Need a little help keeping your home cool this spring and summer without emptying out your bank account? Below are a few tips to get you started! [Read more…]
5 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
As we get farther into spring, the warm weather and longer days make for a nice change from the winter. However, soon enough we’ll be facing the summer heat, and when that comes your home energy bills could skyrocket if you don’t take the time to make a few energy-efficient upgrades to your home.
The Best Ways to Insulate Your Windows this Winter
Don’t let drafty windows make you miserable this winter. Drafty windows lead to more expensive heating bills and make your home less comfortable in the cold weather months. If you want to make your home cozy this winter, besides cuddling under some warm blankets and lighting the fireplace, there are a few things you can do to make your windows more insulated. Read on for our best tips:
5 Reasons to Add Shutters to Your Home
We’re bringing shutters back. Once the standard window treatment, window shutters have become less common over the past century. Newer window treatments have become the norm, and today shutters are more often seen on older homes. However, there’s a reason shutters were the standard for such a long time. Their classic look and undeniable functionality are just a few reasons why you should reconsider your window treatments. Read on for our top 5 reasons why you should install shutters on your home’s windows.
5 Reasons to Install Window Shutters
- Style. Shutters never go out of style. Their classic, clean look transcends short-lived trends, meaning that the same style of shutters that look good today will still look good fifty years from now, unlike those dated patterned curtains you thought were a great idea in the ’80s. In fact, shutters are still the standard window treatment throughout Europe, and we have to admit that Europeans know style. Shutters look good from both the inside and outside of your house, and add a sophisticated curb appeal to any home.
- UV Protection. Curtains and blinds tend to let in a lot of light. That’s not always a bad thing, but when you want a little extra sun protection in your home, shutters are the way to go. They block out much more light, meaning that you and any artwork or fabrics within the home are protected from damaging UV rays. If you have trouble sleeping with light pouring into your bedroom, shutters are a great solution for that too. By blocking out the morning sun, they’ll help you get valuable extra time to sleep.
- Energy Savings. Shutters, in addition to blocking out unwanted sunlight, provide a lot more insulation than typical blinds or curtains. In the summer, shutters block out the hot sun and insulate the home from hot air, while in the winter, they keep cold drafts from entering the home. Shutters help to regulate a home’s temperature all year round, making them excellent energy savers. You might even save some money on energy bills by making the switch!
- Privacy. Your home is a private space, and shutters will help keep it that way. While blinds and many types of curtains allow unknown outsiders to peer inside your home, shutters provide complete privacy. This privacy also adds to the home’s security. Potential home intruders like to be able to see inside a home before breaking in so that they know what to expect. When they can’t see inside your home because of your closed shutters, they are much less likely to attempt to break in.
- Durability. Shutters last. They are much less susceptible to fading and damage than the fabrics and thin plastics of curtains and blinds. With high-quality new shutters, you can be sure that your windows will be protected for many years to come without having to worry about window treatment replacements.
Want More Information About Shutters?
Contact Blinds to Go today in the Kansas City area for more information about our beautiful, durable Timberlane Exterior Shutters. Call us at (816) 920-0260.
Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
How to Instantly Increase a Home’s Value
Whether it’s time to sell your home and find a new dream home, or you’ve found the home you want to spend forever in, you want your house to be attractive and to reach its full potential in value. The first impression a house makes can really set the tone of the value and attractiveness of the house. From potential home buyers to friends and neighbors, you want your house to make a good first impression. If you’re looking to sell, good curb appeal will impress potential home buyers, making them more likely to be interested in making a purchase. If you’re looking to stay, neighbors will be pleased to have another attractive home on the block to increase the value of the neighborhood in general. Here are a few of our best tips on how to quickly and easily improve your home’s curb appeal.
Dress up the front door
The door is the focal point to the front of any house. A beautiful front door can increase curb appeal and home value without a lot of effort. A solid wood door with a nice finish is a classic and expensive-looking addition to the front of your home. Another fun option for those who want to express their creativity is to paint the door a bright color to really make a statement. Think red, yellow, or any other color that fits your personal style and the style of the home. Don’t forget door decoration: a seasonal wreath can do wonders to improve the look of the door and to make it even more of a focal point.
Replace and Install Hardware
Doorknobs, railings, mailboxes, and house numbers are all little details that can make a big difference on the curb appeal of a house. Hardware that is worn and dingy can make the rest of the house look run down. Try to match the material of all the metal hardware so that the outside of your house looks cohesive and put-together. New matching metal house numbers, doorknobs, and locks will make the front of the house look more stylish and expensive. If you don’t already have outdoor lighting, this is another important addition to add curb appeal to your home. Properly installed lighting adds safety and interest to the outside of the house, and, as a result, adds value to your home.
Update Windows
There are several different ways to update your windows to increase your house’s curb appeal. Adding window boxes can bring a splash of color and charm to your windows for a cute cottage feel. Outside shutters painted to match your door add a cohesive color scheme and frame your windows, making them stand out more. The right window treatments can add both style and energy-efficiency to your home, increasing both the curb appeal and value to the house.
At Blinds to Go, we offer a variety of different styles, colors, and materials for window treatments, so that you will be sure to find the right fit for you and your home. We pride ourselves in offering the best quality and service, and providing energy-efficient options for blinds and other window treatments. You won’t believe the difference that beautiful, energy-efficient new window treatments can make to the curb appeal and value of your home. Call us today at (816) 920-0260 to learn more.
All About Skylight Windows
Beauty Meets Function
Stunning architectural details are what make a house special and unique. From crown molding to roman columns, the options for adding interest and detail to your home are endless. However, these extra features are rarely functional as well as beautiful. Skylight windows are one of the most impressive options to add architectural interest and beauty to your home. They are also one of the few functional features that can add to the value, style, and efficiency of your home.
Skylight Windows Add Light and Style
Skylight windows are one of the most unique and interesting architectural details you can add to a home. They add a focal point to a room in an unexpected place. The extra light that skylight windows provide to a space is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. This extra light adds an airy feeling to any room and makes the room look and feel more spacious. When placed in a communal area, such as the kitchen or living room, skylight windows can add to the atmosphere of any gathering in your home, from holidays to dinners with friends.
Value and Efficiency
The value that skylight windows can add to a home can be seen most when it’s time to put your home on the market. Prospective home buyers will appreciate the beauty that the window adds to the space, and they will covet the feeling of luxury that it symbolizes. Beyond adding value to your home for prospective home buyers, when skylight windows feature the right window treatments, they become an energy-efficient source of light. With the help of a high-quality window treatment, skylight windows can increase the efficiency of your home, which will reduce heating and cooling bills. In addition to being able to save more money on bills now, this energy-efficient window can provide an additional talking point down the road if you want to sell your house.
When installing or simply maintaining skylight windows, one of the most important things you can do to ensure its value, efficiency, and beauty is to find the right skylight window treatment. Blinds to Go uses only top-quality materials for its window treatments. The window treatment experts at Blinds to Go will help guide you to the best choice for you. For more information about skylight windows and other window treatment options, call today at (816) 920-0260 for a complimentary consultation.