Friday, October 7, 2011

Faux Wood Shutters

Faux Wood Shutters
Most amateur interior designers are familiar with faux wood as a replacement for wood blinds. What many people don't know is that you can also save money on faux wood exterior window coverings. Faux wood plantation shutters are now a common weatherproof design that you can use to invest in your home on a limited budget. Real wood shutters are pricey, especially if your house has several different window sizes that need custom window coverings. The blinds factory will have to custom mill your shutters out of hardwood. While wood can be undoubtedly beautiful, faux wood is a better option in some situations. Economical options like fake wood allow you to design your house to your own specifications, and still have a little wiggle-room in the wallet for any modifications.

One especially good aspect of fake wood is that it does not warp or crack in moisture like wood. This means you can have old school exterior shutters that will maintain their bright look in the sun and weather. Faux plantation shutters are made in a factory-engineered process that attempts to replicate the weight and style of real wood window coverings. The material may be particle board, milled plastic, or a plastic-wood pulp composite. The material is then sealed and finished in a wood-grain replica. A quality plantation shutter manufacturer should be able to make the slats appear to be real wood except upon close inspection. If you work it out well with the factory, you will end up with quality shutters for half the price. There are cheap imitation wood blinds that are obvious, but as long as you check them yourself they are easily avoided.

Luckily. with faux wood designs, everything can be custom made. The first step for a custom window coverings is to measure your window frame. You will want to contact the manufacturer on their measuring guidelines, as they can be different. Then follow their instructions to measure the length and width of your window frames. Unconventional window openings may require custom cutting or multiple rows of louvers.

There are other wood alternatives for shutters. Vinyl shutters are also inexpensive and do a good job at insulating your home. Vinyl comes in many colors and resists weathering better than wood. To find your wood-alternative blinds, the best bet is usually a custom blind manufacturer. However, it is a good idea to check out department stores like Sears for some cheaper ready-made shutters. This will give you an idea of what is available in what price range. You can also visit some online manufacturers that may be a little cheaper because they have just one centralized factory and warehouse that will ship your blinds to you.

For more information on window coverings check out my blinds information blog: Custom Blinds, where I try and give you all the tips you need in integrating your blinds into the decor of your home.

Composite Wood Shutters

Composite Wood Shutters
Composite Wood Shutters combine great style with the strength, stability and straightness of advanced modern day materials. More economical than Hardwood Shutters, they will work well with your family's active lifestyle as they are scratch resistant, humidity resistant and washable making them less prone to environmental effects.

Composite Wood Shutters bring warmth, enduring beauty and richness to any room and can be defined as furniture for your windows. Composite Wood Plantation Shutters also look as great from the outside as they do inside your home. There are many benefits of adding shutters to your home.

There is no other treatment for your windows that equals their elegance. Their aesthetic appeal is undeniably tasteful and timeless.

Composite Wood Plantation shutters should be handcrafted with an attention to detail that's second-to-none. These shutters should be custom made to your specifications with louver sizes 1 7/8- 4 ½". There are lots of frames to choose from to match any situation.

The disadvantage of Composite Shutters is that they are not stable at wider widths. Usually 30" is the widest for a single panel as opposed to 36"-50" for real wood. They mostly come in shades of white, but a few manufactures offer a few wood tone colors. Composite Wood Shutters offer excellent energy efficiency through their high insulation values. Not only do shutters insulate from temperature extremes, but they also are outstanding for sound insulation. Shutters are an investment that will be appraised into the value of your home. Like a fine piece of furniture, these shutters offer well crafted, elegant and durable window treatments. They are truly a lifetime product.

Ray Bork is the owner of New View Blinds and Shutters, located in Colorado. Visit our website, http://WWW.NVBAS.COM. We have information including pictures and videos on most types of window coverings to help you in your buying decision.

Friday, September 30, 2011

How Aluminum Window Replacement Contributes Towards Home Improvement?

Aluminum Window Replacement
Talking any action towards home improvement should make a home a better living place. At the same time, it must prove to be a cost-effective step that would in turn add to the property's value. While thinking about window replacement, you can think of aluminum window options to achieve these benefits.

As their name suggests, aluminum windows have casings or frames made up of aluminum. Most of the homeowners don't know the fact that aluminum has been used for window casing for many decades. Despite the presence of many other materials, aluminum has managed to maintain its popularity. Here are the top ways in which windows made in aluminum contribute significantly towards home improvement.

