 In many ways, the roller shade is the perfect window treatment for schools and universities. The old standby in most of these institutions of education is the dreaded mini blind. But let's face it - it's not 1952 any more and the world of architecture and technology has evolved to a place far from the mini blind.
The most oft heard reason for mini blinds instead of roller shades is budget, which is a reasonable concern especially if dealing with other priorities. But, maybe the cost calculation should include, safety concerns, anti-microbial concerns, light control concerns, audio visual usage concerns, and energy cost concerns. In all of these areas modern roller shades are superior to the institutional standard of mini blinds. Why? Because, roller shades can be made without cords, or with a single loop cord that is connected in a such a way as to greatly eliminate the chance of injury or death by accidental strangulation. Roller shades can be made with a high-tech anti-microbial fabric which greatly reduces the spread of germs. Roller shades reduce glare but allows for natural light and all the advantages of your educational architecture. For audio visual usage, roller shades can offer various light control options which optimize the presentation while maintaining the ability to see the students and their ability to take notes. And, modern roller shades are able to control heat gain in windows in way which provides for a more comfortable and efficient learning space. Are you convinced that roller shades are a great choice for your educational institution? Of course, we would love to help you implement the advantages of roller shades into your school or university. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!
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 As you consider your plantation shutter project, it is helpful to be able to visualize what panels might look like - per specification parameters. If you can see this in your minds eye, you are well on your way to knowing if plantation shutters are right for you. So with that said, standard rectangular shutters can consist of one or more panels hinged in a variety of configurations. Single panels can be individually hinged, or two panels may be hinged together in a bi-fold design. All bi-fold panels are butted together and have a butterflied butt hinge attached on the back of the stiles. Maximum width for 2ea panels bi-fold poly shutters, 2L or 2R is 42” and 48” for basswood shutters. Remember, when thinking about your panel height we recommend that panels over 96” in height have a divider rail, so that louvers will not need to be hand pressed to close. Additionally, panels over 96” in height require a divider rail to ensure structural integrity. One last thing , bi-fold panels (2L 2R) without a track system can only span 96” for basswood shutters and 84” for poly shutters. We would love to help you with your shutter project! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!   Here is something to consider. When purchasing a wood blind or a faux wood blind, should you request a cord tilt or a wand tilt control system? The cord tilt is easier and quicker to use and can snug up the blind without too much effort. Also, the cord tilt almost always lasts longer. The forces exerted on the wand mechanism and wand itself, because of the twisting action, tends to cause more problems and repair costs.
The one big upside to wands is that they can be coupled with a cordless lift system, and as such provide a safer cord free option. Truthfully thought, almost no one purchases a cord free wood blind or faux wood blind - so you have lift cords anyway. Because of this reality, the cord tilt is still our favorite. But, wands are useful if you are wanting your lift and tilt controls on the same side of the blind. Having both tilt cords and lift cords on the same side of the blind can be a tangled mess - so, maybe, go with a wand in that application - but know this - it is a bit less convenient to use on a daily basis - and is more likely to fail sooner. Here is what we advise our customers - go with the standard configuration - Tilt Cord Left - Lift Cord Right. Do this on all the windows for which you choose wood blinds or faux wood blinds, and expect years of hassle free beauty and function. We would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project. Contact our experts today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!  One little known but unique option for your shutters is a liberty panel. Said simply, a liberty panel is an up-charge design feature which provides a curved arch look top rail for your shutter's panels.
This design feature can visually turn a square window into an arched window. Arches are know to transform interior spaces. Classic arches create a luxurious atmosphere of ancient chic, add unique character to modern interior design and enhance the elegance of your design. Arches bring rounded shapes and soft curves into modern interior design. Arches are wonderful elements of classy architectural designs that soften and balance exteriors and interiors. Arches make modern interior design more beautiful and pleasant. An arched feature on your shutter panel is a unique and very attractive architectural feature. We would love to help you with your shutter project. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!  Inside the headrail of every wood or faux wood blind is a series of drums or barrels that are fit around a rod. As you raise and lower your blind, the rod spins and the barrels collect the cords - preventing tangling and causing the blind to work properly.
Depending on the quality, and subsequent expected lifespan, of your wood or faux wood blind, the barrels will either be metal or plastic. Our value line uses the best quality metal drums, and rods which helps the blinds to last for years. Our bargain brand uses plastic components, and as such, is only guaranteed for a year or two. These bargain blinds are less expensive, but come with an added repair or replacement cost. For short term or very gentle use, the bargain brand is adequate. For longer term, daily use, the value line makes more sense. To bring this point home here is what our field experience has taught us. For instance, we have worked with customers who choose the bargain brand blinds, only to find that their blind gets stuck or are crooked going up or down. Also, we have serviced customers whose blinds were uneven, when locked in an up position. These problems were the direct result of the plastic barrels inside the headrail bending under the weight of the blind. Also, tilt mechanisms will often freeze - followed by the customer applying excessive force - thinking it will free up the blind - only to bend or break the tilt mechanism. We have experienced numerous blinds beyond warranty, where the cord failed to roll properly in the barrel, because the barrel bent or failed, simply because the barrel was made of plastic. We have not seen this problem nearly as much in blinds with metal barrels. So, bottom line - unless you are flipping a house and don't really need a warranty beyond a year - or unless you are an apartment complex, who does not mind keeping their maintenance people busy with minor blind repairs, then consider the quality of the barrels and components inside your wood or faux wood blind when making your buying decision. We would love to work with you on your wood or faux wood blind project! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!  As we have repeatedly shared, not all roller shades are made with the same quality or care. This is never more apparent than when operating the blind. For manual control blinds the clutch will determine the lift-ability and the last-ability.
