Author: blankadm

With so many kinds of window treatments on the market, making the right choice for your windows can be a bit challenging. When it comes to vertical and horizontal blinds however, they differ in terms of their characteristics and the environments they’re best suited for, making your selection easier. Here’s when you should use them: 

When to use vertical blinds

As you would expect from the name, vertical blinds have vertical slats and slide sideways along a track, while horizontal blinds slide up and down with a cord-and-pulley system.

Horizontal blinds are good for smaller and narrower windows, but the long slats of vertical blinds are often suited to broad windows and doors with a wide expanse.  These are some of the common place you’ll see them:

• Large French doors
• Window treatments for sliding glass doors 
• Wide windows
• Bay windows
• Uniquely large-sized window
• Patio doors
• Large windows or doors in a sunroom 

What to remember

One of the most important things to keep in mind when looking for the right set of vertical blinds is the size of the window or door you intend to treat. If you want to treat a large window or door, a wider slat width is best. 

With Nu-View Custom Window Treatments, we’ll help you find the right kind of blinds for your windows or doors. We offer a wide selection of window treatments to choose from and also offer customization to meet your specific requirements. Contact us today for your free consultation!

If you’re looking to buy new window coverings, the first step is choosing between blinds or shades. While both cover your windows, blinds are hard coverings made with horizontal slats, while shades are made of fabric. So which do you pick? Here are some features to help you decide:

Cleaning

Blinds can be wiped down easily with a soft cloth. But if shades get dirty, you’ll need to use a vacuum, or gently spot clean with warm water. And any serious grime will require professional cleaning. So if your window treatments are going in a high traffic area, blinds might be the better choice.

Privacy + Light Control

Blinds have slats that can tilt for adjustable light control. Shades on the other hand, only have two options, open or closed. So the choice between blinds and shades should be fairly clear, depending on how much control you want on letting in light. 

Durability

Since blinds are made from hard materials like wood, pvc and aluminum, they hold up better to and tear. If you want to use shades in a high traffic area, you should consider if they might be snagged by passers-by.

Customization

Shades are much more customizable than blinds. You can find them with upgraded fabric collections, fabric wrapped valances, fabric fold styles, fabric liners and lift systems. The most customization you’ll see with blinds is how much light you can let into a room.

Since 1986, Nu-View Custom Window Treatments has provided the Chicago metropolitan  area and upper Midwest with attractive and affordable window treatments. Contact us today and we’ll help you find the best window treatments for your home.

Large or oddly shaped windows can give your home a distinct personality, but it can also be a pain to decorate. So where do you start? Here are a few ideas on how you can treat your unconventional windows.

Panels

Fabric panels are a great solution to unconventionally tall windows. This option has a hidden track from which the panel hangs. You can install a panel that hangs down over the window or you can also install the panel (or panels) to slide horizontally across the window. Panels come in a variety of colors and materials so you can match your existing decor. 

Shutters

Installing shutters is another great option for unusual windows. While they can be a pricier choice compared to other solutions, you don’t have to cover the entire window. Covering just a portion of the window is sometimes enough. 

Sheers

Sheer drapes are a good choice for those who want to diffuse some light throughout the day without compromising the entire window. Mounting sheers at the cove molding will cover both arched and squared windows. Sheers can be a less expensive solution depending on how they are mounted, finished, and the type of fabric you use.

Combinations 

If you have difficulty deciding on just one, combining multiple types of window treatments might be the way to go. You can use sheer drapes alongside shutters to give a new ambiance to any room in your home. Your creativity is the only limit!

The Nu-View Custom Window Treatments team can help you figure out the best options for your unconventional windows. Contact us today for more information about the different custom blinds and shades we offer!

When it comes to blinds and other window coverings, people usually install them and then never think about them again. But like most things, blinds and shades have a shelf life. When was the last time you inspected your window treatments? Here are some warning signs to let you know it’s time for a replacement.

Misshapen slats

Wood, faux wood, and aluminum blinds can bend or warp over time. Heat from the sun, kids, and pets can all misshape your blinds and make them difficult to raise or lower. If you notice your blinds are anything other than straight, it’s time to replace them.

Discoloration

When direct sunlight hits your blinds, it can bleach your blinds, giving them a faded appearance over time. However, if you notice that your blinds have a distinct yellowed color or they’re not as bright as they used to be, it’s a good time to consider replacing them. 

