blinds | Blinds Worthing, Shutters Worthing

Honeycomb blinds keeping homes well insulated and energy efficient

April 8, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

Blinds and window covers specialist AustralianWindowCovering explains how the right window treatment can keep a home well insulated while also saving energy for the homeowner.

Energy-efficient window treatments such as honeycomb blinds are designed to address both functional and aesthetic objectives, making them a popular choice in the window decoration market. As energy cost continues to rise, homeowners can use solutions such as honeycomb blinds to increase energy efficiency.

Honeycomb blinds are high on visual appeal with their attractive contemporary looks. Stylish aesthetic apart, honeycomb blinds are also good insulators. Only the white side is visible from the outside, helping achieve a uniform appearance regardless of the colour chosen for the interior.

Honeycomb blinds are available in almost any colour with the fabric supplied in metallic or semi-transparent options. Blinds can also be customised to suit specific window applications. There are blinds that offer only the minimum emittance or partial light, while others provide complete blackout. For blinds that can be lowered to the glass, the ultra-thin version would be perfect.

Interior designers prefer honeycomb blinds mainly for their aesthetic appearance and function. These blinds can be used to control light in a room. Honeycomb blinds are available in many colours as well as models including vertical blinds, cellular blinds and blackout blinds.

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/australianwindowcovering/honeycomb-blinds-keeping-homes-well-insulated-and

Sixteen-month-old girl died in ‘freak accident’ after getting tangled in cord of her grandparents’ window blinds

April 7, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

16-month-old girl Bronwyn Taylor got tangled in a cord of window blinds
She had been playing in the conservatory of her grandparents’ house
It is understood Bronwyn had been left alone for just a matter of moments
Her parents Matthew and Cathy Taylor were out at the theatre at the time
They urged other families to install safety devices to all curtain cords

32E430C400000578-0-image-a-2_1459935659008 A 16-month-old girl died in a ‘freak accident’ after getting tangled in a cord of her grandparents’ window blinds.

Bronwyn Taylor was found unconscious tangled in the cord on Saturday.

The little girl was taken to hospital but never recovered.

She had been at her grandparents’ as her parents Matthew, 40, and Cathy, 42, had gone to the theatre to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with their two other sons.

Her devastated parents, who lost a baby girl Megan in 2013 who was stillborn, have now paid tribute to their ‘little star’ and urged other parents to safety-proof their homes following the tragic accident.

Since 1999, 28 children in the UK have died after becoming tangled in blind cords.

In 2014, new European standards were introduced following a campaign by a mother whose baby daughter died after an accident involving a blind.

The standards make it a requirement that new blinds must be safe or supplied with appropriate child safety devices.

But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates there are still as many as 200 million existing blinds across the UK that may not comply with the new standards.

Bronwyn’s mother, Cathy Taylor, said: ‘This accident shouldn’t have happened and the blinds shouldn’t have been there. Everybody with small children needs to check and make sure they have safety blinds.

‘Bronwyn’s grandparents absolutely adored her. She was only left alone for a few seconds. It’s just absolutely tragic.’

16-month-old girl Bronwyn Taylor died in a ‘freak accident’ after becoming entangled in the metal cord of her grandparents’ window blinds

Mr Taylor, who runs a heating engineering firm in Basford, Staffordshire, said: ‘Our whole world has been blown apart. Parents should never have to bury their child.

‘My mum and dad have been blaming themselves but we don’t blame them. It was a freak accident. We are all devastated.

‘She was adored by everyone. So many people would come over to her wherever we were and say hello. Bronwyn was a little star.’

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Matthew Taylor said his family had been ripped apart by the tragedy (pictured from left to right: Bronwyn, Owen, 10, Boden, 16, Dylan, 10)

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32E430F100000578-0-image-m-7_1459935765199

It is understood Bronwyn had been left alone for just a matter of moments when the tragedy occurred

32E7BEE700000578-3526089-image-a-17_1459956013556 Father Matthew, Dylan, Cathy, Owen and Boden pictured today following Saturday’s tragic accident

Matthew and Cathy had taken their other two sons, Dylan, 10, and Owen, 10, who are from different relationships, to the theatre on the day of the accident.

