Month: May 2021

Window shades and blinds are a great option for any home, as they offer a wide range of styles, sunlight control, enhanced privacy and great style. However, there are tons of different kinds of shades blinds to choose from. Use these tips to help you choose the best blinds or motorized shades for your home.

First think about what you want. Shades and blinds are incredibly varied, so you have the ability to choose the type based on what you want for your home. Are you looking for sunlight control, style, or energy efficiency? The materials, designs and colors are so numerous there are options for everyone. You can even find shades that balance your ideal budget and desired quality. If you’re looking to save even more, you could potentially get a tax credit for choosing energy efficient shades and blinds. Not to mention that those options would also most likely block the UV rays from the sun to help protect the carpet and the furniture from fading.

Once you know what you want out of your window blinds, you can look into materials. The most common kinds of shades and blinds are aluminum, faux wood, wood, vinyl, and motorized. You can also find blinds in horizontal and Venetian styles. Combine, mix and match materials and styles to get the ideal combination for you and your home, as all kinds have lots of benefits like the following:

• Aluminum – Aluminum blinds and shades are economical, durable and versatile, and are available in a variety of colors and slat widths. They are opaque, which allows for more privacy and darkness when closed.
• Faux Wood – Faux wood options won’t fade, chip, split or warp, and are therefore a good alternative to real wood blinds and shades. These options are usually offered in a variety of whites, various wood tones and neutral colors. Their durability is important when used in bathrooms or kitchens and is showcased if they are exposed to temperature extremes, strong sunlight or high humidity.
• Wood – Wood blinds and shades are highly versatile and elegant. They can be painted, varnished, or stained to fit any décor, and have excellent energy efficiency by helping to insulate the rooms they are in.
• Vinyl – Vinyl shades and blinds are very practical in that they can be used in most rooms that do not require a more elegant backdrop to curtains, draperies or valances. They are incredibly cost effective, but are not opaque, and therefore are not a good way to block out light completely.

McNeill Palm can offer any help you need finding and choosing the best window shades for your home. We offer a wide range of materials and styles including motorized shades. You can also find excellent shutters and pergolas, so you are sure to get the best options for your home. Come visit us today to see your many options in person or give us a call for more information about what we can do for your home.

Unique windows and motorized shutters make your home stand out with stylish flair, not only upping your curb appeal but also potentially increasing your house’s value. It might seem difficult to find the right motorized shutters if you choose an unusual window shape, but that is not the case. There are a lot of unusual window shapes out there, but some popular ones include awning, bay, bow, casement, side, picture, sidelight, and angled. Read on to learn about how to dress them appropriately with motorized shutters and more:

• Awning – Awning windows are hinged at the top, making them ideal for tilting open for extra ventilation. In fact, awning windows can even be left open in the rain without letting water in the house. Awning windows look great with outside mounted window treatments and shades.
• Bay – Bay windows project out past the home’s exterior wall to create a nook or alcove inside the house. These windows have glass on all three sides of the nook and look best with outside mounted shades. However, inside mounted shades with smaller headrails, like cellular and pleated shades, could also work.
• Bow – Bow windows are just like bay; except they are curved. Bow windows also are usually made out of four or more windows for a wider outdoor view. They add extra space to the room by extending out past the wall. Bow windows match well with outside mounted shades or draperies.
• Casement – Casement r windows open like small doors, by swinging out or in depending on the design. The hinges are on either side and are opened with a lever or crank. Shutters are not recommended for casement windows. Instead, high-raise shades work best. But don’t worry, you can still find motorized shades for these kinds of windows.
• Side Slider – These windows work just like common double hung models; except they are opened horizontally rather than vertically. Both sashes move left or right to open or close the window. Virtually any window treatment works with side slider windows, including motorized shutters.
• Picture – Picture windows do not open, and therefore have no mechanisms or controls that obscure the view. Vertical blinds and any kind of fabric shades work best with picture windows to preserve the view.
• Angled – Like bay and bow windows, angled windows project out of the home’s wall, however the angle is sharper. The best way to treat an angled window is with inside mounted shades or draperies that cover the entire front.
• Sidelight – Sidelight windows are tiny and are often used to frame a door to let in extra light. Most people do not put any window treatment on a sidelight as they are so small, but any shades under 12” can work if desired.

No matter which of these unusual window shapes you choose, you can count on McNeill Palm to help you dress them. We offer a wide range of motorized shutters services. Please visit us or give us a call today to learn more about what we can do for you.

There’s a reason why sunny days make everyone feel happier and healthier. Natural light is great for you, as it can help boost your emotion and help keep you healthy. While going outside for a walk, run, or even just to sit in the sun are good options for getting more natural light, there are ways you can make your home more naturally bright to feel light’s effects even when you’re inside your home. From installing Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization windows to hanging more mirrors, changing windows themselves and more, these are just a few ways you can bring more natural light into your home:

• Install New Windows with Motorization – Older styles of windows usually have bulky, too big frames that can block out the sun. Also, old window glass can dramatically lower the amount of natural light that gets into your home. One great way to boost your home’s natural light is to install replacement windows. Choose models with slim frames and clear glass to bring in more natural light. Also, adding motorization to new window treatments for your new widows will give you the power to move them into whatever position you want. You can control the treatments using the PowerView App or the Pebble Remote Control, so you don’t even need to get out of bed or off the couch to get the light control or privacy you want.
• Add Mirrors – Mirrors reflect light, so if you add more mirrors around your home, the sunlight coming in from your windows will be reflected and magnified, making your home look brighter and feel more comfortable. Place a big mirror over your couch to brighten up your living room or install mirrors down a hallway to make the space feel bigger, brighter and more welcoming.
• Change the Window Coverings – Even if you have brand new, big windows with clear glass, your window treatments might still be blocking the sunshine. Heavy drapes block parts of your windows, dramatically reducing the natural light that gets in. If you want the privacy of heavy drapes, but don’t want to miss out on the light, try installing shutters you can close at night, or only Ion the bottom. You could also install sheers to let the light in but block outside view.

There may be one downside to maximizing your home’s natural light, and that’s energy efficiency. While the warm North Carolina sun feels great when it enters your home, it can make your home hotter and your energy bills way higher. However, you can easily fix this problem by installing energy efficiency boosting window coverings like shutters or shades as well as making sure your windows have low-E glass. Both of these window treatments and low-E glass can also help protect your rugs and furniture from fading in the sun.

If you want to learn more about the right kinds of window coverings, windows, and other tricks to boost your home’s natural light, you can contact McNeill Palm. We offer a wide array of Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization services and would be more than happy to work with you to find the best options for your home. Please give us a call today for more information on what we can do for you and your home.