Window Treatments | Home Makeover Diva

Provenance Woven Wood Vertical Drapery

02.14.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today I saw a new type of window treatment from Hunter Douglas that was so different from what I expected, I just have to share it with everyone here! It’s called Provenance Woven Wood Vertical Drapery. That’s right, I said woven wood and vertical drapery in the same sentence. It looks like woven wood but it has the waves one expects from drapery. And because it’s woven wood it is very textural. I know it sounds impossible and maybe even a little strange, but it is definitely something you have to see to believe. Below I have listed some of the pros and cons of the woven wood shades so you can get an idea of whether they are right for you and your space.

Pros of a woven wood vertical drapery:

Coordinating is a breeze – One big plus for Provenance Woven Wood Vertical Drapery by Hunter Douglas is that it coordinates with their woven wood horizontal line. This is especially great if you like the look of woven wood but have a sliding glass door or set of french doors in the same room. Now you can coordinate between the two without sacrificing function. This is something that can prove otherwise difficult, considering how large the stack height on a regular horizontal woven wood shade would be for a window as tall as a sliding glass door.

Perfect for big windows – With a max width of 194 inches and a height up to 96 inches, vertical drapery can be a perfect fit for larger windows.

Breathe easy – The provenance collection is Greenguard indoor air quality certified. Which means that it emits little to no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Nature made imperfections – As with all products made of natural materials each shade will look slightly different. Which means they will have a unique look to them and natural materials offer a great texture and feel to any room.

Hunter Douglas’s Lifetime Warranty – Regardless of the type of window treatment you purchase from Hunter Douglas, you can expect the same great lifetime warranty. While this warranty is similar to other window treatment companies, this one is covering any manufacturers defects for the amount of time you own the shade. This is something they offer above and beyond the competition is a 7 year warranty on all operational cords. The industry standard is only 3 years.

Cons of a woven wood vertical drapery:

Get out your wallet – Provenance woven wood vertical drapery is not cheap. Nor are any of the styles of window treatments from Hunter Douglas.

Not for home theaters or bedrooms – This drapery doesn’t come in a true opaque material option. It comes close, and will offer a room darkening effect. But it will not offer a blackout shade. The Provenance line may be better suited for areas where protection from the sun is desired, while keeping the view open and airy.

Nature made imperfections – As with all products made of natural materials, each shade will look slightly different. This means that you have to expect that the color will vary from shade to shade, as well as the thickness of the material. If you’re looking for an exact match to the sample, this will not be the case with this woven wood vertical drapery. As you can tell, since I also listed this con as a pro, in my view this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But it is something to be aware of, especially if your design plan for you room does not allow for any shade variations.

As you can see there are both good points and bad points to consider when looking at Provence Woven Wood Vertical Drapery by Hunter Douglas. While they are a great new product, they may not be for every taste or every budget. But they are definitely worth considering for anyone who loves woven wood shades and natural materials. I recommend including this option in any of your upcoming window treatment shopping trips.

Budget Sun Blocking Shades

02.13.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Marissa writes:

Dear Diva, the heat is finally getting to me. My house is so hot I can’t stand to stay home during the day. I’m miserable! I don’t have a lot of extra money to spend, so can you suggest some budget sun blocking shades?

Marissa, I applaud you for making it this long into the summer before cracking down and seeking out sun blocking shade options. However, I’m sure you’ll wish you had acted sooner when you see how budget friendly your options really are!

One of the best options for sun blocking shades are old fashioned roller shades. These shades are still like the ones your grandmother or grade school used and they are still just as effective at blocking the sun. Since we are seeking out the budget friendly version you’ll want to look for in stock rather than the custom version. You’ll find the best prices either online or in home improvement stores. At the budget friendly price, expect to find these shades available in either white or cream. And if you have a large window, you may need to double up with two or more shades because they are only available up to 72″ wide. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay $50 or less depending on the amount of sun you are expecting to block. On the plus side, these types of shades are also usually cordless so they are a great choice if you have kids or pets in your home. However the spring roller mechanism is not the most hearty so you will want to treat them like fine china if you expect them to last longer than a year.

Another option for sun blocking shades are the ones you install on the outside of your home. You can find these as inexpensive as $15 at home improvement and big box stores in a standard size of 6 feet. This variety often will come in a pvc/vinyl composite in white or tan, and will block some of the sun before it hits your windows. For a much more effective way to block sun you will might want to check out Coolaroo shades. While they are more expensive than the previously mentioned outdoor shades, they will also block considerably more of the sun’s heat from coming in your window. Plus they are better at preserving your view. These shades will cost up to a $100 but will last much longer as well.

