The saying goes that when The Lord closes a door He opens a window.  Well, that might be great for life’s opportunities but it really can put a hurtin’ on your energy bills, not to mention the comfort of your home!

Every month I receive a report from Google that shows all the terms that people used to search that resulted in them ending up on this blog site.  Month after month there are two search themes that repeat themselves again and again: #1 is how to protect against damage from the sun on furnishings and draperies and a very close #2 is energy efficient window treatments.

Between window manufacturers and window film manufacturers, there is no shortage of people out there trying to convince you that you can block the heat and UV rays invading your home by purchasing their products.  The truth is: glass is glass.  It is not bricks and mortar.  It is NEVER going protect your home like studs and insulation.  I’m always saddened by the number of people that spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars replacing windows or adding film to them because someone convinced them that it would stop the effects of the sun. Give it up!  It’s not going to happen.  It might reduce the UV intensity slightly but not enough to stop fading and heat gain or loss.  But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.  Let’s first look at those windows, where they are and what you can do about preventing the problem in the first place. 

If you are Considering Remodeling or Building a New Home, Look Carefully at the Floor Plan and the Placement of the Windows

Architects and home designers place windows based upon their effect on the outside elevation of the house.  Few, if any, give thought to how the placement of those windows are going to effect the energy efficiency…or lack thereof.  If you absolutely cannot live without that arch above a window then place it above a window on the north side of the home.  You’ll get the natural light, the architectural element you’re looking for yet at the same time minimize the amount of exposure to UV that you’ll have to contend with.  Notice I mentioned UV not heat loss.  You’ll still get heat loss through the glass but that northern exposure will minimize heat gain during the warmest months of the year when air conditioning costs can really add up.

The most efficient way to make your home more comfortable and to prevent heat loss or heat gain is to prevent it in the first place.  By blocking the entrance of heat you prevent the A/C from running constantly to cool the room.  Conversely, once you’ve heated the room, stop the heat from escaping through the path of least resistance:  The windows.

Products such as Hunter Douglas’ Duette Architella Honeycomb shades not only will eliminate much of the heat loss/gain that is associated with windows but will actually add an R factor to those windows.  In some opacities you will get up to an R-8 protection factor against loss or gain.  By forming three pockets of air within the honeycomb structure, the “honeycomb within a honeycomb” beautifully insulates your room and saves you significant energy costs.  These products are so efficient that they qualify for the Federal Energy Tax Credit.  (see our store for details on qualifying products and mounting).

Another way to protect against throwing money out the window is insulated draperies.  By applying an interlining layer between the fashion fabric and the lining significant savings can be found not only enhancing your wallet but also the comfort of your room!  Our window fashion consultants can assist you in finding the right product or combination of products to achieve your goals.

OK, let’s move on to the #1 searched topic.  “Protecting from sun/UV damage.”

The only sure-fire way to protect your furnishings, flooring, rugs and artwork is to STOP the UV rays from entering your home.  Two or three years ago we worked with a couple in Columbus that wanted to gain some privacy for their lower level TV room.  They spent a considerable sum to be able to control the light, adjust the privacy to their needs and bring a beautiful fashion statement to the room.  So what’s the problem?  When you went upstairs to the main floor of the home there was a wall of windows (yes the view was beautiful) and 3-4 skylights.  The room was flooded with beautiful, natural light.  On their walls they had a collection of original artwork!  YIKES!  When I asked how they were going to protect that they said they upgraded the windows to protect against UV.  Fast forward to last fall.  The couple needed to do a bit of rearranging and in the process happened to move one of the pieces of artwork.  Much to their surprise (not mine) the paint around the artwork had faded significantly!  If the wall paint was fading what was happening to their priceless artwork?  They immediately called us to provide motorized/programmable treatments, Duette Skyrise shades, for the skylights.  Despite all the education and the example before them they still declined to treat the wall of windows!  That’s OK, they’ll be back the next time they move a rug or sofa cushion.

