Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Window Shutters Blog
We have a new window shutters blog, which will cover interior shutters, exterior shutters, and hurricane shutters. It is well worth reading for tips, tricks, and news about window shutters. Come check us out.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tax Credit
In 2010, homeowners can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 for upgrading their primary residence with an energy efficient insulating system. Qualified products can result in a reduction of federal income tax by 30% of the purchase price (not including shipping or installation).
Friday, December 19, 2008
Hurricane Shutters
Now is the time to start thinkng about installing hurricane shutters. The off-season provides pleanty of time for you to prepare your house for tropical storms and hurricanes. Do not procrastinate!
All About Shutters has added a new section deticated to the different types of hurricane shutters and storm panels. Styles of hurricane shutters includes colonial shutters, rolling panels, plywood shutters, accordion shutters, and bahama shutters (sometimes called bermuda shutters).
All About Shutters has added a new section deticated to the different types of hurricane shutters and storm panels. Styles of hurricane shutters includes colonial shutters, rolling panels, plywood shutters, accordion shutters, and bahama shutters (sometimes called bermuda shutters).
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Promote your window treatment web site
Looking for a place to list your window coverings web site for free? Take a look at the Window Coverings Directory. All that is required is a reciprocal link. Your site will be listed with great exposure on a PR 3 window covering specific web site.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Window Covering Resources - Directories
When surfing through Google, Yahoo, AOL, etc. it can sometimes be overwhelming when performing keyword searches for a certain product, service or advice.
If you are searching for window shutters, blinds, installers or what have you, wouldn't it be nice to be able to find a list of those specific requests rather than having to sift through hundreds of websites just to find the one or few you are looking for?
Although there are several thousands of web directories available there is a miniscule amount of directories dedicated specifically for window covering related websites.
Just one directory can guide you to companies around the US and abroad when searching for window coverings/treatments, installers, manufactures, decorators, designers, chat forums, and anything or anyone else you may look for in the window coverings industry.
For instance, Window Coverings Directory is a quality, useful web directory where consumers can browse listings in specific categories as to not waste time sifting through thousands of websites that may come up during a keyword search that may not have anything to do with what you are actually looking for. Shubjects include shades, drapes, blinds, awnings, hurricane shutters, exterior shutters, shutter hardware, manufactures, information sources, and regional listings.
If you are searching for window shutters, blinds, installers or what have you, wouldn't it be nice to be able to find a list of those specific requests rather than having to sift through hundreds of websites just to find the one or few you are looking for?
Although there are several thousands of web directories available there is a miniscule amount of directories dedicated specifically for window covering related websites.
Just one directory can guide you to companies around the US and abroad when searching for window coverings/treatments, installers, manufactures, decorators, designers, chat forums, and anything or anyone else you may look for in the window coverings industry.
For instance, Window Coverings Directory is a quality, useful web directory where consumers can browse listings in specific categories as to not waste time sifting through thousands of websites that may come up during a keyword search that may not have anything to do with what you are actually looking for. Shubjects include shades, drapes, blinds, awnings, hurricane shutters, exterior shutters, shutter hardware, manufactures, information sources, and regional listings.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Why do interior shutters have "notches" at the top?
Interior shutter panels have a notch at the bottom of the top rail where the tilt bar recesses into to create a tighter close for the best privacy and light block out, more so than when the tilt bar and louvers are pointed in the downward position.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What size louver should I get when I order Plantation Shutters?
Q: What are available Plantation louver sizes and how should choose between them?
A: Depending on which company you buy from, Plantation shutter louver sizes may be offered in 2-1/2", 3", 3-1/2", and 4-1/2" widths. The 3" wide Plantation louver is known to be the most popular louver size of all, however that is just a matter of opinion.
When choosing a louver size for your own home keep in mind the overall decor of your home, or at least the room where the shutters will be in. It's not all that uncommon to have different louver sizes in different rooms, but in those cases it's generally because the decor differs from room to room.
For instance, it is very common for colonial and country style homes to house Traditional style window shutters, which use much smaller louvers than that of Plantation shutters.
Whatever the case or the decor, be sure to make yourself happy as opposed to choosing a style that you won't be happy with just to follow others' preferences.
A: Depending on which company you buy from, Plantation shutter louver sizes may be offered in 2-1/2", 3", 3-1/2", and 4-1/2" widths. The 3" wide Plantation louver is known to be the most popular louver size of all, however that is just a matter of opinion.
When choosing a louver size for your own home keep in mind the overall decor of your home, or at least the room where the shutters will be in. It's not all that uncommon to have different louver sizes in different rooms, but in those cases it's generally because the decor differs from room to room.
