Benefits

Made from quality and weather-resistant materials, these exterior window shades won’t only provide the perfect shade when the sun is too hot, but they will also provide you with the needed privacy. The benefits of installing these convenient and stylish exterior blinds can go beyond this since they have proven to be essential outdoor gear.

Improved Sun Protection

Nothing can boost your mood and well-being like sunlight can, however, during some parts of the day, the harmful UV rays can literally create burns and rashes on your skin. On the other hand, harmful UV rays can also damage your furniture, flooring and other household belongings, leading to fading and even deterioration. Being customisable allows the blinds to be installed on windows, decks and patios, giving you the best kind of sun protection suitable for your needs without ruining the look of your home.

Vast Choice

These blinds are available in different types and materials which gives you full control over everything. They are easily customisable and can be tailor-made to fit the dimensions of every window. Aside from the sliding, fixed and double-hung blinds, you can also invest in awnings which are a pretty common choice these days. Regardless of the type you choose, all of them are extremely easy to use and can be operated by any member of your family, especially if you opt for the automated version of blinds. They can be operated with a remote, and some of them can even be operated from your mobile phone.

Increased Privacy

One of the greatest reasons why people decide to install blinds is the privacy they provide them with. Instead of feeling embarrassed to do anything in your home (even walking around in underwear) because of the poor privacy, give yourself peace of mind and freedom by installing these beautiful outdoor custom shades. Pamper yourself with these beauties and enjoy the beauty of your home while doing whatever you want and whenever you want.

Improved Appearance & Value

Well, this is just another important reason why people decide to install outdoor shades. Being appealing, stylish and protective, they won’t only improve the curb appeal of your home but they will also improve its value. This goes especially for those times when you plan on listing your home for sale. That’s why you must install blinds that aren’t only appealing and stylish but also secure and of quality.

What Is the Best Material for Outdoor Blinds?

PVC

Given the fact that these blinds are designed for external use, one of the most commonly used materials for them is PVC. This is a durable, strong and long-lasting material that will completely seal off any external area in your home or your windows. They will offer perfect protection from the rain, wind and excessive sun. They are available in a large selection of shades and designs which allows you to pick the ones that will meet your taste and needs.

Mesh

Mesh shades are one of the most commonly used types over the last few years. They are modern and contemporary-looking shades that will provide you with the needed protection that is expected from a shade but without compromising the view. This thing exactly makes them one-of-a-kind type of blind. When the windows and balcony doors are open, these shades will provide you with the needed protection while allowing fresh air to enter your home.

Canvas

Canvas is just another popular material used for creating exterior blinds. It’s is a natural fibre that can block most of the sun’s rays while preventing heat from entering your home. Unlike PVC, canvas has proven to be best in reducing glare and light, so if you want to invest in blinds that will keep your home cooler and darker, then this should be your first choice when it comes to choosing the right material.

Acrylic

This is maybe one of the lightest materials for blinds for the outdoors available on the market. It’s a soft fabric quite similar to canvas, however with a crucial difference – it’s more durable. It offers extreme heat and moisture protection while letting some light through it. If you aren’t sure which type of material and blinds to choose, consult with a professional blinds expert to make the right choice.

The post Outdoor Blinds: Discover Why They Are a Home’s Key Feature appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

While sunlight and natural light have been proven to improve mood and productivity during the day, there are certain times when we want to control the amount of light that enters our homes. Not to mention the added concerns of privacy when the sun goes down and we turn on the lights inside. Thankfully, technology has advanced to make our lives easier and more comfortable, particularly with the introduction of intuitive and innovative Somfy blinds to mitigate these issues.

What Are the Features of Smart Blinds?

So what can you expect from these smart blinds and how can they revolutionise your living space? What exactly do they offer in terms of convenience, comfort and design? As it turns out, there are a number of features that set them apart from the competition.

