Advantages of Plantation Shutters

There are so many different options for window coverings for your home. These include blinds, shades, curtains, louvers, and shutters. One option that many people don't think about when they are looking for window treatments is plantation shutters. There are a lot of advantages to getting plantation shutters.

Plantation shutters are one option that can really improve the looks of your windows. These shutters look great, and usually look so nice you don't even need to add a valance or curtains like you do with blinds or shades. They are usually made of wood, wood composite, or imitation wood. They can be custom made to fit any window, even those with odd shapes and curves that are hard to fit with many window treatment options. There are many different types of finishes and colors, so they can be made to match the décor in your house.

Plantation shutters are also long lasting. Blinds and shades can wear out relatively quickly, sometimes within only a couple years. Metal blinds can get bent, and vinyl shades can tear. Fabric shades and blinds can get dusty and dingy looking and be difficult to clean. However, plantation shades are much sturdier and much less likely to wear out in a short time. They are also easily dusted so that they can be kept looking nice and clean.

Plantation shutters also offer great options for light control. You can adjust the louvers on the shutters to let in however much light you desire. You can close the louvers to block out most of the light, and open them wide to let in all available light. The louvers also add to your privacy as it is difficult to see in the windows from outside. However, as long as the louvers aren't all the way closed, you can still get a good view of the outside of your house.

Plantation shutters can also offer some insulating properties, making it easier to keep your home the temperature you wish. This is especially true of some of the shutters made of imitation wood, such as those made out of Thermalite. The imitation wood is very similar in looks and feel to wood, but much cheaper as well as more insulating.

Learn more about Plantation Shutters by visiting http://www.shutter-world.com/

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Painting Window Boxes to Match Your Home

Window boxes are designed to be a part of the house and as such, color selection is crucial to matching or complementing your home. The choice of colors is plentiful and many times homeowners are unsure whether they should paint their window boxes or leave them unpainted. You want to make sure that you choose a color that is consistent with the home's style and flows nicely. Even if you don't have much design sense, there are a few simple rules you can follow to play it safe and pick a color that will match your home. It is often recommended that window boxes be painted in one of four ways:

1. To match the trim around the window

2. To match the color of the exterior shutters around the window

3. To match the color of your siding or wood shingles

4. A complimentary color if shutters are not already on the window

You rarely want to bring in a third color if you already have shutters and trim around the window of two different colors. This can make the window seem too busy and cause colors to clash on the house. It's a good idea to choose a window box color that matches your architectural style and personality as well. Bright colors will attract people's attention to the window box, but may also make the window box stand out more than the flowers or plants in them. Painting the window box neutral colors shifts the focus elsewhere so that the window box functions as an accent. They can also showcase plants and flowers better.

PVC window boxes are great for holding paint and the paint will not fade or peel. They're an upgrade over wood which has maintenance issues and vinyl which cannot be painted and have a shiny appearance to them. For PVC window boxes, if you decide to paint them, it is recommended that you use an exterior latex paint. Semi-gloss is better for minimizing sun absorption and Sherwin Williams even makes a vinyl safe paint that works well with PVC to do more of the same. Just remember to leave the inside of any window box unpainted no matter what material it's made from. You never want paint to be in direct contact with soil and water. Paint in direct contact with water, soil, and roots, will kill existing plants and prevent future growth.

Painting window boxes is a great way to make a window box truly feel like it connects with a home. The right color choice completely determines a great natural flow for the look of your home. The choice of color you pick is a direct reflection of your creativity and personality and can shift the focus to the home, window, window box, or even the flowers inside.

Flower Window Boxes builds window boxes and ships them around the country. Matt Buquoi, the owner, has many years experience building, painting, and installing window boxes.

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Tags: Painting, Window Boxes, Home

Lovely Treatment Ideas to Make the Most of Your Bay Windows

Bay windows are eye-catching amenities you'll often see on classic houses and older Victorian homes. They can look very elegant and enhance the look of your house. There are, however, specific needs which must be met in order to design beautiful window treatments that will do your bay windows justice.

