General Article

Shutters in Different Weather Conditions

Window Shutters can be used in different ways depending on the weather conditions. They can be used either to make the most of the weather or make a building more comfortable in the conditions. The ways in which they can be opened and closed make them more adjustable than curtains and allow this control. This is especially the case with louvered shutters. In fact, this is their very purpose.

IN THE SUMMER

In the summertime homes can get uncomfortably hot. This is the very reason why window shutters were first inventing in the Mediterranean. In extremely hot weather shutters can be completely closed, shutting out the blistering sun. This will protect the home from the heat as the sun cannot shine through shutters as they can with curtains. But there are many other options on top of completely open or completely shut. Having either the shutter, or the shutter louvers partly open can mean air is emitted without letting in all the heat. This can be used to cool down a room. With most fittings a shutter is fixed on either side of the window so they meet in the middle, allowing them to be opened and closed separately. They can be opened however the user sees fit, and open at angles meaning the sun can be blocked out while allowing plenty of air and light to enter a room.

IN THE WINTER

In the winter shutters can be used for the opposite affect: to insulate against the cold. The thick wood typically used for window shutters means they are much better at insulating a home than curtains or blinds. This can mean significant protection against the cold.

On a sunny winters day shutters can be used to keep a room warm while still having the advantage of the sun. Of course, like curtains, they can be completely open, but there are other options that still allow for some insulation without blocking out the daylight. The louvers can be opened, or the shutters can be open on one side and closed on the other or anywhere in-between the two.

AS IT GETS WARMER

As winter turns into summer windows can be opened to keep a room cool, while the shutters can be closed to keep it warmer than if everything is kept completely open. They can be adjusted perfectly to the exact conditions. For example, the shutter slats can be open with the actually shutters closed. As it gets warmer more air can be let in.

NATURAL DISASTERS

Another advantage of shutters is that they can be used to protect against extreme weather such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Exterior shutters can be used to protect windows as they are very durable. After a natural disaster windows can make a home extremely cold or unsafe, but shutters can potentially protect against this. Interior shutters will not protect the windows but could still protect the interior of the home and the people inside. All this depends on …

Window Replacement – Efficiency Ratings, Types And Features

The US windows & home windows industry is worth more than $12 billion, according to figures from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The industry is currently experiencing a drop due to low levels of investments in the residential property segment. The low levels in residential property investment have been brought about by the leveling home prices as well as the soaring cost of energy and interest rates. The above trends have dealt severe blows to the builders market than any other segment of the building and construction segment. Major players in the window manufacturing industry are well aware of these trends and have embarked on the following strategies in order to counter the effects of the above trends:

• Increased window replacement market emphasis as well as expanded efforts to meet the ever-growing demand presented by the nonresidential sector.

• Increased focus on the addition of impact-resistant and energy-efficient window products.

• Increased focus on potential foreign markets.

In recent years, manufacturers of new windows have come up with products that are highly energy efficient which have resulted in more attractive, quiet and comfortable homes. In determining the efficiency ratings of replacement windows, the following factors are considered:

• U-factor.• Durability.• Wind resistance.• Rain resistance.• Replacement ease.

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), old and drafty windows are responsible for 10 to 25 percent of your total annual heating and cooling costs. New windows can cost anything from $7,000 to $20,000 according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). Anyone looking to buy custom window replacements should be prepared to fork out an extra 15 percent of the above cost.

