular than ever before. Therefore, it's really no wonder why
many new manufacturers are trying to get into the shutter industry. The most notable addition
is the vinyl compound shutters.

Wooden shutters There are many reasons as to why you should avoid using vinyl shutters. Many prefer to have real wood, just as they prefer clothing that is made from cotton or wool as opposed to synthetics. For a
warm, authentic, traditional look, wooden shutters are a great choice.

There are however some limitations of vinyl type shutters. They are normally made only in white and
off white colors. Therefore, you can not precisely color match, making staining impossible. Most
interior vinyl shutters are cheaply made with cheap components and poor quality, and should be avoided
for that reason - despite the low cost.

Vinyl shutters Vinyl shutters of quality are definitely worth a consideration. The best types of interior vinyl
shutters cost less than custom window shutters. The most important features are those that are practical
in nature. Vinyl shutters won't crack, peel, fade, or deteriorate like wood will.

Vinyl shutters are also perfect for humid areas such as showers and sinks. Since they are moisture
resistant, they are also a great choice near the swimming pool.

They are also flame retardant and insulate much better than interior wood shutters. They are easier to
clean and won't show any dents or scratches, which makes them ideal for children's rooms. The time
it takes to manufacture them is also half the time of a true custom wood shutter.

Making that final choice between vinyl and wood all comes down to the type of home you have and your
personal preference. Each type certainly offers good and bad points, although wood is the most popular style. Vinyl is quickly gaining in popularity, as they are much easier to clean than wood.

Before you make your decision, always compare and shop around. The prices will be different, although
you shouldn't base everything on price. Check the quality of the manufacturer and compare with the types of windows you have. Once you carefully put some research into it, you'll have the windows you need in no time at all.

Hurricane Protection

Wooden Shutters And Hurricane Protection


If you live in an area that is prone to storms or hurricanes, there are several types of security storm shutters available that will help you protect yourself and your home. Storm shutters aren't in the wooden shutters
category, although they are durable shutters that move horizontally between the lower and the upper track.

Interlocking blades found on the storm shutters are made from aluminum and make up a wall of protection in the shutter. If you have a large area to cover, it can half a center opening with half of the shutter moving to the
right and the other half to the left.


Even though this shutter doesn't fall into one of the most decorative styles of shutters, it does provide great protection against theft, flying debris, forced entry, and even the dreaded hurricane. Storm shutters will also
give you more privacy and help to reduce noise.

A great example of a protective covering that will do a great job in protecting from the sun's glare and heat is the aluminum awning. They are affordable in price and very functional, they fit doors, patios, porches, and windows as well. There are two types available - the standard awning and the winged awning, and both will easily close down to convert to storm shutters.

For those who live in bad storm areas, storm shutters are among the best ways to help protect your family and your house. They don't cost a lot of money, they are easy to install, and they won't make your home stand out in a crowd. If you want the best in protection from Mother Nature and the peace of minein knowing it - storm shutters are just what you need.

Wooden Shutters

                             
                      Wooden Shutters


The best wood for building interior wooden shutters is basswood. The tree can be found from Quebec
south to Delaware and the Atlantic coast west to Eastern Kentucky with an average height of 65 feet. Basswood is a renewable resource and careful forest management ensures that the harvesting is done responsibly by balancing the wood growth with wood removal.


Basswood interior shutters are very straight and they also have a fine uniform texture with a very indistinct grain. The wood machines well and is easy to work, screws well, glues well, and it can be stained to a smooth finish.

Basswood shutters do not warp, they are lightweight yet very strong, offer uniform grain for a superb stain finish, and they offer superior gluing and finishing properties.

Oak shutters
Oak is a very heavy wood which makes for very heavy window shutters. Oak interior shutters will add a lot of weight to window jambs, with screws requiring pre-drilling. They aren't suitable for painting and the louvers tend to warp over time.

Maple shutters
Maple is heavy like oak and produces interior shutters that are very heavy. Maple also requires that the window jambs be pre-drilled. The wood louvers with maple are hard to tension uniformly.

Poplar shutters
Poplar shutters mill and paint very well. The mineral streaks and green color help make popular wood unsuitable for staining. For shutters, poplar wood is moderately heavy. The wood is widely available and less costly, although it also produces a lesser quality of wood shutter.


Cedar shutters
Cedar wood mills and finishes nicely, although the color varies greatly for staining. Cedar is pretty soft and can dent or scratch very easily.

For exterior shutters, cedar works very well. The amazing durability and resistance to decay of incense cedar makes it perfect for exterior use wherever moisture is presented. Requiring long service with very little maintenance, it's also hated by bugs!

Alder shutters
Alder is an excellent choice for interior shutters, as the tree is very small. Tall window shutters using alder wood will require finger joints.

Pine shutters
Pine is a soft wood, with many different species and grades available.

Always remember that there are also poorly constructed wood shutters that will rank very low on the scale of quality. You should always look for a smooth, well sanded surface, thick durable paing, glued and doweled joints, and a straight light hardwood. Before you commit to any shutter company, always request a sample
so that you know what to expect.

