5 MOST COMMON QUESTIONS WHEN PURCHASING WINDOW COVERINGS

No question is ever stupid!  We love it when we can help our customers gain knowledge in the world of custom window coverings and we do get a lot of the same questions on a regular basis.  We thought that now is the time to answer some of the most common questions for you!

1. How much?   By far the most common question.  Most of you (like us!) want to know right away how much things cost.   Unfortunately, when it comes to custom products, this question is not as easy to answer without taking many things into consideration.  Regardless of the product you choose, the price of that product depends on what size windows you have.  If you choose drapery or bedding, the first things that factors into the final price is the fabric that you choose.  There are thousands of fabrics out there and just as many price points!  After we measure your windows and you decide on the products you want in your home, we promptly email you a quote.  

2. Where are these made?  We work with many suppliers.  Some of them Canadian, others are from the US.  Again, it depends on what you are ordering.  Our fabrics come from all over the world but we use only local workrooms for drapery, pillows and bedding.  

3. How long will they last?  There are quite a few factors that go into the wear and tear of your window coverings.  While they do not have an expiration date, you need to take things into consideration before purchasing certain types to maximize the lifespan.  For example:  What direction is your window facing?  What room is it in?  Do you use your blinds frequently?  Do you have kids/pets?  

If your window is south facing and has full sun-exposure, then you will need to take precautions to guard against the UV rays.  For example, you can put an extra liner on your drapery or you can add UV film to your window.   No matter what you put in your window, it will be exposed to various levels of UV and it will have some sort of fading over time.  

Bathrooms and kitchens typically have the most amount of moisture, therefore, real wood blinds are not recommended as they can warp due to moisture.  Beware of heavy fabrics as well, or fabrics that are difficult to clean, as they will also hold moisture and scent.  

If you have a large window and decide to put in a heavy window covering (wood, faux wood, etc) and you lift that blind frequently, it puts a lot of tension on the lift cords.  Larger windows with heavy treatments are meant to tilt only, not to lift on a regular basis.  

If you have kids and/or pets, purchasing a treatment that is easy to clean is key.  Make sure to follow the washing instructions so that the treatment lasts longer.  

4. What is the warranty?  Warranties are based on the supplier of the material and the manufacturer.  Typical guarantees state that all products will come free and clear of any defects and will operate properly.  In the case of user damage, there are different warranties in place, but will depend on the product you choose.  

5. How do I clean them? This is another really common question!  Keep in mind that any blind/shade that have what we call a horizontal “shelf effect” will gather dust more than a blind or shade that is hung vertically.  Blinds that have louvres (tilting) can be dusted regularly, the Swiffer wand works great!  If they are made with real wood, we do not recommend getting them wet.  Cellular shades can be vacuumed regularly and spot cleaned if needed.   Drapery will depend on the fabric, however, most sheers can be thrown in the wash and hung to dry!  Roller shades are by far the easiest to keep clean as they gather very little dust (no “shelf effect”) and most can be spot cleaned with mild detergent

We love to answer any questions you may have.  Feel free to email us any time at info@stylit.ca.  Remember, no question is every stupid!

SHEER Beauty!

Lately, we have been getting a lot of interest in Sheer Drapery.  It’s no surprise, really, as there are so many colors, patterns and textures to choose from.  Sheers are one of the most versatile type of window covering out there and because of their timeless elegance, they tend to appeal to many types of decor.  They’re not just for Grandma anymore!!!

Sheer drapery typically hangs the full length of the window and, in most cases, all the way to the floor.  The fabrics are transparent which allows for the window to be dressed and for the sunlight to stream through.  How you decide to hang your sheers will offer different looks.  Using the many style of Pleats (pinch pleat, euro pleat, triple pleat, etc) will give you a more traditional and formal look while using a Ripple Fold or Grommet style is a more modern and tailored look.  Do you have a country style?  Try using a tab top or rod pocket sheer.  