There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself before starting to think about the window treatments themselves. Why was a bay window installed in this particular location? Is there a window seat, and what kind of cushions do I need for it? What will its main use be? Is it located in a child's bedroom? Is the window mainly ornamental? By answering questions such as these, you'll have a much better idea of the type of window treatments you're going to want on your window.

If you have an old Victorian bay window, it may well be that it has always been dressed using the heavy drapery materials favored during that era. You might want to consider exchanging those heavy fabrics for newer, lighter ones that will provide an airier effect. These light fabrics will also soften the angles of the window. Whatever you decide, you'll want to find fabric that matches the décor of the room. In order to create a more dramatic look, you can add faux jewels to your draperies in order to make them more noticeable.

Your bay window provides an excellent spot for people who are trapped inside due to inclement weather to sit and watch the rain or snow while sipping a cup of tea. Your children might enjoy using the bay window seat as a retreat in which to do their homework or read a book. Be sure to keep a comfortable cushion on the window seat which will make the space homey and appealing for all of the people in your home.

Having the right window treatment on your bay window will add a touch of charm and friendliness to your room. You'll find that the entire mood of the room has changed. If you'd prefer a more modern treatment, however, you can always use bamboo.

Topped with a lovely window treatment, your bay window won't be allowed to fade into obscurity any longer. Instead, this warm, cozy spot will become a favorite with your guests. So isn't it about time you got started on a new window treatment for your bay window? Your house will thank you.

Visit us for more information on home window awnings, blackout window coverings and custom roman shades.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

Tags: Windows, Treatment, Ideas

Add Ambiance to Your Home With Plantation Shutters

When decorating your home, you may be interested in creating a certain mood or atmosphere. One way to add ambiance to your home is to install plantation shutters. Plantation shutters can lend charm and beauty to the windows and rooms of your home. These shutters are available in a wide variety of sizes, styles and finishes. A very popular choice for plantation shutters is when they are painted white. These type of shutters painted white can offer a clean and fresh look to your kitchen, bathroom or living area. If you would like a more rustic look, then you may want to choose a wood finish.

However, the wood finish does not have to be rustic, it can also be quite elegant. Some companies also offer plantation shutters in other colors besides white. For an additional charge, you may even find a company that will custom paint the shutters to your specifications. Plantation shutters also come several different materials. One of the materials these type of shutters are composed of is wood. They are also composed of faux wood, which is made of materials such as polyvinyl, composites and MDF. Some individual's may turn up their nose at the mention of faux wood, but many times faux wood is a wonderful imitation of the real thing. Faux wood products are great in high moisture areas, as well, such as the kitchen or bathroom. They also will not suffer wear and tear as real wood shutters will.

Louvers are also another consideration for those interested in buying plantation shutters. Louvers can be stationary or movable. If the shutters are to be installed in an area where you would not find the occasion to open the louvers, then a fixed louver shutter would be an excellent choice. However, if you are interested in allowing light to come in through the shutters, then movable louvers would be the best option. The louver sizes also vary. The size of the louver should not only depend on the look you find most attractive, but also on how much light you are interested in letting in through the plantation shutters. Louvers come in sizes up to five and one half inches. Whatever type of plantation shutters you are interested in installing, you are sure to enjoy the ambiance they will add to your home.

Learn more about Plantation Shutters Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Harris

Tags: Ambiance, Plantation, Shutters

Even Peeping Toms Will Like Your Faux Wood Blinds

The most energy-efficient window covering available today is cellular shades. They have a honeycomb structure that traps air for maximum energy efficiency and sound reduction. They're going to give you a great number of options when it comes to controlling the light and they have wonderful cordless feature. When fully raised they do not obstruct a major portion of your view either. They reduce noise, help you enjoy your view, great for privacy, lower heating and cooling costs and are child-safe.