Efficiency RatingsThe higher energy efficiency in new replacement windows is as a result of the use of top of the range insulating features such as inert-gas insulation, low e-coatings and multiple glazing. The U-factor mark indicates the ability of the window glass to conduct thermal energy or heat. The reverse of the U-factor is the R-value which indicates the insulating ability of the glass. Anyone looking to replace windows should look for a window that has a higher R-value rating and a lower U-factor rating otherwise they might as well be throwing money through your windows. Such a window is guaranteed to keep your house cool during summer and pretty warm during winter. The best replacement windows have an R-value of two or three, which is similar to that of a wall devoid of insulation. The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is another vital window energy rating. It indicates the exact amount of sunlight that makes it inside the house once the rays of the sun hit the window. High SGHC numbers are ideal for cold climates, SHGC of 0.40 or less is ideal for warm climates while temperate areas require a SGHC number of 0.55 or less. Visible Transmittance (VT) on the other hand indicates the amount of visible light that a window is able to let …

Installation and Buying Tips For Window Blinds

Typically, there are two kinds of blinds. These are the horizontal and vertical window blinds. The horizontal blinds are common treatment for windows while the vertical ones are great for large window openings and glass sliding doors. These types are actually designed to come up with the right lighting coming from outside which is a natural source of light. Depending on the requirement of light these blinds can provide solution with your lighting and protection needs.

Another type of blinds is based on the width of each blind. These are the slat and solid blinds. Slat blinds are those whose slats are attached through a piece of string while solid window blinds are made up of one piece material which can either be fabric or vinyl. Roller shades and Roman blinds are best examples of these solid blinds while a Venetian blind is an example of a slat window shade.

Installation

Different type of blinds requires different method of installation as well. Here are basic steps to follow in installing a regular window shades. These steps are, however, applicable to almost all type although there are some slight differences. This is just to give you an idea of how the installation of window blind is done.

* For internal installation of the blind mark the point where the blind is going to be installed. This is the first step.

* Drill holes to your marked point where the brackets are going to be mounted. After drilling insert the screws on the bracket holes and start attaching them to the window. Do the same with the other side.

* If the window blind kit has an included valance attached it accordingly. If the head rail is not mounted to the valance/pelmet then mount the head rail into it with the use of clips. Be sure that the window shade can function freely without any interference with the clips.

* Finally, set the cord stop about 2 inches below the head rail. This will prevent the blind from opening all the way upward inside the valance.

Buying Tips

Before buying any window shades you need to consider first what specific requirement you need. Aluminum window blinds are great options for privacy purposes and window blinds made of wood are excellent trappers of heat during cold season. Whichever your preference is, try to coordinate wooden window shades color or the design of the fabrics with the interior decoration inside the room. Consider the wall color of the room, the upholstery and the image you want to create for the room to match with the chosen window blinds.…

How to Manage Your Web Properties

In this article we discuss what is actually mean by “web properties”. Let me say straightaway that what we don’t mean is advertising your real estate on a website – I guess they are web properties in a literal sense, but they are not the kind of web properties we are talking about here. No, here we are talking about web properties with regard to the Internet.

The term web properties can have several different interpretations. For those of you interested in tracking the performance of a web site, installing Google analytics is a popular method of achieving this end. According to Google, “a web property is the cumulative set of pages on which a particular tracking code is installed.”

In order to set up Google Analytics you must first have a Google account, which is free and quick to set up. Creating an Analytics account is a way to name and organize tracking for one or more web properties. Every Analytics user can access at least one account, and within each account at least one web property (such as a website) is tracked. Once the account is set up, implementing the tracking is simply a matter of copying the code Google generates and pasting it into the code for each page you want tracked.

By tracking, we mean carrying out an analysis of:

how many times the site was visited by people from unique IP addresses (visits)

how many times the page was shown (impressions)

how many times the page was requested from the server (hits)

which page most people entered the site from (entry pages)

which page they left from (exit pages)

the country the visitor came from

the words used most times to access the page (search string)

the kind of browser people were using (user agent) and

how this was broken down over time.

This information can be of great interest to anyone seeking to promote their website and having it appear near the top of search engine results pages.

Another interpretation of web properties could be the properties that HTML editors such as Dreamweaver create. These may include templates, pages, images, other media such as videos, sounds, snippets of code and script, and bits of useful information that Dreamweaver regards as the site’s assets.

