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Long lazy summer days are great when you’re in the garden with a cocktail! But, when the sun’s rays pour in through the window, it can get uncomfortable. This is why choosing the right window coverings for your home is essential.

Quality, customised blinds, do more than just look great, they provide much needed temperature and privacy control. If you’re wondering which blinds are the best to keep your home cool, let’s take a look.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are simple, affordable and do a great job at controlling the amount of light flowing into a room. You can even choose a double blind system that includes a sheer blind and a blackout blind, giving you even greater control.

The solid sheet of fabric that makes up roller blinds, helps to reduce heat and glare. Choose from a range of fabric types, colours, textures and chain control.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are an attractive and practical window covering. Made from a blackout or sunscreen fabric, they work well reducing the amount of sun exposure in a room.

This in turn, helps to reduce your home energy costs, removing the need to turn up the AC. They can be custom made to suit your requirements and can be installed quickly.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds do a good job at reducing the summer heat in a home. They offer a clean, modern look for your living space or work space and are extremely easy to clean and maintain.

Choose from a range of fabrics, colours and patterns to suit your home décor tastes. Great for large window spaces and sliding doors, the panels can be angled to block or allow light inside.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds can be chosen in both aluminum and wood and the slats come in various sizes. Aluminum blinds are the best option to block the sun, as wood has been known to warp in excessive temperatures.

The slats can be tilted easily to allow light in or block the light and heat out. Choose from an array of colors and finishes to create the right effect for your home.

Panel Glide Blinds

Panel glide blinds do a great job of regulating the temperature in a house or office. They transfer less heat than vertical blinds, mainly because they have fewer blades to allow heat between and therefore keep sunlit rooms cooler.

Choose from blockout, sunscreen and a light filtering fabric, in a wide range of colours, designs and fabrics.

Do you need timber shutters or customised blinds for your Sydney home? Contact Heartwood Shutters for a free, no-obligation quote today.

Windows are like the eyes of your home. If your window blinds have seen better days, this can cause your home to look tired and un-inviting. Switching out old, broken blinds for new, smart ones, will instantly give your home the uplift it needs.

New blinds not only look beautiful, but they’ll give you better privacy, light control and be safer for the kids. If you’re still undecided if you need new blinds at all, read on to learn the six warning signs your window blinds need an upgrade.

1.Faded or Discoloured

Over time, window blinds are susceptible to discolouration and even staining. The sun’s rays are powerful and can cause dark coloured fabrics to fade and white to turn a yellow hue. This discolouration not only makes the blinds look old, but the material may stop doing its job blocking light. When you notice fading on your blinds, it’s time for an upgrade.

2.Bent or Broken Slats

If you notice bent or broken slats, it could time to invest in a new set of blinds. Broken window coverings are not going to give you full light, heat and privacy control. For an affordable replacement, consider purchasing roller blinds, aluminium plantation shutters or vertical blinds. For a natural, beautiful style, choose faux wooden shutters or timber shutters.

3.Hard to Lift Up

If the pulling mechanism has stopped working on your blinds, an upgrade is needed. Not being able to lift the blinds up or down, virtually renders them useless and they can even become a hazard. Roman blinds, roller blinds or faux wood shutters are great replacements being simple to maneuver.

4.Frayed or Broken Cords

Cords can fray or break over the years after a lot of use. When this happens, consider replacing your blinds for new ones. If you have pets or children in the home, opt for cordless blinds which eliminates the danger of a dangling cord.

5.Outdated Design

Having outdated window blinds isn’t an essential reason to upgrade. But, the windows are a focal point and can make your whole home look dreary if they don’t look good. Think about matching your new window blinds with a colour accent around the room. This brings a cohesive feel and gives the room a little style.

6.You Get New Windows

Have you recently fitted new windows in the home? Then this is the ideal time to update the window blinds. The old blinds may not even fit the new windows anyway! Have a think whether you’d like vertical or horizontal coverings, what colours and styles you like and whether you’d like them fitted inside or outside the window recess. Finally, talk with your local blind and shutter suppliers, who can help you choose the best option.