Here is an easy test for UV exposure and effects.  Take a sheet of construction paper.  Yes, it’s the stuff we used in kindergarten to make chains and other projects. ( I can still smell that disgusting paste they made us use!)  Why construction paper you ask?  We suggest construction paper because it tends to give up color more rapidly than your furnishings thus you’ll get an accelerated picture of whether you have a problem with UV exposure or not.  Take one corner of the construction paper and turn it down and crease the edge so it stays laying over the rest of the paper.  Now take this page and place it on a table in your room.  You don’t have to put it right in the window.  A few feet away or even in the center of the room will do.  Now just forget it!  The next time you clean that room take the paper up and open back the corner you turned down.  What do you see?  If you can see a fairly clear image of where the corner was folded over then you need to be concerned about what is happening to your furnishings!

My niece built a huge home in Albany, N.Y..  She invested in all new furniture for her great room and set it up to enjoy the two stories of windows she had overlooking her back yard.  When I mentioned she really should install window coverings to protect her new sofa she looked at me like I had three heads!  “I don’t want to cover up the view I have”.  Fast forward about 6 months, the remote is missing and an all-out search is underway.  When in desperation they finally went diving under the sofa cushions not only did they find the TV remote they also found that brand new sofa had faded.  Significantly!  This is point that I have to confess to thinking “I told you so”.

You don’t have to cover up your view to protect your furnishings.  We have window fashions that will allow you to have your view and yet filter out up to 88% of the damaging UV rays that enter via those portals to the world!  Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Nantucket Window Shadings are designed with an adjustable s-shaped vane that is suspended between two layers of sheer fabric.  When the vanes are open your view is visible yet protected by the sheer fabrics.  Need more privacy or light control?  Simply adjust the vanes!  Better still when the sun is not an issue these shadings completely roll up into their sleek head rail!  Voila!

You’re preachin’ to the choir when you say “I don’t want to cover up my beautiful windows/view” but there are choices that you have to make to have the best of both worlds.  We’re happy to spend the time with you to show you all the options that are available.

Now grab that paste from your three-year-old before he starts eating it like Eddie did in Kindergarten and get down to Home Source in Worthington, Ohio!

So, Why is Wallpaper Coming Back?

I believe there are several reasons, not the least of which is people’s desire to have texture on the walls.  That being the nature of things most people are SO over poorly executed  “faux finishes”!  We’ve all seen the garish nightmares executed with a feather duster or plastic grocery bag!  They looked so good in the picture…and SO BAD on the walls!

Another factor is today’s busy families. While paint companies tout their scrubbable paints the reality is far different from what they say.  We’ve all tried to clean off one of junior’s masterpieces only to find that we replaced the artwork with an obvious splotch in it’s place! UGH!  Time to repaint!

Today’s wallpaper are definitely NOT your mother’s.  From richly textured vinyls that you can scrub over and over to papers imbedded with mica or made from cork there are wallpapers for every décor.  I’m not talking Big Box/Paint Store wallpapers, these are designer papers that in some, but not all cases, can have designer prices.  However, you don’t have to paper a whole room to get the impact of a stunning wallpaper.  Perhaps an accent wall or maybe even a small niche!  One double roll of just the right wallpaper can turn a room from ho hum to wow in just an afternoon.

Wallpaper’s with large print designs can be an excellent source of inspiration for just about any room.  Selecting the paper first will help you then finalize a color palette.  You can then move on to fabrics to coordinate and accessories to complete the look.  I’ve posted several different looks you may find interesting.

Do it Yourself or Use a Pro?

That’s a question only you can answer.  If you’re a die-hard DIY’er by all means take a crack at it.  Hanging wallpaper is not that difficult.  I don’t recommend starting on a bathroom that has tons of intricate cuts like I did but it’s a skill that is easily picked up.  I do find that staying away from the cheapie “big box” papers that are prepasted is a good idea.  They just never hang properly, the paper has a tendency to stretch and it doesn’t hold up as well as some of the pastable papers.  However, if you’re a bit phobic about perfection or your marriage is on it’s last breath hanging wallpaper may send you over the edge.  Hire a paper hanger, grab a glass of wine and sit back and enjoy!

Ok, be honest. When is the last time you got out of your chair to change the TV channel?

Or got out of your car to raise the garage door? Gotcha didn’t I?

We all use technology to make our lives simpler, easier, less taxing, and yes, more fun.