When any page is viewed in Dreamweaver, the Properties Inspector window that sits across the bottom of the page gives context sensitive information about any property selected. For example, selecting an image will open a Properties Inspector window specific to the image, and allow you to alter the size, the location, the vertical and horizontal space, the border if any and the alignment and so on. It will also allow you to edit the picture in Fireworks or crop it, add a hotspot to it or link it to another file.

In contrast, when another type of property such as text is selected, the range of options becomes specific to text, so the editing options …

Solar Shades: 3 Immediate Benefits From Installing Them in Your Home

Choosing the right set of blinds for your home can be a daunting, nerve racking task. Depending on what is important to you (e.g. privacy, light control, aesthetics) will determine the right type of blinds for you. One set of blinds that have rose in popularity, due in large to the ‘Green Movement’, have been solar shades. Not only for their sleek and stylish design but also due to how economical and functional they are.

Solar screens are a popular choice for areas of the home that receive a lot of sun. They serve as a great way to limit solar heat gain, reduce glare while preserving views with several type of openness factors. Solar screens also known as solar shades are easy to operate as they work on a single roll function from the top.

Limit solar heat gain:

Solar screens block a substantial amount of sun light that enters your home. If you notice a room in your house that particularly receives a lot of sun and tends to feel like a sauna half the time then your current set of blinds aren’t doing it and should be replaced with these. Also, by reducing the solar heat in your home you tend to save money because your house temperature remains cooler without needing to blast the AC. Added bonus to reducing solar heat gain: money in your pocket from utilizing the AC less and less.

Reduced glare/UV rays:

Have a room with a huge TV? Notice that annoying glare when your blinds just don’t completely lock out the sun? This sounds like another job for solar screens as they come in several openness factors. The low the openness factor the less amount of sun/glare they allow in. By rule of thumb, shades (since they don’t have gaps like blinds do), are preferred when needing to block out as much light from a room as possible. However, unlike most shades, solar shades have the openness factor that allow for a happy medium of reducing the right amount of glare while preserving the beautiful view that’s right outside your window.

Another advantage to solar shades are the reduction in UV rays. UV rays are notorious for fading furniture. I can’t say how many times I’ve had to replace clients furniture because they were using the wrong type of window treatment.

Preserving view:

Other type of shades force you to pick between seeing your beautiful view and blocking the sun. Solar shades offer a compromise. If you notice in the picture of this article, the patio room is comfortably shaded and cool, yet you can still see the gorgeous scenery outside.…

Brighten Up Your Space With Stained Glass Windows

Stained glass window films, also known as window etchings or wallpaper for windows, are the most cost effective way to ensure privacy in rooms such as bathrooms, and they won’t break your bank account. Unlike actually installing etched or frosted glass windows, which can carry a heavy price tag, glass window films are so much more cost effective and very easy to install and can be removed later if desired.

Bathroom windows are some of the most common windows people seek to add privacy to. Other solutions include adding blinds or fabric drapes, but these solutions block the natural light that is so desirable in small rooms such as bathrooms. Stained glass window films allow all that natural light you desire to still flood the room while also adding beauty and color and most importantly, privacy.

Whether you are interested in stained glass films or window etching films, installation is very easy. Window films have come along way from the old window films that relied on sticky adhesives to cling to the windows, these old sticky window films where hard to install and very time consuming to remove later. Making a mistake or misalignment while installing films with glue backing could mean completely ruining the film and having to start over with a new film, this proves to be frustrating and costly.

Today’s window films cling easily to windows and all you need to install your beautiful, colorful films is a spray bottle of water and a razor blade. There is no special tools to buy and no messy adhesive to mess with. Just spritz your window with the spray bottle and place the window etching or window film on the window and it will cling to the window until you decide to remove it. Later if you decide to change films or simply remove it altogether, simply peel the film easily from the window and the film can be stored for later use.

Home self improvement is on the rise today. With the cost of hiring a construction company or a handyman, many home owners are tackling their home improvement projects themselves. Improving and upgrading the look of your homes windows has never been easier than it is today. In simply minutes you can change the entire look and feel of any room with very little effort. There is no reason why upgrading your windows look and feel can’t be done by anyone who has a desire to tackle such an easy job. Your friends and family will be amazed at the new look of your bathroom.