Hard to raise

Your blinds shouldn’t be difficult to raise or lower. If you find that you’re struggling when pulling on the chord it could mean that the mechanisms or blinds are seriously damaged. This could also put the entire window treatment at risk of falling. 

Frayed cords and edges

If you have solar shades or roller shades, you might notice the edges look a bit frayed. This is a sign that your shades are too wide for the window frame and will need to be replaced. Likewise, years of wear and tear or a broken mechanism can damage chords and are a definite sign for replacement.

New windows

If you recently had new windows installed, they might have different dimensions compared to your old ones. Any differences in depth or width could change how your blinds or shades will fit in the window. It’s better to replace your window treatments than try and force the old ones to fit. 

Contact the dedicated team at Nu-View Custom Window Treatments today for more information about the different custom blinds and shades we offer.

Spring and summer temperatures outside may be rising but we’ve got a solution on hand that will help lower temperatures indoors without having to turn on the air conditioner: the solar shade! Just one of the many custom window treatments we install regularly at Nu-View Custom Window Treatments.

Solar shades can be a valuable accessory for your home during the warm summer months. Solar shades not only dim the sunlight without blacking out a room completely, but they also prevent the heat from entering your home during peak sun hours. It reduces heat gain by 55% to 65% when the sun shines directly on southern-facing windows or glass doors. For western-facing windows, a solar shade reduce between 72% and 77% of the sun’s rays.

If you’re looking for a way to help cut your home energy costs, a solar shade can be a great window treatment. With the help of some solar shades throughout your home, your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. This way you and your family can stay cool indoors! It also provides shade on sunny days when you want to spend time outdoors.

For more information about custom window treatments for your home, contact Nu-View Custom Window Treatments today. 

 

When most people think about interior window treatments, they imagine the old-fashioned type like grandmas curtains, but there is another kind of window treatment that is great for any home or business: solar shades Solar shades are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons, including versatility and affordability.

Great for Any Purpose

From blocking sunlight to reducing glare, solar shades are a great way to add form and function to any room. Available in a wide range of colors and materials, come see what window treatments we have available at Nu-View.

Cost-effective

Solar shades are a cost effective interior shading option for many of our customers. Whether you’re just looking for a classy way to throw some shade, or looking for a bit of an energy savings, the experts at Nu-View Custom Window Treatments can help you select the perfect shading solutions for any room of your home.

Hassle-free Removal

Solar shades provides shade and UV protection, but they are easy to remove when not in use or during winter months? The short answer is yes, but you may not want to remove them during the winter if you live in an area with snow. Solar shades can help reduce glare and brightness year round.

 

For homeowners, it can seem as though dirt and stains magically appear, and dust falls onto everything in sight; vases, desks, fake plants, and especially window treatments, like blinds and shades. Due to their fabric nature, cellular shades can trap dust, stains and general griminess. Unlike blinds, shades require extra care when cleaning. Here are some tips on how to treat the most common cellular shade cleaning issues.

Spray Air Onto Dead Insects and Bugs

Bugs can occasionally crawl into cellular shade pockets and get stuck inside. Don’t worry, there’s an easy way to remedy this! You can use a can of compressed air to blow dead bugs out of cells. Just put the straw into the cell and spray out anything inside.  A hair dryer on the cool setting may also work, but compressed air offers more precision. Dirt and debris can also be removed with compressed air.

Vacuum Away Dust

It is easy to get rid of dust that’s accumulated onto your cellular shades. You can use a vacuum and the hose brush attachment. In a horizontal movement, swipe the vacuum brush across the cell, following the direction of the pleats. This will loosen up dust and dirt, and prevent fabric from being crumpled out of shape. You can also use a lint roller for more stubborn dust.

Blot Stains Away

Cleaning your cellular shades with water is a last resort! Wetting cell fabric frequently can cause the pleats to lose their shape. Do not scrub the fabric, as this can cause pilling or damage. For safe stain-removal, blot the stain with a damp cloth, warm water and a mild detergent. Continue blotting until the stain is gone. Using a different clean cloth, blot the area to dry. 

Once the shades are mostly dry, leave them raised for a few hours to re-train the pleats.

Get custom window treatments for your home today from Nu-View.