Wooden Window Shutters

                 Wooden Window Shutters


Almost all wooden shutters are constructed from a solid hardwood. This helps to give the shutters the necessary stability for daily usage. Windows can be a naturally harsh environment, with direct sunlight, fluctuating humidity, and the rapid change in temperature.

All types of wooden shutters can withstand all of these types of conditions. Wooden shutters are constructed to withstand harsh climates from the intense heat and sun of the tropics to the intense cold of the North. Keep in mind, not all shutters are created equally, as the selection of wood, types of joints, and overall design will
determine the quality of the ending product. In the overall structure of a wooden shutter, the type of wood is very important. All wood is chosen based on durability, weight, straightness, length, and overall finishing qualities. Basswood is one of the best examples, as it builds an exceptional shutter. Basswood also ranks high
in just above every characteristic you could possibly imagine.

The joints of the wood will need to be solid and strong in order to create a long lasting wood shutter. Finger joints are also important, as they connect two shorter lengths of wood. The finger joints show through the finish of a painted shutter and may look poor from the start for a stained wood shutter.

Having strong joints between stiles and rails will prevent the two components from separating or tearing apart. The joints should be glued and dowled for the strongest bond and the best overall performance.

By purchasing wooden shutters, you'll get quality shutters at a great price. Before you buy, do your research on the company and make sure that they know what they are doing. If you buy from a reputable seller, you'll get everything you need for excellent wooden shutters, and instructions on how to install them yourself if you wish.

Wood Or Vinyl Mini Blinds

                Wood Or Vinyl Mini Blinds


The market for mini blinds has expanded well past those traditional aluminum blinds that break, bend, and warp. A lot of homeowners are now electing to install a 2 inch blind made from either wood or vinyl to add a nicer touch to a room.

Proving to be cheaper than wooden shutters and able to allow more light in, these blinds will combine function and design which helps produce a look that everyone will like. Years ago, the purchase of these two inch blinds would break the bank, although now there are many options available for those on any type of budget.

Keep in mind that there are both pros and cons to choosing either wood or vinyl. The biggest difference in the material of the two is the price and the color. Normally, wooden two inch blinds are a lot more expensive than vinyl blinds, although they are available in more colors.

If you have strained wooden trim and molding around your windows, you should consider adding that specific color to your window treatments. A dark wooden blind or a honey hue wooden window blind can make a big difference when it comes to the look and style of your home. For a price, you can create an inspiring look that
makes the difference between and alright room and an amazing room.

Always remember that wooden blinds can tend to a bit lighter than vinyl, so they could be an ideal choice for double or triple windows to prevent bowing in the middle of the blind.Just like vinyl, wooden blinds can be custom cut to fit the exact requirements of your window.

Vinyl blinds are also a bit less expensive and can easily be mistaken for the wooden variety. If you are choosing a bright white or a soft ivory for your shades, vinyl will be the perfect choice if you are on a budget. Vinyl blinds are also easier to clean, as water can warp wood or even cause the finish to crack or bubble.

If you are planning to purchase wood or vinyl blinds, you should consider paying a visit to your local supply warehouse. The selection at most stores can be dramatic, as they offer good prices and a variety of choices.

If your budget isn't a problem at all, you should look towards a special window treatment shop in your area, where professionals will come to your home and take care of both the measuring and installation for you.

Venetian Blinds

                          Venetian Blinds


Anyone who is familiar with Venetian blinds knows just
how difficult they are to clean, with laterally slatted
strips of plastic with dangling cords that gets on
everyone's nerves since they always seemed to get in
a tangle. A majority of us can't find anything uglier
or messier than blinds that hang crooked. Manufacturers
are however, starting to make them more functional, more
attractive, and easier to clean.


The first thing you'll need to make sure of, is that the
blinds are hung properly, as this will ensure that your
window covering is successful. If your blinds are hung
crooked, then the strings won't properly act as
pulleys. No matter how pretty they may be, they won't
be any good if they don't work properly.

The only time you should use the old fashioned plastic
Venetian blinds is if you are going for more of a retro
look. If you are going for the retro look, it may be
better to consider using the anodized aluminum or
painted silver blinds. These types of blinds tend to
collect less dirt and dust and will help complete the
look better with your retro room.

Most manufacturers are now creating Venetian blinds in
different colors and textures. They do this by
painting, coating, or even anodizing the slats. They
have neon colors, metallic bronze, silver, and even
gold to choose from now.

The boring blinds of the 90s can be found as institutional
window treatments. In the past, when decorating an
office, people would have chosen white or black
blinds to go with the wood decor. Now, you can
choose from shades of olive, burgundy, or even brown.
If your office has more of a sleeker look, you can
even choose a Venetian blind in cherry red or celadon
color.

If you feel that your room is outdated or you just
need to re-decorate and your on a budget, then a new
window treatment may be the answer. Even though
Venetian blinds can be considered outdated, they
can easily be jazzed up with drapes or sheers. If
you are re-decorating a room that it may be hard to
find blinds for, such as a boxed shape window or a
small window, you may be able to choose the older
style mini blinds in various vibrant colors.

If you are just trying to make a truly unique fashion
statement, then you should consider hand painting
your Venetian blinds. You can choose to show off
your individuality and your craftier side by painting
the blind to show an image once it is closed.