Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 3, 1994 TAG: 9404200071
SECTION: GUIDE TO BETTER HOMWES AND LAWN & GARDEN PAGE: 16 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Since homes are being built with more windows, careful consideration needs to be given to protecting furniture and fabrics on the inside, as well as insulating against the elements.
Curtains and draperies still come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles, and can be good insulators. Carol Gray, owner of Carol's Upholstery and Drapery in Narrows, said a thermal suede lining increases the R value (used to measure insulation) between draperies and glass.
One of the best European sheer fabrics is now made in the United States. The fabric is seamless, washable, fire retardant, guaranteed against sun fading and comes in several colors and textures.
"This sheer does a great job as a UV blocker," Gray said. "I could stretch a bolt from here to Roanoke without a seam."
The Venetian blinds popular years ago can still be found, but shades and mini-blinds now dominate the market for window treatments. Technological advances in shade material, construction and style have brought a plethora of functional and attractive products to the market.
While you can still find standard shades with a stick of wood inserted horizontally in the bottom and a center string for raising and lowering, the new trends in shades such as accordion,duette and silhouette, offer an incredible array of options.
Accordion shades expand and fold up like the musical instrument after which they are named, and come in widths per fold of one-half to 1 1/2 inches. Colors run the spectrum and some are patterned on the inside of the shade. The outside may be the same color, white or have a solar reflecting material which appears silver.
Some accordion shades completely darken a room, while others are made of a mesh that allows someone inside to see out. And there are several variations between the two extremes.
Duette shades are like a double accordion. When lowered over the window, an air pocket is created at every fold.
At The Design Center in the University Mall, owner Rhonda Jennings has a sample triple duette, which has three horizontal pockets from front to back, creating a superior insulation barrier at the window. Duettes come in one color or different colors on each side, and the room darkening models have an aluminum looking lining on the inside of each row.
The state-of-the-art in windows shades right now, according to Gray and Jennings, is the silhouette. The shade comes down flat, and can be turned to reveal layers of fabric covered blinds that rest between two vertical sheets of sheer fabric. With the shade down flat, there is no view to the outside. When turned so the fabric slats separate, a diffused light can enter.
Mini-blinds and vertical blinds, like shades, come in many colors, patterns and textures. Vertical blinds are popular over sliding and French doors because they can be drawn to one side without interfering with the doorway.
However, Tina Jones, who owns Norman's in Radford with husband Norman Jones, said there is a soft shade that pulls horizontally and clear of a door.
Installing blinds and shades is not especially difficult, but mounting the hardware inside or out of the molding and getting everything level so all the strings pull evenly can be tricky. Jones advises leaving the installation to the professionals.
Mini-blinds and shades can be custom made for skylights or any fancy shaped window. They can even be installed with a motor and switch for opening and closing. Most homeowners, however, opt for a long pole to move high window coverings into position.
Wood shutters are popular in renovated homes, and wood blinds, in a variety of woods and stains, lend an unusual warmth to a room. Another option for reducing incoming sunlight is having window glass tinted by professional glass people, or replaced with an etched or frosted glass.
The greatest innovation in window treatments, Jennings says, often is the slowest to catch on. "Fabrics can be custom made into mini-blinds, accordion or flat shades or drapes and complemented with matching wall coverings and accessories," she explained.
So if you simply cannot find what you want, it can be created especially for your home.
by CNB