Light Weight and Easy to Install

Aluminum is one of the lightest materials known to the mankind. As a result, aluminum window casings are light in weight and can be easily installed. It is not a big job to find experts who can efficiently handle the task of installing these windows.

Variety of Designs

When it comes to aluminum window designs, there is no dearth of variety in which can be found. Casement style of these windows is a good option for proper ventilation. Slider windows made of aluminum are also popular if you want gliding windows. Double-hung tilt style is another popular variety that makes cleaning easier.

In terms of colors, you can choose from a spectrum of color, apart from the traditional white and cream colors for these windows. Finally, there are different sizes in which these window designs are available to meet individual needs.

Extensive Customization

Another advantage that you can enjoy with aluminum window installation is customization. Apart from choosing from a number of colors, you can specify your own custom color that will match the color of the wells at your home. Sizes of these windows can also be customized as per the customer's specifications. Going further, a number of customized accessories can be added to these windows.

Customized trims can be added to the internal or external surfaces of these windows. Mullions are the interesting accessories that you can add to these windows to make them much more appealing. Customized sills in different shapes are other accessories that homeowners find as interesting additions to aluminum window designs. Consult a dealer in these windows to learn about other customization options.

Can Be Made Energy Efficient

Gone are the days when aluminum windows were criticized for being less energy efficient than the windows made in wood, vinyl and other materials. Today, a number of options have been devised to increase their energy efficiency. Weather-stripping, for example, is one good option to achieve this target.

Other Advantages

Aluminum window designs can add worth to your property with their sophisticated appeal. In fact, they can contribute towards price appreciation of your house in case you wish to sell it in the future. These windows are also good at resisting moisture, sound and harsh weather conditions.

Most importantly, windows made in aluminum are economical options. Not only are they inexpensive, they also have low maintenance costs. With such a big array of advantages, considering aluminum window options for home improvement can't be overlooked.

Anamika Swami has wide knowledge of B2B Marketplace and Business industries. Get latest updates on Aluminum Window which are of great demand in B2B space.You can find more free information about Business Directory at Dir.indiaMART.com

Emergency Glazing

Emergency Glazing
If you have a broken window what do you do? First thing is not to panic, call a reliable emergency glazing company who can make your property secure and restore it back to how it should be.

An emergency glazier could be needed for any number of reasons. Your property may have been broken into, children playing with a football too close to a window, losing your keys and having to smash a window to gain access, high winds and vandalism there are many reasons why you may need to make that call.

An experienced emergency glazier should be available day or night to be on call when you need them the most. Emergency glazing companies should be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offer a 1 hour response where possible.

When you call out an emergency glazier they will secure your property by boarding up any broken windows that are a security risk and then advise, supply and fit the correct glass needed in replacement.

There are many different types of glass available that an emergency glazier can fit such as float glass, toughened glass, laminated glass and fire resistant glass.

Float glass is perfectly flat clear glass (basic product) used in most modern windows.
Toughened glass is a type of safety glass designed for use in critical areas.
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when it is shattered.
Fire Resistant Glass offers increased levels of protection against fire.

An emergency glazier with experience will be able to recommend to you what type of glass is needed where and other options available to you.

Emergency glazing companies can usually offer other services such as double glazing repairs, sash window restoration, made to measure table tops, shelves and mirrors, upvc maintenance, misted unit replacement and much more.

Many glazing companies also offer the supply and fitting of cat flaps. With many homes now being fitted with double glazing and conservatories it can be very difficult for pet owners to give pets the freedom to access the outside world. Many people are unaware that cat flaps can be fitted into glass, double glazed sealed units and double glazed doors.

The best thing to do if you have any window repairs, glass, glazing or boarding up needs is to contact a local glazing company. No job is too small or too big for an experienced emergency glazing company.

If you need an emergency glazier in Monmouthshire Glaze & Restore will be able to help as your safety and security is their top priority. They have glazing vehicles that are always fully stocked and have glass cutting facilities so that the majority of jobs can be carried out on the first visit.

Broken windows, cracked windows, misted sealed units whatever your window repairs and glazing needs they will be able to help.

Contact Glaze & Restore for a professional, friendly service you can trust in Monmouthshire. http://glazeandrestore.co.uk/