Articles by Sharara Hanshaw

Window Treatments 101 for Newbies

Buying treatments for the windows in your home can be somewhat confusing because there are so many choices out there. Finding the best treatment is all about deciding what you want it to achieve and then making your purchase to best reach that goal.

For some, window treatments are a way to get privacy in the home, keeping out prying eyes who might be tempted to look inside your home through your windows. In situations like these, the home may be located close to other properties and a good window treatment is essential for keeping the neighbors at bay.

In other situations, window treatments are utilized for filtering or reducing the amount of light that gets in through the windows. Sunlight can have a destructive impact on the interior of the home and your belongings, particularly with windows that lack the protective properties to limit the ultraviolet rays that get in.

Finally, a good window treatment should also have a pleasing and complementary appearance within the window and the options that exist can be customized for aesthetics purposes at the interior and exterior of the home. It all depends on your personal preference and budget. One of the smartest ways to help you select the best window treatments for your home is by setting a limit on how much you wish to spend on the project.

You can buy from a retail seller or go with customized options and whether you’re looking for treatments for your bedroom windows or Renewal by Andersen’s insulating patio doors, you’re bound to find the colors, materials, and thicknesses you’re seeking in your home. These are the four main types of window treatments available, only you can decide which is best suited for you.

Blinds

Blinds are one of the most common choices for consumers who want a functional window treatment that is also affordable. Though, some believe that going with blinds means sacrificing aesthetics in favor of convenience and cost efficiency. There could certainly be an argument made to support that theory as blinds aren’t the most stylish choice when compared to shutters or curtains. But there are many different kinds of blinds made from various materials including vinyl, aluminum, even wood, and those may represent a higher cost. Blinds are pretty simple to operate as well, you just raise and lower them as needed and you can turn the slats up or down to cut down on sunlight and gain privacy.

Shades

Going with a shade brings with it more coverage of the window in that it can be one large piece of material that can be raised and lowered and offers ample privacy and restricted sunlight. You may find some benefit from a shade in the aesthetics department as well. It all depends on the type of shade you select. There are three to choose from, a roller shade is lowered from a valance above the window, a Roman shade is more akin to a drapery option, and a cellular shade is designed to increase the energy-efficiency in your windows because it can do double-duty as insulation. Picking the shade you like best is going to depend on what you want it for. Privacy is a big part of a roller shade while Roman shades can give you that pleasing aesthetic. Various sizes and materials will come with differing price tags.

Shutters

These can be a good option for consumers who want to spruce up the exterior of the home with a window treatment that has a customized appearance. Shutters are typically installed outside the windows on the exterior walls of the home, though there are some shutters that can be placed inside the home at the window. They can work in a similar fashion to blinds with slats that can be raised and lowered. But unlike blinds, shutters are a much more costly option for making your windows look great and giving you some privacy as well.

Curtains

Finally, you have curtains that can be placed over your windows. Finding the right curtain can be a real challenge, you have to consider the color and decor of the room in which you are hanging curtains, you also want to think about the materials you choose. Do you want black out curtains that extinguish all light from coming in through your windows or just something for appearance and light-filtering properties? The materials you choose should also be resilient to direct sunlight since ultraviolet rays can cause your curtains to fade. Thickness, material, and color are all important but you also need your curtains to be the proper length. Too short and the curtains aren’t effective, too long and your curtains will look messy and unkempt in the room.

5 Tips to Help You Maintain Clean Carpet in Your Home

Part of caring for a carpet means making sure it’s cleaned thoroughly and regularly. But with many carpets, especially those with dark colors and intricate patterns, it can be hard to tell if a carpet is really getting the deep clean it needs. It can also be challenging to take the time to clean your carpet regularly. Here are a few carpet cleaning tips that will help you give your carpet the thorough care it needs.

1. Remove Stains As They Appear

It’s not always possible to know when a stain occurs–or even to treat it immediately when it happens. However, the sooner you can tend to stains on your carpet, the better it will be in the long term. When you first notice a stain, try blotting it out with water. For tougher stains, use club soda or household white vinegar to draw the stain out. If the stain is omitting an odor, it might be time to get your carpet professionally treated.

2. Vacuum Thoroughly and Regularly

Even if you’re someone who vacuums the house regularly, you might not be paying special attention to carpet cleaning when you do. Be sure to vacuum each carpet in your home twice each week. Pay attention to the placement of your carpet when it comes to potential fading and sun exposure. If a specific carpet is in a highly-tracked area of the house, go over it multiple times while vacuuming. When vacuuming, try to pay attention to how much the machine is actually picking up. Some vacuums need to be reset at certain levels in order to work efficiently with thicker carpets. It also helps to make sure you’re changing the vacuum bags frequently. If a bag is too full, it cuts off the vacuum’s suction and makes you work twice as hard to pick up half the dirt on your rug.

3. Go Green

Sometimes chemicals are needed for treating specific stains and for overall maintenance. However, it pays to go green whenever you can in terms of household cleaners and spot treatments. There are many great options on the market that don’t use any unnecessary chemicals or toxins to treat carpet stains, and using these will be better for your carpet’s lifespan.

4. Make Your Carpet Pet-Proof

If you have a pet or multiple pets, it helps to put an extra barrier between your pet and your carpet. Even if there’s minimal danger of accidents, it can be a good idea to invest in pads to line beneath your carpet to soak up any odors that might occur. You can also place pads on top of the carpet to catch any excess hairs or stains. Switching these out a few times a week can protect your carpet from excessive contact with pet hair and dirt.

5. Use Professionals

When you’ve tried everything else, call a professional. Even if you feel like you’re thoroughly cleaning your carpet, it’s always a good idea to take it to get professionally cleaned at least a few times a year. It will help to keep your carpet looking healthy and spotless in the long term.