It meant Bronwyn was at the home of her grandparents, Shirley and Barry Taylor, and was being cared for by her grandmother the time of the accident.

Mrs Taylor, 66, is also a registered carer for Bronwyn’s brother Boden, 16, who has cerebral palsy.

She only left the toddler for a matter of seconds when the tragedy occurred.

Bronwyn’s grandmother found the little girl already in cardiac arrest. Paramedics were called to the couple’s home, in Fegg Hayes, Stoke-on-Trent at around 3.30pm.

But Bronwyn never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Her grandfather, 79, collapsed in shock after the incident and remains in hospital where there are concerns for his physical and mental health.

Bronwyn’s mother, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, said: ‘Fate was against her. A lot of older grandchildren are usually there in the room but none of the grandchildren were around that day.

‘She blames herself but she shouldn’t at all. We want to raise awareness of the dangers of blinds and their cords when you have small children. We want people to be aware her death was not in vain.’

Mr Taylor added: ‘My dad, who is 80 next month, went upstairs for a nap and my mum had the kids downstairs.

‘Bronwyn had been playing on the slide in the garden and went into the conservatory to play with a little toy hoover.

‘We don’t know exactly what happened but somehow she got the blinds, which were on a shelf above the floor, wrapped around her neck.

‘Either the blind cord came down or Bronwyn reached up and knocked it down, we just don’t know.

‘My mum was probably looking after Boden and had her back turned for a matter of minutes. It was an accident but we are so keen to warn other people of the dangers.

‘If anything can come out of this it must be to warn other people to put safety catches on their blinds.

‘We just want something to come from this. We can’t let what happened to be in vain.

‘Life is so precious and people must make sure their surroundings are safe as best they can.

‘But it is not just about blinds, it could happen with anything. People must make sure everything is child-proof as much as they can.

‘If they have old blinds they must double check the cords are tied away or replace them with safety blinds.’

DANGERS OF BLIND CORDS

The new rules relating to blind cords were introduced following a spate of deaths of young children. They state that blinds have a snap-mechanism when more than 4kg is applied.

According to RoSPA, in the UK between 1999 and 2013 there were 28 deaths linked to blind cords, with 15 of those since 2010 alone.

But the charity believes there may have also been many more ‘near misses’.

Children under the age of five are said to be most at risk from blind cords. It is estimated that it can take as little as 18 seconds for a toddler to lose their life after becoming entangled in a window blind cord or chain.

In 2013, Sophia Parslow died aged 17 months after accidentally hanging herself on the blind cord in her family’s living room.

Following her death, her devastated mother Amanda O’Halloran, from Gloucestershire, started a campaign for the design of blinds to be outlawed to prevent a similar fate befalling other children and launched Sophia’s Cause.

In February last year, 13-month-old Johnny Doran died after an accident involving a blind cord. He was found suspended above the ground next to the window by his father Martin, 35, when he walked into the room.

Mr Doran tried to resuscitate his son before ambulance crews arrived and took him to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. But the toddler never regained consciousness.

Last November, a boy of three accidentally strangled himself with a Venetian blind cord while playing at his home. Haseeb Javaid was found hanging by mum Saima Bi, 29. She took him into the street and screamed for help.

But despite the efforts of passers-by and paramedics in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, he died three days later as a result of a brain injury.

RoSPA recommends that parents install blinds which do not have a cord, particularly in a child’s bedroom and that a child’s cot, bed, playpen or highchair are not near a window.

Pull cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and out of reach of children, the charity advises.

Last year, Swedish furniture giant Ikea said it would no longer sell window blinds with cords. In February, Homebase recalled ‘dangerous’ bamboo blinds over fears children could strangle themselves on them.

32E51B4700000578-3526089-image-a-34_1459937297676 Following the tragedy, Mrs Taylor said: ‘Our world has been blown apart and will never be the same again’

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Bronwyn’s devastated parents hope her death will serve as a warning to others to put safety catches on their blinds and have urged people to make everything in their house as ‘child-proof’ as they can

Matthew and Cathy were informed of the horrific news when police officers met them at the theatre on Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Taylor said: ‘The light in the middle of our family has gone out. Bronwyn was so precious and had her whole life ahead of her.