Shutters and blinds make a beautiful addition to any home. Both have their benefits, but which is best for you? This is a decision not to rush into. Window dressings have the ability to transform a room and give you great control over light, temperature and privacy.

And you’ll be looking at them every day, so you’ll want to like what you see! Let’s take a look at shutters Vs blinds, so you can choose the right ones for your home.

Differences Between Shutters and Blinds

The main differences between shutters and blinds are how they fit to the window. Blinds usually fix to the top of the window and shutters are fixed to the side of the window with a metal fitting. Shutters can be fitted inside or outside the home.

Shutters are often made from thicker, solid materials such as wood and have horizontal slats. Blinds are made in a huge variety of materials and styles and can feature vertical slats of different sizes, or one large panel.

Pros of Shutters

• Extremely durable
• Low maintenance
• Child safe with no cords needed
• Add value to your home
• Offer an attractive, natural style
• Excellent insulators
• Gives impressive light, ventilation and privacy control
• Can be chosen in wood or faux wood

Cons of Shutters

• More expensive than blinds
• Take up a little more space as they’re fitted outside the window recess
• Some windows may not suit the heavier style
• Take longer to install

Pros of Blinds

• Extremely affordable
• Offer a simple and modern aesthetic
• Great light and privacy control
• Can choose blackout fabrics for extra insulation and light control
• Choose a material to suit any environment eg; PVC blinds are great for bathrooms and kitchens where moisture is a problem
• A massive range of styles, colours, textures and designs to suit any home decor

Cons of Blinds

• A little less sturdy than shutters
• Harder to clean with the fabric absorbing smells and stains
• UV rays can start to discolour the fabric of some blinds
• Blinds often have cords which can be a hazard for kids
• May need to be replaced more frequently than shutters

Are Shutters or Blinds Best for You?

Shutters and blinds both do a great job of controlling light, privacy and temperature in the home. Shutters are a little sturdier and longer lasting, but blinds are affordable and suitable to be used in any room of the home. The one you choose depends on your budget and preferred home aesthetic.

Contact Heartwood Shutters for more information on timber shutters, outdoor plantation shutters, roman blinds, panel glide blinds, vertical blinds and roman blinds in Sydney.

Windows are a main entry point for irritating dust and allergens. If you suffer from allergies, this can cause heightened symptoms with itchy eyes, runny noses and sneezing.

Regular cleaning helps to keep dust mites at a minimum. But, if windows aren’t allergy proofed, contaminants can still build up. Take a look at these tips to allergy proof your windows and hopefully find some relief.

Use the Right Window Coverings

Vertical blinds are a great option for allergy sufferers if chosen in a vinyl or PVC material. This is because they are simple to clean and repel dust. Timber plantation shutters are another top choice, because they attract less dust than a soft fabric.

The final option is to install roller blinds. These also work well for allergy sufferers, being easy to wipe down and they generally don’t get as much dust settling on them.

Place Air Purifiers Close to Windows

If you suffer from allergies, make sure to place an air purifier near to a window. This traps allergens as they flow in from the outside and stops them entering the room. Invest in a quality purifier that has HEPA filtration, which traps up to 99.97% of all contaminants.

Clean Mold and Condensation from Window Sills

Mold and condensation starts to form around window sills, especially in the colder months. If left, mold spores can be a trigger for allergy sufferers, making symptoms a whole lot worse. Clean windows on a weekly basis to remove dust, mold and contaminants.

Check Caulking Around Windows

Caulking around windows can become compromised over time. Even tiny cracks can let in pollen, dust and mold spores which are not great for allergy sufferers. Take time to inspect your caulking and look for any signs of weakness. If you find any gaps, get an expert in to seal or replace the caulking.

Keep Windows Closed in Warm, Damp Weather

While you’ll want to let fresh air in occasionally, allergy sufferers are advised to keep windows shut during these times:

• Damp, rainy weather
• Warm, humid weather
• Early in the morning
• During the nighttime

The above times are when mold thrives and pollen is released. It’s generally safe for allergy sufferers to open windows from the mid-afternoon to early evening time. If you must open windows at other times, consider installing screen pollen filters to trap pollen before it gets inside.

