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When Should I Replace My Window Treatments?

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When Should I Replace My Window Treatmentscustom-blinds

At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Ventura, many of our customers come to us asking when they should replace their window treatments. While the answer to this question will depend on a few things, including the age of your blinds and shades, if you can’t remember the last time you updated them, it’s probably time to call your local window treatment company. Whether you’re concerned about the functionality of your blinds or the energy efficiency of your shutters, there are a few surefire ways to tell when it’s time to update your window treatments. As always, if you need assistance choosing the best window coverings for your home or office, contact our friendly staff today.

Your Slats or Blinds Are Yellow or Discolored

It’s totally normal for your blinds to experience some fading from the sun. If you purchased wood blinds or vertical blinds for your home years ago, it may be time to update your window treatments to a new, more efficient model. Many blinds on the market today offer incredible UV protection to protect your home from the harsh rays of the sun. If your blinds start to turn yellow or become discolored, they may lose their structural integrity.

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Warped or Bent Slats

While homeowners throughout California love the modern look and feel of wood blinds and faux wood blinds, these window treatments have been known to warp over time. This is often a sign of heat damage from the sun. If only a few of your slats are warped, a window treatment repair expert may be able to replace them in a quick and efficient matter. If more than a handful of slats need to be replaced, we recommend completely replacing your blinds altogether.

You Struggle Raising Your Blinds

Are you having a difficult time raising and lowering your blinds? Does raising your blinds take much more effort than it used to? If you answered yes to these questions, it may be time to upgrade your blinds to a newer model. The lifting mechanisms of your blinds can easily be damaged, which can have a negative impact on the functionality of your window coverings.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Ventura, we take great pride in offering quality window treatment repairs across California. Our professional installation team has the knowledge and tools required to install all types of shutters, blinds, shades, and drapery. If you’re interested in learning more about our repair services, contact our specialists today.

Your Blind Slats Do Not Close Correctly

If you find yourself constantly having to twist and tilt your blind wand repeatedly and your slats barely move, there may be something wrong with your window covering.

Your Blinds Are Not Child Proof

If you have young children, childproofing your window treatments should be a priority for the safety of your family. We’ve heard numerous stories of young kids who become entangled in window covering cords, which can lead to serious injury and in some cases, death. At Arjay’s Window Fashions, our staff is well versed in the variety of child-safe window treatments, and we can help you find the best blinds, shades, and drapes for your home.

Arjay’s Window Fashions in California

If you live in California and you’re ready to upgrade your window treatments to more efficient or child-safe models, contact the experts at Arjay’s Window Fashions today. We’ve been providing quality window coverings to residents of California since 1975, and we are passionate about helping our customers find the best window treatments and coverings for their needs. Check out some of our testimonials online or call us today to schedule your complimentary appointment!

How To Design A Nursery

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blogpic4custom-blindsDesigning a nursery doesn’t have to be a complicated and daunting process. Whether you’re expecting a baby or you’re helping a loved one ready their home for the arrival of a new human, designing a nursery can be quite fun! The most important thing to remember before you start picking out baby decor or painting the walls, is the fact that this space is meant to be a happy place. The nursery is where you will hold your little one at night before they fall asleep, and it is where you will spend some of your most intimate moments with your newborn. In this blog, we’ll look at a few important tips to remember as you start to devise your nursery plan.

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The Baby Crib

While many new parents think their newborn will only spend a few months in their crib, the reality is that children can spend up to three years in a crib. Before you choose the first crib you see at the department store, make sure the crib meets all US Safety Standards. When it comes to your newborn, you don’t want to buy repurposed or vintage cribs, as they can be very unsafe. With safety standards evolving over the last decade, it’s critical to give your baby a quality crib that will last for years to come.

Some cribs on the market convert to toddler beds and even full-sized beds. If you’re concerned about your child rolling off of these beds in the middle of the night, you may want to invest in a toddler rail. These are a great solution for babies that start climbing out of cribs early.

