How Will I know When It’s Time for New Window Treatments?
bwsit • April 11, 2017

Like anything else in your home, no matter how diligent you are about caring for your current window treatments, the time will come when they become tired-looking, or just plain outdated. Blinds that are sagging or shades with frayed ends are dead giveaways that it’s time to start shopping for replacements! Here are some others reasons for new window treatments…

Problems with Older Window Treatments

Like virtually everything we buy, eventually window treatments — even really good quality ones — wear out or go out of style. Here are some tell-tale signs that it’s definitely time to replace your window treatments

  • Blinds with warped or bent slats
  • You’re having difficulty raising and lowering blinds or roman shades
  • Blinds with slats no longer close all the way
  • Blinds with fraying cords or yellowed/discolored slats
  • Exposed cords that are unsafe for kids and pets
  • Window treatments that look like something your mom had in the ’70s
  • Frayed edges on fabric or roller shades
  • Drapes that have yellowed, faded or pilled
  • You just got some new windows and your old window treatments don’t fit or just look blah on your nice new windows

Here are some great alternatives to consider …

Woven Wood Blinds

Ever notice that woven wood blinds show up in a majority of homes featured in magazines? Good quality woven wood blinds are worth the investment because they’re literally a classic style that work well with a multitude of styles from modern to traditional to rustic. They’re a favorite with interior designers for just that reason!

Roman Shades

Soft roman shades are another classic window treatment that stand the test of time in terms of style. They’re perfect for those who prefer the softness of fabric with the versatility of a blind or a shade at an affordable price.

Roller Shades

If you hear “roller shades” and think of a plain white shade, think again! Roller shades are available in a wide variety of fabrics, both solid and textured. You can get nearly transparent roller shades, room darkening roller shades, and virtually every opacity in between the two! They’re elegant, simple, easy to use, and easy on the eye! Another plus? They’re a  safe option   if you have  small children or pets!

Cordless Cellular Shades

Another  safe option for kids and pets   are cordless cellular shades. Not only do they look great on your windows, but you can choose between different opacities for the light-filtering you want, or even choose a “blackout” option for total privacy, easier T.V. viewing and better afternoon naps! Another plus? Because of their honeycomb construction, they’ll keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, too!

Wooden Blinds

For timeless beauty that’s worth the investment, it’s hard to beat real wooden blinds. They last for years, provide privacy and exude quality. They’re beautiful on their own in a modern setting, or you can top them with valances (which can be shirred, tailored, smocked, etc.) or elegant draperies in a more traditional setting. And because they’re custom-fit to your windows, they lend an elegant, tailored quality that’s difficult to match.

Motorized Window Treatments

Whether you choose drapes, cellular shades, traditional wooden or faux wooden blinds, you can upgrade to a motorized version for convenience on high windows and for the  ultimate in safety   for small children and pets. Open and close your bedroom window treatments from the comfort of your bed with the touch of a button or the flick of a switch!

If your window treatments have seen better days, you’re redecorating a room and they just don’t “go” with its new style, or you’ve had them for so long that you’re just tired of looking at them, why not replace them and update the look of your bedroom, living room, dining room or kitchen? The choices are endless and with options like room darkening linings, cordless blinds and motorized window treatments, you’ll move your older home into the 21st century or give the windows in your newer home the finishing touches that take them from “nice” to “wow!”.

If you’ve decided it’s time for new window treatments in one or more rooms in your Central Alabama home,  contact us   at  Just Blinds , the premiere window treatment source serving the region for more than three decades!

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.