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Popular Blinds To Consider For Your California Home

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Popular Blinds To Consider For Your California Homecustom-blinds

The type of window coverings you choose for your home can say a lot about your personal style and interior decor. Whether you’re looking to add more privacy to the master bedroom or you want to add a touch of elegance to the dining room, investing in high-quality blinds can help you achieve your goals. In this blog, we’ll discuss some popular types of blinds and the benefits of this common window covering.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles, we’re proud to be a leading provider of affordable and custom window treatments throughout the California area. Whether you reside in Santa Barbara or Simi Valley, our window treatment professionals can help you choose the best blinds, shutters, drapes, and more for your home. If you’re interested in learning more about our services or you’d like to browse our testimonials online, contact our professionals today!

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Vertical Blinds

If your Los Angeles home features wide, expansive windows or sliding glass doors, you may want to consider installing vertical blinds in your home. Available in a diverse selection of colors and materials, you can purchase these blinds in either fabric, wood, or hard vinyl. While fabric options tend to be the most beautiful, vinyl blinds are very easy to clean and are known to be stain resistant.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are an excellent window covering that offers both privacy and design to your home. As one of the most affordable window treatments, these blinds are easy to maintain and function, making them perfect for virtually any room in your home. Some things to keep in mind as you you shop for new blinds include:

  • The Slat Width – Depending on the material of your blinds, the slat width will generally range from an inch to three-and-a-half inches. The wider your slats are, the more light your blinds will block. The thickness of the slats will ultimately depend on your personal preference.
  • Vinyl – While vinyl tends to be the least expensive option for window blinds, it’s important to note that this material can be a bit flimsy. A great lightweight option for your window coverings, vinyl blinds come in a variety of colors and styles, included natural and faux wood tones.
  • Faux Wood – If you love the look of wood but you don’t want your blinds to warp over time, faux wood blinds may be an excellent option for your home. The slats for these blinds are available in one and two inch sizes, and they tend to be fairly easy to clean.
  • Real Wood – Add a natural and organic tone to any room in your home with real wood blinds. While these tend to be the most expensive blind material, they are well worth the investment!

The Top Advantages of Window Blinds

As you can see, there are many different things to consider as you start shopping for new window blinds. At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles, we understand how difficult it can be to find the best window treatments at an affordable price. That’s why we’re proud to offer our California clients with high-quality window coverings including blinds, shades, and shutters. While there are many advantages to installing window blinds in your home, let’s take a look at some of the most popular reasons to invest in these window coverings.

Control the Light That Enters Each Room

Does your bedroom get obnoxiously sunny in the morning? Is it hard to watch movies in your family room because there is a big glare from the sun on your television? If you answered yes to any of these questions, blinds may be the perfect solution for your home. Window blinds provide the homeowner with a tremendous amount of lighting control, so you can adjust the lighting to your individual needs.
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A Variety of Styles & Materials Available

Despite popular belief, window blinds are available in a variety of materials, colors, and styles. This unique selection allows you to choose the most suitable option for your home in terms of both price and style. For example, if your living room features antique wood furniture, you may want to complement those pieces with wood or faux wood blinds.

Enjoy Complete Privacy

If you’re looking to add an extra level of privacy to your home, installing blinds is a great way to keep those peeping Tom’s away. For the ultimate privacy in your bedroom or family room, consider installing top-down blinds or shades. These models allow you to lower the shade from the top, so that some natural light can still come in.

Blinds are Easy to Maintain

While some window coverings can he a hassle to clean, window blinds are typically very simple to maintain. Most blinds require a quick wipe from a damp cloth to remove dust and debris. When you compare this maintenance to other window coverings like curtains, blinds end up being the easiest option.

They Protect Your Furniture

If you have leather or antique furniture in your home, it’s your ultimate responsibility to ensure these pieces do not become damaged by the sun. Over time, exposure to harsh sun rays can lead to the fading, warping, and even destruction of some of your favorite pieces of furniture. When you invest in quality blinds, you’re making a point to protect your investment while enhancing the appearance of your home.

Keep Cool in the Summer

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably dread receiving that electricity bill each and every summer. You’re air conditioner is likely running on high to keep your home cool, which can lead to a spring in your monthly expenses. But did you know that investing in window blinds can help keep your home cool during these warm summer months? In fact, some studies say that you can reduce your electricity bill each summer by 20% when you invest in blinds!

We hope that this article has been helpful. If you’re shopping for new window blinds or window coverings in Los Angeles, reach out to Arjay’s Window Fashions today!

