Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Before You Update Your Kitchen or Bath

Are you thinking about a kitchen or bathroom remodel?  Then you do not want to miss our Kitchen and Bath Expo on Tuesday, February 23, from 4 til 7 PM.

Meet with the experts and learn what's in style in tile, all about cabinets, and the newest trends in appliances.  We will have a plumbing expert here to answer all of your questions and our favorite Realtor on hand to discuss your kitchen or bathroom update from the home buyer's perspective.

Wine and appetizers will be served plus you will receive a free gift for attending.  Plan on joining us and learn everything you need to know before you begin the process of renovating your kitchen or bathroom.

Window Treatments 101
Are your window treatments - curtains, valances, blinds - old and dated or damaged and worn out?   Or are you concerned about child (and pet) safety and want all the dangling cords gone?  If so, it's time to learn more about window treatments.

Window treatments can be a major investment, but smart choices will solve many of your problems and concerns, and even save you money.  You may want to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, protect your hardwood floors from sun damage, or have more privacy from your nosy neighbor. Enhance Floors & More is an authorized Hunter Douglas dealer and can help you select the right window treatment for your décor, lifestyle, and budget.  Our selection of window treatments includes blinds, shutters, and many different types of shades available in a wide variety of fabrics and woods.  Hunter Douglas window fashions have a lifetime warranty and are regarded as the highest quality in the industry.

Let's start by learning about the different types of window treatments available.  We are including a pricing guide as well:  $ is the most affordable and $$$ is typically the biggest investment. 

Roman shades---$$
Roman shades consist of one continuous piece of fabric, featuring horizontal folds down the length of the shade. These folds lay flat against the window when down but fold up nicely when raised, combining the soft look of fabric drapery with the functionality of a shade.



Shutters---$$$
Shutters are a classic window treatment choice, adding architectural design directly to your windows. Shutters are a great value when you consider they actually add value to your home.
The elegant design of shutters looks attractive from both the inside and the outside.


Solar shade window treatments---$
Solar shades are also known as "window sunglasses" for their opaque design that allows you to preserve your outside view while also providing considerable light control. Available in openness factors ranging from 3- to 14-percent, you will want to choose a higher openness to let in more light and preserve your view.

Wood blinds---$
Wood blinds are a classic choice for windows and outlast trends or styles. Made of real wood, using various grains and stains, wood blinds remain durable through the years. The warm look of wood blinds pairs well with other wood furniture, flooring and trim.




Faux wood blinds---$
Faux wood blinds have the same look as real wood, but are more affordable window treatments because they're made out of PVC, vinyl or composite wood material. Faux wood blinds are also moisture resistant, making them a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms where real wood would otherwise warp and crack.

Cellular shades---$$

Cellular shades are the best insulators of all energy-efficient window treatments. They get their name and insulating properties from their fabric honeycomb cells that trap air between the window and the room. This results in heat gain in the winter and heat loss in the summer.


Woven wood shades---$$ 
Woven wood shades are made out of a variety of materials, including grasses, reeds and bamboo. These textured shades instantly add a casual, natural feel to your space. You may add liners to increase privacy or include fabric trim to further customize the woven wood shade to your room.



Panel track blinds---$$
Panel track blinds are made out of a series of fabric panels that slide back and forth to give you optimal light control and privacy.
These blinds are a modern alternative to vertical blinds for covering large windows or sliding glass doors.




Roller shades---$
Roller shades are one of the most affordable options when it comes to covering your windows. These shades roll up neatly onto a tube, making them appear minimal and discreet when raised. With blackout and light-filtering options, you can choose the amount of light control that you wish for any given room.



 Sheer shades---$$$

Sheer shades are an elegant window covering. These popular window treatments feature two sheer fabric facings over soft fabric vanes.
When vanes are open, diffused light is let inside, and your view to the outside is preserved.  When closed, however, room-darkening styles of sheer shades will completely block out light.

Pleated shades---$
Pleated shades are made from a single piece of fabric with pleats that collapse and stack neatly as you raise the shade. This slat-like effect gives your home a casual, semi-sheer look that allows a considerable amount of light to filter through the window.

Drapery---$$
Drapery adds style and elegance to your home while also providing functional light control and privacy. Panels hang vertically from hardware at the top to your desired window treatment length.

Available in many different styles, fabrics, colors and patterns, you can easily coordinate drapery to layer with any existing window treatments or simply use panels only.




Other Considerations
When looking at the different types of window treatments, remember that child-safe features include a variety of options for all categories. From cordless and motorized operating systems, retractable lift cords, cord tensioners and wand controls, Hunter Douglas offers a wide array of lifting system options for enhanced child and pet safety.

Have odd shaped windows?  Not a problem.  Hunter Douglas has many different options to cover your specialty shaped window. Depending on the shape and type of window covering you choose there are even some that open and close.

Before you make a choice about which window treatment to use, consider what you will be doing in each given room. Whether you are sleeping, playing or cooking, you can customize your window fashion to match your style and provide all of the functions you need.

Enhance Floors & More offers One Year Interest Free Financing on all installed window treatment purchases over $1000.  You can enjoy your new window fashions now and spread out the payments over 12 months, another smart home improvement choice!

Make an appointment to come in and meet with Robin, our Certified Hunter Douglas Specialist, and improve and update your home with beautiful new window coverings.


Design Tip

Thinking about a kitchen update?  One of your first decisions is color.  If your kitchen is particularly tiny, then light, cool colors can make it look larger and brighter, while dark, warm colors can make an oversized kitchen more inviting.