My Style

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.

(word count 308)

PPPPP

Many factors play a role in selecting the right
covering for your window. The main reasons as to
why you should install window coverings are light
control and privacy. Other factors include
durability, life expectancy, cleaning, formality,
versatility, safety, and the price.

Light control
The most difficult factor to control is light,
with most window coverings falling into one of
five categories:
1. Transparent - Clear, without obstruction
2. Translucent - Diffused light, which
prevents the perception of distinct images
3. Filtered - Muted light in bright
conditions
4. Semi-Opaque - Surfaces imprenetrable
by light, yet it also allows some light through
the gaps
5. Opaque - This is where all light is
blocked

Privacy
Privacy can be best achieved with almost any type
of window covering. The window treatment simply
needs to be translucent or better to diffuse
images. Frosted glass or glass block can even
help to give adequate levels of privacy.

Durability
A window opening by nature is a harsh environment
that is subject to direct sunlight, humidity, and
even temperatures. Add these factors to frequent
use and its simple to understand why windows
need to be constructed well. The life expectancy
is normally less for fabric window treatment
that can fade with time. Solid coverings, such
as shutters, have a long life span.

Cleaning
Each and every window covering will collect dust
and dirt. Fabric coverings are the most difficult
to clean, and are subject to stains. The
furniture quality window coverings will normally
wipe clean with a light solution.

Versatility
Some coverings will work well in formal settings,
while others will work best in casual living
settings. Alternate styles are versatile and
blend in well with almost any style of room.

Safety
Small children in the home will usually come in
contact with windows and their coverings. Some
coverings will have cords to raise or lower
for better visibility. Although they are handy
to have, they can be dangerous if they come
within reach of a child.

Price
While there is a discrepancy in the costs of
window coverings, it’s very important to weigh
the overall value involved. The term “value”
is often overused, although when purchasing
long term household items it is necessary to
consider the return on the investment.

Window coverings on the low end of the price
spectrum will normally have a short life
expectancy and low durability. The higher
priced coverings, such as shutters, are designed
to last the life of the home - all while
retaining the original character.

Shutters offer a hard window covering that is
semi opaque when closed, although they provide
great visibility when opened. The furniture
quality wooden shutters can be either painted
or stained in order to meet the needs of most
decors. All shutters are extremely durable
and offer a long life span.

(word count 469)

PPPPP

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.

(word count 430)

PPPPP

The best parts of decorating your windows are the
different window treatments you can choose. This
is where you can make decisions on fabrics, colors,
and also styles. Each decision you make between
contrasting borders, cording or fringe will show off
your own individually. If you add repeating
fabrics and colors in other parts of the room you
could help to add a dash of flair to your home.

You also have different styles of draperies and
valances to choose from. With draperies, you have
the options of rods with tap tops, tie tops with
different pleats, grommet rod pockets, flouncy tops
or plain rings. With valances you can choose to
have them gathered, pleated, shirred, swaged,
bundled, formal, casual, scalloped, lace, or even
flat.

You also have a different variety of shades and
blinds to choose from. You can choose between
fabric shades or cellular shades. If you don’t want
to go with shades, you can choose from metal mini
blinds, natural blinds, or even wood blinds.

With fabric shades you can choose between the Roman,
balloon, Austrian, bottom arched, pleated, or even
flat panel. If you prefer cellular shades, keep
in mind that they will give you a cleaner look
and are also available in sheer or non-sheer
materials.

If you decide to choose blinds, make sure that
they meet your homes requirements. Metal mini blinds
offer choices in weight and size, special finishes,
privacy options, header choices, cloth tapes, and
hundreds of different colors.

Wooden mini blinds also offer a variety of sizes,
tape colors, and finishes. Natural blinds are also
known as bamboo blinds, and are available in
matchstick, sewn slats, and have several choices
of natural fabric like appearance.

(word count 284)

PPPPP

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.

(word count 276)

PPPPP

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.

(word count 428)

PPPPP

If you enjoy the practical and enjoy efficiency, then
the mini blind is going to be your ideal choice of
window covering. When choosing a blind, you should
take several factors into account, such as the
appearance, privacy, cost, light control, ease of
use, and the ability to insulate.

Mini blinds are inexpensive and can easily fulfill
all of the considerations above. They are also
easy to use as well as efficient. You can also use
mini blinds in conjunction with other types of
window coverings and window treatments, and they
come available in an amazing array of color choices.

If you are new to the world of mini blinds and
their installation, you’ll find them to be very
easy to install. Something to keep in mind, which
is a common mistake of the window treating novice
is measuring incorrectly - you should always list
the width first in writing the measurement. Then,
when you order any blinds, be sure to give the
width first and not the height.

Also referred to as aluminum blinds and Venetian
blinds, mini blinds offer a curved slat for extra
strength. The most standard and practical choice
of mini blinds is the 1″ aluminum blind.

You should look for a finish that is built to
spring back, durable, and resistant to both dust
and static. Another stylish option to mini blinds
is the 1 3/8″ aluminum blind. This type of blind
delivers a bold statement, yet it has the same
practical features that make mini blinds appealing.