The Changing Table

There’s no way around it: babies come with dirty diapers. The only way to make the diaper-changing experience a pleasant one, is to ensure you have all the essentials close at hand. This is where your baby changing table comes into play. While you may not be looking forward to this part of parenting, investing in a quality changing table will help you turn that dull guest room into a full-fledged nursery. A few things to consider for your baby changing table are:

  • If you don’t have room for a free-standing changing table, you can get a changing pad that can be added to the top of any dresser.
  • If you do have room for a free-standing changing table, make sure to invest in one that has a life beyond your baby staying a baby. Can you repurpose the changing table down the line and turn it into a toy storage? How about a bookcase?
  • Use bins or dresser drawers to store any diapering related items like wipes, ointments, and lotions.
  • Be sure to keep baby toys near the changing table so your little one has something to play with while you take care of the dirty deed.

Window Coverings

Another aspect of your child’s nursery to think about are the window coverings. Any new parent will tell you that light control is their main concern when it comes to choosing window treatments for their nursery. While young children need a good amount of sleep every day, have you ever wondered how many hours of shut-eye your little angel actually needs?

In 2015, a panel of six sleep experts and 12 other medical professionals came together to revise the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) sleep recommendations. The panel conducted a formal literature review, making a point to focus on the body of research surrounding sleep duration between the years of 2004 and 2014. From those 312 articles, the panel determined that newborns (0-3 months) require 14 to 17 hours of sleep, infants (4-11 months) require around 12 to 15 hours of sleep, and toddlers (1-2 years) require 11 to 14 hours of sleep.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles, we’ve helped hundreds of young families find and install the perfect window coverings in their nursery. Most importantly, we offer a wonderful array of child safety solutions to ensure your child does not become entangled in window covering cords.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), window cord strangulations are one of the top hidden hazards of the home. From 2006 to 2012, approximately 1,590 children between the ages of 14 months and eight years old suffered injuries that resulted from entanglements on window covering cords. “As a result of industry innovation, consumers have more choices than ever to purchase cordless products or those with inaccessible cords,” says Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) Executive Director, Peter Rush. “Parents with young children should replace their corded window coverings with the many cordless products available in different styles, colors, and sizes.”

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The Nursery Chair

The nursery chair you choose for your baby’s room is very important. As a new mom, you’ll want a comfortable place to sit as you read to your baby, breastfeed your baby, and sing your little one to sleep. Many new moms opt for a rocking chair or glider for their nursery room. The movement of these chairs will help to lull your baby to sleep, which can be a real blessing for those late night feedings. Choose a rocking chair that has arm rests, as well as one that is roomy enough for you and your baby to cuddle.

Interior Decor

Once you have a handle on the functional pieces of your nursery, you can start decorating the space how you please. A couple things to keep in mind are:

  • If your nursery currently has wood floors, opt for a plush wool or shag rug. This will help to cushion your little one as they start to sit, crawl, roll, and walk. If you decide to go for a shag rug, make sure you get one that features a short pile. Long pile shag rugs can pose a choking hazard to young children.
  • Choose a rug that will be fairly easy for you to clean. Wool rugs can take a real beating and still clean up easily. Some cotton rugs can be machine washed, but it’s always best to look at the tag for proper cleaning instructions.

Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles

We hope that this article helps you as you start to design and organize your nursery. If you live in the Los Angeles area and you’re in need of a professional window covering expert, look no further than Arjay’s Window Fashions. We’ve been serving Southern California since 1975, and we’ll work with you one-on-one to ensure your window covering project meets your needs and budget. Whether you’re interested in installing shutters, blinds, shades, or drapes, our experts are here to help. Contact us to schedule your complimentary appointment!

Common Window Treatment Questions

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The window treatments in your home or commercial business can say a lot about your space. At Arjay’s Window Fashions, we’ve helped hundreds of clients throughout the Los Angeles area find the best window coverings for their space. As one of the top window treatment companies in California, many people come to use with questions regarding the best type of blinds, shades, and draperies to use in their home. In this article, we’ll discuss some common window treatment questions to help you along your window treatment journey.