The dryer has replaced the clothesline, the dishwasher the dish cloth; remember typewriters and eraser pens? We wouldn’t dream of trying to live our busy, over-booked lives without most of today’s modern conveniences.

Window coverings have joined the techie age with motorized treatments in almost every product category. But with garden tubs in front of master bath windows and two-story family rooms they’re not just for couch potatoes and techno geeks. Motorized window coverings make controlling the light, privacy and security of your home simple and affordable.

With specialty apps like the Hunter Douglas Platinum App for the iPhone/iPad or Droid, homeowners can now program their window fashions to shut out damaging UV rays, take advantage of the late afternoon sun on a cold winter day or make sure your kids are safe and secure ‘til you arrive home.

You can even turn on lights, raise the temp on the thermostat and close the shades all from your mobile device using the Somfy Tahoma system.

So, until I find you an app to walk the dog, check out this video from Hunter Douglas about the new Platinum app!….and then visit our Gallery store for complete details! We have a battery operated (wireless) system just for you! Building a new home and want the latest in home automation? Set up a FREE consultation with one of our motorization specialists to get the project started right!

First, let me address the last portion of the question. Our experience in the Columbus Ohio blind/window treatment market has shown that the average homebuyer will spend somewhere between 1 & 2% of the purchase price of a new construction home on window fashions. This translates to spending between $3000 & $6000 on your blinds or shades. Obviously that number is not written in stone and varies by a number of factors. Are you happy just having privacy and not concerned about style? Have you had the pleasure (or lack thereof) of spending hours cleaning faux wood blinds or worse paying good money to have cheap blinds repaired over and over again? Do you have the innate ability to walk into any type of store and automatically hone in on the most expensive item they carry? If you’ve answered yes to the above questions than it would be worth spending a few minutes doing a little basic homework before you decide what you want to live with.

I encourage new home buyers to consider all the options before they purchase blinds or shades. Visit a store that has them all on display. Investigate the different types of products that are available and the lift systems that are offered. Parents of small children and pet owners should definitely consider upgrading to a child-safe system that prevents accidental injury from cords. Most off-brand woods or faux wood blinds do not offer child-safe systems.

Consider each room and it’s intended use. A bedroom facing east has much different light control needs than a northern facing laundry room. Is your new home a great room plan or does it also have a more formal entertaining space such as a living room? Are you going to be using that great room for viewing movies and TV or just catching the news while you prepare dinner. Again: different needs for different uses. Your window fashion professional should ask you lots of questions. It’s not that we’re the nosy sort it’s just that a true professional will want to know how you plan on using a room before they recommend which product will most fit your needs.

Let’s revisit the budget question for just a moment. Most of us live in the real world. We all have to make choices on where we’re going to use the resources we have available. The numbers mentioned earlier are simply a ball park. In reality you’re going to want to take your time and select just the right products for you and your family. Don’t let someone pressure you into covering everything at one time, especially if you’re not certain what you want. We always offer our clients the option of free temporary shades for their privacy needs while they get to know their new home and how the light comes and goes. If your window treatment professional isn’t doing this: fire them! No matter your budget you only want to purchase once and you should have the assurance that you’ll be totally satisfied with your product and your shopping experience. At Home Source we’re one of a select few dealers that are allowed to offer the Hunter Douglas Right Choice Promise. RCP assures you that you may re-select if you’re not thrilled with your initial selection. If you’re dealing with a company that won’t give you that assurance: fire them!

Last but certainly not least the products you put in your home are a reflection of your personal style and taste. Your selections should reflect that and enhance AND protect your privacy and furnishings. To enhance your home with beautiful granite in the kitchen only to cheapen it with cheaply made window fashions makes as much sense as shopping for your wedding dress at Ace Hardware. Some rooms will need more of a soft touch with draperies and valances or others may benefit from the beauty of shutters. Whatever your taste and style take the time to do your homework, get the facts and rely on a professional that offers a bricks & mortar store where you can make a really informed decision and know where to find them when you need them!

Here’s my reasoning; it’s not just that their employees have little or no window treatment experience or that they were probably mixing paint or changing tires just before you arrived but it’s more that you aren’t necessarily saving money and may not be getting what you paid for.