Common Window Treatment Terminology You Should Know, Part One

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If you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective way to give the rooms in your home a whole new look, you should consider investing in different window treatments. From decorative shutters to glamorous drapes, there are a variety of ways to spruce of your home’s interior. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some common window treatment terminology you should know before you start shopping for new shades, drapes, or shutters.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles, we’re passionate about helping our customers find the perfect window treatment solution for their needs and budget. Whether you’re thinking about installing energy efficient treatments to keep those heating and cooling bills down, or you’re interested in learning more about the motorization of your blinds, our professionals can help. Check out our website to view some of our recent window treatment projects or contact us today to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our specialists!

Window Treatment Terminology

  • Blinds – Blinds are a type of window treatment that is made from horizontal or vertical slats. They are kept in place with a string, cord, or fabric tape. Materials for blinds often include plastic, metal, wood, and heavy fabric.
  • Curtains – Not to be confused with drapes, curtains are unlined, stationery window coverings that can be hung over a window using a curtain rod or decorative pole. Some curtains can be held back with tiebacks or holdbacks to let some light in as well. They are often constructed from lightweight, sheer, or semi-sheer fabric.
  • Draperies – These are window treatments that are often made from heavier fabric. They can be both stationary and mobile, and they can be used with fabric tiebacks or fixed holdbacks mounted on either side of a window. Draperies can be lined for the sole purpose of insulation or light blocking, and they can be used with a variety of curtain rods. They are available in a variety of hanging styles and common materials include brocade, chenille, suede, and velvet. These window treatments often stretch from floor to ceiling, giving them a more formal look for your dining room, family room, or bedroom.
  • Rod Pocket Curtains – Also called pole top curtains, rod pocket curtains have a horizontal sleeve stitched across the top that you can slide a decorative rod through. This allows the curtain or drapery to be arranged in a soft, gathered look.
  • Shades – The term ‘shades’ can refer to a variety of things. From blinds to pleated shades and roller shades, shades are unique window coverings that can be adjusted to fully or partially expose or cover a window.
  • Sheers- Sheers are lightweight, translucent and finely woven fabrics that can be used to obscure a view while letting plenty of light in. They are often used under draperies to create a uniform layered look.

Once you’ve decided whether or not to go with blinds, draperies, shades, or a combination of a few window treatments, it’s time to look at the different styles that are available. Window treatments can range from casual to formal and traditional to modern. You can choose a style based on your unique needs and budget. Let’s look at a few terms to help you understand the different styles available!

  • Ascot Valance – This is a triangular window treatment that is normally used between matching panels. A double rod is often used here, with the panels on the inside of the rod and three ascots on the outside for a finished appearance. You also have the option to insert an ascot between the panels on a single rod.pexels-photo-462197
  • Blackouts – If you’re looking for a way to block out the sunlight in your bedroom, blackout draperies may be a great solution for you. These draperies are lined or coated window hangings that are made from different heavyweight fabrics. Blackout draperies are specifically designed to block out light and insulate windows so that warm and cool air can’t escape the room. Blackout draperies are also a great way to reduce exterior sounds coming from outside your home.
  • Balloon Valance – This is a straight-across valance that is sewn on as a pocket that can be filled with tissue paper for a full and puffy look. If you choose to leave the pocket empty, you can achieve a more tailored appearance.
  • Cafe Curtains – Also called tiered curtains or kitchen tiers, these short and straight curtains often cover the lower half of a window. Cafe curtains are usually paired with some sort of top window treatment, like a swag valance.
  • Cellular Shades – Most known for its distinctive “honeycomb” fabric construction, cellular shades are very popular across the Los Angeles area. These multi-layered, pleated shades are known to trap air, providing the homeowner with a high level of window installation.
  • Grommet-Top Curtains – Also known as eyelets, grommets are metal, plastic, or rubber rings that can be used to reinforce a hole in fabric curtains or draperies. Grommet-top curtains are hung using these grommets, with the help of a decorative rod that can be threaded through the curtain.
  • Pinch Pleats – A pinch pleat is a three-fold, stitched pleat at the top of a formal drapery panel. These drapes are often hung on a traverse rod using hooks that are inserted into the back of the pleat.
  • Roller Shades – These are flat fabric or vinyl shades that roll up into a cylinder. With most roller shades, the shade can be drawn up and down with the help of a spring. Roll-up shades, on the other hand, can be drawn up with cords or a string.
  • Roman Shade – If you’re looking for a window treatment that will give you a tailored, flat look, you’ll love roman shades. The classic roman shade features a flat face fabric that forms to pleats as the shade is raised. The pleats are made with rings that are threaded with cords on the back of the fabric. This allows the shade to be raised or lowered.
  • Swag – Also known as a jabot, a swag is a decorative window top treatment that features a soft, curving semicircle that is centered on the window with fabric that hangs down on both sides. For a highly decorative top treatment, consider using multiple swags at a time. Longer swags offer a simple window embellishment, and they can be made from virtually any fabric.
  • Thermal Backing – Thermal-backed draperies are specially designed to block out light, heat, drafts, and sounds. They offer an extra layer of insulation that most draperies do not have.