If you live in Los Angeles and you’re looking for custom blinds or shades for your home, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of the experts at Arjay’s Window Fashions. In addition to our window installation services, we can help you find the perfect shutters and draperies for your home or business. Contact us today!

What Are Window Blinds?

Blinds are a wonderful window covering that can be added to virtually any room in your home. Also known as hard window coverings, blinds are composed of slats or vanes that can add a decorative element to your bedroom, dining room, and family room. Many homeowners love these window treatments because they provide the user with a good amount of lighting control. These blinds are available in both vertical and horizontal designs, and a window treatment professional can even create a custom blind design for your home.

At Arjay’s Window Fashions, we’re proud to offer our customers with some of the most high-quality blinds available on the market. Whether you’re shopping for Roman blinds, faux wood blinds, or vertical blinds, we can help you find the best window coverings for your windows.

Are There Different Kinds of Window Blinds Available?

dreamstime_3822818As you begin shopping for blinds, you may be surprised by the variety of styles and types available. Each blind style will offer a unique decorative element and functionality, and working with a window treatment expert can help you narrow down your options. Let’s take a look at some popular window blinds below.

Venetian Blinds – If you’re looking for horizontal window blinds to install in your home or business, venetian blinds make an excellent addition to any room. Generally constructed of plastic, wood, and even metal, these blinds move in a synchronized motion when they are pulled with a cord. The cording system allows these blinds to fully close, partially open, or fully open, depending on how much light you are looking for.

Roller Blinds – If you have a movie room in your home or you’d like to install blinds to block out the sun in your bedroom, roller blinds may be a great option for you. These blinds feature a simple, one-piece design that is specifically built to block out light when closed. These blinds look great behind a decorative curtain or drapery as well.

Wood Blinds – Wood horizontal blinds are a favorite among Los Angeles homeowners, and for good reason. Not only do these blinds offer a timeless appeal, they can be painted with different finishes to match the interior decor of your home. Not only do these blinds look fantastic, they are very easy to maintain as well.

Should All Windows In My Home Have The Same Treatments?

While you may feel tempted to coordinate the window treatments throughout each room in your home, this is not completely necessary. You don’t have to adopt a uniform look when it comes to your windows, and just because you have drapes in one room doesn’t mean you can’t put wood shutters in another.

If you’re having a hard time narrowing down the window treatments for your home, be sure to contact the experts at Arjay’s Window Fashions in Los Angeles. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners find the best window coverings for their home at an affordable price, and we would love to help!

Are There Energy-Efficient Window Treatments?

Yes! There are a variety of energy-efficient window treatments that you can choose to install in your home or business. Installing these window treatments can help to reduce the energy consumption of your residential or commercial property, which can lead to lower energy and heating bills. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that consumers can reduce their solar heat gain by over 70 percent in the summer, and heat loss by 25 percent in the winter, just by installing energy-efficient window treatments. Speak to a window treatment expert to learn more about these options!

What Kind Of Window Treatment Should I Install In My Kitchen?

erick-lee-hodge-199317Your kitchen is likely in a centralized area of your home, and choosing the right window treatment can make a huge difference when it comes to your lighting and environment. When it comes to installing a new window treatment in your kitchen, you may want to consider decorative shutters. These window coverings can be easily adjusted to let in or block out natural light during the day, and they also allow for a solid flow of ventilation. If shutters aren’t necessarily your preference, you may want to consider blinds.

What Window Coverings Will Help Me Block Out Noise?

If you’re looking for window coverings to block out exterior noises, there are a variety of options to choose from. If you live next to a noisy outdoor area or highway, you may want to consider installing a window treatment that features heavy fabric such as drapes. For an additional layer of sound protection, you can double up on your window covering materials.

Should I Work With A Window Treatment Expert?

