If you run a business, you're probably looking for ways to increase productivity and save money. You might be surprised to find out that solar shades can do both of these things. So, let's talk about solar shades and why your business should use them. What Are Solar Shades? Solar shades are used to reduce heat and UV transfer into a room without blocking the view. They filter the light rather than blocking it, and thus you still get plenty of mood- and productivity-enhancing natural light, but less heat. You can get them in a variety of colors and weaves - a 1% weave blocks 99% of UV rays, while 90% blocks 10%. However, 1% weaves do block the view significantly, and this is also a consideration. (If the shades block the view, employees are more likely to roll them up). How Solar Shades Help Your Business The primary way solar shades help your business is by blocking UV and heat, but still allowing your employees full access to natural light. Solar shades also: Reduce energy costs by reducing heat transfer through windows. This keeps your office cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Protect art work, interior decorations, and upholstery from UV fading. Reduce glare on computer screens without making the office darker Protects employees from damaging UV rays A pleasant, modern appearance What Solar Shades Do Not Do Solar shades do not prevent people from looking into your office at night. In fact, at night they block the view out rather than the view in. If you have concerns about night-time privacy (people seeing that only one person is working, etc) you may want to pair your solar shades with opaque shades. They also do not block all light. You may also want to install second opaque shades in conference rooms and viewing rooms where you want to dim the lights to make a presentation or video clearer. Even tight weave solar shades will not significantly darken the room. Do Solar Shades need Maintenance? Yes. The weave of solar shade fabric can become clogged with dust and debris, and your solar shades should be cleaned regularly. Consider this when choosing material and make sure that your office cleaners or janitors know the correct way to clean the shades. Solar shades typically last five to ten years before needing to be replaced. Choosing Solar Shades First of all, for businesses, we always recommend motorized shades that can be controlled using a remote and integrated with smart building systems so the shades can be opened or closed as needed. When it comes to choosing fabric, solar shades range from 10% weave to 1%, with 1% being the tightest. 10% weave allows in the most natural light and allows for views outside. 1% blocks much of the view. If your office has great views, then consider a looser weave so employees can appreciate them. If, on the other hand, you have a lot of glare and nothing outside worth looking at (maybe it's just the building next door), you might want to go closer to 1%. The weave is a balance between UV protection and view. \Remember that a tight weave and a good view will likely result in employees opening the shades, negating their benefit. You can also choose a variety of colors to match your office's deco. Light, neutral colors are typically best for offices, but choose something which complements your furniture and interior design. Remember that darker colors will make your space seem smaller; it's typically best to go with something like a light beige or gray, especially for tighter weaves. If you're interested in finding out more about how solar shades can improve productivity and lower energy costs, contact Just Blinds today.
Outdoor shades are wonderful additions to your home. Not only do they allow you to enjoy mornings and evenings on your porch or patio in comfort, but they also protect you from some of the harshest side effects of the sun, including excessive UV exposure , which can lead to serious health consequences over time. If you have exterior shades installed, one of the best ways to protect your investment and ensure that your outdoor shades stand the test of time, protecting you and your family over the long haul, is to institute a routine cleaning and maintenance plan. How Often Should You Clean And Maintain Your Exterior Shades? Because needs will always vary by season and climate, it's best to visually inspect your exterior shades once a month. If you see any buildup of dust or pollen, or any obvious maintenance issues, address them immediately. At least once per quarter, you should also schedule a thorough cleaning and maintenance check. Every three months, around the time the seasons change, schedule a day to clean and thoroughly check your blinds for any routine maintenance. Particularly if you live in the Southeast, we recommend scheduling thorough cleaning and maintenance in January, April, July, and October. 3 Steps to Cleaning Your Home's Exterior Shades First, start by thoroughly cleaning your exterior shades. Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies. You will need the following: A bucket and a mild cleaning agent A hose and water supply A soft brush or broom A soft cloth When it comes to your cleaning agent, be sure to avoid any solutions with harsh chemicals. If you haven't received information on any manufacturer-specific suggestions, we recommend using a mild dish soap diluted in water. Step 2: Dust away dirt and debris. Using your soft brush or broom, gently remove all excess buildup of dust, dirt, and debris. Make note of any trouble spots that will need more extensive cleaning. Step 3: Thoroughly clean your exterior shades. Begin by testing your cleaning solution in a small, hidden area. If you see any strong reaction, including erosion or discoloration, stop immediately and seek more information. Only if your shades respond well should you proceed with a full cleaning. Start by using your hose to gently rinse your exterior shades from top to bottom. Next, using your soft cloth, clean the shades, removing all accumulations of dirt and grime. After a final rinse with the hose, allow the shades to air dry in the sun. If necessary, repeat this step until your shades are fully clean. What Routine Maintenance Issues Should You Check For As You Clean? As you clean your exterior shades, keep your eyes peeled for any routine maintenance issues that may need to be addressed. Trouble spots to watch out for include the following: Fading color. Though color fading in itself is not an emergency, it can show that your exterior shades are beginning to show wear and tear. Assess the extent of the damage and consult with Just Blinds to evaluate the projected longevity of your current shades. Sagging shades. Sagging shades don't necessarily need to be replaced, but they may need to be re-tensioned. Check the external hardware and see if anything needs to be tightened up or replaced. Rips, tears, gaps, or holes. No matter how small, these issues need to be addressed immediately. Addressing these issues early can prevent the damage from growing, preventing more costly repairs down the line. Buy a patch kit and follow the instructions for sealing up any trouble spots. Just Blinds Is Here to Help To hear more about how to maintain your exterior shades, or to learn more about how outdoor shades can add value to your home and help you better enjoy your outdoor living areas by reducing heat, offering increased privacy, and lowering your UV exposure, feel free to contact us . We look forward to serving you.
