With summer nearly here, keeping the sun off your windows and out of your home is a priority. Shading the home is one of the most important aspects of making your house comfortable as well as energy-efficient. There is an extensive range of interior and exterior products that can have a huge effect on how warm your home stays in winter, and also how cool you can keep the home in summer. A shade structure is a highly visible feature, so it’s important it complements the overall aesthetic of your home and the surrounding features. A well-chosen shade solution will add value to and become a stylish component of your property. By choosing the right shading solutions for windows, homeowners can live more comfortably without necessarily using their air conditioner — meaning you save money and help the environment.
Consumers are now very aware of their impact on the environment — from the packaging of take-away food to choosing sustainable materials for fashion and the house. Making a positive impact on the environment starts with each of us at home.
To help in your selection, we discuss some of the shade solutions that can make a difference to your abode.
AWNINGS
Awnings add the perfect fi nishing touch to your doorways and windows as they are functional as well as decorative. Awnings are the canopies you see attached to walls on the exterior of buildings or homes, and are often a saving grace when extreme weather hits.
The term awning refers to a roof-like shelter of canvas or other material extending over a doorway or window. They generally project over the top of a window or deck to provide protection from the sun or rain. With exterior shading solutions cutting up to 80 per cent of the heat before it can even get into the home, external shading certainly is a product that is no longer a want, but defi nitely a need!
Awnings provide a flexible solution that will make a difference to both your outdoor living space and the internal temperature of your home. A Luxafl ex Evo awning can save homeowners up to 60 per cent on cooling costs for their home. Many consumers choose awnings for this reason alone. When it comes to awnings, there is a broad range available.
BLINDS, SHUTTERS & VENETIANS
Blinds and shutters are the perfect option for savvy homeowners who want more style and versatility for their personal space. They are made from materials that range in quality and off er homeowners numerous benefi ts once installed. The diff erent types, colours and styles allow homeowners to pick exactly what is needed within a budget. They can also match any type of style.
THE TRENDS
Whether its blinds or a simple swath of fabric, every home needs protection from the sun, and there is no time like the present to consider your options. So what’s new in window treatments and what are the current trends? With a plethora of choices on the market, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to making the fi nal decision.
External, vertical motorised blinds in near-transparent mesh fabrics are a big trend at the moment. We are fi nding a real market for these in terms of heat, glare and privacy. Probably an even bigger trend for us is all-weather retracting awnings for outdoor rooms. These are usually rain-proof awnings that can be left out in high winds and heavy rain, and they are often installed with heavy-duty motorised clear PVC vertical blinds.
The popularity of awnings also shows no sign of slowing down, primarily due to their functionality and overall aesthetic. Modern awnings tend to be either folding-arm awnings or straight drop. The current trends are for dark, plain-coloured fabrics.
With so many options available, it can difficult to know which structure will best suit your needs in terms of cost, appearance and wear. First and foremost, it’s important to understand that although some shades may be on the more expensive side, they often represent the best value.
If it’s for your own home, don’t go with the cheapest price. Of course you need to think about budget, but if you are investing in a shade solution, there is nothing more frustrating than spending your hard-earned money on a solution that may only last two or three years.
The most important thing is to get a clear picture of what you ultimately want to achieve. Would you like to have rain protection, or is your main requirement shade from the sun? Does it need to be retracting or is a fixed solution the better option for you? Most people have an idea of what would look good in their home, but they are often unaware of all of the options that might be available to them. The good news is that it’s possible to have both durability and style all in one.
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