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for overall health. The right bedroom window coverings play a huge part in whether sleep is restful or not. Quality blinds and shutters increase privacy, block light and noise and add style to your space.

The hardest part is choosing the right ones for your bedroom. While you’ll want a seamless flow throughout your home, the window coverings you have in the bedroom will differ from other rooms. So, which window coverings are best for the bedroom? Let’s take a look.

Plantation Shutters

Plantations shutters give you complete control over how much light enters the room. This is ideal for a bedroom, allowing you to keep the room dark when you want to sleep in. Adjust the louvers slightly to let natural light in during the day. On top of the incredible functionality, timber plantation shutters project a stunning, classic style.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds offer a stylish and simple way to shade your bedroom windows. If you love a modern, un-fussy look, roller blinds are a great choice and are extremely affordable. Select your bedroom roller blinds in a neutral tone for a rustic vibe or go brighter to create a focal point.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds offer practicality and style, which is perfect for a bedroom window. Order your roman blinds in a blackout fabric to keep the light out and they can be ordered in a thick, insulating fabric to keep the room warmer. If you love a contemporary look, choose flat shades or if you like something more formal, the teardrop/looped variation does the job well.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds look beautiful in any room of the home. If used in the bedroom, they can be made with blackout fabric to keep the light out at night. Vertical blinds are a great choice for large windows or sliding doors. They are extremely easy to use and maintain, offering a modern, stylish look for your bedroom.

Panel Glide Blinds

Panel glide blinds transfer less heat than vertical blinds, making them an ideal choice to regulate temperature. This is extremely beneficial if you live in a hot climate and helps to lower AC bills. If you choose panel glide blinds for your bedroom, order in a blackout fabric and a sunscreen fabric if your window faces the sun.

7 Awesome Benefits of Window Shutters You Need to Know About

Are you looking for stylish, versatile window treatments? You can’t go far wrong with window shutters. They’re practical and durable, looking great in every room of the home and can be tailored to your needs with different styles and colours to choose from. If you need more convincing, here’s seven awesome benefits of window shutters.

Low Maintenance

Curtains and blinds are well known to attract dust, with the fabric needing a clean regularly. Shutters are a little lower maintenance, only needing a quick dust or wipe over, depending on the type of shutter you have.

Control Over Privacy

After a long day it’s nice to just chill without prying eyes peering through the window. Shutters can be pulled down so they cover the whole window and the adjustable louvres allow you to control privacy and light.

Reduce Power Bills

A huge amount of heat is lost through the windows and gets in through the windows. Shutters are ideal to block the sun during the hot part of the day, reducing the need to turn the AC up so high. On the flipside, they help to keep heat in during the colder months, reducing expenditure on the heating bill.

Control Light, Noise and Air Flow

Everybody loves a sunny day, but if the sun is shining right onto your laptop while you work at home, this can be a nuisance! Shutters give you the control over light and noise, allowing you to sit by the window without needing to wear sunglasses. Well fitted shutters add a soundproof layer to reduce the noise from traffic or a noisy neighbor.

Simple to Use

Shutters are extremely easy to use these days. Choose your shutters with a standard cord or go fancy with a motorised option. Whether you want them up or down, you can easily control your shutters in an instant.

Can be Customised

Do you have an unusual shaped window, a wide window area or French doors you want shutters for? Beautiful shutters are extremely customisable and can be made in various sizes, colours and materials. Timber plantation shutters are particularly striking, giving your home a rustic appeal.

Add Value to Your Home

If you plan to sell or rent out your property, shutters seriously enhance the look of your home. Prospective buyers will love the look of shutters, potentially allowing you to get a higher price. Beautiful timber shutters are a great selling point and well worth the investment.

