Types of Treatments to Use with Doors

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When you’ve got a glass, sliding-door in your home, you know that window treatments will inevitably become something that you need to consider. These giant windows are something that we see as perks when we first start to look into a home, but they are a little bit trickier to work with when you’re trying to find a treatment that will work with the overall look of your home, while also providing you the control that you’d like over your sliding door.

With the number of treatments that we have to offer at Arjay’s Window Treatments, we’ve come up with some creative ways that we can incorporate treatments with your windows that you’ll wind up loving. Here are a few of our favorite options.

Pull Down Shades

If you have french doors in your home, shades that pull down are a fantastic option to choose from. These shades not only give you a lot of control with the amount of lighting that’s coming into your home, but they can make it easier to have throughout your home.

If your french doors are connected to the dining area or the kitchen of your home, you will likely have plenty of other windows that you have to factor in. If you would like to keep the overall flow of the space that you already have, then pull down blinds are a great choice. They make a variety of pull down window treatments for windows that can also be used for shades, so it’ll be much easier to find something that you can be consistent with.

Aside from that, it’s much nicer to have a window treatment that fits your door perfectly. Options like drapes and sliding vertical blinds are certainly an option, but with doors that open outwards, the last thing that you’re going to want to have to deal with is an object that’s getting in the way.

Vertical Blinds

One of the most common treatments that we use for sliding glass doors is vertical blinds. They’re a common style, but they work so well that there’s very little reason to consider other options. When you think of these, imagine something similar to your standard blinds, but rather than standing horizontally, the slats will be vertical.

Connected by a bar at the top of the sliding door, your blinds will be easy to move thanks to the wand of the blinds. These make it easy to open and close the slats, but also move the slats so that they’re entirely open, or entirely closed. That being said, this feature makes it easy to use this window treatment similarly to how you would use blinds; giving you plenty of control from the sun, gorgeous views and a look that’s easy to incorporate into a variety of aesthetics.

Drapes

Another look that we see commonly used for doors are drapes. If you like having something that is flowy, light and can add some texture to your space, then drapes might be the perfect option for the doors that you have in your home. There are a variety of colors and designs that you can choose from with this particular option, which makes it easy to add them into your home and create an overall feel or theme in your home.

If aesthetic or theme is something that you really want to focus on within your space, then incorporating drapes into the design is something that you should strongly consider. These are one of the best window treatments to add styling points while also taking care of the design factors.

Window Tinting

If you’re less concerned about the aesthetic of the actual window treatment, and you are simply looking for the coverage and protection for the interior of your home, then window tinting is another fantastic choice that you’re able to choose. This option is available for all forms of windows and is extremely successful when working with glass doors.

A major benefit to this particular form of window treatment is that it’s extremely easy to incorporate this throughout a home. With this treatment, you can enjoy less powerful beams of sunlight, protection for the interior of your home, and you don’t have to worry so much about any design aspects. This is a great option for doors that lead out to an incredible view. If that’s something that you really want to focus on, adding the window tint, and not obscuring the view of the window, will provide you with the best of both worlds.

These are the primary types of window treatments that will be used when looking to cover a screen door. If there are certain issues or concerns that you have, let us know and we’ll do our best to assist you.

Arjay’s Window Fashions in Ventura has a wide selection of window treatments that we can incorporate into your house. Contact us today for a consultation from a member of our team and we’ll get you taken care of as soon as possible.

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Window shades Vs. Window film

What is the Difference between Window Film and Window Shades?

When you are deciding on window treatments for your home, part of the decision depends on where the window is situated in the room and how much light it lets in. Deciding the window treatments is important and one question to think about is difference between window film and window shades. Windows that let in direct light may also add heat to the room. On the other hand, if you prefer a well-lit room, you may not want your windows covered. Windows can also let in indirect light which generally does not heat the air. Therefore, you need make a selection of window coverings that let in disparate amounts of light or block light completely. If you are looking for basic window covers or want to control emitted light simply, you can take a look at window film or shades.

Window shades Vs. Window film

Window Shades

Window shades are usually hung on a roller placed at the top of the window frame. They are designed to block the light from windows by covering each window as the shade is rolled down. Traditional window shades are opaque, meant to completely block out the sun’s light and glare. They also offer completely privacy for a bedroom or bathroom. Shades can be taken down by removing the roller from the window frame, and replaced just as easily once the brackets are set to insert the roller.