‘She was a perfectly healthy and beautiful little girl and her life has been taken away from her.

‘I was looking forward to watching all the Disney films with her, dress her up like a princess and do her hair. That’s gone because of a stupid little accident.’

Staffordshire Police are preparing a report into Bronwyn’s death.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘Our crews found a baby girl in cardiac arrest.

‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, doctors and hospital medics nothing could be done to save the girl and she was confirmed dead at hospital.’

Bronwyn had recently started at Southlands Nursery in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

A spokesman said: ‘Bronwyn was like a breath of fresh air. She was a beautiful little girl who responded positively to everyone in our nursery.

‘She was one of the easiest children we have integrated into our nursery due to her lovely, easy-going temperament. Although she was with us for such a short time, our memories of her will remain with us forever.’

32E4E5C000000578-3526089-image-m-25_1459935968156 Paramedics found the tot in cardiac arrest after being called to the house in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday

Power Up your Window Covering

March 31, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

Motorised-Roman-shades

In the past five years, the most dramatic developments in the window covering industry have come in the area of motorisation.

As we move into an era of smart homes that enable the occupier to operate anything in the home from a remote control or from a device such as an iPad or smartphone, window covering professionals have to get savvy about some of the technological issues that accompany this trend.

The current leader in window covering motorisation, Somfy, is constantly developing new hardware (and software) that will ensure the smooth operation of blinds, curtains and awnings, both interior and exterior. The challenge is to make operation user-friendly and economical whilst ensuring the end user does not incur extra energy expenses or increase their carbon footprint.

There are basically two major installation types for motorisation. C-Bus is a system in which the entire home is controlled from a central point and devices such as wall switches or even tablets and android phones can control everything. You don’t even have to be in the home for these items to work, as long as you are connected by your mobile device. This means you can arrange to have all your blinds down when you walk out the door, and have them up in time for your arrival back home. You can put items on a timer so that when you are absent, it looks like someone is still home.

The other installation type is remote control operation. This is more cost effective and suitable for smaller homes or those with a more modest budget. An electrician simply hard-wires the windows that require treatments and then the blinds or curtain tracks are connected to the exposed cables. A hand-held or wall mounted remote control operates the window treatments, and the end user can have numerous options as to how these window treatments open and close.

Motorisation is a huge consideration in rooms where windows are inaccessible and still require operable window coverings. Also, those who may be incapacitated would benefit greatly from motorising their window treatments. Of course, those who simply love gadgets will also appreciate this technology. There are a few things to watch out for if you decide to utilise either of these technologies, however:

Neither system is cheap. Remember you need to add the price of the motor to the price of the window treatment.
Look for a motor with a warranty that is backed by after sales service from the supplier (not just your salesperson).
Purchase the quietest motors you can afford. There are different grades of motors and some are quite noisy.
If you don’t have an electrician, look for a supplier who can offer an electrical service as well as the motors. In some cases, this also extends your warranty.
Be careful of cheap Chinese motors as the jury is out on some of these

If you only have one or two small windows and don’t want the expense of a motor, you might want to consider battery operation. Apart from being a cheaper option, batteries are great for small blinds and can be retrofitted in some cases. Generally, you can expect a battery to last about two years before it needs replacing or recharging.

So, if you are building a new home or completely replacing your window treatments, why not consider having them motorised?

http://sourceable.net/power-window-coverings/#

Home Automation With Smart Phone Apps

March 22, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

HOME

Summary: You can also manually control aspects of heating and cooling, through the smart phone app. A lot of luxury homes jumped at the first opportunity of automation — remote controls to draw and close blinds, set up mood lighting. Automation can cut power to those phantom load appliances saving money on your monthly bills. Imagine, smart phones will soon control air-conditioners, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, microwave ovens, even baby-sit or operate doors in homes through the internet. As a closet futurist, eco junkie and architect, I am excited as saving energy through efficiency and conservation through automation is finally possible.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a reality and it seems the concept of ‘B-IoT’ or the Building Internet of Things is at your doorstep! But what does this really mean for the average homeowner? As a closet futurist, eco junkie and architect, I am excited as saving energy through efficiency and conservation through automation is finally possible. A lot of luxury homes jumped at the first opportunity of automation — remote controls to draw and close blinds, set up mood lighting. They even had stairwell lights and night lamps turning on or off with movement sensors. But is this what a smart home is really about? Not really.