Motorised and Smartphone Controlled Functionality

One of the most significant features of Somfy blinds is their motorised functionality, which allows for smooth and effortless operation at the touch of a button. No more struggling with tangled cords or hard-to-reach windows. With just one click, you can easily adjust your blinds to any desired position, whether it’s full coverage or just a little bit of natural light. With the added convenience of smartphone control, you can even operate your blinds remotely from anywhere in your home or even when you’re away.

Not to mention the additional voice control options that immediately make your home feel more futuristic and more comfortable at the same time. You can easily integrate your Somfy blinds with popular smart home systems to make controlling them even more effortless and hands-free.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Another major advantage of using Somfy smart blinds is their ability to improve energy efficiency in your home. By controlling the amount of natural light that enters your living spaces, you can regulate the temperature and reduce reliance on artificial lighting and heating or cooling systems. With programmable settings, you can even schedule your blinds to open and close at specific times of the day, making sure you maximise energy savings without having to lift a finger.

As you can imagine, this added efficiency can lead to significant long-term cost savings on your utility bills. Plus, with the option to integrate sun sensors and temperature sensors, your blinds can automatically adjust themselves based on external conditions for even greater energy efficiency.

Improved Safety Features

These days, safety is an important consideration when it comes to home design and functionality. And Somfy blinds have you covered in this aspect as well. With motorised operation, there are no dangerous cords or strings that can pose a risk to small children or pets. This peace of mind alone is worth the investment, especially for families with young kids.

Moreover, the inherent privacy offered by these products also helps to keep your home safe and secure from prying eyes. With the ability to control the level of visibility into your living spaces, you can easily deter potential intruders and protect your home and family.

Increased UV Protection

Apart from providing light control and privacy, they also offer superior UV protection for your furniture, flooring and other interior elements that can be damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun. With Somfy blinds, you can reduce the amount of harmful UV rays entering your home and protect your belongings from fading or discolouration.

And we all know how dermatologists preach wearing sunscreen every single day even if you don’t leave the house, well, with these smart blinds you won’t have to worry about that anymore. You won’t have to avoid sitting next to the window as a way to avoid the sun and you won’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen while enjoying some natural light.

Greater Design Flexibility

With Somfy smart blinds, you can easily mix and match different styles and materials to suit your personal design preferences. And with the added convenience of motorised operation, you won’t have to worry about unsightly cords or strings that can clash with your interior aesthetic.

From sleek and modern to traditional and cosy, there’s a solution for every style that can seamlessly blend in with your existing decor. Their modern and minimalistic design also allows them to be installed in any room, from bedrooms and living rooms to bathrooms and kitchens.

Professional Set-Up and Installation

Lastly, with the purchase of Somfy smart blinds comes the added benefit of professional set-up and installation. This ensures that your blinds are properly integrated with your home’s existing systems and that they function flawlessly from day one. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that any technical issues or concerns can be addressed by a trained professional.

Gone are the days of measuring and installing blinds yourself, only to be left with an uneven and crooked result. With professional installation, you can rest assured that your smart blinds will not only look great but also function in the exact way they were designed to.

The post Somfy Blinds: Discover the Power of Smart Home Technology appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

However, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose from a myriad of style options, especially since distinct windows and rooms often demand specific types of blinds. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this guide, we will assist you in striking the perfect balance between looks and practicality, empowering you to confidently select the ideal blinds for your home.

Types of Blinds

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are a classic and versatile window treatment option. They are made from fabric that folds into pleats when raised and lies flat when lowered, creating a clean and elegant look. Roman blinds provide excellent light control, allowing you to choose between soft-filtered light or enhanced privacy with dark fabrics. Also, there are different types of Roman blinds to choose from, providing you with options that match your home decor style.

If you’re in Brisbane and seeking high-quality custom-made Roman blinds, you can explore the well-established blinds Brisbane residents rely on for proven quality. They offer a wide array of fabric options and styles, allowing you to create Roman blinds tailored to your exact specifications. You can pick from a great variety of blinds in Brisbane, including subtle and classy options, as well as bold and dramatic ones. Whether you want to enhance the ambience of your living room, add privacy to your bedroom, or elevate your kitchen’s aesthetics, custom-made blinds can be designed to fit your unique needs and preferences.