For instance, it is very common for colonial and country style homes to house Traditional style window shutters, which use much smaller louvers than that of Plantation shutters.
Whatever the case or the decor, be sure to make yourself happy as opposed to choosing a style that you won't be happy with just to follow others' preferences.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Softwood vs. Hardwood
Q: What are the main differences of softwood vs. hardwood? What are each typically used for?
A: Well, it may seem a bit strange to those who aren't arboriculturists, but softwood trees are actually physically harder than that of hardwood trees.
Having said that, the major differences between softwood and hardwood trees can be explained knowing that whenever the terms "soft" or "hard" may not exactly pertain to the wood's actual durability.
When using building materials for certain products that require more precision than others it is softwood trees, such as Basswood, that may be used when building furniture, window shutters, and other line precise products.
In addition, softwood is generally easier to work, which is crucial when building furniture, interior window shutters, hand carving, etc.
Hardwood such as Oak, is a prime wood for flooring since it is heavy, durable and dense which are key characteristics when foot traffic is involved that requires holding up to constant wear and tear.
A: Well, it may seem a bit strange to those who aren't arboriculturists, but softwood trees are actually physically harder than that of hardwood trees.
Having said that, the major differences between softwood and hardwood trees can be explained knowing that whenever the terms "soft" or "hard" may not exactly pertain to the wood's actual durability.
When using building materials for certain products that require more precision than others it is softwood trees, such as Basswood, that may be used when building furniture, window shutters, and other line precise products.
In addition, softwood is generally easier to work, which is crucial when building furniture, interior window shutters, hand carving, etc.
Hardwood such as Oak, is a prime wood for flooring since it is heavy, durable and dense which are key characteristics when foot traffic is involved that requires holding up to constant wear and tear.
Friday, April 18, 2008
R-Values of Wood Shutters and Blinds
According to SmartEnergy Living, "Hardwood shutters and wood blinds offer R-values between 2.77 and 3.17 and a shading co-efficient between 0.35 and 0.21."
Hardwood shutters figure to be on the higher end and blinds on the lower end.
Also, "Window treatments add another important benefit aside from insulation - UV protection. UV rays can damage your home's interior, including furnishings, artwork and heirlooms, and floors."
Definitions of R-value and shading co-efficient per www.wikipedia.com and Bendheim Wall Systems:
R-value is a term predominantly used in the building industry to describe the insulation properties of certain building insulation materials. Its use is limited to situations where thermal insulation is achieved by retarding the flow of heat through the material itself rather than reflecting radiant heat away. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation. Although they offer a useful means of comparing the performance of different products, other factors need to be considered in maintaining thermal comfort.
The shading coefficient is the ratio of solar energy that passes through a piece of glass relative to piece of 1/8” clear glass ( which has a shading coefficient of 1.0). Solar heat gain coefficient represents the solar gain through the glass relative to the incident solar radiation; it is equal to 86% of the shading coefficient. In either case, a lower number indicates improved solar control over the 1/8” clear glass baseline.
Hardwood shutters figure to be on the higher end and blinds on the lower end.
Also, "Window treatments add another important benefit aside from insulation - UV protection. UV rays can damage your home's interior, including furnishings, artwork and heirlooms, and floors."
Definitions of R-value and shading co-efficient per www.wikipedia.com and Bendheim Wall Systems:
R-value is a term predominantly used in the building industry to describe the insulation properties of certain building insulation materials. Its use is limited to situations where thermal insulation is achieved by retarding the flow of heat through the material itself rather than reflecting radiant heat away. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation. Although they offer a useful means of comparing the performance of different products, other factors need to be considered in maintaining thermal comfort.
The shading coefficient is the ratio of solar energy that passes through a piece of glass relative to piece of 1/8” clear glass ( which has a shading coefficient of 1.0). Solar heat gain coefficient represents the solar gain through the glass relative to the incident solar radiation; it is equal to 86% of the shading coefficient. In either case, a lower number indicates improved solar control over the 1/8” clear glass baseline.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Can louvered shutters also be used as doors?
Most certainly, shutters make beautiful looking doors! Whether you fancy Plantation or Traditional style shutters both may be used as doors as long as you use the proper mounting method and hardware.
The picture above is of exterior louvered/raised panel doors which are much different than interior shutters or doors. You wouldn't want open louvered shutters/doors used in an exterior door application due to security purposes as well as heating/cooling will escape between louvers.
Interior louvered shutters and doors usually contain functional louvers which will let in light when the louvers are opened yet the doors are closed against the opening.
Interior shutters/doors can be used in many different areas of the home, such as; window shutters, room dividers, closet doors, medicine cabinet doors, laundry room doors and so on.
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