Someone once said to me, “people that buy quality only wince once.” After stopping to think about it I realized that there was never a time when I was sorry I had spent a little more to get a quality product but there were many, many times I’d been sorry that I’d opted for a lower quality product in order to save a few dollars.

I’ve thought about writing this ever since we opened our doors in Columbus more than 6 years ago. Why now? Well, this morning we received yet another blind in for repair that was almost brand new. The tilt mechanism had failed so the slats would not open and close. Upon further investigation our technician discovered that not only were the parts that are subject to repeated wear & tear all plastic but the entire head rail of the blind was plastic. Saddest of all is that this poor young woman has an entire house full of these blinds that a big company here in Central Ohio paid for as part of their “relocation” package. I can tell you this: whomever bought these blinds for this family was not “on their side!” Now I have no idea what the company paid for the blinds (I hope it wasn’t over about $10 each) but I can tell you that every one of these shades that fails is going to cost this young family between $40 & $60 to have repaired. So what appeared to be a good deal turns out to be a real and expensive pain!

This problem doesn’t stop with blinds, shades and shutters but extends into soft treatments such as drapery panels and valances. The best way I can explain the problem with purchasing stock/internet curtains or draperies is to relate a story to you:

About a year ago a woman called our store because she had a whole master bedroom full of draperies that she was very unhappy with. Our consultant went to her home to see how we could help. What she had was over $1000 worth of Pottery Barn silk panels that looked like sheets hanging on the windows. Not only was the silk very thin but the lining was little more than tissue paper. There were no pleats, just some plastic tabs attached to the back that her rod was supposed to go through. What she wanted was neatly hanging panels with fullness to them that would make the room dark when closed. As you can tell from the description that’s not what she got. She ended up paying us to tear all the separate panels apart, sew them together and reline them with room-darkening lining then pleat them so they looked presentable. After the whole project was done I sat down and figured up what it would have cost her if she had just come to us first. The bottom line was this, in the end she ended up spending more than $1800 by the time she bought the panels on the internet, paid shipping, then paid us to turn them into something usable. Her cost had we done the job from the beginning? Less than $800. This client alone would have saved more than $1000 by going with a true custom product.

Occasionally, there are perfectly valid reasons for opting for “chop & go blinds” or off-the-shelf curtains. I did so myself when my sons were renting a campus apartment! No point in throwing good money at two college students that would just as soon have brown paper on their windows. However, in most instances you can have a quality product for little more than the big box option, save on the cost and hassle of repairs…and enjoy them for years to come!

Anytime one of Home Source’s window fashion designers becomes aware that a consumer is also considering replacing their windows we advise this: First, replace the windows THEN we’ll help you select new window fashions.  Apparently there are some replacement window companies that will tell homeowners anything to get the order.  More and more often they are being told “sure your blinds or shades will fit right in the new windows.”  When they don’t, it’s too late and in many cases, their shades can’t be cut down to fit the newly installed windows.  Even when some blinds can be made smaller the cost to do so far exceeds what is prudent given the age and condition of the blind.

Additionally, many consumers are confused about their new windows.  Many believe that since the salesperson sold them “low-e” glass for their windows they no longer need to be concerned about UV damage and fading.  First, make sure you know whether they are selling you high, moderate or low solar heat gain windows.  There’s a huge difference in the 3 types and only one is advisable for a heat dependent climate like we have here in Columbus.  Second, while these windows do deflect some UV at least 30% or more still enters your room.  To evaluate whether concern is warranted we recommend the following test: take a piece of construction paper and turn down one corner.  Place a couple of paperclips at the edges to hold the fold in place.  Place the paper on an end table near a window and forget it.  After about two weeks remove the clips and fold the corner back.  What do you see?  Is the original color of the paper evident?  You may be surprised how much fading has occurred.  Don’t panic!  Construction paper is very porous therefore it fades more quickly than most home furnishings.  However, if fading on the paper is evident your furnishings will eventually become faded and damaged if steps aren’t taken to control the amount of UV light entering the room.

At Home Source we have window treatments that can block as much as 99% of the UV rays without making the room dark.  We even have some products, such as Hunter Douglas Silhouettes, that block 88% of the UV even with the vanes open!