Venetians

Venetians are elegant blinds that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of various spaces. They come in a range of materials such as wood, aluminium, or faux wood, each offering distinct visual and functional qualities. Venetian blinds are characterized by horizontal slats that can be adjusted to control light and privacy. Their timeless design complements both traditional and modern interiors, adding a touch of sophistication.

When buying Venetian blinds for your windows, you should take into account factors such as the room’s decor, the size of the windows, and the desired level of light control. Opt for wider slats in larger windows to maintain a balanced look, while narrower slats work well for smaller windows. The choice of material also matters – wood exudes a warm, natural feel, while aluminium offers a sleek, contemporary vibe.

Verticals

Vertical blinds are a practical and versatile window treatment option characterized by vertical slats that can be adjusted to control light and privacy. They are particularly well-suited for large windows, sliding glass doors, and spaces with tall openings.

When considering vertical blinds for your windows, several factors come into play. Assess the dimensions of your windows – vertical blinds work best for taller openings where their orientation enhances the sense of height. Consider the material options, such as fabric, vinyl, or aluminium, based on the room’s decor and the level of durability required. Your choice of colour and pattern can significantly impact the overall aesthetic, allowing you to either blend them seamlessly into the design or use them as a statement piece.

Moreover, keep in mind that vertical blinds are efficient in directing sunlight and provide easy access to outdoor spaces. By thoughtfully evaluating your space, design preferences, and practical needs, you can confidently choose vertical blinds that align with your style and optimize the functionality of your windows.

Rollers

Roller blinds offer a sleek and contemporary window treatment solution. They are made of a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down using a simple mechanism. Rollers complement various window sizes and shapes, including standard windows, French doors, and even skylights.

Before you purchase roller blinds, we recommend you evaluate the room’s decor and ambience to choose a fabric that complements the overall design. You can select from several options ranging from sheer and light-filtering to blackout materials.

Additionally, consider your desired level of privacy and light control, as roller blinds can be customized to provide varying degrees of both. You should also think about the practicality of the blinds – motorized options offer convenience and ease of use, especially for hard-to-reach windows. Your colour and pattern choices can either blend seamlessly into the room or make a bold statement.

Panel Glides

Panel Glides are a modern and stylish type of window treatment with large fabric panels that glide along a track. They look best on wide windows, sliding glass doors, and open spaces, adding a touch of contemporary elegance to your interiors.

When considering Panel Glides for your home, you should assess the specific rooms and windows they would complement most effectively. They work exceptionally well in living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms where their sleek design harmonizes with modern decor.

It’s also important to think about the various fabric options – from light-filtering to room-darkening materials – based on your privacy and light control preferences. The wide panels offer a unique opportunity to play with colours, patterns, and textures, either blending seamlessly with your surroundings or serving as a focal point. It’s important to consider the installation and operation of the blinds, as well as the available customization features like stack options and motorization.

How Do I Choose the Right Blinds?

When selecting the perfect blinds for your space, it’s crucial to take into account various factors to ensure you make the right choice. To start, you should establish a clear budget and decide how much you’re willing to invest in your blinds as this will serve as a practical guideline for exploring options.

Equally significant is the consideration of your window size and configuration. Different types of blinds are better suited for various window dimensions. For example, larger windows might benefit from vertical blinds, while smaller ones could be complemented by horizontal blinds or shades.

The aspect of privacy and light control is also essential. Depending on your needs, you might opt for blinds with varying levels of adjustability to fine-tune the ambience of your space according to different times of the day.

In terms of aesthetics, blinds are available in an array of materials, colours, and styles, each contributing a unique visual character to your room. Therefore, reflect on the existing interior design and choose blinds that harmonize with your decor scheme.

Lastly, convenience plays a role in your decision-making process. Motorized blinds, for instance, provide a modern and user-friendly option, especially for windows that are challenging to reach. This element of practicality can significantly enhance your daily comfort.