Window Film

Window film is a more modern window cover. They are designed to allow the light to come into a room, but partially block or mute the light. They can offer privacy by distorting the view using a patterned texture. Films are a good choice if you want to have the maximum amount of light in your room without the glare or UV damage.

Effects of Sunlight

Sunlight can cause other problems inside the home. Besides overheating a room, it can also damage furniture, carpeting and your skin. Even if you are not outside, direct sunlight can damage your skin with UV rays. Over time, it will cause furniture and carpeting to fade or change color.

Window film is made that can block UV rays for health and safety. You can also get window film that will diffuse light to prevent damage to your home interior. Window shades prevent harm as well but have to block the light completely in order to be effective. Unfortunately, closing shades necessitates the use of artificial light.

Enjoying Views of Nature

Another issue to think about when choosing window coverings is that windows offer beautiful views of the outdoors. You lose these views when shades are pulled down. If you prefer to see your garden or lawn, then shades may not be the right choice.

Window Shade Options

Modern homes do not have to use classic window shades that you find in many older homes. Single cell and double cell shades are used frequently in contemporary interior decorating. This type of shade is a cross between a blind and a traditional shade. The difference between single cell vs. double cell shades is that the single cell shades have one row of open weave shading while the double cell has two rows that are interlocked for additional insulation. These shades raise and lower using a pulley system similar to Venetian blinds.

Arjay’s window fashion consultants can help you determine which type of window coverings will work in your home. Contact us today for more information.

Energy efficient window treatments for California

Window Film Means Big Savings for California Homes and Businesses

California Building Standards Commission’s revised energy code requirements took effect in 2014, and California became the first state to add window film into its building code. Saving energy has been a big priority in the state, and adding window film makes a definite difference. According to the International Window Film Association, the potential savings for Californians is comparable to 4 million barrels of oil each year, and this could be done just by adding window film to 10% of dwellings that were built before the updated standards took effect.

Consol, a California based energy consulting firm discovered through their analysis that window film is an economical choice for lowering overall energy use and is more efficient than updates to HVAC systems, ceiling installation, caulking and air sealing.

While including window film as a standard for new buildings, there are still nine million structures in California that were built before the new codes went into effect. If window film was installed in these buildings, Consol estimated that energy use would drop by 10% saving more than 7 billion kWh of energy

Energy efficient window treatments for California

What is Window Film?

Window films are sheets of self-adhering plastic that are applied directly to window glass. Some films are intended to be merely decorative, but their more practical purpose is to block heat transfer and solar gain that occurs when the sun shines warm and bright into a home. They make homes more energy efficient by adding a low E coating to regular glass, and still make a statement from a decorative standpoint by offering options such as mirror effects, scratch resistance and privacy tinting.

Window Film Brings Multiple Benefits

Window film has been lauded for its ability to reduce the amount of heat from the sun on buildings where it is installed. It also adds an element of privacy, and the Liquid Crystal film can be changed by the user to be either clear or opaque, allowing it to be used as a projector screen. Colored and reflective films are available in a variety of tinted colors and degrees of reflectivity. Although there is a large emphasis on solar control, glare control & UV control, window films can also make glass safer by making it shatterproof. Some of the many things people like about their window films include

  • Its ability to  block unsightly views
  • Control amount of light and heat in room
  • Increase privacy
  • Add color to windows
  • Reduce fading from UV penetration

Liquid Crystal Film

Liquid Crystal Film stands out from other types of window films because it is adjustable after it is installed, allowing the home owner to switch back and forth between clear and opaque looks. Many people like to use a large opaque window as a large screen to project television and movies. This makes life more comfortable in several ways through

Solar Control

Solar Control reduces “hot spots” in sun struck areas of a building. With this reduction cooling costs can be go down by as much as 30%

Glare and Fading

With less direct sunlight reaching the inside of the home, it reduces eyestrain that is experienced when sunlight reflects off computer and television screen. Although it isn’t always noticed immediately, too much sunlight can damage furniture as well, causing fading

Safety and Crime Prevention

Window film covered windows are far more difficult to break than exposed windows. Potential thieves aren’t tempted by valuables they see from the outside, and in many cases they can tell that there is window film on the home and are more likely to move on to break into a home that is less challenging.