The last option to mention is more temporary. But if you don’t intend on using these shades for months on end, consider going with a temporary pleated shaded. While these shades are better suited as temporary blinds they will help to cut down on the some of the heat you are experiencing right now. The blackout kind will provide the most amount of heat reduction. And will cost less than $10 depending on the window size and shape. These blinds are usually made out of paper or vinyl and stick to the window sill using a double stick tape. You won’t have a lot of control as far as when you want to let light in, but you will be providing another layer of protection to block out some of the heat.

Depending on which option you choose, you could be spending as little as $10 per window and will be providing almost instant relief from the sun. With choices as expensive as these you’ll be wondering why you waited so long to invest in budget sun blocking shades!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Energy Efficient Shades For Windows

07.06.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Do you have a room of your house that you avoid during the summer because it gets too hot? Can you feel the heat radiating in from the windows? If you answered yes to both of these questions, it’s time to consider new energy efficient shades for Windows. You don’t have to avoid sections of your home in the summer months you just need to know your options for heat control.

Cellular Shades: One popular style for controlling energy efficiency is Cellular shades. Because of their cellular or honeycomb design, these shades will help reduce the amount of heat that comes into your space. This is done by trapping the heat that comes in through the window in-between the “cells” of the shade. To increase the amount of heat that is trapped, go with a double or triple cell for maximum R value (insulation) and consider a light blocking or blackout fabric for optimal control. Keep in mind that by going with a darker fabric, you will not be letting in much natural light during the day. Which is why cellular shades are great for rooms that have TVs or computer monitors because you will significantly reduce glare on both of these. This type of energy efficient shade will also reduce the amount of cold air coming in during the winter. Cellular shades are available in a many colors and styles from various companies, with both in stock and online ready to ship products to custom designed and specially made just for you.

Interior Solar Shades: Another option to consider is interior solar shades. Solar shades are designed to specifically reduce the amount of heat coming into your space by blocking up to 90% of the sun’s harmful rays. Solar shades actually look more like a window screens and come in different levels of openness. The “openness” refers to how well you can see outside when the shades are pulled down. The smaller the percentage of openness the more heat the shades block. Solar shades are a great choice if you have a view and you still want to preserve it. They are also nice because they allow natural daylight in, yet still manage to block the heat. Unlike cellular shades, solar shades are not all year round energy efficient shades, unless you live in warmer climates. As in, they do nothing to reduce the amount of cold air that comes in through the window. Solar shades are available in a wide variety of fabrics, they can be custom-made or purchased online in select sizes.

Exterior Solar Shades: If you like the idea of blocking out heat before it comes into the room, but don’t want to replace your existing window treatments, consider exterior solar shades. Exterior solar shades are very similar to interior ones, only they are specifically designed to be outside. They are also slightly more effective because they stop the sun before it comes in through the window. Like their interior counterparts exterior solar shades still allow maximum light into your home and preserve your view. Exterior solar shades also do nothing to reduce the cold air that comes in through the window and are only energy efficient during the summer months. Solar shades come in a variety of colors and sizes, some companies fabricate solar shade fabric into awnings and others operate more like a traditional roller shade. They can either be specially made and installed and or you can purchase them a local hardware or home improvement store and install them yourself.

No matter, which option is right for your home, any of these types of window treatments are energy efficient and will reduce the amount of heat that makes the room unbearable this time of year. You don’t have to be miserable just because it is summer time. Consider your space, your style and your budget and you’ll find the perfect option for you!

Window Treatments For A Home Office

05.31.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today May writes:

Dear Diva, I’m trying to figure out what type of window treatments for a home office. Problem is there are a lot of variables to consider and I want to make sure that I choose wisely. The office is on the second story and gets a lot of sun light and heat during the summer which I want to block out. But during the cooler times of the year I like to let the natural light in. I also might want to make this room a guest bedroom in the future. Do you have any suggestions?