For a look and style you really can’t go wrong
with, mini blinds are the way to go. They are
very affordable, offer you an array of features,
and they will improve the look of your home.

(word count 290)

PPPPP

Wooden mini blinds are one type of wood blinds for
covering doors and windows. The smaller increments
of a narrow slate dimension, wooden mini blinds
are more able to control the amount of light that
comes into a room and the view that is seen through
a window.

Wooden mini blinds will also provide light and
privacy control within the room apart from giving
it an awesome look. They will also provide a
warm and cozy look to virtually any room, no
matter where it is. Wooden mini blinds are also
available in many colors and styles, various
shades, and several models.

The important things you’ll need to consider when
choosing wooden mini blinds are the appearance,
privacy that is offered, ability to control light,
insulating value, and how easy the blinds are to
operate. Even though mini blinds are available
in vinyl and aluminum materials as well, wooden
type blinds are the most preferred despite
being more expensive when compared to the other
types of mini blinds.

Wooden blinds will also give a natural look to
any room. They also work much better than
the traditional curtains or even shutters. From
the inside or outside, they look pretty. In
addition, wooden mini blinds are also great
insulators from heat or cold - unlike vinyl or
aluminum blinds.

Along with the many benefits offered to you by
wooden blinds, some materials will even keep bugs
away. There are 2 types of wood you can use
for mini blinds, which are ramin and bass, with
each one offering their own strengths and
weaknesses.

If you have an older style home, wood mini
blinds may be in your best interest. If you
have a log home, they can also help add to the
value of your interior. Wooden mini blinds
have been the most popular type of mini blinds
for years - and for good reason. Even though
they are the most expensive, they offer you
more than other types of blinds.

You can custom order wooden mini blinds as well
if your prefer. They are simple to install and
in most cases, the installation is provided by
the manufacturer. If you do it yourself, you
shouldn’t have any problem getting it done.

For the ultimate in style and performance, wood
is the ideal material for your mini blinds.
Wood offers the most for your money, as well
as the best look for your home - the natural
look.

(word count 407)

PPPPP

The traditional wooden shutter is normally made
from wood, needs quite a bit of maintenance, and
looks as if it was right out of an episode of
an old comedy. These shutters have been around
since the Colonial Times, and are quite a bit
old. Most people never close them, yet the
hinges still need to be shined and oiled.

These days, it may be the time to get rid of
the traditional wood shutters on your home and
go with a more modern choice such as aluminum
window shutters, as they resist the elements
and never close. This will help cut down on
your replacement and maintenance costs for
keeping the exterior of your home looking the
way it should.

Below, you’ll find several different types of
shutters offered today.

Vinyl window shutters
Vinyl shutters are easy to clean, very affordable,
and last around forty years. They will give
your home a traditional look without the need
for replacing them on a regular basis. They
weigh a little of nothing and are available in
traditional, louvered, board, and even batten
panel styles. To make things better, they
will arrive primed and ready to paint any color
you wish.

Composite window shutters
These types of shutters resemble a thick particle
board that is made from a collaboration of
weather and rot resistant material. They are
made from molds that offer many different
styles that include the louvered, board, batten,
and even raised panel styles. You can also
find these shutter types in a cupboard style
which is hinged at the top so you can open
and close them like the old fashioned wood
shutters of the past.

Fiberglass shutters
Fiberglass is the most expensive type of
shutter although they will last around 20 years
or so. They are molded as well and offered
in a variety of designs that include Bahama,
louvered, board and battened, and even raised
panel styles.

Fiberglass shutters are also stronger and
more secure than other types and can also be
used to protect your windows during storms and
hurricanes.

Aluminum shutters
Aluminum style shutters are offered in a
variety of styles that include the faux colonial
louvered style and Bahama style. These shutters
are strong and offer great protection for your
windows, and come in thousands of different
colors and textures. The only bad thing about
aluminum shutters, is the fact that most
companies will only offer a warranty of around
three years.

(word count 408)

PPPPP

The first thing to do when measuring for your mini
blinds is to determine if you need inside mount or
outside mount. Inside mount will fit the blinds
within the window frame, while outside mount will
fit the overlap of the window opening.

Inside mount
To find the width, measure the exact distance between
the inside surfaces of the window frame at the top,
middle, and also the bottom then use the narrowest
width you receive with your measurements.

To find the length, measure the exact distance
from the inside surface at the top of the window
to the bottom sill at the left, middle, and the
right then use the longest length. If you prefer
for the blinds not to touch the windowsill, you
should deduct 1/4″. If there isn’t a sill, then
you should measure the length to the point where
the blinds are to reach.

Outside mount
To find the width, measure the exact distance
between the outermost points where the blinds are
to be placed. For the best of light control, the
measurement should extend 3/4″ beyond the window
opening on each side.

To find the length, measure the exact distance
from where the top of the blinds are to be placed
to the top of the windowsill. If there isn’t a
sill on your window, then measure the length to
the point where the blinds are to reach.

Measuring for your blinds is very important, as
you’ll need the measurements to order the blinds.
Most companies will deduct for the brackets at
the factory, then all you’ll need to do once
you receive your blinds is to install them -
which is easy to do as well.

(word count 281)

PPPPP