Wooden blinds add a special touch of warmth and richness to your room and will create a room where you can re-energize, letting your creative juices flow with the clean lines of natural wood. They come in a wide range of slat sizes ranging from 1 inch up to 3 inches as well as a full range of finishes and control possibilities. They're great energy savers, reduce glare, good for privacy, great for hard to reach windows and are child-safe. Faux wood blinds are some of the most popular on the market today. They can be opened or closed by tilting the slats for light control and privacy.

They look and feel like wood, but one of the most attractive features is their discount price. The colour selection is rather limited and may require a great number of ladders to support their less rigid faux wood slats. They are recommended in areas where there is high humidity, and are excellent for game rooms or other demanding areas. They will create a nice modern look with a budget-friendly price. Aluminium mini blinds are a great, low-cost, durable solution, especially if your budget is a priority. They come in a variety of slat sizes from the 1-inch mini to the 2-inch macro. They will create a modern, contemporary look, having a cordless option for the children's room, and will also give you a great updated look with a budget-friendly price.

Best known for covering patio doors and wide windows, vertical blinds are tried and true. You can purchase them in fabric vanes or vinyl along with various textures and colours. If you want to create that perfect retro look or add a sleek modern twist to your room, these blinds are perfect for that purpose. They're great for use in high-humidity areas, as well as offering style and reducing noise. A timeless and classic blind is the roller blind or roller shade. Available in numerous decorative trim styles and fabrics, they truly offer you a unique look. You'll find that these roller window blinds come in bead-chained loops or spring lifts that are both child-friendly styles.

Roller shades are recommended for anyone that wants a modern look with a budget friendly price and they are also great for children's rooms. Woven wood blinds are both zen and contemporary, and will produce harmony and tranquility in your home. Woven wood comes in grass cloth, bamboo or matchstick blinds. This great blind will bring nature's authenticity indoors to you. They will allow you to express your personal style, and most manufacturers have valences along with decorative trims and finishes. You will also find decorative banding, privacy liners and the option of either a bottom-up or top-down feature. They offer you such benefits as reduced noise and casual harmony, and are really great for keeping your privacy.

Roman shades offer warmth and richness and will help you create your private hideaway to help you relax and unwind. They help one connect with the calming softness and revitalizing comfort that their fashion fabric design creates. Roman shades will soften and accent your windows. There is no primping or fussing and they allow you to easily control light and privacy with light filtering or room darkening fabrics and liners. Sheer shades work like cellular shades and wood blinds all in one.

They offer you privacy and will filter light. Some of the more popular horizontal sheer shades or blinds include Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Comfortex Shangrila. Sheer shades are going to give you a clean contemporary look, offer remote control for hard to reach windows and are excellent for controlling light and privacy with filtering or room dimming fabrics. Electric or automatic blinds are essentially a form of motorized blind and are going to make your life easy!

They're great for hard to reach windows, increase energy efficiency and personal security, and you can even set the timer to raise and lower your blinds at specific times. The best part about this great blind is there is no wiring required! Some of the benefits include, increased energy efficiency since they are on a timer, increased security and peace of mind when you are home alone, and great control for hard to reach windows. They even make it easy to control light into a home theatre area.

Pleated window shades and pleated blinds are a designer's dream. They offer the depth of colour and texture that woven fabric brings. In addition to stylish fabrics, they will allow the right amount of light into your room as they come in sheer, semi-sheer, light filtering or opaque. They're tremendously versatile and functional for giving you light control. They offer traditional value at an affordable price, and you can even add a pleated shade liner. The benefits include rich colours and textures to accent your windows that will create a fresh look with a budget-friendly price.

For that arched window, arch window treatments give you back control over the sun and allow you to enjoy your room once again. They are either fixed or movable window coverings. Available in wood or cellular fabrics, they are made from the finest of materials that will last. Distinctive designs and inviting accents are used to define the shape of your arch window to make it the focal point of your experience. Use these blinds to block the sun's glare and heat, and open up your room to more light while keeping it private.

Arch window treatments give you back control over the sun and allow you to enjoy your room once again. Arch window shades can be either fixed or moveable coverings. Arch window blinds are available in wood and cellular fabrics. Our arch window blinds are made of the finest materials, for an arch window treatment that will last. Arch window shades use distinctive and inviting accents; arch blinds define the shape of the arch window making it a focal point of your experience - to relax and rejuvenate.

