Tag: Windows

5 Ways to Warm Up Your Windows

5 Ways to Warm Up Windows5 Ways to Warm up those Windows…..

…..Winter windows can suck the life out of your wallet!

My niece lives in Minnesota and introduced me to the 3-M product that she used to insulate her windows during the winter in her turn-of-the-19th-century home.  With the plastic shrink-wrap stuff and a hair dryer she cut out almost all of the draft (from her windows) and it really helped with her heating bill.

In searching for that product to buy on-line I found some other ways to help insulate your windows, aside from replacing them.

1)    Rubber Weather Sealing: You can buy strips of self-stick rubber weather sealing at a hardware store. Cut long strips down to fit your window dimensions, then peel and stick to the frame to close any gaps and keep out drafts. Pros: Cheap, effective, minimal alterations to appearance of windows. Cons: When you peel away the rubber strips, they can damage paint or leave a sticky residue.

2)    Window Insulation Film: (This is the 3-M stuff) You can buy window insulation kits from a hardware store. Kits usually include plastic shrink film that is applied to the indoor window frame with double-stick tape, then heated with a hair dryer to shrink the film and remove any wrinkles. Pros: Cheap and effective. Cons: Gives windows a cloudy, shrink-wrapped look.

3)    Cellular Shades: Cellular Shades insulate while still letting in light through the windows. They can be ordered and custom cut from home and design centers. Pros: They let in light and can be custom-fitted for doors and windows. Cons: They can be expensive and may not insulate as much as heavier curtains.

4)   Layered Curtains: Use heavy fabrics or layered curtains over the windows to keep    out drafts. Pros: Looks good, can be matched to your home decor. Cons: Curtains can be expensive and heavy drapes can block out light.

5)      Draft Doggies: Draft Doggies are fabric tubes placed on a window sill or under a door to prevent cold air from creeping in. You can make one by sewing a tube of fabric to fit the width of your window and filling it with dried rice. Pros: Cheap, easy to make as a DIY project. Cons: It only insulates the window sill, not the glass or frame.

And, if any of you are looking for an excuse to invest in plantation shutters, I can tell you from personal experience that they keep out a lot of cold and heat.  I love mine!

Why Woven Wood Works

Why Woven Wood WorksWoven Woods

………wonderful!

We have two patio doors downstairs with very little head room to apply a window treatment.  I’ve decided to go with woven woods.

Woven woods offer that natural element to a room that I really love.  They create a warm and homey ambiance that invites and welcomes.

The choice of these types of blinds will suit me very well because our patio doors are glass and open up onto a patio with a view of a waterfall and lovely rock garden plants.  I don’t want to apply anything that will disrupt that scenery.  The woven woodW will allow for privacy in the evening and can be raised during the day to the view of the patio.

Woven woods come in many choices of natural elements, with combinations of bamboo, rattan, reeds, jutes, woods, and grasses all offering a unique appeal.  They can be combined with valances and additional window treatments to create an exceptional appearance.

I’m anxious to see how they’ll look.

Great Decor Ideas using Woven Woods woven woods multiple windows Woven woods top down bottom up woven woods shabby chic woven woods with valance