Takeaway

After carefully revising all of the previously mentioned factors and exploring different types of blinds, it’s time for you to choose the ideal ones that match your style and preferences, adding a special touch to your space. Whether it’s about controlling light, ensuring privacy, or adding a touch of elegance, the world of blinds provides a versatile toolkit to tailor your home environment to your exact liking.

Consider your budget, window size and needs and you’ll have no trouble making a well-informed decision. Remember, this process goes beyond just picking blinds – it’s a chance to make your home look and feel exactly the way you want it to.

The post Discover the Different Types of Blinds for Your Home appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

It was this time last year when we finally moved into our new home in Melbourne. Once we got the keys, we moved in immediately and filled our new place with all of the necessities. But there was one tiny little detail we forgot about – blinds. Since our apartment is on the sunny side of the building (which was something we wanted), we needed blinds badly and we needed them fast, both for privacy and furniture protection purposes. The thing is, we had already ordered some beautiful white plantation shutters online, but while we were waiting for them to be shipped, we were left with too much of the light we were desperate to have at first. And you know what they say – too much of anything is never a good thing.

Luckily, a friend informed me that I can simply get some temporary paper blinds. To be honest, I never knew there was such an easy and instant blind solution on the market that could do such a great job. Installed in less than a minute, temporary paper blinds are the perfect solution for instant privacy with a minimal expertise required to install. These blinds are an affordable and versatile product that can be used anywhere you want – nursery, office, caravan, even in your car. Entirely cordless, paper blinds are totally child safe product that won’t break anyone’s bank.

So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, or perhaps you already are, here are some additional tips regarding how to easily install these great allies. First, you need to decide on whether you want to apply them on the window glass or on the architraves. Once done, you should measure your window’s width and trim the blind to the size you want by using a Stanley knife, peel the tape backing from the blind and stick it to the window frame or glass. And, voila! You will have brand new blinds within a minute!

To open the blind, simply gather up the plates and secure them with the enclosed clips that usually come with the blinds. In case you want to remove them, simply peel them off the glass or frame and you are done, and do not worry, there will be no residue left behind! Speaking of which, make sure you buy from a reliable and reputable seller, as that way you can be sure that you are investing in high-quality paper temporary blinds that can be reused. Finally, these blinds can also allow you to be creative since the paper can be arranged to form different shapes thanks to the clips and your imagination.

The post Temporary Paper Blinds – Unveil This Instant Privacy Ally That Won’t Unveil You appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

To shutter or not to shutter – add privacy and give your windows a put-together look.

Blinds are oftentimes overlooked in terms of home décor. But the right blinds can take any room from blah to ‘Ahhhh’. Take shutters blinds for example. There’s just something about their architectural appeal that seems do the trick. Besides the fact that they offer full privacy (with the ability to manipulate the individual louvers into the up or down position), they can add so much depth and drama to a room, and enhance the design story of your home. If chosen right that is.

The Matter of Material

Obviously the choice of material matters. From solid timber and craftwood to plastic and aluminium, each material has pros and cons. However, the popular options among homeowners seem to be PVC and basswood. PVC although light-weight, is a very tough and durable material. It perfectly endures moisture (no warping) and is impact proof and resistant to UV rays.
Basswood is also popular for its lightness and resistance to warping, but what makes basswood shutters blinds the window treatment of choice is the flexibility of design. They can be colour matched to easily blend in with the interior décor of your home.

The Power of Colour

White is classic. It rarely fails. It’s clean, crisp, and complements any interior. But who says shutter blinds have to be white? Why not spice up the palette a bit? If you think white shutters will clash with the look of your interior, don’t be afraid to go bold with colour. Just make sure the hue you choose ties with at least one element in the room (furniture, area rug, decorative accent accessory). The last thing you’d want is a room looking like a riot of colours.

When a Warranty Matters

Shutter blinds (although less expensive than draperies) are a big investment, hence double check the warranty. It’s true that shutters can withstand moisture and heat and can maintain their structure for years, but defects do happen. And replacing them won’t be easy nor cheap. Therefore, make sure the warranty covers paint chipping, discolouration, warping and design flaws.