These fabrics come in a wide variety of colors but different shades of white such as, ivory, eggshell, creams and off-whites, are most popular.  With their breezy, lightweight, and crisp feel, sheers are most common in areas that are used during the day like the family room, living room or kitchen.  If you like the look of sheer drapery for the bedroom, we suggest you layer it with a heavier fabric or a blind to allow for more privacy.  

As a rule, sheer fabric is less expensive than other richer materials such as silk, satins or suedes.  However, intricate sheer fabrics with embroidery or embellished patterns cost more than the plain variety.  Most fabrics are made of Polyester which is typically washable and often wrinkle-free.  Sheers made out of cottons and linens have natural fibers which gives lovely texture to the fabric.  

While Sheer fabric is typically not a statement maker, paired with beautiful hardware or designed in a fabric to complement your furniture, these fabrics can give you a modern yet timeless look for your room! 

5 Steps To Choosing The Perfect Window Coverings

So, you bought a brand new home and there are NO window coverings?  Now what?

Shopping for window coverings can be quite overwhelming, especially if you are starting with blank slate.   With so many options, here are a few tips on how to get started.

1.  Know your Budget  

We can’t stress enough how important it is to set a budget.  Sometimes the need vs. want can be on polar opposite ends of the budget spectrum which can result in some major sticker shock!  Some people think that window coverings will cost, on average, $100/window.  That is not unheard of but that budget will get you the very basic of blinds such as aluminum slats or a faux wood at the most.  If you are seeking something different to cover your windows, you should try to set your budget closer to $300/window and more if you are looking for roman shades, shutters or drapes.  

2.  Set your Priorities

So, you don’t want to put Aluminum Blinds all throughout the house?  Figure out which rooms need covering right away.  Do you have a large picture window that looks out onto the street or into a neighbor’s living room?  Do you have a bedroom window that lets in too much light and heat first thing in the morning?  Do you have a newborn baby or a shift-worker that needs sleep during the day?  These are all things you should know going into the process.  

3.  How you live

With all the shows on TV and pictures in Magazines, it’s a good bet that you have an idea of what you like and what you want in your home.  But, wanting a certain style of window covering doesn’t always match how you and your family live.  For example, you just love the look of sheers for your bedroom but it is a first floor bedroom that looks out onto a busy sidewalk or nosey neighbor.  Most sheers are see-through and will probably not be your best option. If you can see through your window treatment during the day, at night,when it’s dark outside and your lights are on inside, people will be able to see you!  

Or maybe you have a kitchen sink right below a beautiful window overlooking a garden and your thoughts were to put a silk roman shade there.  With any areas that are high moisture or in the “splash zone”, a silk (and many other materials) will be damaged quickly.  

Do you have small children or pets?  If so, choosing materials that are easy to clean and wipe down are best for the most popular areas that your kids and pets frequent.  A shutter, wood blind or perhaps vertical blind would be best here.  Safety is also a big thing to consider for your kids and pets.  Having a motorized or a cordless blind in areas where they play will eliminate any cords that could potentially be a choking hazard.  

Is your home older?  Older homes have so much character and there are so many different window coverings that can lend to the look of the home.  However, there can be little hurdles to overcome in these older windows.  For example, are there crank handles to open the window that might get in the way of a blind or shade’s operation?  Is the window sill deep enough to mount the necessary hardware for your blind of choice?  Is there a built in valance on the ceiling in the way which will not allow the blind to open properly?  

4.  Style

Style is such a personal thing.  So often we hear about how people want their rooms to feel as opposed to how they want them to look.  Some key works are, “fresh”, “cozy” and “clean”.  Quite often the feel that you get in the room comes down to color and not necessarily the type of blind, shade and drapery.  Darker colors typically give you a “cozy” feel because darker colors tend to absorb light (like giving you a big hug!)  and are rich in color.  Lighter colors and whites reflect light and can make rooms brighter creating a “fresh & clean” feel.   Making your room “feel” a certain way can be achieved with just about any type of blind or shade!  