A smart home by today’s definition is one that can observe, record a behaviour pattern and also automate it. In other words, the data become the knowledge for automation. Automation is great.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a reality and it seems the concept of ‘B-IoT’ or the Building Internet of Things is at your doorstep! But what does this really mean for the average homeowner? As a closet futurist, eco junkie and architect, I am excited as saving energy through efficiency and conservation through automation is finally possible. A lot of luxury homes jumped at the first opportunity of automation — remote controls to draw and close blinds, set up mood lighting. They even had stairwell lights and night lamps turning on or off with movement sensors. But is this what a smart home is really about? Not really. A smart home by today’s definition is one that can observe, record a behaviour pattern and also automate it. In other words, the data become the knowledge for automation. Automation is great. It takes out the mundane routine and frees time for other useful ‘brain activity’ — giving people time to do things they would otherwise like to do! Google Nest’s technology can ‘figure out’ the settings on your thermostat and automatically set it once it senses you are in the room. That’s not all. You can also manually control aspects of heating and cooling, through the smart phone app. So, irrespective of distance or geo position, as long as you have a smart phone app that controls lighting, cooling, plumbing systems and are connected to the internet you can be on vacation, and still control all that is happening back at home. Forgetting to switch something off is a thing of the past! The biggest possible savings from automation could be saving us the ‘phantom load’: the energy used by our televisions, computers, microwaves and other electronic devices that are switched off but are in stand-by mode. The recommendation of energy groups is that we unplug those devices, but this is never the case. In most cases these switches are in hard to reach places and we never completely switch these off. Automation can cut power to those phantom load appliances saving money on your monthly bills. The stats show that 7% of power used in the US was from these phantom loads alone! Our electricity boards have mad…

Clocks change 2016: How to make sure it doesn’t affect your sleep

March 22, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

SleeplessNight — The change of the clocks can cause sleepless nights

Every spring we face the ritual of altering the clocks as we move to British Summer Time.

It’s a bit of a headache to make sure all the clocks in the house, the car and everywhere else have been changed.

Electronic devices usually update automatically but it’s always worth checking to see they have done it.

When do the clocks go forward in 2016? Why do we do it?

For many people the shift in times of sunrises and sunsets has a detrimental effect as their bodies adjust to new sleep patterns.

Those lighter evenings and darker mornings can make a real difference because of the way we are attuned to daylight – and the lack of it.

To help you avoid disrupted sleep, here are some handy tips for improving your chances of getting the full eight hours when the clocks go forward.

Adjust your Sunday routines

Sunday night can be one of the most stressful times of the week for the typical UK family, and one which typically follows the same pattern.

Children are frantically attempting to finish off any last-minute homework, while the adults get things ready for a busy week ahead at work.

One way to cope with the lost hour of sleep is to bring your Sunday habits back by an hour before it happens.

For example, if you normally eat your roast dinner at 5pm then aim to dine at 4pm on the Sunday of the clock change.

You should also make sure you don’t have too long a lie-in on the Sunday morning, so you’re completely ready for an early night.

A warm bath can work wonders

If you are someone who can take a while to drift off after getting into bed, here’s a fantastic tip for speeding up the onset of sleep.

Scientists say sleep is preceded by your body temperature dropping slightly.

Having a warm bath two hours before bed will gently raise your body temperature and when you get out of the water it will fall, tricking your body into thinking it’s time to sleep.

Add a drop or two of chamomile or lavender oil to the water too. Both of these essential oils are proven to help stressed or anxious people to fall and stay asleep.

Shut out the light

Many people find that one of the hardest things about the clocks going forward is attempting to fall asleep while it’s still light outside.

One of the best ways to tackle this tricky problem is to invest in some blackout blinds for the bedroom windows.