Lastly, skylight blinds are perfect for taking back your room from the blinding and baking sun that makes it so hot and uncomfortable. This great blind is available in light-filtering or room-darkening fabrics, and can be operated manually or you can get motorized ones. They offer the benefits of energy savings by lowering heating and cooling costs, and they significantly reduce light in media rooms with sidetracks to block light. They will reduce noise and are easy to operate for hard to reach windows when motorized. Whatever your lifestyle requires, there is a window covering to make it more pleasant.

Terry Price is a successful web publisher & expert author and is a regular contributor to http://www.best-window-blinds-shutters.com/faux-wood-blinds.html Find just that special window covering for any season or lifestyle: http://www.best-window-blinds-shutters.com/113-arch-blind-window-wood.html

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Tags: Peeping, Faux, Wood, Blinds

Exterior Window Shutters - Creative Curb Appeal With Custom Shutters

Exterior window shutters may be just the face-lift a frumpy, run-down home needs to blossom, and exude designer curb appeal. A custom window shutter, for interior or exterior use, adds warmth and interest, and comes with a number of practical benefits. Extensive ranges of exterior window shutters, make it possible to enhance virtually any architectural design in an elegant, and stylish way.

Fixed exterior window shutter installation is purely decorative. The shutters are attached to the outside of the home, and are used as a home improvement with aesthetic value. In contrast, operable exterior window shutters offer sun protection, improve security, and may also be of value during storms.

Colorful Vibes With Vinyl Exterior Window Shutters

Non-functional vinyl shutters are the least expensive ranges on the market. These decorative, lightweight exterior window shutters are a favorite choice of do it yourself enthusiasts, as installation is usually fairly easy. A wide variety of color options are available, from white, to burgundy, or the classic blues and greens. One of the advantages is that the manufacturing process allows for a molded-through tint, that is resistant to fading, and other signs of sun damage, or chipping and flaking.

Classy Composite Exterior Window Shutters

Composite custom shutters are normally a non-functional alternative to the more expensive wood shutter. This window treatment, manufactured from materials such as PVC and fiberglass, is virtually maintenance-free. A quality product will be finished with an automotive grade paint, ensuring years of colorful service.

New technology has made a fully functional fibreglass exterior window shutter possible. These hinged shutters are operable, and robust enough to be used as storm shutters. Beautiful lines are designed with historical accuracy, to satisfy even the most discerning homeowner. Extensive warranties attest to the durability of these exterior window shutters.

Warm Wood Exterior Window Shutters

Wood has always been a popular exterior window shutter choice, and with good reason. A wood such as Incense Cedar, with its naturally bug-repellent tannin, is often used. Incense Cedar isn't prone to warping, and the sealing properties of the natural oils help to prevent decay and rot. With the correct preparation, painted Cedar exterior window shutters hold their color extremely well.

Wood exterior shutters offer styles to suit every preference. Louvers can be fixed or operable, and designs make provision for flat, oval, or tapered blades. If you prefer a more unique look, opt for panels, board and batten, or tongue and groove. Custom shutters allow for any combination of these, including horizontal, vertical, or diagonal placement of the louvers and panels.

Attractive Aluminum Exterior Window Shutters

Thermal powder coated aluminum exterior window shutters are durable, and finished in an eye-pleasing palette of colors. These window shutters are styled to imitate the aesthetic appeal of wood. If security is a major concern, opt for interlocking slats to maximize protection. This is a virtually maintenance-free product, finished with peel-resistant paints. Although you can choose fixed louvers, operable louvers have the advantage of allowing you to manipulate privacy and sunlight.

If your family home is in need of a drastic change, add both value and verve to the property with exterior window shutters.

Awnings-and-Blinds.com - Read the FREE Exterior Vinyl Shutter article at Awnings-and-Blinds.com - also by Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com.

Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

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Tags: Creative, Appeal, Shutters