May, it’s always difficult to decide between all the different types of window treatments when you’ve got multiple variables to consider. Luckily for you though, I’ve been through this exact situation myself and can help you narrow down your choices. The most important variable to consider is the fact that you need a window treatment that will help reduce the heat from the sun during warmer days. To that end, I would recommend either a solar shade or a cellular shade. Because another variable is that the office will potentially be a guest room in the future, a cellular shade will be more prudent as cellular shades offer the privacy that solar shades are lacking. You may be thinking that the cellular shade will not allow you to let a lot of light in during the times of the year that heat blocking is not an issue. However, you would be wrong! Check out these two options to find the right one for you:

Option #1: Top down/bottom up cellular shades. The top down/bottom up feature will allow you to maintain some light blocking and privacy, while still allowing some light to come in from the top of the shade. This feature is also excellent if you have an unsightly view or if you want to maintain your privacy and let light in at the same time. The top down/bottom up option can be added to most custom cellular shades for an additional cost. You also may be able to choose from a corded or cordless style depending on the size of your window. I prefer the cordless option because it has less strings hanging off the shade, but keep in mind that you will need to be able to reach the shade to raise and lower it. Cordless blinds are never good for windows that are harder to get to or require a stool to touch the top of the frame. Also keep in mind that it is quite a bit more for cordless top drop/down bottom up. For corded top down/bottom up expect to pay around $25-45 per blind. For cordless the price could be anywhere from $70-100 per blind.

Option#2: Day/night cellular shades. This feature is really two shades put together into one. You get a light filtering fabric on the top and a room darkening fabric on the bottom. It will allow you to have the best of both worlds. If you want to let more light in but still maintain a little privacy, lower the light filtering fabric. When you are ready to block out all the sun or heat, raise the room darkening fabric. You get both fabrics and the normal functionality of a regular shade. The day/night option is great because it gives you both a room darkening fabric and a light filtering one. But it does come at a significant cost. This option is priced as two separate blinds, so it doesn’t come cheap. And it because it is two different fabric types even when one blind is closed all the way and you are utilizing the other one, you will be able to tell that it is two shades in one because of the fabric difference and it has an extra rail in the middle. Personally I don’t think that is a big deal, but it has been known to bother some people so it is worth mentioning.

Out of the two options mentioned above. I chose a top down/bottom up cordless cellular shade. Because I wanted the streamed line cordless look I have in other rooms of the house and the day/night option was only available with cords. If being cordless is important for you, consider the top down/bottom up. Otherwise the day/night is also a good choice, since both of these options take into account the other variables you are considering. And no matter which option you choose I am confident that both will allow you to enjoy your window treatment for years to come, no matter if that room stays your home office or becomes a guest room!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Adjustable Window Treatments For Arched Windows

05.24.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Tammy writes:

Dear Diva, I’m trying to find some window treatments for arched windows that are adjustable, but all I can find are fixed ones. Do they make adjustable window treatments for arched windows so you can see out? Thanks!

Tammy, yes they do. But you aren’t going to find them from the three major window treatment manufacturers. The closest you’ll find from them are aluminium blinds that can be tilted open or closed. To the get the full view you’ll need to look elsewhere at specialty services. Below I’ve provided two such options for different types of window treatments for arched windows that actually open or close fully.

1) Soft Arches – I found a company who makes a product called Soft Arches Moveable Arches by Omega. From across the room the Soft Arches look similar to an arched cellular shade when installed. But they are in fact more like drapery than a window shade. You select the fabric from Omega’s list or you can even send in your own fabric if it meets their specifications and they will custom design a Soft Arches shade for your arched window. The best part about this shade, is that it can be opened or closed completely. Soft Arches operate by two motors and are remote control operated. There is one motor on each side of the half circle. This means that you don’t have to have the window treatment opened or closed completely. This feature is great if you are only trying to block glare and keep a partial view out the window. This style would be great in a formal more traditional room especially when paired with the optional valances.

2) Original Moon Shade Blind – If your room is a little more contemporary, consider checking out the Original Moon Shade Blind by Macadam Blinds. This option is not available in as many color choices however. In fact it only comes in one color: Crown White. This style reminds me more of a shutters or wood blinds. However there is no tilting open or closed here, the blind opens completely to let the light in. You can operate it by either remote control or with a cord. The Original Moon Shade Blind is light blocking so they are perfect in bedrooms, media rooms and children’s rooms. Even despite the limited color choice, the Original Moon Shade Blind could be versatile enough to match any decor.

3) Installation – Okay, so there are two examples of window treatments for arched windows I found that can open or close all the way. I liked each of them because they both had remote controls, which makes them ideal for arched windows. If you were looking for something from one of the big three blind manufacturers instead, your choices are limited to immovable cellular shades or aluminum blinds that can only be tilted open or closed. When deciding which is best for you, take into account how much light you want to let in, as well as how much your budget can afford. I would also recommend hiring someone to do the installation for you, as arch window treatments can be tricky to install.