While you’re doing your homework about replacement windows don’t stop there!  Consider your existing window fashions or budget for replacements if they should be necessary.  If you’d like more information feel free to stop by the store to speak with a consultant.

Most people building new homes these days are at least considering putting some form of home automation system in place. Central Ohioans are no different. We love the idea of having the ability to control things in our home with the touch of a button. From controlling when lights go on and off, to regulating your HVAC system home automation has advanced by leaps and bounds in just months.

Home Automation is no longer just for your home theatre. Now Columbus residents can control their home from their office or their smart phone. Picture this: you thought you’d be home by 4PM so you didn’t close the shades in your great room. Now you’re stuck at work and the room’s going to feel like a sauna when you arrive home. Solution? Simply log-in and tell your system to close the shades.

The time to consider home automation and your privacy is when you begin working with your builder/remodeler. What should you expect? Most Columbus builders can refer you to a home automation company that can offer you a variety of systems from security to home theatre to creating a truly “smart home”. If your builder doesn’t have a relationship with someone give us a call. We can refer you to the top automation specialists in Central Ohio. These professionals really know their stuff about almost everything…except window treatments. Yes, I said window treatments! One of the best ways to conserve energy is to prevent heat loss or heat gain yet most home automation companies know nothing about any type of window treatments except roller/screen shades. That’s fine if you want your home to look like your office but what if that’s not your style?

Home Source’s motorization specialists will work closely in partnership with your builder, your automation specialist and the electrician to make sure your window fashions of choice will work seamlessly day and night. By consulting Home Source early in the process we can help you build this partnership while it’s early enough in the process to make sure everything is wired properly and your window fashions not only control light the way you want but are also an extension of your personal sense of style.

There are at least 10 different window fashion products that can be hard-wired with your automation system. You don’t have to settle for roller shades. From Silhouette, Duette, and Vignette to vertical treatments such as Luminette and Skyline there are fashionable treatments that are designed to work seamlessly with your system. Draperies aren’t out of the picture either. We have several companies that offer drapery rods that can interface with almost all systems and our custom workroom can fabricate your draperies from any of our 40,000+ fabrics.

Perhaps a complete system is not in the budget right now. That’s OK our motorization specialist can work with you and your electrician so that the correct wiring is brought to the windows allowing you to add single point control motorized shades at any time in the future without the necessity to invest in a complete automation system. Hunter Douglas also offers a variety of shades/shadings that operate using the Platinum 2.0 Powerise system. This battery operated system gives you remote control of your window fashions without the need to add wiring – a perfect solution when redecorating or moving into an existing home.

Be sure to call Home Source and request a FREE consultation BEFORE you build. You’ll be glad you did!

• $300 per unit – Duette Vertiglide™ Duolite™ honeycomb shades
• $100* per unit – Duette & Applause® honeycomb shades with Duolite
• $100* per unit – Duette Vertiglide™ honeycomb shades
• $100* per unit – Luminette® Privacy Sheers & Modern Draperies
• $100* per unit – Skyline® Gliding Window Panels
• $100* per unit – Vignette Traversed™ with Vertiglide™ Modern Roman
• $50* per unit – Pirouette® window shadings
• $50* per unit – Silhouette® window shadings
• $40* per unit – Vignette® Modern Roman shades
• $25* per unit – Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades

Includes Alustra® Collection within these product categories.

*Rebate offers may not be combined. There is a limit of one rebate per qualifying unit. The highest applicable rebate amount will always apply. Free upgrades listed below can be combined with consumer rebates.

Free lifting system upgrades for customers of Hunter Douglas Gallery Dealers, 10/1/11- 11/30/11

Free LiteRise® cordless system with the purchase of:

• Duette® honeycomb shades
• Vignette® Tiered™ Modern Roman Shades
• Brilliance® pleated shades
• Country Woods® wood blinds
• EverWood® alternative wood blinds

Free UltraGlide® retractable cord system with the purchase of:

• Duette honeycomb shades
• Silhouette® window shadings
• Pirouette® window shadings
• Vignette Modern Roman Shades

Clients that really prefer an open, minimalist look frequently don’t want shades or blinds on their windows yet most will acknowledge that this preference can create major issues in certain rooms: heat gain can make spaces feel more like a greenhouse than a family room.  That big screen TV just doesn’t pop like it should if the room is flooded with too much light and glare.