In part two of this blog, we’ll discuss some more common window treatment terminology you should be aware of. If you live in Los Angeles and you’re ready to improve your window treatments, contact Arjay’s Window Fashions today!

Benefits of Window Film

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For some, window treatments are all about the aesthetic and the additional design features that they’re able to add to a space, but for others, window treatments are truly just a functionality that improves the overall experience of a room. So what happens when all that you’ve really been exposed to are the countless window treatments that only boast of design elements?
Well, the answer seems obvious. You call Arjay’s Window Fashions.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions, we get to the root of your needs and find the solution that’s going to make the most sense. For many who are just looking for the functionality of window treatments, we suggest window film. It doesn’t take away from the window, provides you with minimized effects of the sun, and it doesn’t require any design experience. What’s best is that these aren’t the only benefits that you’ll be able to enjoy by having window film added to your windows.

The blog post we’ve written today will give you even more reason to fall in love with the idea of window film by mentioning more of the benefits to having window film implemented in your home.

Block UV Rays

The first thing that most people think of when they imagine window film is the ability to reduce the glare of the sun, similar to how sunglasses our exposure to the sun more manageable. However, this film is not only making the rays of the sun seem less intense, window film actually reduces the UV rays that are coming from the sun.

By adding high-quality window film to your windows you can reduce the UV exposure that your family and the interior of your home has. It may not seem like a crazy concern to have, but in reality, very few people understand that the rays of the sun can still affect you even while you’re inside your home.

Increased Privacy

There’s no doubt that privacy is an added bonus to adding window films to your home. While this window fashion does allow for you to still enjoy the gorgeous view that you see outside your window, it also makes it more difficult for anyone to see into your home.

In the case that you live in an area where houses are pretty close to each other, you live relatively close to the sidewalk, or you want to add additional privacy to the windows for when people are walking around the premise of your home, this is a fantastic option. This is a fantastic solution to incorporate into your bedrooms, bathrooms, office spaces, and quite honestly any room that you have on your first-floor level just because of the added privacy.

Protect Your Furniture

While adding design elements to your windows may not have been your first priority, the quality of furniture that you have invested in deserves to be protected and last for as long as possible. Unfortunately, one of the things that very few people realize is that the sun can do some pretty serious damage to interior furniture, even though it isn’t outside.

This is especially true for pieces of furniture that are made from cloth. If you have a cloth couch that is a nice dark blue or deep red, you can expect it to fade when it’s placed near a window with no window film on it. But, by simply adding window film to your windows you are able to minimize the exposure that’s coming into your house, which in turn minimizes the overall exposure to the sun that your furniture is getting. So, if you’re looking to protect your furniture, wood flooring, rugs, artwork or anything of the sort, you should definitely invest in some window film.

These aren’t the only reasons that window film is beneficial, and we guarantee that as soon as you’ve had window film installed on your own windows, you’ll find a handful of other reasons that you love this fantastic option.f

If there are any questions that you have regarding window film, don’t hesitate to ask the team at Arjay’s Window Fashions. We are more than happy to provide you with insight and answers as to how window film could improve the interior of your home. Contact our team, located in Indianapolis, today and we’ll schedule a time to come to your home with your window film options.

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Comparing Blinds And Shades As Options For Your Window Treatments

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Comparing Shades

You’ve probably heard the terms ‘blinds’ and ‘shades’ used so often and so commonly that the two terms are practically exchangeable. While both blinds and shades are window treatments that block harsh sunlight and provide you with privacy, they go about doing so in different ways. How do blinds and shades really differ, you say? Well, in today’s blog post, Arjay’s Window Fashions is going to take a close look at the advantages of disadvantages of blinds and shades. We like to consider our Ventura window covering business credible about this matter because we happen to carry both blinds and shades!

Arjay’s Is Your Trusted Window Coverings Supplier

Serving the greater upper west Los Angeles and Orange County areas for years, Arjay’s has been selected as a Small Business of The Year by the area’s Chamber Of Commerce. By priding ourselves on always being on the leading edge of technology, Arjay’s always offers the newest and most innovative window covering products on the market. To learn more about how our window treatment business works, please feel free to visit our company page or read on to discover the differences and similarities between blinds and shades. Let’s take a look!

