Month: September 2021

Vertical blinds are fragile, old-fashioned, and downright out of style. If you have old vertical blinds, it’s time to invest in new motorized shades for your home. This list offers a range of shade solutions that are great for replacing old vertical blinds.

• Vertical Cellular Motorized Shades – Vertical cellular window shades are both practical and stylish. They can be custom ordered to fit almost any size window, even large sliding doors. These shades are made with unique honeycomb-shaped pockets that offer increased insulation to help keep your home at a comfortable temperature without putting too much stress on your heating and cooling systems, or your energy bill. This honeycomb design is also great for light and privacy control. You can find these shades in four light control options, including sheer, light-filtering, and room-darkening, and blackout fabrics, as well as different cell sizes, fabrics, colors and opacities, allowing you to mix and match to complement your personal home décor.
• Sliding Track Panels – Sliding track panel blinds are over-sized panels that come in different widths and consistent overlays. They are simple, clean and stylish, and offer a unique and modern solution for your shade needs. You can find sliding track panels in many different sizes. They can even be made large enough for use as door shades or room dividers. verticals. If you’re hoping to stay green around the house, you should check out sliding panels in natural woven wood materials that are made from 100% organic materials. If you want an original look, you can choose panels made from a wide variety of fabrics, colors and textures.
• Roller Motorized Shades – Roller shades are some of the most popular modern window treatments as they are stylish, functional and energy efficient. They come in a wide variety of gorgeous colors and fabrics, including grass-like weaves and plenty of light-filtering options for flexible light control. Customize your privacy and light control with different openness options with sun protection from 1% to 25%. Roller shades made it easy to layer different window treatments, so you have the option to match them with draperies or other curtains. Since roller shades do not function like vertical blinds, they can be motorized for easy operation. Motorized roller shades also provide a safer environment for homes with children and pets.
• Draperies – Draperies are perhaps the most classic window shade. They come in a variety of looks, shapes, fabrics, and colors, making it easy for you to get the exact look and function you want. Drapes always look stunning, and can help provide you with UV protection and great insulation. Draperies can also be layered with blinds or shutters for added coverage and insulation for your window. Make your drapes even more unique by adding stylish hardware and curtain rods.

You don’t have to be stuck with outdated vertical blinds. Make your home better with motorized shades from McNeill Palm. Stop by and visit us or give us a call today.

There are all kinds of stories going around about terrible fires that leave families and homeowners with nothing, but there are also lots of fire stories with happy endings. Like the one about a local North Carolina woman who was saved from a fire by the fire-resistant motorized shutters home.

A fire broke out right outside her home one evening when she was asleep. The flames spread up her outer wall and reached her motorized shutters. Her fire-retardant motorized shutters did not catch fire, but instead began to smolder and melt releasing lots of smoke, which in turn set off her fire detectors, alerting her and her family to the fire. This extra warning time not only allowed them to get out safely, but also gave first responders enough time to save her home.

This first-hand account goes to show that fire resistant motorized shutters can go a long way in protecting you and your home from a fire. You need fire-retardant blinds because even though they won’t prevent a fire from starting, they won’t fan the flames to make the fire worse. You might be thinking, “what are the chances a fire will break out by my window treatments anyway?” Fires actually originate on walls near windows a lot. Malfunctioning electrical sockets, lamps, and other electronics can cause fires, as can candles, incense or other open flames. These flames can quickly catch on draperies or other window treatments, but most likely won’t catch blinds or shutters as fast since they don’t hang down.

Not every kind of motorized shutter is fire retardant, though. When shopping for motorized shutters, be on the lookout for those with a Class A rating from a local fire protection agency. Any lower rating won’t give you the necessary protection from fire. Unfortunately, wood shutters are usually not fire retardant. The same goes for low quality faux wood motorized shutters that are made out of particleboard or other materials, even if they are wrapped in vinyl.

You need motorized shutters that are high quality faux wood. There are lots of high-quality shutter brands that offer options that are made of flame-resistant composites that will smoke and melt as opposed to catch fire when exposed to extreme heat. This tough construction also means that they are resistant to moisture, warping and mold as well.

Even if fire-resistant shutters are engulfed in a flame, they will not burn. Instead, they just smoke and smolder, which in turn will set off smoke alarms and alert first responders and home residents to the danger quickly. These important seconds can mean the difference between safety and danger, a saved home or a destroyed home.

Adding fire resistant motorized shutters to your home is always a good idea. Want more information about motorized shutters? You can’t go wrong with McNeill Palm. We have years of industry experience and are ready to help. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call today.

French doors, hinged patio doors with large glass panels, are classic, stylish, and almost always a good choice for any home. French doors are most commonly used as openings onto balconies, yards, or decks, as they are great as they bring in tons of light into your home and open up a space. However, what do you do about privacy and light control for French doors? Adding shutters with motorization to your French doors might be the answer.

What can window shutters do for your French doors? Lots! Including these 4 benefits:

• Energy Efficiency – French doors, like windows, are made of mostly glass. Therefore, they need a little extra help when it comes to insulation. Shutters reduce airflow and heat transfer on French doors, helping to control the temperature inside your home without putting extra pressure on your heating and cooling system. You can find shutters that come with included weatherstripping for even more insulation, or shutters made from engineered wood for increased airflow and heat transfer reduction. Even better, shutters with Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization can increase energy efficiency even more.
• Stability – You don’t want your window treatment falling off of the French doors or banging around when the doors are opened or closed. Shutters are stable, and securely locked into place so you don’t have to worry about them falling or flying around like blinds or shades. Shutters are firmly mounted to the non-glass part of the French door, so they won’t rattle or sway then the door is used. You can even find shutters that are custom made for your doors for an even better fit.
• Privacy and Light Control – While a French door’s expansive glass is beautiful it can also make it tough to keep a handle on your privacy and light control preferences. Shutters are a great solution for that. Shutters allow you to customize both light and privacy on your French doors, as their louvered design is easily opened or closed depending on your need or preference. If you want light coming in from the top, just open up the top shutter. If you want total privacy, you can shut the entire shutter. You can also tilt the louvers with Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization for privacy that still allows natural light to come in.
• Durability – Your French doors probably see a lot of use, especially if they open onto your patio or backyard. You need window treatments that can stand up to this use, and shutters fit the bill. Shutters are usually made from tough materials like composites, woods, and synthetics, so they continue to look and function well after years of daily use.

These are just a few of the many reasons why adding motorized shutters, especially those with Hunter Douglas PowerView Motorization, to your French doors can greatly benefit you and your home.

Do you have more questions on French doors or motorization in general? All you have to do is reach out to McNeill Palm. You can visit us or give us call to learn more.