By Cyndi Roberts, Owner/Designer

Thank you to Graber, our Vendor of the Month for October, for their questions that keep us all on our toes.  The answer is “It’s NOT just 1″ Aluminum blinds” anymore. The answers to these questions below determine the right choice for your window coverings.

Graber asks “How will the space be used:  for working, relaxation, or entertaining? Formal or informal activities? Answering this will help define the ideal design style for your window treatments.”

In this day and age, we always like to keep in mind the all-important “electronic screens in the room, including televisions, computer monitors, or other devices that are sensitive to glare.”  Do we need room darkening or glare control? What opacity level will help you achieve what you are looking for? Window coverings range from sheer, translucent, semi-opaque to opaque.

Then there is the significant consideration of children or pets in your home. “If so, look for window coverings with safety features (such as motorized lift and cordless lift), in materials that are easy to clean and maintain.” Many products can only be professionally cleaned and are not the correct choice for your needs.

In most homes, there tends to be a privacy concern, such as in bedrooms and bathrooms. One of our favorite options is “the bottom up/top down option, available on cellular, Roman, pleated, and natural shades. This allows you to lower the shade from the top to let in natural light while retaining the desired privacy level.”

Always a great question to answer is that of the window’s exposure. “If the windows have an eastern or western exposure, the room could fluctuate greatly in temperature. Direct sunlight can also bleach textiles unevenly.” Graber, like our other vendors, offers many fade resistant, energy-efficient products that can address these challenges.

One of the most common needs of our clients seems to be light control. How much do you need? You can always “consider horizontal or vertical blinds. You can easily redirect the light or change the complexion of a room by rotating or tilting the slats or louvers.” Many horizontal blinds now come with a routeless option for less light in bedrooms.  There is now a cordless feature for blinds,  so no cords are dangling when you raise them.

Tilt-in windows are a challenge we get more often with newly built homes or in remodels with new windows.  Clients need easy access for cleaning and are only able to get their screens out from inside the home.  Graber says “before selecting a product, always consider the function of the window as well as the design. If you are opening and closing the window often, you may wish to consider a lighter blind or shade.” If you are selecting a shutter, the trim is a very important part of the solution.

Lastly, respecting “unique architectural elements in the room”  will determine the selection of the correct window covering. In many homes you may have to take into consideration “window cranks, window air conditioners, baseboard heaters, light switches, wall sockets, crown moldings, beams, and chair rails, as you plan the size and scale of your window treatments.” Some of these items may need to be removed, trimmed, covered or left completely alone.

At Blinded by Delight, we want to assure you that our window covering specialists will work with you to answer these questions and find the perfect window coverings for your needs.

If you are interested in learning more, call 210.336.5266 today to schedule an appointment.

The post Tips From Graber, Our Vendor Of The Month, On Selecting The Right Window Coverings For Your Home appeared first on .