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Tips for Spring Cleaning

motorized shades

Throughout the year, the windows, windowsills, window tracks and even window treatments like motorized shades on your home become full of nasty, dirty things like leaves, pollen, bugs, dirt and more. All this buildup looks super gross and can make your home look much older and dirtier than it really is. Plus, if not taken care of, the grime buildup can also make it hard for you to open your windows and window blinds and can even damage them permanently.

 

That’s where spring cleaning comes in. The old tradition of deep cleaning the home in the spring to have a fresh start is a good tradition, as it helps busy homeowners remember to take the time to give their home the care it needs. And this care includes a thorough window and motorized shade cleaning. How do you spring clean your windows and motorized shades? These tips are here to help:

  • Wash or Wipe the Treatments – If you have vinyl or wooden window treatments like blinds or blinds, gently wipe them down with a clean, damp rag. If you have fabric shades, give them a good once-over with your vacuum hose, making sure you get the fabric folds. Some treatments, like curtains, can be taken down and stuck in the washing machine to rid them of dust and dirt.
  • Don’t Forget the Glass – You can’t forget to wash the glass, both inside and out. The best way to wash your windowpanes is to use soapy water, a rag, and a squeegee. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water and dip a rag into it. Then, wipe down the glass with the rag. Lastly, using the squeegee, wipe any remaining water off of the glass to prevent streaking. Don’t forget to wipe off the windowsills with a dry cloth to get rid of any drips. Can’t reach the outside of your windows? Try cleaning them with a power washer.
  • Clean the Tracks – Begin your cleaning by getting out your vacuum and sucking out any large items like debris, bugs and dirt clumps out of the window tracks. Next, try to loosen grime buildup with a dry rag and vacuum again to avoid making even more of a mess when you add water. Spray the tracks with a cleaning agent like diluted vinegar or a Clorox spray and then wipe them down with a thin object like a Q-tip or old toothbrush to really clean out the nooks and crannies.
  • Wipe the Sills – Be sure to wipe down the windowsills with a damp, not wet, cloth. Pay close attention to the corners as that’s where cobwebs and other grime like to hide. You can also use a small, thin object like a toothbrush or Q-tip to get the tiny, hard-to-reach places. Don’t forget to wipe the sill dry when you’re done.

 

It’s easy to keep your windows and motorized shades looking great with these tips and more. Do you want to learn more about motorized shades? McNeill Palm is here to help! Just call or visit us today.

Motorized Shutters for Doors

motorized shutters

Motorized shutters are an excellent choice for any home, offering style, energy efficiency, convenience, and high function, that’s why many homeowners use motorized shutters on their windows. But did you ever think that you would use shutters on doors? You can!

Why would you want to use motorized shutters on doors and windows? Good question. The answer is that having shutters on your windows and doors gives your home a stylish, cohesive flair that seamlessly blends each room and style for one chic look, not to mention the ultimate convenience that motorization provides.

Motorized shutters are a great option for almost any door in your home, especially since they can easily be custom-made and fitted to a wide range of door types. From French doors and sliding doors to narrow door windows, there are tons of ways you can incorporate shutters into your home’s door design. Here is a small portion of some of the applications of motorized shutters for doors:

  • Narrow Door Windows – Lots of entry doors, whether they’re front or side doors, have tall, narrow windows on either side. Shutters are a superb choice for covering these windows. They can be installed on the windows by your door just like they would be installed on any other window. Once mounted, shutters by an entry door allow you to move the louvres up and down to let in more or less light as you desire. They also make it easy for you to get in natural light without having to worry about losing privacy.
  • French Doors – Window shutters work very well on any kind of French door that has large glass windows. Shutters are generally mounted to French doors directly over the glass to eliminate the banging sound that commonly comes with having blinds on French doors. Also, shutters won’t get caught in the door, unlike curtains. And shutter also offer benefits in function, too. For example, shutter louvres can be adjusted to let in different amounts of light as needed. Have French doors with uniquely shaped windows? No worries! Just order custom shutters.
  • Sliding Glass Doors – You can definitely order custom shutters for a sliding glass door. Shutters work very well on sliding glass doors because they offer a much more stylish alternative to old fashioned and clunky vertical blinds. They’re usually mounted to fit as bypass shutter units, meaning the various parts of the shutter can be moved back and forth along a track. However, you can also install shutters on a sliding glass door in a bifold arrangement in which the units are mounted on a hinge and move across a single track.

motorized shutters

McNeill Palm is here to help if you want to learn more about using shutters on doors and motorized shutters in general. We have years of experience in the motorized shutter industry and would be more than happy to put our experience to good use making your home the best it can be. Stop by and visit our showroom or give us a call today for more information.

2021 Design Trends for Window Coverings and More

motorization

A new year is a perfect chance for a fresh start. But New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be about going to the gym or drinking less, they can also be about making your home the best it can be. Homeowners everywhere are looking for new looks for their houses for their resolutions, and these projected design trends for 2021 are here to inspire. From adding metal and natural materials to finishing windows with motorization, here are the projected design trends for 2021:

  • Motorization – Motorizing your window coverings is not only going to be popular in 20201, but it also offers a lot of benefits to your home. From extra security and increased privacy to simple convenience, you won’t regret motoring your window coverings.
  • Energy Efficient Window Coverings – Green, sustainable living has never been more popular. If you haven’t invested in energy-efficient measures for your home, right now is the best time to start as energy efficient products not only save the environment, but they also help save you money. A great place to begin is with your windows and window treatments. Look for replacement windows that have high-quality insulation features like triple-pane glass, gas fillers, and low-emissivity glaze. But don’t stop at just upgrading your windows! You can also make your window treatment more energy efficient if you choose insulating models like shutters.
  • Organic Materials – Organic materials like wood, bamboo, wicker, hemp, rattan, jute and more are going to be big in 2021. You can expect them to appear in furniture, finishes, decorations and even replacement windows. Organic materials are easy to incorporate into any room of your home, like accents and accessories to add texture or window treatments to serve as centerpieces.
  • Natural Light – To match the organic materials, homes are going to be filled with natural light in 2021. This is because natural light creates an open, airy feeling that’s impossible to duplicate with electric light. Plus, natural light helps highlight the finishes and colors in a space. To let in more light, you can expect a shift in the number of replacement windows homes will have as well as an increase in more versatile window treatments that make light control simple.
  • Splashes of Color – Neutral hues will still keep the spotlight, but in 2021 they will begin to be accented by splashes of soft colors, like earthy greens, pastel pinks, soft blues, light mints, and cool terracotta. There are also rumors that black or darkly colored kitchens might make a comeback.
  • Intimate Spaces – Even though open floor plans aren’t going anywhere; many people will be adding intimate spaces into their designs come 2021. This trend will pop up in the form of zones that create multiple gathering spots in one large room. Push furniture closer together or add an armchair or a pouf in a nook or corner.

motorization

McNeill Palm is here to help if you want to learn more about home design or motorization. Call or visit us to learn more.

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