Even a small chink of light creeping into your bedroom, such as from the street lamps outside, can cause problems sleeping. So by helping stop outside light getting inside, blackout blinds can significantly improve sleep quality.

When the clocks go forward and the days lengthen, blackout blinds or heavily lined curtains will help keep your bedroom dark and sleep friendly even though the evenings and mornings are light.

Know the right foods and drinks

It’s a well-known fact that drinks high in caffeine, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks, can keep you awake if consumed after a certain point in the day.

But did you know there are foods that should also be avoided to prepare your body properly for sleep?

Foods to avoid within your meals and snacks on the day of the clock change include chocolate, ice cream and yogurt with coffee flavourings, protein bars, sugary sweets and other confectionery.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/clocks-going-forward-affect-sleep-11064089

Dressing oddly shaped or large windows

February 18, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

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If constructing or buying a house, one of the biggest decor headaches can be dressing your windows, especially since they come in all shapes and sizes. Well nowadays, this should not be a problem. A variety of solutions exist for any window type or shape. From a range of blinds, to shutters or curtains, no window is too large or too complex to get a proper cover.

Venetian blinds

These control the amount of light entering a room. Through changing the angle of the lamellaes, you can control the direction of the sunlight to create a unique atmosphere. Other than being a decorative and heat control element, these blinds also protects the room from overheating. They are ideal for roof windows.

Roller blinds

The standard ARS roller blind offers protection from sunlight and can also be an element of decoration in the attic. The ARS roller blind reduces the amount of incoming light, adds style to the room, and the wide range of fabric designs (plain, patterned) allows you to match or contrast the blind’s material with the decor of a room. This blind is made up of material on a roller with the spring. It has an elegant aluminium fascia which hides the roller. Three pairs of fastenings installed on the sash allow the blind to be fixed in different positions.

ARP roller blind : It has similar characteristics as the ARS roller blind, the only difference being that the latter has three different fixing positions.
ARF roller blind: gives a room a total blackout such that the inside of a room appears as if it is night time even during the day. Unlike the other blinders, they have side runners which give the room a complete interior blackout. It prevents heat loss in the winter and protects against UV radiation during sunny days.

Pleated blinds

They provide a soft diffused light into the room. You can lock this blind in any position.

Roller shutters

These are the best for those seeking a window cover that will offer extra benefits. The roller shutter protects from overheating, gives the room complete shading and the best bit about it is that it also locks out noise from outside hence keeping the room serene.

Ovation cellular slider

This cover is ideal for wide windows, over doors, wide windows and room dividers. It comes in a variety of stacking options that work for any window and room. It is child-proof, hence safer because it has no cords or wands that are exposed.

Specialty shutters

With more sophisticated house designs, comes windows of various shapes. Shutters are no longer just built in rectangular or square shape. Manufacturers have responded to market needs with new shapes of shutters such as octagon, rake, circle, eyebrow and arch, to ensure that all types of windows can get a matching shutter. If your window is shaped like a half moon or an eyebrow, arched window shutters will give these windows a streamlined look.

Window arch shades

Arched windows are stylish and give a room an elegant appearance. However, dressing them with a curtain can be very difficult. Enter the window arches which are made either from wood or faux wood. You can also choose a stationary, moveable, or top down/bottom up option to customise window arch to your needs. Installation is easy: no drill, no screws, no brackets – just peel and stick.

Curtains

Lastly, however odd-shaped or large a window is, interior designers and curtain makers are very experienced in creating customised window dressings for the most awkward shapesand styles. There may be several options – and combinations of treatments – that will work, and your designer should be able to draw up a few examples for you to consider.

Control rods

These are not a window dressing accessory but will help you manage a cover, especially if its a dressing that has to be managed manually. These rods are used for opening windows that are out of reach and can also double up as hooks for opening and closing the shutters, blinds etc that are above normal level.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/02/17/dressing-oddly-shaped-or-large-windows_c1295541?page=0%2C1

Homebase recall blind after child safety fears

February 18, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

One of the blinds being recalled by Homebase.

Homebase customers have been warned of a potential safety issue on a model of Bamboo Roll Up Blinds.