Whatever look you want for your bathroom, it’s available to you, with so many different styles of stained glass window panels to chose from you are only limited by your imagination. From floral to tropical, from classic stained glass to religious, there are so many styles and prints to choose from you can’t go wrong.…

uPVC Window Prices: How to Grab a Bargain When There Are So Many Offers to Choose From

The window replacement industry for many years brings to mind a real sense of peril for many a consumer, when it comes to the subject of replacing windows doors or a conservatory many people look with a sense of anxiety at the very thought.

With so many companies to choose from so many products and unfortunately so many stories of windows from hell, consumers are beginning to hold on to their hard earned cash and look before they jump into any agreement to replace their windows doors or provide a conservatory for their homes.

So where can a householder find a decent window company offering good products at a decent price? with real after sales care where the customer is valued and not taken for granted and where there are real guarantees regarding workmanship product and after sales care. Looking for an answer to this question one would need to review the types of window companies there are within the industry.

National Company Large Concern: The household names that everyone knows that have been around for years and who unfortunately still today employ the same sales techniques for the consumer to buy on the night or lose their discount for the show home, or need to speak to their manager before leaving for him took further discount. Even if a consumer is lucky enough to have a member of their family working for one of these companies and can therefore get staff discount these windows doors and conservatories are vastly over priced compared to their stable mates simply put because of overheads large office, staff levels and massive marketing budgets all take their toll on the final price offered to a consumer.

Local Companies: Local companies by their very nature can offer far better bargains than their larger counterparts however to say this is the prime area to find a bargain would be foolish, like all industries there are good local companies and there are most certainly bad. A householder is well advised to research the prospective window company before buying or allowing them to install in their homes. This can prove to be difficult as the local company after all will only show a consumer happy customers and not the real state of play.

The Internet, A twenty first century solution is where information technology really does come into its own,a consumer can now at their leisure check out a company by looking at their reviews see their prices before they buy and do all of this without having to put up with a sales person ever entering their home.…

Stained Glass Window Films For Homes

One of the most convenient and special method to redecorate a window is using stained glass window film. This new trend is fast becoming popular among home owners as there are various types of designs and patterns to choose from. Many home owners are becoming accustomed to this trend as a result of watching them frequently on favorite TV program and frequent featuring in home decor magazines.

There is more than just adding beauty to your home, the vinyl films also provide you with cost saving in electrical bills and adding seclusion to your lifestyle. The latest coatings can be applied to provide any glass with the effect of stained glass without the equivalent costing of substituting the windows with the actual ones. The merchandise can be placed through the internet or bought at hardware stores or home improvement outlets.

Owners who had tried it continued to comment positively about how easy it is to use them. You may buy them in big-format canvass and then trim them to fit correct measurements and designs of the windows. It is usually made from vinyl and there is no necessity for poisonous glue as it will remain stuck to the window.

Quoted as some of the many reasons for its popularity includes the enhancement and quality of the product and the simplicity of the application. Stained glass window films are good for the environment too. Light can still shine through the stained glass window film and this assists to provide the room with the brightness it requires without any other complementary lighting.

It also filters out up to 90% of ultra-violet rays that fades curtains and minimize heat penetration during summer. This way, your electricity bill can be greatly cut to a minimum.

Stained glass vinyl films also works perfectly for those who like a bit of seclusion but at the same time loves the fresh feeling of allowing sunlight into a house. All visitors see from the outside of the room is just a beautifully-designed window panes. However, what they did not noticed is that light are still shining through into the room. There is also less glaring and even at night, outsiders cannot see the inside even with the lights all switched on. The window coatings also provide some form of protection for your drapes and blinds if you wish to install them.

Stained glass window films can also be applied in shower enclosures too as it can withstand heat, steam and moisture. That is why they are becoming popular on shower doors and bathroom windows. Compared to draperies that may give a wrong perception to the size of the room, the product does not produce such an illusions.