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Understand Your Criteria First

When considering getting blinds or shades, you’ll want to make it simple by thinking about what you’d like to specifically accomplish with your window treatments. Keep questions like these in mind:

  • Do you want to have control over privacy in the room?
  • Do you want to let in a lot of sunlight without obstructing the view?
  • Are you concerned about energy efficiency?
  • Do you have any household pets that might tamper with your window coverings?
  • How does your house face the sun?

These questions, amongst many others, are the things that you need to keep in mind before you look into different blind or shade colors, or even a completely different type of window covering.

How A Blind Is Characterized

Blinds have horizontal or vertical slats that louver to control the amount of sunlight and air that is allowed in a given room. So, if you want extra airflow entering the room or you want windows with an unobstructed view, blinds can actually be completely pulled up with a pull cord or even a motorized, cordless system. While most manufacturers make blinds in a range of materials like aluminum, wood, faux wood, vinyl and faux composite wood, you can also find eco-friendly blind options with materials like bamboo.

Differentiating Between Blind Types

Usually, the most popular window blinds are made with real wood and faux wood. Mini-blinds are also a very popular option. Here’s a quick breakdown of different blind types:

    • Mini-blinds are also known as horizontal aluminum blinds. Mini-blinds are usually available in 1” slats in 6 or 8 gauge aluminum as well as ½” slats, 1-⅜” slats and even 2” slats. Extremely durable, mini-blinds come in hundreds of colors and are also available as a vinyl slat, which is a good economical option.
    • Real wood and faux wood blinds have a warm tone to them that can make any room look cozy and inviting. Real wood blinds are available as painted or stained and usually come in several different types of wood including bass, bamboo, ash, and maple. Even composite faux wood looks more like real wood blinds than standard PVC faux wood, and naturally, it’s also less expensive than real wood.

 

  • Vertical blinds tend to be perfect for patio doors and large windows, and they’re also quite controllable. The fact that vertical blinds are easy to control means that you can have a high amount of light control as well as privacy. Vertical blinds tend to be available in vinyl or fabric in a wide range of colors and styles.
  • Shutters are similar to wood blinds. However, shutters function as more of an external piece of furniture that goes around your windows. Shutters surround your windows with a casement while the inside of the shutter has slats to louver open and close.

So What’s A Shade, Then?

Unlike blinds, shades do not have slats that louver. Instead, shades go up and down and tend to be made from fabrics and woven woods. Shades offer some functional convenience over blinds in the sense that they can be opened from the top, bottom, or even both ends in order to control light and privacy.

Different Types of Shades

 

  • Roller shades consist of a material that is rolled onto a tube and then rolls off of the tube with a continuous cord loop clutch system or cordless system. Roller shades tend to be very popular in homes and businesses with solar screen fabrics which keep the glare of the sun away while also allowing you to see through them. Roller shades are available in solid and print fabrics that range from modern to traditional – for a truly custom look, add trim and tassels.
  • Cellular or Honeycomb shades are as beautiful as they are functional. Available in both single and double-cell varieties, these type of shades provide both temperature and sound-insulating features and already have multiple lift system options such as cordless, continuous cord loop, and motorized options. With these kind of shades, usually, an occasional vacuuming is about all they need.
  • Pleated shades consist of a single piece of material and have the advantage of more unique fabric options as compared to other window coverings. Pleated shades tend to be available with or without a liner for added privacy and insulation, and they’re also available in a wide range of both color and texture options.
  • Woven wood or bamboo shades provide a highly stylized look that will appease your inner interior designer. Yes, these types of shades are certainly more fragile than most types of blinds, but they’re also available with tapes on the edges in order to prevent fraying.

Deciding Between Blinds And Shades

As we mentioned above, having shades or blinds work with your interior design needs all comes down to what your priorities are. If you live in an open desert environment without many surrounding trees, then a sunshade might be the best option for you, whereas if you live in the city, sound-insulating blinds would be the way to go. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider how much privacy and light control is needed in your specific rooms and then take the time to browse through the different styles and colors available with your goals for the room in mind.

Selecting a window treatment should be based on estimating the light requirements, privacy necessities, energy efficiency and pricing needs that you’re looking for. All things considered, choosing the right window treatment for your home can create a subtle yet significant difference in its atmosphere.

