Stay Toasty this Winter
October 10, 2024

Winter is almost here, and with it comes low temperatures and freezing rain...not to mention high heating bills. Keeping your home warm can make you more comfortable, but it can also save money.



Here are some tips to stay warm without having to crank up the thermostat:


Maintain Your Heating System


A well-maintained heating system will keep your home warm for less energy. Having your heating system professionally serviced each fall will pay for itself...changing filters, checking for safety issues, etc. If your heating system is old, it might be time to price out replacing it, and in our relatively mild climate, a heat pump is a great investment.


Identify Drafts


Drafts and leaks typically happen where two different materials meet, especially around windows and doors. You can look for gaps or run your hand around the edge of the window and door. Then apply weatherstripping or caulk gaps as needed.


Reverse Your Ceiling Fan


If you have a ceiling fan, it can help in the winter too. Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch. The blades rotate counter clockwise in summer, but clockwise in winter. Clockwise blades create an updraft, pushing the warm air that rises to your ceiling back down. Keep the fan at low speed.


Harness Sunlight


On sunny days, open your window coverings on south-facing windows. Motorized window coverings make this easier. You don't have to clamber around furniture or reach and lean. If you have smart home technology, you can integrate motorized blinds so you can just tell them to open or change. You can even get sun sensors that automatically open your south-facing blinds when that wall detects direct sunlight.


Protect Doors


By their nature, exterior doors can't be sealed the way many windows can. You need to be able to open them. Installing a door sweep helps keep cold (or hot) air from getting into your home under the door. Draft stoppers are more popular in Europe, but are easy to acquire or make, and come in bright and cheerful designs such as snakes or Dachshund dogs. Both of these options will also keep out things like pollen and smoke.


Leverage Window Coverings


Choose the right window coverings to keep heat into your home. Honeycomb shades are primarily used to keep heat out but work in both directions, and are available in all kinds of colors. Traditional drapery also works well for adding insulation to your windows and gives a classic appearance. Even better, pair drapery with roller shades for a layered look and extra privacy. Cellular blinds are well known for improving the overall energy efficiency of your windows.


By covering your windows on cold, gray days you keep heat in. Or cover just the north, east, and west windows, and let the sun in on the southern side. Best yet, window treatments are easy to install.


Close Off Unused Rooms


If you have an empty guest room, or a room that's only used by your child when they're home from college, keep the doors shut and close the vents. You don't need to waste money heating space you aren't using.


You can also use zone heating to use minimal heating in these areas, so you can warm them up quickly if you have an unexpected guest.


Unblock Vents


Make sure you don't have anything covering your vents. Furniture, rugs, dog beds, etc. If you have small children or larger pets you may have to check your vents frequently to make sure toys, blankets, etc, haven't been pushed or dropped onto the vents.

Any vent blockage will cause uneven heating and put strain on your system.


One of the best ways to stay toasty this winter is window treatments. Choose honeycomb shades or cellular blinds, or heavy drapery to help keep heat in, and opt for motorized options so you can take advantage of south-facing windows on sunny days. To get more help choosing the right window treatments for your home, contact Just Blinds today.

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.