The company have stressed that there have been no incidents reported, but the pull cord breakaways on the blinds are too strongly locked, which could pose a risk of strangulation to young children as the force required to break the safety device may be too great.

As a precautionary measure, Homebase advise customers to call for a free replacement breakaway device and instructions if they have a product purchased after June 1 2014.

Alternatively customers can return the blind to their nearest Homebase store for a full refund – no proof of purchase is necessary.

A Homebase spokesperson said: “The safety of products sold through Homebase is of paramount importance to us and we are working closely with Trading Standards.

“We are offering customers a replacement breakaway device with instructions on how to fit the device correctly, which should only take a few minutes. Customers have also been advised to stop using the blind or ensure that children are kept clear of the blind until they have fitted the replacement device.

“Replacement breakaway devices can be ordered free of charge by visiting our Spares Website (http://clickspares.co.uk/blind), where instructions on how to fit the new device are available to download.

“Homebase Customer Service Teams will also be happy to assist with any additional queries.”

Homebase UK Customers – 0345 077 8888

Homebase Republic of Ireland Customers – 0044 345 077 8888

* The blinds affected are: Homebase Article Number Description

273756 HB Brown Bamboo Roll Up Blind 60cm

273757 HB Brown Bamboo Roll Up Blind 90cm

273759 HB Brown Bamboo Roll Up Blind 120cm

273760 HB Brown Bamboo Roll Up Blind 180cm

273762 HB Natural Bamboo Roll Up Blind 60cm

273763 HB Natural Bamboo Roll Up Blind 90cm

273764 HB Natural Bamboo Roll Up Blind 120cm

273765 HB Natural Bamboo Roll Up Blind 180cm

Electronic Blinds for Your Home and Office

January 5, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

Having window blinds make the perfect appliance for your windows. These things have helped control light entering the room and maintain privacy for years since they were invented. Nowadays, innovation has led to the production of electronic window blinds. These window blinds can be remotely operated through a control. You can have the same benefits of having window blinds installed for your home or office at hassle free.

Get the best set of remote controlled window blinds for your home and office. You can see a large selection of different kinds of blinds here that could fit your personal style. You can choose from a variety window blinds made from plastic, wood and other materials. Each design has its own unique setup to complement for any home or office environment. Having electronic window blinds installed offers the benefits of regular blinds and more.

Remote controlled window blinds removes the need for you to adjust your blinds manually. If you have regular blinds, it could be a nightmare to frequently adjust the amount of light that enters through the room. With a remote controlled window blind, you can adjust them all with a simple press of a button. Electronic window blinds make good appliances for showrooms. Adjusting window blinds manually during any showcase of items in a room full of crowded people may not be a classy to begin with.

By remotely operating your window blinds, you no longer have to expend much effort while they can be adjusted in sync. You can make a good impression for your guests visiting your office or home with the modern touch. In this modern era, having anything operated electronically can impress people. With the right design features opted for your remote controlled window blinds, you can be sure guests are can be impressed.

Electronic window blinds may have a reputation as additional sources of energy cost. However, this reason could not stand when taking into consideration the benefits it actually brings. Electronic window blinds can actually help you save money from energy costs. There are several features that helps the appliance automatically adjusts itself to light, heat, and time difference. This also depends on the features innately opted in the product. Just like any other window blinds, heat can be prevented from escaping from the room with a simple adjustment.

New electronic window blinds in the market are manufactured with less energy consumption requirements as opposed to older models. This gives you less carbon footprints and more money saved throughout the year. Take advantage of the aesthetic features electronic window blinds could also have. The market has several electronic window blinds that have different classy designs to fit interior motif. You only need a reliable source to provide you with the right electronic window blinds for you.

Window treatments control light, add style

January 3, 2016/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

IYN1_SS___Content-300x225 Window coverings are essential and need to be done right. To achieve a custom, professional look, you’ll need help from experts. We can come into your home to give you help.

If your home is in need of window treatments here are a few things to consider.