Trust Arjay’s To Help You Make The Right Decision

We don’t expect you to be an expert when it comes to window treatments because that’s our job! Whether you’re looking for Roman blinds, Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, bamboo blinds, honeycomb blinds, cellular blinds, drapes or even a sunshade, Arjay’s Window Fashions does it all! By working with you and your home, we’ll find a solution that works for your needs as well as your budget. Contact us today to get the right shades, blinds or other window coverings for your home!

Tips To Minimize Pet Damage To Your Window Treatments

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At Arjay’s Window Fashions, we love our furry, domestic friends just as much as you do. While common household pets like dogs and cats are fun, give us great company, and incredibly rewarding to take care of, there are some notable drawbacks when it comes to having household pets. As you can imagine (and may have even experienced once or twice in the past), damage to your precious blinds as a result of your dog or cat going rogue can and does happen – more often than you might even think.

Protecting Your Window Coverings With Arjay’s

Arjay’s is all about optimizing your window covering solutions so that you’re getting a useful product that stands the test of time and does the primary purpose that it should: evenly covering your windows from the outside sun and prying eyes. However, with ripped, crumpled or just generally damaged window blinds, you might not get the performance out of your window treatments that you’re looking for. That’s why in today’s blog post, Arjay’s is going to write about some useful tips to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your blinds and windows shades safe from your adventurous household pets.

To learn more about our custom window treatment solutions, learn more about our services or feel free to get in touch with our Los Angeles blind company today. Now, let’s take a look at some ways to keep those blinds safe from dogs, cats, and other valued pets that you may have.

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Keep The Blind Cord Out Of Reach

This tip is obviously meant for curious kitties (though your dog or puppy could go for that dangling cord), but there’s just something tantalizing to cats about seeing a hanging cord. Call it instinct, but they just have to swat at it. While this is obviously tempting for cats, blind cords can be harmful to them.

Fortunately, the solution to this problem is a fairly simple one: just keep the cords wrapped up and out of your cat’s reach with something simply like a cord cleat or tie it up in a bundle. A good general rule of thumb with cats is just to not leaving any ‘dangly’ things laying around.

Cats And Vertical Blinds

Another thing that cats tend to do is absolutely destroy standard aluminum blinds. And by destroy, we mean destroy, like to the extent of an evil villain. While cats like to slip behind blinds, vertical blinds present a good option because they will always fall right back into place when they’re moved around.

Sure, if a louver or two gets damaged, you can always replace individual ones instead of spending the money to get all new blinds. This way, with vertical blinds, your cat can get behind them and be near the window without destroying your perfect blind setup. As an added bonus, pet hair can easily be removed from vertical blinds with a quick swipe. It’s a win-win for you, your cats, and your allergies as a result of your arguably questionable pet choice.

Your Puppy Chews On Everything, Including Your Blinds

Part of raising an adorable puppy is sacrificing some items to satisfying their teething obsession. While this is a pretty normal part of owning a puppy, it does unfortunately come at the expense of near-destroyed or even completely destroyed items, including your blinds. Usually, chewing up random objects that weren’t meant to be chewed means that your growing furry companion needs something to…well, chew on. That’s why dog toys and things of that nature exist.

Make sure to stock your home with plenty of chew toys like squeakers, bones, and more. If you want to target the blind issue specifically, one thing that you can do is spray the slats on your blinds with a sour apple spray that’s widely available at many pet stores. Neutral to humans, this sprays smells and tastes terrible to dogs, so they’ll most likely steer clear of your blinds if you do this.

Overall, be a good dog owner and make sure that your four-legged friend has a chance to relieve their stress and energy on a daily basis. Try doing things like taking your pooch for a long walk before you leave them at home alone.

Leave Your Blinds Slightly Raised For Cats And Dogs Alike

This is a simple and incredibly effective solution to damaged blinds and window coverings. You see, cats and dogs choose to look at blinds as a barrier to the outside world, obstructing the clear view that a window provides. By raising your blinds from Arjay’s just enough so that your dog or cat (or both if they get along well!) can sit near the window and see outside, they won’t get all frustrated and try to mangle up your window coverings.

And because you’ve only raised your blinds just enough for them to see outside, you’ll still be blocking most of that unwanted sunshine into the zen climate of your home. So with this simple piece of advice, you win, your pets win, and your energy bill mostly wins. Hooray!

Pet Or No Pets, Find The Right Custom Blinds Solution Today

Depending on your specific window covering needs, you might need custom solutions to work with the shape of your windows or the habits of your pets. That’s one of the reasons why Arjay’s offers custom blinds solutions in Southern California so that your window coverings are optimized to the greatest extent that they can be. To make it happen, contact Arjay’s today!