How to Clean Your Shutters in Under 5 Minutes

Shutters are extremely easy to maintain if you know what you’re doing. And whether your shutters are old or new, proper maintenance is essential to extend their life and keep them looking great. If you avoid ever cleaning your shutters, you may be greeted with a shower of dust when you decide to open them. Or worse – your shutters will start to look dull and dreary, making the room feel dated.

So, now we know that shutter maintenance is important, how do we actually get the job done? Follow these tips to clean your shutters with minimal stress.

1. Use the Right Cleaner

The type of shade you have determines how you clean them. For example, wood shutters don’t respond well to moisture and shouldn’t be over saturated. Dust with a microfiber cloth which clings onto dirt and use a small amount of wood polish afterwards. Metal shades can be wiped over with a light soap and water solution.

2. Schedule a Clean Once Monthly

To keep your shutters looking like brand new, schedule a regular monthly clean. If you keep on top of the dust and grime, cleaning will take a few minutes only.

3. Dust Each Slat with a Microfibre Cloth

Microfibre cloths are perfect for cleaning your shutters because they cling to dust instead of pushing it around. Wipe the cloth over each slat side to side, until all the dust has been removed. If you don’t have a microfibre cloth, a feather duster will suffice. But add newspaper under your blinds to catch falling dust.

4. Avoid Getting Wooden Shutters Wet

Prolonged contact with water makes wooden blinds warp or spot. If you do find in-ground stains that need more than dusting, use a vinegar and water solution. Dip your cloth into the mix and wring out so no water drips. Scrub over the stain in a circular motion. When finished, wipe over immediately with a dry cloth preventing any water from settling on the wood.

5. Use a Stronger Cleaning Solution on Metal Shutters

If you have aluminium plantation shutters or another type of metal shutter, these can handle a stronger cleaning solution. Put on gloves and add a small amount of ammonia to warm water. Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe over each slat. Soapy water can be used if you don’t have ammonia.

6. Paint Over any Stubborn Stains

If you’ve tried your best to remove stubborn stains from your wooden shutters and they still won’t budge, paint over with a small amount of shutter paint. Your local Sydney shutter company should be able to provide an exact match shutter paint. Use a clean paintbrush to touch up the dull area and your shutters will look like new again.

5 Things to Consider when Choosing Shutters for Your Home

Bespoke shutters add style, elegance and privacy to your windows. The slats allow you to control how much light and heat enter your home and keep prying eyes from looking inside. They’re easy to maintain, durable and cost effective.

Choose shutters in a range of materials including timber, faux wood and aluminum. They can be used inside or outside your property, over windows or sliding doors. But with so many options, how do you choose the best shutters for your home? Let’s take a look at the important things to consider when choosing shutters for your property.

1. What is the Main Use of the Room?

If you need a window dressing for your bedroom, you may want to consider blackout shutters to keep the light out in the early mornings. Another option is to use a combination of blackout shutters and blinds, to block out even more light. For the living room, you’ll want to make the most of light, while still having control over privacy. Timber shutters are a great choice being stylish and highly practical.

2. Inside or Outside Shutters

Indoor shutters give you the ultimate control over heat, light and privacy. Outdoor shutters offer your home a layer of security, reduce noise disturbance and increase curb appeal. Both help to reduce air conditioning costs by blocking the suns harsh rays which can heat up your home.

3. The Size and Shape of Your Windows

Shutters are actually really versatile. They can be fitted to almost any size and shape of window using various frame types. Your shutter company in Sydney will advise whether to fit new shutters inside or outside your window recess.

4. Size and Tilt of the Slats

If you’re looking to reduce the flow of light into a room like in the bedroom, choose smaller slats. To increase natural light, opt for larger slats like 89mm or 114mm.The tilt of the slats is down to your personal preference. But, to get more privacy ask your shutter company to design the slats tilted up.

5. Your Preferred Colour Scheme

Beautiful window coverings can make or break a room. If you love a more minimalist, tidy look, choose shutters in white or in a colour that compliments the rest of the room. For something a little different, choose shutters in a bright colour that makes them a focal point.