When it comes to finding the best window coverings for your home or commercial business, we always recommend working with a professional. An experienced window covering expert will be able to listen to your unique needs before recommending the best blinds, drapes, and shades for your home.

If you live in Los Angeles and you need assistance choosing the best window coverings and treatments for your space, contact Arjay’s Window Fashions today!

Advantages Between Different Types Of Custom Blind Options

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Like many things in life, blinds and window coverings simply don’t have a “one-size-fits-all” option, and it makes sense – people have vastly different sized and different shaped windows and live in different climates with different amounts of sunlight. It is factors like these that go into finding the ideal window covering solution for your home, and it’s also why your friendly blind team at Arjay’s Window Fashions in Southern California offers a host of custom blind solutions!

Arjay’s Is Here To Serve Our Local Community

We conveniently serve areas including Agoura Hills, Malibu, Ojai, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and more, making sure that our valued customers are getting set up with the right window covering options that work for their budget, taste, functionality, and overall lifestyle. As experienced professionals in the blinds and window coverings industry, we’ll work with you until you’re satisfied with the way that you windows are covered. To learn more about our custom blinds solutions, contact us today or read about the advantages and benefits that different blind options present.

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Thermal Blinds

A thermal blind is typically built differently from your normal window blinds, but the way that it is built is what provides advantages over other types of custom blind options. A thermal blind is generally made from layers of different materials that are pressed around a special type of film which reflects light or heat. As such, thermal blinds, as the name suggests, block sunlight as well as heat when needed.

Thermal blinds feature slats with an aluminum core for enhanced durability, where the outer layers are made with different types of materials. The most commonly used materials that are used for thermal blinds besides aluminum are usually things like vinyl, cloth, and wood, which all make great insulators. Thermal blinds are also known to help significantly lower your energy cost, which should be no surprise. While all blinds will help you reduce your energy costs, thermal blinds will probably reduce your bill more so than most other types of custom blind fixings.

Thermal blinds are also rather thick and insulating from not only intense sunlight but noise pollution as well. This makes thermal blinds a great option if you live in the city or near an airport, or really anywhere that creates a lot of noise pollution.

Bamboo Blinds

Bamboo blinds are quite stylish and very appealing to the eye. Not only that, but bamboo is very durable and usually able to withstand dynamic weather conditions. It is because of these reasons and more that furniture manufacturers and interior designers alike are incorporating more bamboo in their products. In essence, what was once a simple traditional art form and energizing force in Asian culture now adds elegant style to a room, as well as enhanced functionality and reliability.

As another plus, Bamboo is an ideal solution as a shade due to its eco-friendly properties. By harvesting bamboo instead of cutting trees for hardwood, you won’t be helping to diminish hardwood forests that have taken decades if not more to mature. Thus, you’ll be helping to preserve the habit of often-endangered wildlife species. With bamboo custom blinds and window coverings, you’ll easily add elements of style and functionality into your interior decor mix.

Faux Blinds

Arjay’s specializes in faux wood horizontal blinds. Faux wood blinds present a great custom blind option for your home, and they’re also a great value alternative to traditional wood blinds.

That’s right – not only are faux blinds less expensive as compared to traditional wood blinds, but they’re also quite durable and have a classy, timeless appeal to them. Available in a variety of colors and textures from Arjay’s, you’ll find that our faux blinds will match any decor in your home. With an elegant look at an affordable price, you can easily add beauty to any room in your home.

Faux Wood Horizontal Blinds

Combining the best of both worlds in the custom blinds industry, horizontal faux wood blinds provide privacy while letting you choose exactly how much light that you want to let into the room. Faux wood blinds can also be manufactured without the route-holes to offer an additional level of privacy to your home, especially if you live in an urban or heavily-populated area. By offering you protection from the harsh sun that can fade carpets and furnishings, horizontal faux wood blinds are one of the ultimate budget window fixing options on the market that we offer here at Arjay’s.