So what do you do when you need to control the light but would rather keep the inside of your home very minimalistic?  Put the shades on the outside!  Yep, you heard right!  There are wonderful screen and full privacy outdoor shades that can even be controlled with sensors and /or remotes.

Here’s  scenario #1:  Our client had added a terrific sunroom on the back of their home a few years ago.  All was great.  There were no major privacy issues and room had tons of windows all open to the view and they loved it that way.  All was well until a couple of years ago the mature trees in their back yard had to be removed.  What was a bright inviting space became a hot house in the late afternoon and guests at the dining table had to wear their sunglasses!  How could we solve the problem on just the west facing French doors and not ruin the bright open whiter that white look of the room?

Shade your Home with Exterior Shades from Sunair

Solution?  Sunair Outdoor Shades.  Outdoor shades give you the ability to control the light entering one side of a room without making it look like you forgot to treat the others.  By installing a motorized screen shade on the exterior of the home just above the French doors we were able to cut the glare and heat gain, control the light and make the room useable all while keeping the homeowners crisp minimalist view.  The UV protection saved her furnishings, her guests doffed their shades and enjoyed their dinner and no one even knew the shade existed when it was retracted into it’s housing!

Scenario #2:  This homeowner had a designer touch in every room.  From fabulous furnishings to perfect accessories every room was dressed to the nines!  So what’s the matter with that you might ask?  Well, here’s the rub; the main entertaining areas in the home faced west!  You guessed it; she didn’t need a fondue pot to melt the cheese!  The dining room became so uncomfortable in the late afternoon that it made it unusable.  Naturally the first thought was to add light controlling shades to the windows.  As it turns out non-existent mounting depth dictated that to add shades we would need to outside mount them above the window molding.  Did I happen to mention the yards and yards of silk draperies that were artfully puddled on the floor on either side of the window?  The thought of disturbing those draperies sent the homeowner into a tizzie!  So what solution could we offer that would solve the heat issue and protect the fabric from UV damage all without touching the inside or her drapes.  We installed a SunAir exterior shade with a timer that lowers at 3PM and raises again at about 7:30.  When not deployed the shade is rolled up neatly inside it’s housing, ready for the next hot afternoon!

Sunair Exterior shades come in dozens and dozens of colors and fabrics.  From screen shade fabrics that diffuse the light but preserve the view to more tightly woven fabrics that block more heat there’s an outdoor shade that can keep you comfortable inside or out!

“I don’t want to cover up these beautiful windows” is something we hear all the time. What most homeowners don’t understand is that you can protect your drapery and furniture investments by investing just a bit more.

Don't let the sun fade your custom draperies!

There are many products that will retract with negligible stack so your view is preserved but can be put on a timer so they close when harmful sun is streaming in. And yes, you read right! I said your furnishings too! If the UV is attacking your draperies do you think it’s not bleaching your hardwood floors, your sofa and artwork? Here’s a quick test you can perform: take a piece of dark colored construction paper, fold back one corner and then lay the paper on an end table in your room. Go back in a week or two and fold the corner back. What do you see? More than likely, if your room is not protected you’re going to notice significant fading of the color where the folded corner wasn’t covering the paper. This is the same thing that’s happening to your fabrics, furnishings and flooring. Why take the chance on ruining those investments to save money.

Protect your drapes with sheer shadings from Hunter Douglas.

My favorite solution to this problem is Silhouette Window Shadings. Silhouette has an s-shaped vane suspended between two layers of sheer fabric. When the vanes are open your view is preserved but the sheer fabric is blocking 88% of the damaging rays. When needed, such as late afternoon on a west-facing window, the vanes can be closed to block 99% of the harmful rays. This is also going to reduce heat gain making your room more comfortable and your air conditioning bill lower. When you want the shadings off the window they roll up completely into the headrail. They can even be battery motorized for those “impossible to reach” windows!

Another great solutions would be Pirouette Window Shadings. A soft fold roman shade that opens, Pirouette has a sheer layer on the back that protects against harmful UV rays.

Visit our showroom room today to see these and other products that will protect your investments. Being penny-wise and pound-foolish can really cost you!