It is a bit of a phenomena, but roller shades are as popular as any window covering on the market today. As such, new fabricators are popping up all over the nation offering something different or better.  And, as is the case in dynamic, free enterprise, Capitalistic societies, innovation and differentiation are the hallmarks.  This boom in roller shades is no exception.

For instance, we received word from our fabricator that they are making "milestone" enhancements to their exterior roller shade offering.  Primarily, they are:

• Equipping the exterior motorized roller shade with "Quiet Motor" technology.
• Adding a new translucent patio shade fabric for on-demand privacy and weather protection.
• Adding an 8% openness fabric as an "in-between" option for balancing see-through with heat control.
• Offering fabrics with something called "Précontraint Serge Ferrari® technology" which claims to keep shades flat and beautiful -even large railroaded shades.
• Upgrading the head box to a stronger extruded aluminum design.
• Providing a new, stronger mounting bracket.

All of these differentiating enhancements are designed to help dealers like us compete in an increasingly crowded space, but we like the fact that these sorts of enhancements add value, beauty, and durability to the harsh outdoor winds, heat, and weather.  Anything that holds up better for a fair price gets our roller shade "geek on" - just saying.

Of course, we would love to help you with your exterior roller shade project.  Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!

We see it in many many homes.  Beautiful arch windows which are an architectural statement of traditional beauty.  However, covering these windows with an effective and functional window covering can be problematic. So, what is the best solution?

In our humble opinion, a plantation shutter with a fully louvered custom manufactured arch is the best option. While there are many other options for covering these types of windows, none provide the clean seamless control of a fully louvered arch shutter.

The diagram below shows the basic dimensions of how to visualize the look in your window.  We know of no other option that is durable and affordable while allowing for adjustable light control.  It really is the "Cadillac" window covering application for your arch shaped window.

We receive a lot of requests for your standard faux wood blind.  Have you ever deconstructed what the primary reasons are for this products almost universal appeal?  Here are a few of our favorite reasons:

Lower Cost

Because faux wood is a poly manufactured product it does not involve harvesting and working with real wood, as such, they are lower in cost than wood blinds. Painted faux wood blinds are a great option for folks who enjoy the look of painted real wood, but don’t want to spend the extra money on painted real wood blinds. And, despite their lower cost, faux wood blinds still come as a high-quality option.

Moisture Resistant

Faux wood blinds are more resistant to moisture than wood blinds are.  Why? The synthetic materials in faux wood are capable of standing up to frequent exposure to moisture and even to being sprayed with water.  This is why you can install faux wood blinds in bathrooms and even showers.  Additionally, faux wood blinds are an especially great option in humid climates. 

Easier to Maintain

Also, the moisture resistant nature of faux wood blinds mean that they are easier to maintain. Faux wood binds can withstand wet household cleaners and even being sprayed down with a hose.  But, don't get to crazy with the cleaners - keep it gentle - they are not impervious to all nature of abuse.

Environmentally Friendly

Faux wood blinds, made from a poly material, greatly helps to reduce the number of trees being cut down.  Also, faux wood blinds are fully recyclable and can melted down into there base element for use again.

We would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!  Thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!

Above, please enjoy some pictures of our roller shade installation for a Noodles and Co. located at 75th Ave and Bell in Peoria, Arizona.  You will notice in these pictures that this particular Noodles and Co. location used contemporary light fixtures and rich wood finishing.  And, all of this beautiful decor came to life as the roller shades effectively managed the sun's heat and glare.

In fact, these images provide some dramatic differences which allow you to notice the difference between glass covered with roller shade material verses exposed glass.  For several of these pictures, you are viewing North facing windows, meaning that we are not dealing with direct sunlight - just glare.  As you can see, the difference is still stunning.  The sun's glare can be exhausting and is why people use sunglasses while outdoors.  Solar roller shades are like sunglasses for your windows - even the North facing windows.

Of course, we would love to help you with your roller shade project. Contact us today for your complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!

Above, please kindly enjoy a couple pictures of a solar roller shade project for a new Tokyo Joe's location being opened in Tempe Arizona near the intersection of Rural Rd and US60.  Tokyo Joe's designers choose a lovely fabric with a matching fascia to complete the look of this modern space.  

These windows were east facing onto a parking lot, as such the morning sun was intense - even brutal.  But, the mid-day and afternoon glare and reflection off of car wind shields would have been equally unpleasant for employees and customers.  By using a 5% solar screen, natural light still brightens the restaurant without the unpleasant side effects.

Of course, we would love to help you with your roller shade project.  Contact us today for a complimentary consultation, and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!

As I sit here at my computer, I am looking out the window at the park next to my house.  And, I am looking  through an old wood blind which has been tilted open.  My house was a previous foreclosure and the blind was here from the previous owner.  In fact, I am fairly certain that these are the original blinds which were installed in the house - which is 20 years old.  So, when I say old wood bind, I mean old wood blind.  I have not updated the window treatment yet, because I have lots of other work to do on the house before I can get to the replacing the blinds. 

Contractor's always do the big messy stuff first, like gutting bathrooms and kitchens, removing walls, changing windows, painting and new floors.  So, the blinds have to work for a while as there is lots of expense and work before they can be attended to.

So, how does this relate to my little wood and faux wood blind blog?

I was just noticing how the blind - even though showing some wear, some fading, a slightly loose cord and some dust - is still doing a good job of standing duty in a very hot window.  I got to thinking, this blind is still functional and actually looks halfway decent after 20 years.  Back in 1995, the blind could not have cost more than about $100, so doing the math, this blind has suffered 20 years of extreme heat, dust and a rather long foreclosure for about $5 a year.  And its still going.  I wonder how the old wood blind would be doing if it was actually taken care of in a consistently climate controlled home for the last 20 years?  Or how good might the old wood blind be if it was not in a  window staring down the Arizona sun during the hottest part of the day?

Oh well, it doesn't matter.  Someday I will retire the old wood blind, but I might just say a few kind words over it for its years of hard service and for consistently bringing functional value to my little office. 

So what's the moral of the story?  If you happen to be one of those people who appreciate the heart of this story, then a wood or faux wood blind may be the window treatment for you.

We would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project.  Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!

Grimaldi's restaurant at the San Tan Mall has a beautiful location with banks of West facing windows. Another company provided Grimaldi's their initial roller shades - probably installed before the restaurant opened. Unfortunately, the blinds on the entry doors and sidelights would no longer operate.  The chains broke and/or the fabric sides had become badly frayed.

So, since the blinds had reached their "beyond repair" point it was necessary to find fabric color and density that would closely match the existing blinds in the balance of the restaurant.  Happily, our Charcoal / Charcoal 1% fabric was a great match and as such the project was a success.

Over the years, the roller shade industry's technology and fabric performance has made leaps, and as such the options for repair, matching, and updating are extensive.  It caused this repair issue to be handled with a moderate cost while maintaining the original intent of the restaurant's design team.

One last thought.  If this project was to be designed with today's roller shade options, rather than using a dark fabric which absorbs heat on West facing windows but preserves an outdoor view, Grimaldi's might have chosen a silver backed or cool fabric technology designed to reflect heat but still allow the use of darker colors for view-through and design preference.

Of course, we would love to help you with your roller shade project. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and thanks for your interest in Latreia Blinds and Shutters!