While one way window film allow those inside a home to look outside during the day, it keeps others from being able to see in from the outside during those same hours. At night, however the privacy filter is reduced when the lights are on inside. Because of this, it is a good idea to add some other type of window treatment, such as blinds or shades in order to assure privacy levels around the clock.

While there are various companies that sell window film designed for self-application, it can be difficult to get this just right. Professional window treatment companies, such as Arjays Window Fashions, can not only help customer’s in choosing window films or other types of coverings that will best suit their home and lifestyles. They have professional installation available to help assure that Southern California home owners can get and keep the look and level of protection they are looking for.

Solar film for office

Why Window Films are an Excellent Answer for Your Business?

Solar film for office

When you need options that provide effective, inexpensive solutions to your building’s security and energy efficiency problems, you may not have considered window film. Modern film has come a long way from its predecessors which would bubble and curl over time. If you have a lot of glass on your building, you probably need solutions to overheating and UV damage on your decor. Solar film reflects back glare, protects from UV damage and reduces heat change. It can be used on its own or with many other window treatments.

Many Options in Window Film

What kind of performance do you need from your window film? Here are some options to consider:

  • There are virtually clear options that provide the same benefits without obstructing your view. If you need to keep your appearance while fixing problems in your building, this is an excellent way to achieving your goals.
  • May colors and shades are available to help you personalize your look. If you need to significantly reduce the amount of exterior light in your building or better blend to your decor, this options does a great job meeting your needs.
  • There are many different options in decorative films. Do you have a bad view, need more privacy or want to tweak the color in your room? Decorative films provide you with a world of options available to meet your goals.
  • Can’t decide what level of opacity in your film? New technologies like Liquid Crystal Switchable Film lets you switch from completely clear to completely transparent and back again. You can even use it as a projector screen, letting you get better use out of your space.

Benefits of Solar Film

What other benefits can you expect from window film? There are a lot of additional benefits you’ll discover when you put window film to work solving your building problems.

  • Solar film helps bring the interior and exterior appearance closer together.
  • Improve productivity in the office by reducing glare on computer screens, allowing your people to work faster and reduce work-related headaches and vision problems.
  • Achieve significant reduction in your energy bill by reflecting solar heat away from your building.
  • Get more privacy and security by adding a dark tint. A security window film helps hide what’s in your building to deter thieves.
  • You also get more security as the film adds additional strength to your windows, helping prevent breakage from storms and break-ins.

Understanding Difference Between Decorative Window Films Vs. Privacy Window Films

When it comes to adding a bit of personal touch to windows, window films are an excellent solution. These films make it easy to adjust the tone and texture of the windows to match personal preferences. When it comes to selecting the perfect film, however, most homeowners will find that there are two main types of films: a decorative film and a privacy window film near Los Angeles. Many shoppers wonder what the difference is between the two options and which one would be right for their particular circumstance. Here is what those in the market for a window film should know.

Decorative Window Films

Those looking for decorative window films near Los Angeles with wonderful opportunities for artistic expression. They typically involve one of a wide range of types of design and textures to add a bit of personality to the room. Like regular films, they will protect those inside the home from the potentially damaging UV rays from the sun. They are also wonderful for adding privacy to the home, especially in areas where the owners do not want those outside the home to see the interior but also do not want to have blinds or drapes drawn continuously. These films typically come in any size and shape, making them easy to fit with a wide range of types of windows.

Privacy Window Films

As the name suggests, a privacy window film is oriented towards preventing people from outside the home seeing inside. There are typically two ways that the films will accomplish this.

  • By reducing the amount of light transmitted through the window by making the window darker
  • By increasing the reflectivity of the surface, which will also hinder the ability of people to see through the window

It is important to remember that many of these films work best during the day, and that at night when the interior lights are on and the exterior is dark, the privacy offered will be substantially reduced. For this reason, these films are often combined with some kind of blind that can be closed when the sun begins to set to maximize privacy. For those who enjoy being able to open up their windows without worrying about what people can see from the street, however, these films are an excellent choice.

When customers set out to determine what type of film will work best for them, the main question they need to ask themselves is whether they want to add to artistic expression of the house or if they a prefer plain film that will perform its functions without drawing attention to itself. When it comes to shopping for the perfect film, buyers should come to Arjay’s, where they can be confident that they will find the perfect privacy or decorative window film for them and a staff of professionals who can help them make the right choice.