Kids' rooms can be a challenge to decorate, especially with younger kids who might not have developed their own taste yet. Window coverings are an area many parents neglect, but you can do some really fun things with them. So, here are some tips to make a kids' room interesting with blinds, shades, drapes, and other window dressing ideas. Safety First Before we get to the fun, though, we need to talk quickly about safety. Particularly, if you have young children, you should not use corded window coverings . Children can easily become tangled in the cords and may end up being strangled. This is particularly important when decorating rooms in which a child might spend time unattended. Also avoid putting cribs, playpens, beds, etc near windows. Use cordless blinds and shades instead. A perfect choice is cordless roller shades, that also don't have any cords between slats. They're also easy to clean. Light-Filtering Young kids often nap during the day. If their room gets a lot of light, consider blackout or light-filtering shades that you can close when they nap to help them get some sleep. You can also use these shades to keep the room from becoming glare central. White blackout shades can become invisible when not in use, so you can get the look of an undressed window. Glow-in-the-Dark On the other hand, many kids aren't hugely fond of total darkness at night. Glow-in-the-dark shades can help chase away the shadows and look cool. They typically fade after about thirty minutes, but usually kids are asleep by then. You can coordinate with other glow-in-the-dark accessories, such as ceiling stickers, for a particularly starry effect. Include Their Favorites These days, you can get all kinds of printed blinds. Does your little one love dinosaurs? You can get blinds with dinosaurs. Superheroes? Not a problem. If you can't get the exact fabric you want, it's not hugely difficult to buy the fabric and make blinds yourself...just make sure they're kid safe. As your kid gets older, they can pick out their own prints. Match Designs and Accent Colors Match blinds with lamp shades or curtains with accent colors to tie the room together. Your kids will start to develop a sense of style and adults often spend quite a bit of time there too. You can also put curtains over bookcases or toy storage to match the window decorations and make the room look less cluttered. You can, of course, always go with the classic of matching curtains and carpet, or choosing wooden blinds (for older kids) to go with wood flooring. Also, you can match curtains or blinds with your child's bedding for a coordinated look. Add Window Decals You want natural light during the day, but you also want something pretty? Window decals are a great answer and they come in a variety of kid-friendly designs. Teddy bears? Dinosaurs? Puppy dogs? Whatever your child wants, you can probably find it. Putting them behind curtains with a similar design means that day and night complement one another. Floor Length Curtains Small kids love floor length curtains...they can hide behind them. Choose designs that match something else in the room, but also bear in mind that a cool pole lets in light; you may want to layer blinds behind them to make sure you can get the room dark enough for your child to sleep. Bright prints and primary colors work well here. Let Them Have Fun And for one last fun idea...get transparent curtains or plain roller blades and let the kids decorate them with stickers, finger painting, felt, or whatever you have at hand. This gives your kids the ultimate personal look for their room...although they might get embarrassed by it in a few years! Parents should, of course, supervise and help and it may be best to do the decorating and then hang so kids can get to the top. Decorating a kids' room is challenging...but also a lot of fun. The right window treatments can make a huge difference. Choose child-safe treatments, but also consider these ideas...and contact Just Blinds for even more suggestions.
