Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Making it Last

There are many options available when it comes to shutters for your home. One question we get often is what is better for a home? Do Vinyl Shutters last as long as Wood Shutters or is there a noticeable difference in quality?


While wooden shutters have been around far longer than their vinyl cousins, they aren't necessarily "better." A large percentage of homeowners stick with wooden shutters due to the age of their home and the desire to maintain the look of the home's era. An older home with a traditional look and feel can benefit from an authentic Exterior Shutter option, especially when paired with flower boxes. Interior homes that benefit from a more natural look or customers looking for a wood grain appearance might choose wooden shutters.

In today's difficult economic times, many homeowners are looking to save on the custom look their home deserves without sacrificing quality. Shutter Shack offers economical solutions and a few tips to get the look you want without breaking the bank:



Realistic Wood Grain
Knowing What You Want

So you've decided that you want the look of wood, but have heard that vinyl is the way to go to save and have your products last. Shutter Shack offers Exterior Vinyl Shutter options that are as realistic as natural wood with the most economic options.


Whether you choose wood or vinyl, the end decision is ultimately yours. Both vinyl and wood options have pros and cons, both for interior shutter and exterior shutter options. What should matter is that you can achieve the look you want without sacrificing quality. The look you put on your house makes it your home and can be there for quite a while.





Interior Vinyl Pros:

High Humidity Area
  • Interior Vinyl Shutters are easier to clean.
  • Virtually no maintenance.
  • Humidity will cause damage to wood, making vinyl the better choice for bathrooms, kitchens and other high-humidity areas
  • Vinyl Interior shutters will not crack, peel, fade or deteriorate.
  • Vinyl is available in fire retardant materials that insulate better than wood.
  • Vinyl is usually manufactured in half the time as wood and cost less.





Interior Vinyl Cons: 

Convinced vinyl shutters are the absolute solution for your home decor needs? Before you hop online and place an order with Shutter Shack, take into consideration that most interior vinyl shutter options offer less color choice than their wood counterparts. If you're looking for a shade of white or a more neutral appearance, this isn't an issue for you. If you're looking for a more colorful alternative, that is a factor to consider. Remember, Shutter Shack can always show you what your window will look like with different interior shutter options BEFORE you order- we have an application that can show you all the style choices and color choices you might want! Simply email us at shuttershk@gmail.com with a clear picture of your window (the bigger, the better) and measurements and we'll send it back with your options and a quote!


Exterior Vinyl Pros:

  • More cost effective option
  • Usually manufactured in less time
  • Can achieve the look of natural wood 
  • Less maintenance- perfect for today's busy lifestyle!
  • Easier to clean




Exterior Vinyl Cons:

Faded Exterior Vinyl Shutters
Obviously, cost is a major reason why many homeowners choose to go with vinyl. White you CAN make vinyl shutters look realistic by using appropriate shutter hardware, some argue it just isn't the same as "the real thing." High quality basswood will also give you the option of wood cutouts and other decorative options vinyl simply won't.









Downsides to vinyl include:
  • Shorter lifespan; Over a period of years, vinyl will crack and become brittle, especially when exposed to a lot of heat and sun. 
  • Color Choices are more limited and painting is not recommended
  • Some vinyl options are not sturdy enough to open and close, making them look less realistic
  • Less lifetime value when considering the need to replace them more than wood options
  • Cannot get cutouts


Regardless of personal preference, every option is going to have positives and negatives. For expert advice or information about local installation, consultation and measuring service, don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-877-913-3100 or send a message! We're here to help!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Celebration of Light Savings Event


April 3, 2012- June 17, 2012

 

Come in to Shutter Shack today and save big on Hunter Douglas products during our Celebration Of Light Spring Event! Not only do these window treatments save money on home cooling and heating, drastically reducing your energy bills, but they allow brilliant, natural light to flood your space while providing the one of a kind elegant look your home or office deserves. Come in to Shutter Shack today or call 516-367-6460 to learn more!


Buy 1 Luminette® Privacy Sheer or 1 Luminette® Modern Drapery,
save $100
plus save $100 off each additional unit Luminette®
 

Privacy Sheers marry the beauty of sheers with the privacy of soft draperies. Luminette Modern Draperies instantly create drama in a room with the refined, elegant look of beautifully consistent contoured fabric.


 Buy 2 Pirouette Window Shadings, save $100 plus $50 off each additional unit

Our innovative Pirouette window shadings combine the personality of a classic fabric shade with the ability to control light in an entirely new way.




Buy 2, save $100 plus $50 off each additional unit. Also, receive a free LiteRise® cordless lifting system with your purchase of Silhouette® window shadings
Featuring a celebrated design that suspends fabric vanes between two sheer fabric facings, our popular Silhouette window shadings are a versatile and elegant choice. The LiteRise® cordless system makes raising and lowering blinds and shades easier than ever.


Buy 2, save $100 plus $50 off each additional unit

Offering greater energy efficiency, greater sound absorption and a radiant color palette, Architella is the next generation of honeycomb shades to enhance your home. The top-down/bottom-up option allows you to operate window treatments from the top down or the bottom. Honeycomb shades were part of the 2011 Federal Tax Credit of up to $1500!



                                                  
Buy 1, save $50 plus $50 off each additional unit
Featuring a wide array of fabrics, pleat sizes, colors and textures, these popular honeycomb shades deliver excellent energy efficiency and energy savings. The Duolite design option features two separate fabric panels for two levels of privacy and light control.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Seven Tips for Great Window Treatments

  1. 1. Try Some Texture: Roman shades are one of the most popular window trends around, especially when made of bamboo, rattan or other natural fibers. They add visual appeal with their textures, but still roll up smoothly like traditional Romans. 
2. Go Green: Energy efficiency is all the rage, both from an environmental standpoint and in today’s economy. Options like Cellular Honeycomb shades, sheerweaves and solar shades drastically reduce home heating in the winter and keep you cooler longer in the summer while giving you additional daytime privacy.
  




3. Less is more: Try replacing your heavy window coverings with simple shades. Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for Interiors by Decorating Den suggests using an upholstered cornice or flap valance to reduce fabric.

4. Lighten the mood: Using natural light in your kitchen is essential. Pleated shades not only allow more light, but still give you privacy.


    5. Soften light: While natural lighting is a must, sometimes the sun’s rays can hit your space a little too hard. Too much direct sunlight can cause heat buildup and prove to be an obstacle in your workspace. One solution in this case is using simple wood blinds or woven wood shades. Provenance, by Hunter Douglas, is a great choice to filter out an abundance of light without sacrificing style.


    6.Incorporating Curves: From a design standpoint, having nothing but straight lines in your kitchen or workspace can be rather boring. While cabinets and appliances fit together ergonomically, your windows don’t have to match their square pattern! If you’re looking to open up your space, consider an arching valance or a curved cornice.


    7. Pair Colors: Colors can make all the difference in your room. Contemporary tones in fabric help set the mood of your room and can offer solutions, such as making a small space look larger. Dark warm colors can make your large kitchen more inviting while cooler, lighter combinations create the illusion of space.