We also offer multiple control options for our faux wood blinds, like Cord Tilt, Wand Tilt and Routless Operation for optimal privacy and light control. With other customizable features including specialty shapes, designer features, optional motorized operation, energy consumption and comfort and light control, we guarantee you that the windows on your Southern California home will be covered in style and functionality. And let’s face it, if your energy bill could talk to you and thank you for all the money and energy that you’re saving with our great custom window treatment options, then it would!

So Come Visit Our Store In Ventura Today!

Whether you’re looking to effectively shut out the harsh sunlight, improve the appearance of your living room or just save some money every month on those costly energy bills, the evidence is clear that having the right custom bamboo blinds, thermal blinds or faux wood blinds will improve your home in more ways than one. We also offer more custom blinds and window covering options than what we’ve covered in this blog, so if you’re unsure what the best option is for your home, give Arjay’s a call today to discover what we can do for you!

Got Little Ones? Look Into Childproofing Those Custom Blinds

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High-quality, custom blinds from the team at Arjay’s are something to be treasured. While great window coverings don’t tend to be particularly cheap, the well-being and livelihood of your kids is downright priceless. It would make sense, then, that you protect your custom blinds from being damaged as well as your children from being injured. While it seems strange and almost counterintuitive, most life threatening accidents tend to occur inside of the household, and this is even more true for young children.

Safety And Quality Come First At Arjay’s Window Fashions

Sure, no one probably thinks of window covering installation and custom blinds fitting as a particularly dangerous enterprise – we understand. But even the latest blind technology may present some potential hazards to those little ones who get overly adventurous when they’re left unattended for even a moment. That’s why we’re dedicating today’s blog post to various tips and ways to childproof your window shades and blinds – especially expensive, high-quality custom blinds.

For all of your quality interior and exterior window covering needs in Southern California, you and your family can trust the team at Arjay’s Window Fashions to take care of you. We’ve worked with customers throughout countless years to find a custom blind solution that works for the size of your windows as well as the size of your budget. To learn more about our tight-knit business that really cares, visit here. Now, let’s learn about how to safely cover your windows with little kids in the house.

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Corded Blinds

Generally speaking, out of all of the options for window coverings, corded blinds represent the most danger. If you have not yet changed your corded blinds to safely accommodate for your young ones, you might want to look into it to make sure that none of the potential following accidents occur (though extremely unlikely, they are possible). After all, these scenarios are reported from The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

  • A child’s neck can get caught between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of a blind.
  • A child can pull the cord out or down and accidentally wrap it around his or her neck.
  • In roll-up blinds, the lifting loop mechanism can slide off the side of the blind, in which a child’s neck can become entangled on the free-standing loop.
  • A child can also place their neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

Safety Tips From The CPSC And The Window Covering Safety Council

In order to maintain damage-free custom blinds, and more importantly, protect your children from getting hurt or injuring themselves, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and The Window Covering Safety Council recommend following these guidelines and tips to keep things safe:

  • Make sure to thoroughly examine all shades and blinds in the home and to make sure that there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of your window fittings.
  • Do NOT place any cribs, beds, or furniture close to any windows, because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.
  • Ideally, use only cordless window coverings in all homes where there are children or children are visiting.
  • When lowering horizontal coverings or shades, lock the cords into position in order to prevent inner-cord hazards.
  • If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, consider installing tension devices to help keep the cord taut.
  • Ensure that all loose cords are inaccessible and keep all window cords out of the reach of children at all times. If you have tasseled your pull cords so that they’re shorter, you should also make sure that they’re as short as possible.
  • Permanently anchor any continuous-loop cords to the floor or the wall.

Remember, it is always the best practice to take precautionary measures. You don’t want a freak accident occurring to either your custom blinds or of course, your children. Safety first!

Questions About Optimizing Your Custom Window Treatments?

Arjay’s is experienced in answering many different questions about our custom blind fixtures. From safety to the interior design aesthetic to energy efficiency and overall price, we’re Southern California’s go-to window covering experts! Get in touch with Arjay’s Window Fashions if you have any questions for us through our contact page here.