Window Coverings 101 for Phoenix New Home Owners by Liz Suto
Window coverings are often one of the first improvements for Phoenix new homes because homeowners want privacy right away. But window coverings can also provide great accents to a home, as well as protecting your interior.
Before calling for estimates, take a "window inventory" in each room. Here are some questions to help you determine how each window should be covered:
- Do you want your window coverings in this room to serve as a quiet background, or take center stage?
- Do you need room darkening or privacy in this room?
- Do you need to protect this room from direct sunlight (important in west facing windows especially)?
Visit some model homes and browse through some home decorating magazines, taking note of what catches your eye. Then, it's time to contact a designer specializing in window treatments to help you with estimates, measuring and ordering.
Blinds and Shutters – So many Choices
Wood shutters are very popular in Phoenix new homes, and some real estate professionals believe that shutters can add value to a home. However, anyone choosing to cover all their windows with shutters should brace for sticker shock at the first estimate. Many people choose to put shutters in the front windows for a nice curb-side appeal, and perhaps in the master bedroom, where total-room darkening is important. Wood blinds can be placed in other, less conspicuous windows, at a considerably lower cost than shutters.
When considering shutters and wood blinds, don't automatically assume white. "The natural beauty of real wood shutters is timeless and will add refined beauty to a home decorated in Old World 'Tuscan' or Spanish Colonial style" says Candi Gregoire, owner of Model Décor and More. "The deep finish and fine hardware will complement fine furniture and add elegance to a room." Candi also uses shutters to separate one space from another. For example, an office might need to be closed off from the rest of the house. There is no other window covering that can perform that function as well.
For windows that get our hot Phoenix summer sun, consider a honeycombed cell shade. As you increase the layers, you increase the sun protection. Some shades have a blackout option, which totally eliminates the sun coming through. Some shades can collapse totally into the head rail when you want an outside view.
If you like the protective qualities of the cell shades but want to see your outdoor landscaping during the day without pulling the window shades up, consider a product like the Hunter Douglas Trio™ Convertible Shades. These shades can act like blinds, or when closed, look and protect like cellular shades. They are great for rooms which you want the full range of options: from full-view to room-darkening.
Sliding Glass Doors and Arcadia Doors
The biggest piece of glass in your house probably belongs to a sliding glass door, and for many new homeowners, covering that big piece of glass is a difficult task.
Verticals have come a long way since the early days of flimsy window coverings. Some people put a generic version in, because it's what we're used to. But you can be a little more creative than simply buying a basic set of verticals.
So consider some alternate choices to cover that vast expanse of window:
Instead of verticals, use traversing curtains. Curtains can add a softer accent to a room when they cover a sliding glass or arcadia door.
Go ahead and buy the verticals, but then consider adding fabric covers. "Updating a vertical blind can be done by simply selecting from dozens of fabric choices and having it custom-fabricated to fit your window treatment," says Candi. "The treatment attaches with a Velcro fastener to each vertical blind and can be removed to be washed and then reattached. This allows you to change your look without replacing the vertical blinds." For do-it-yourself improvement, JC Penney sells cream or white sheer covers, which simply attach to the vanes with hook-and-loop fasteners.
For a creative look, cut strips of wallpaper or border and apply to the vertical vanes.
Vertical cell shades like the Hunter Douglas Luminette Privacy Sheers® are a good option. When open, they look like sheers, when closed, the vanes offer a room-darkening/private option.
Window Coverings: Add Come Color!
So you've taken care of the privacy and Sun-protection issues. If your house still looks bare, you'll want to add color. Consider adding a cornice, a valance, or a rod with fabric single panels. Fabric around windows provides warmth to a room. Many people like the look of panels in new homes, which tend to have higher ceilings. With a 12 foot ceiling and a plain window, the weight of the room is at the floor. Put a tall panel in, and your eye moves to the furniture in the room instead. For a tighter budget, a simple top treatment adds color, but doesn't require a great deal of fabric. The cost for any fabric treatment increases by the amount of fabric.
Your New Home: Protect Your Investment
When shopping for your blinds, shades or shutters, compare vendors for quality, warranty, and customer service. Wood blinds and shutters can warp shortly after installation. Will the company you choose fix or replace any problem treatments? Make sure your agreement is clear, and enjoy your window treatments!
Model Décor and More, Candi Gregoire 623-363-9195
Copyright © 2006 by Liz Suto. Liz Suto is a professional writer, real estate agent and Anthem Arizona resident. Look for her articles at the PhoenixAz Insider website and in Phoenix area magazines and newspapers.