Many people are amazed by the results of using such simple material and its ideas. With so many patterns and options to choose from, all designers will love them. You can even peel them off and reapply it on other windows or simply store them …

Choosing The Best Fabric Vertical Shade

Fabric vertical window blinds and fabric vertical shades are both highly decorative window covering options. There are numerous styles and designs to choose from, making it easy to coordinate with a particular look or theme. More than this however, these treatments offer numerous advantages when it comes to sun protection and energy conservation.

Shades with PVC backing do more than adequately block out light and provide your home with privacy. These interior coverings block out the harmful rays of the sun. This means a much lower potentate for skin damage and less wear and tear and some of your most beloved furnishings. They are also phenomenal at keeping cold air out in the winter time, and hot air out in the summer. This can mean lower energy costs the whole year round.

While many people rarely consider it a possibility, sun damage to the skin is possible even when you are inside the home. Relaxing in the sunshine, even while lying indoors can take a toll on the dermis, especially for individuals that are extraordinarily sun sensitive. With the right window treatments however, you can take a break from constant applications of sunscreen on days that you have decided to spend inside.

The colors of your living room were carefully chosen and placed just so, by you. The sun however, has other motives. When you have less than adequate protection provided by your window coverings, sofas, carpets and other items have a tendency to discolor and fade.

Finding the ideal fabric vertical shade provider for your needs is easy to do when you use the online consumer ratings and review. These will help you locate a reputable merchant that provides top quality products at the most competitive prices. With the right selection you can get the aesthetic appeal that you are seeking along with maximum sun protection and assured durability.…

Energy Ratings For Window Replacement

Window replacement is usually not a choice people like to make. They look at the upfront costs and find that the time it will take to recoup that cost will take, on average, thirteen years. What isn’t figured into to this equation is the increase in home value, the increase in immediate enjoyment and comfort, and, if using energy efficient casements, that the energy being used is being optimized.

Another benefit to look into is tax credits from either your state or federal government or both. Items like solar water heaters, additional insulation, and energy efficient products, are often subsidized by government. Rebates from manufacturers and in house sales at retail stores can save even more money. With good planning, the replacement cost of glazing (glass) products can be decreased between ten to forty percent.

The National Fenestration Rating Council or NFRC is a non-profit organization created by the door, window, and skylight industry. All of these products are rated by taking into account the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole product. Understanding how to read these energy performance ratings will assure you are getting the most efficiency you can afford.

Five characteristics of the window are rated for performance. These are classified as follows: condensation resistance, air leakage, visible transmittance, solar heat gain coefficient and the U-factor. These same ratings are used for doors and skylights.

The U-factor measures the rate of heat loss of an assembled product. The rating measures the insulating properties of the frame, spacers, and glazing (glass). U-factor values can range from. 15 to 1.25. When the factor is considered low (less than 0.30), it means the widow is better insulated. Increased insulation keeps the inside temperature in and the outside temperature out.

SHGC or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rates how well the assembly blocks the suns heat. This scale is from zero to one with common readings of 0.25 to 0.80. Lower means better in the case of SHGC. A rating close to zero means the solar radiation transmitted through the glass and absorbed by the product materials is more successfully blocked. The free heat from southern exposure in the winter is usually wanted. When choosing windows for this orientation a higher SHGC may make more sense.

Visible Transmittance (VT) refers to the amount of light allowed through the window. The scale, again, is zero to one and the higher the number represents the amount of light and view allowed into the interior. Normal ranges are 0.30 to 0.80.

AL or air leakage reporting is optional at this time. This rating measures the amount of air that leaks out of a square foot of window space. Look for a rate of less than 0.30.

Condensation resistance (CR) speaks to how well the product prohibits the formation of condensation on the interior of the window. This rating is also optional at this time. The scale is from one to one hundred with a higher number equating to better protection.

Many …