Installation: Hire a Pro or DIY?

Installing shutters is not difficult as there are usually only few parts to deal with. Yet it requires more than knowing how to use a screwdriver correctly. So unless you know how to properly and safely use a drill, it’s best you leave measuring and fitting of your shutters blinds to professionals.

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With summer being in full bloom, installing window covers is more important than ever. But how do you decide which custom roman blinds are right for you? There is a huge variety of style options to choose from that can coordinate with every taste of home décor. Plus, all styles can be made with a lining, which increases privacy and insulation for a greater energy efficiency.

Patterned fabrics work amazingly well for unconstructed flat roman shades. While they’re extremely similar in appearance to the constructed type, unconstructed flat roman shades are more simplistic. They’re made with a one-piece fabric that hangs flat over the window and has no additional panels or back bars. Patterned textiles work incredibly well because unconstructed roman blinds don’t have stitching or horizontal seams to complicate or obstruct the pattern.

Flat roman shades create a modern, unfussy and clean look that goes well with several styles, from frilly traditional to modern, especially when paired or embellished with drapes for decoration and additional privacy. A constructed roman consists of fabric panels sewn with back bars placed about 15 to 20 centimeters apart to reinforce the fabric, giving it durability and rigidity.

London, or relaxed roman shades, are casual but classy unconstructed shades that lightly bow when raised. Due to the lack of construction, this type of roman blinds works best on windows that areless than 1,5 meters wide. If the shades are wider, they should have two poufs. Relaxed roman shades polish off the beach-y, breakfast, casual nook.

Austrian roman shades are the most traditional and formal shades by far, delineated by several horizontal and vertical rows of scalloping and ruched gathers along the bottom. Due to the scalloping and gathers, Austrian shades require more than two times the amount of fabric that typical flat roman ones do, making them a significantly more expensive choice.

In my personal opinion, the window covers should stand out, however, they can quietly complement the room as well. Sometimes it’s hard to persuade yourself into mixing window covering styles, but bear in mind that roman blinds can coordinate with curtains, more so if the fabric is the same.

The post Discover the Most Popular Types of Roman Blinds appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Despite what their name suggests, venetian blinds are thought to have originated in Persia, not Venice. These iconic window treatments were brought to Europe by Venetian traders who discovered them through their trade interactions in the East. As soon as venetian blinds were introduced to the people of The Old Continent, they were immediately accepted and installed in both private and public buildings. The first venetian window blinds were, as you may already know, wooden.

Several centuries later, venetians are still going strong. Although many of today’s venetians are made from aluminium or faux wood rather than real wood, wooden venetians blinds can still be found in thousands of residences, flawlessly playing the role of their loyal and stylish shade-providing ally. The timeless beauty of wooden venetians blinds lies in their practicality, efficiency, and tasteful design. It is precisely their minimalist design that makes them so aesthetically appealing and suitable for practically every home décor style.

Today, as there are plenty of reputable window covering manufacturers that offer their customers the possibility to order custom-made wooden venetians, purchasing and installing ones that will complement the look of the room you want them for is really easy. Despite what some people may think, wooden venetian window blinds can come in a wide range of contemporary and neutral colours, which gives you the opportunity to pick the ideal one for your living room, dining room, kitchen, or bedroom. Talk about convenience!

Aside from being gorgeous, wooden venetian blinds are also durable, as they are usually produced from high-quality materials. Furthermore, wooden venetian window blinds are made to perform well in humid areas, which explains why they are one of the most recommended window treatments for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. If you or one of your loved ones suffers from asthma, then you will be glad to learn that some companies sell anti-fungal and anti-static wooden venetian blinds.

Another great thing about these classic window coverings is the fact that they can be cleaned easily. You may use a vacuum cleaner, but if you want to avoid damaging your venetians, then I advise you to do the dusting with a piece of cloth.

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