Our manufacturer uses the industry’s most dependable, reliable and strong clutches- the RSeries from RollEase. We believe this clutch sets the standard, and its proven track record spanning over 30 years speaks for itself. We offer 4 different clutches to match lifting capacity to to shade weight and tube size for the best shade appearance and to ensure that your solar shades are easy to lift. Our shade size to clutch lifting capacity parameters tend to be more conservative that those of other manufacturers, but we believe that allows us to produce a better, more reliable product for our customers. Our clutch-operated shades are ideal for handling commercial applications or large weights.Key features and benefits:
The clutch system on your roller shade will really be a major determinate in how pleased you are with your roller shade purchasing decision over-time. This is why we are very careful in designing projects for type and ease of use. Let's face it, one of the main reasons to opt for a roller shades is so you can adjust it as regularly as necessary to get the maximum light and climate control. and that experience will be lessened if it is too heavy or prone to failing while operating. Hopefully this little article better prepared you to understand whether you are getting good value with your roller shade purchasing decision as it relates to its operating clutch system. Of course, we would love to help you choose the perfect clutch size for your roller shade project! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!  Would you like to have shutters on your french doors which have a handle protrusion? Really, it's no problem. French doors occasionally come with a lever type of handle which protrudes into the glass section of the door. In these situations, the French door will need a cut out. We, like most shutter manufacturers, offer a half circle and rectangular cut out. Typically a standard 4 1/4” half circle cut out is enough to accommodate most levers, though we also offer a 5 1/4” and 6 1/4”. Study the diagrams below to find your particular application. The cut out plate is 1/2” thick. Custom cut outs are available (such as an oval) with a surcharge. We would love to help you with your shutter project! Contact us at this link today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!   We recently came across a survey asking customers to compare aluminum mini blinds, wood blinds and different types of cell shades on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being excellent. These products were grouped because of their similar price points.
While all of the products scored fairly well, the winner in both quality and appearance was the wood blind. It actually scored a 4.94 out of 5 in both categories. Our experience with thousands of customers would intuitively back these results. The vast majority of people in the roughly $80 - $200 per window category are extremely happy with the look, light control and durability of their wood and faux wood blinds. We would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project! Contact us today at this link and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!  My favorite provider of all sorts of wonderful roller shades with fabulous options published a post in 2014 for those who struggle with the idea of using roller shades - especially solar roller shades - in traditional residences. We have done many projects with roller shades, in other than modern residences, and can say the results are always impressive.
However, maybe the bloggers at Insolroll can convince you. They opine, "Some people think solar shades are perfect for “modern decor”. Maybe they’d go so far as “contemporary” (not interchangeable terms!). If you share that opinion, I’d like to try to change your mind… Energy Efficiency goes with every style With every day that passes, we become more conscious of energy usage in our homes. Solar panels go up, incandescent light bulbs get switched out for CFLs or LEDs. Weather stripping is applied, smart power strips are investigated. We all want to save energy, and see our electric bills go down. We all want to do our part to leave a smaller footprint… Solar shades in your home are an easy way to bring down cooling costs during the summer, and have control over the winter sun to allow passive solar warming. Whether your windows are efficient or old and inefficient, solar shades will make a difference. It’s a no brainer, really, when it comes to energy efficiency. Comfort never goes out of style Who hasn’t experienced a room that gets uncomfortably hot? Or uncomfortably bright? Glare on a television or computer screen can be both annoying and fatiguing, and calling upon your AC alone to keep a room cool is uncomfortable for your wallet. Solar shades manage the negative effects of the sun in your home, controlling the heat energy of sun coming in the windows as well as the glare of the sun’s light. You even get control of harmful UV rays in the deal, which cause fading and degrading of your furniture/drapes/flooring/finishes. Solar shades and your aesthetic style Truth be told, solar screen shades are style chameleons. They have clean, simple lines, and therefore can perfectly complement a minimalist approach, or blend expertly into the background of an ornate, traditional setting. What you're really doing is controlling sun and improving the view through your window, and this works in every decorating style. Hang with draperies or even dummy panels to add softness and layers. Opt for a Natural Weave fabric for an organic, beachy or British Colonial style. French country? Let light colored, slightly more open fabric play the role of sheers behind sumptuous draperies. Shabby chic? Light colored solar shades diffuse light and add another layer of romance to your room. Industrial? Let a dark fabric hone the view and make it a centerpiece. The simple form of solar shades combined with the broad range of fabric colors, textures and densities are what make them such a versatile window treatment that works and plays well with other window fashion stars, including cornices, valances and trims. So don’t get stuck in a rut when you think about solar shades! Think of them as one tool in your belt for increasing your home’s energy efficiency, but also think of them as an opportunity to express your sense of personal style." Of course, we would love to help you choose the design for your roller shade project. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters! |
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