5. When to call the professionals

Once you have determined your budget, the windows you need covered, and some ideas of what you would like to do… it’s time to call in a professional.  Stylit Window Designs offer FREE in home consultations and can bring the store directly to your home.  We can measure and offer advice as to what materials will work in certain spaces, what blinds will work in certain windows and keep you on budget!  We will eliminate all the guesswork and mistakes that most DIY-ers make.  

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Beat the Heat

The heat index is rising, the days are longer, the sunlight spills in the windows until 10:00pm.  Your AC and fans are cranked to maximum.  Summer is here!!   The sweltering heat and humidity is something we all love this time of year… at the BEACH!  When the heat and crazy glaring sun creeps into your home it can get downright uncomfortable.  

Did you know that your windows are responsible for 25% of your annual heating and cooling costs and up to 40% in older homes?  It’s no wonder everyone is pulling out all the stops to beat the heat! Tinfoil on the windows?  The neighbourhood loves that…  NOT!  How about the classic black sheet hung over the windows with a thumbtack to keep the light out?  All good until you pull the sheet off, the thumbtack goes flying, and you can’t find it until it’s wedged in your toe.  We’ve even heard of some people using black spray paint on their windows to keep the light out.  Um…  WHAT?  

The point is, we all have a reason to keep the summer heat and sunlight out.  Shift work, newborn baby, kids thinking that because the sun is shining it’s playtime (even though it’s 9:30 at night!).  The myth is that the world of custom window coverings is a scary place and not meant for the average home owner.  Well, we are here to tell you that is not true!  We can walk you through the steps necessary to get you what you need, without having to spend the kids’ college fund!  

Not only do custom window coverings look fantastic and add style to your room, they can block  light, keep the summer heat out (and the winter heat in!), reduce noise, create privacy, reduce UV rays from fading floors or furniture and keep the neighbours happy... and make them a bit jealous too!   

Blinds, such as 2” wood blinds or standard aluminum blinds do a decent job at blocking some light, however, whenever there are slats or louvres there will always be a spot for the light and heat to escape through.   Shades with a black-out liner or backing have a solid surface that will block more light and will create a barrier to prevent light and heat transfer.   

Shades come in many different styles, such as Roller Shades, Cellular (honeycomb) Shades and Roman Shades.  Because each shade is constructed differently and uses different types of materials and fabrics, the price points vary.  A plain vinyl roller shade, for example, would block light and heat and is a very economical solution.  Cellular shades have quite a few different options to choose from. There are many different operating mechanisms such as cordless, continuous cord, and top-down/bottom-up.  These shades come in both black-out and light filtering and both options will create an insulating barrier for heat gain and loss.  Roman shades with black-out liners are scaled somewhere on the higher end.  With various price points on the fabrics, the operating mechanisms, and the liners, Roman Shades are a beautiful investment and will always add elegance and personality to your home.

Drapery is probably the most effective option to keeping light and heat out.  When choosing drapery fabric, there are many (many, many…) options.  Simple cottons and linens can be economical choices while embroidered silks and wools are more for a healthier budget.  The key here is in the liner.  A drapery liner is a heavyweight, tightly woven fabric that is attached to the back of the drapery fabric.  It can be multilayer or interlined for extra protection.  All liners will help protect your home against UV rays that cause fading, however, there are specific liners that can be used for thermal and black-out effect.  Some liners can reduce light by 99% (which is typically what you see in hotel rooms).  Hanging drapery as close to the ceiling and floor as possible, with a minimum of 6” overlap on either side of the window, will give you maximum protection against light and heat leakage.  

If you can't decide on a shade, blind or drapery option, try going for the combo!  Blackout shades in the window with stationary drapery panels on either side will give you both the function and the fashion.  The combinations are endless!  And we guarantee none of the combinations will include thumbtacks, tinfoil or anything else that will harm you or make your neighbours cringe!