1. Blinds versus curtains: There are several different kinds of blinds, each of which offers its own features and advantages. Types of blinds include pleated, Roman, panel track and wood blinds. If you’d prefer curtains in your space, you can opt for anything from a light and casual breezy look to a more ornate, formal fabric with sophisticated pleating and draping. If you’re not entirely sure, your design consultant can offer helpful suggestions.

2. Combination solutions: Often, the ideal solution combines blinds and curtains. You might wish to have blinds installed on the windows, which you can easily adjust for light control throughout the day. In a layered window treatment, you would then add drapes or curtains. These could be functioning, with ample fabric that allows you to cover the window completely, or not; the curtains might simply be panels of fabric that remain stationery but add softness and sophistication.

3. Privacy: Consider the level of privacy you require from a particular treatment. In certain areas of your home, this may be of no concern at all. If you don’t have to worry that someone can see in, you might select a gauzy, more-transparent fabric or blind. If there’s a spot where you definitely want the view obscured, great options exist both in curtain and blind solutions.

4. Light: Window treatments are a great way to gain control over the amount of light exposure you receive. If a certain spot is too bright, you’ll get limited use from the area; you’ll avoid it because it’s just too uncomfortable. If the area is on the darker side but you still wish for privacy, you’ll want to preserve the light that does come in but add a discrete level of screening.

5. The view from the street: We don’t always think about how our window treatments appear from the exterior of our homes. For condo dwellers, there are often rules you need to abide by. Many condominium boards require all window treatments to have a white backing in order to present a neat and uniform look from the street. As a unit owner, you are responsible for this. Or, maybe you simply want to create a cohesive style for your home. The careful selection of materials — with a certain amount of consistency or symmetry from room to room — is a simple way to elevate the overall look.

http://www.niagarathisweek.com/shopping-story/6205179-window-treatments-control-light-add-style/

5 tips to keep your homes warm and cosy in winter

December 13, 2015/in Uncategorized/by Paul Pollard-Fraser

imgID44773891.jpg-pwrt3-300x200 KEEP the heat in and the cold out this winter with a few simple measures that won’t break the bank.

1. A quarter of the heat in an uninsulated house is lost through the roof, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Insulating the loft is a great way to retain heat and save money.

Even if your loft has insulation, it may not be thick enough. The recommended depth for mineral wool is 27cms, but other types of insulation maybe different.

You should lay the insulation between the joists and then across them at a 90-degree angle to create two layers, although rigid insulation boards are useful if you want to board over the loft for storage.

2. Open chimney breasts can be very draughty, so if you have an unused fireplace, get the chimney capped on the roof and fit a chimney balloon from below. This inflates inside the chimneytokeep warm air in the room and block cold air coming downthe chimney, though, of course, the fireplace can’t then be used.

3. Letting in sunlight during the day makes rooms warmer, especially if they’re south-facing.

The best way to retain that heat is to close the curtains or blinds when it starts to get dark.

If you’re at work at that time, clever technology can do it for you.

If you want the blinds to close at dusk or when the temperature falls below a certain level, you can set them to, so the room stays warmer than it otherwise would.

4. If youprefer curtains,makesure they’re thermal ones or have a thick lining. This is one of the best ways to minimise heat loss through windows and patio doors.

Forextra insulation at thistimeof year, fit a curtain pole above your home’s front and back doors and hang a thick curtain across them, especiallyif the doorsare partially or fully-glazed.

5. To keep your boiler working efficiently, make sure it’s serviced annually.

Research by boiler manufacturer Worcester, Bosch Group found that fewer than half the homeowners questioned remembered to do this, while one in five had never had their boiler serviced.

Worcester’sMartyn Bridges said: “Even new boilers need to be checked each year. This is even more important the older the boiler gets. A boiler is one of the most relied-on appliances in the home,but is largelyforgotten until it actually stops working.”

A boiler service, which should include checking the effectiveness of the flue and that the boiler is safe, must be carried out by a Gas Safe Register engineer (gassaferegister.co.uk), – or OFTEC registered (oftec.org.uk /consumers/consumers) for oil fired boilers.

http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/14137927.5_tips_to_keep_your_homes_warm_and_cosy_in_winter/

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Honeycomb blinds keeping homes well insulated and energy efficient