Don’t let the hot sun eat up your cooling costs in the summer…and don’t stand idly by as warm air literally goes out the window in the winter! The clear solution? Easy-to-apply, invisible Energy Saving Window Film that helps cut your energy bills all year ’round by keeping out up to 65% of solar heat in Summer, and keeping in 38% of escaping home heat in Winter. The sun-blocking and insulation properties of Energy Saving Window Film can mean substantial savings on your energy costs. Plus, this

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Energy Saving Window Film – 36″ x 78″

Don’t let the hot sun eat up your cooling costs in the summer, and don’t stand idly by as warm air literally goes out the window in the winter! The clear solution? Easy-to-apply, invisible Energy Saving Window Film. This easy-to-apply, insulating window film reflects 60% of solar heat in summer, and helps keep home heat from escaping in winter. And while other window films darken a room and make it dreary, Energy-Saving Window Film provides 75% light transmission. Energy Saving Window Film also

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• Made in USA, The world’s best-selling exterior shutters, “Open” louver shutter styling
• Decorative cathedral top, Premade and ready to ship, 100% vinyl single-piece shutter construction
• Molded-through color or paintable available, Textured wood-grain finish
• Will not rot, crack, split, or mold, Lightweight and easy to handle
• Easy installation on any surface, Maintenance-free permanent installation

Brand: Builders Edge, Inc. Stock size. Shutter mounting hardware included. Made of lightweight fade-resistant vinyl. Easy installation on any surface. Decorative cathedral top. See site for additional options. 40 year transferrable warranty included.

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Pollution and real estate values.

What can you, as a home owner, do to protect your property from contamination, and why would you want to? Well, without a doubt, healthy land is valuable land, and although it is cities that are largely associated with pollution, it can be a big problem in rural areas too. While every area needs green spaces to act as filters for air and water, not to mention our eyes, the green spaces in rural areas are obviously larger, and can often include areas used for multiple, sometimes contrasting, purposes. In other words, beyond designated parks, our local green spaces are working environments, and used for logging, farming and other industry as well as recreation and natural habitat.

This means that your farm’s field is not only a source of hay or corn for feed, it’s a home for birds and an asset to your property if you should decide to sell. Same goes for your woodlot. It’s a source of income, but it also offers privacy and a place for your kids to play, not to mention fresh air and a home for deer and squirrels. All of these are good reasons to keep your property clean and well managed.

In the case of areas used for agriculture, choosing your fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides carefully, and exercising restraint with them, could benefit your property’s value in the long-run. Remember that your field is a part of an ecosystem and less chemicals in the run-off means healthier nearby wetlands and lakes—and considering that Minnesota is home to more than 15,000 bodies of water, chances are good there is one near you.

If your property is forested, consider selectively logging it. This allows you to access its value without completely compromising the integrity of your property. Buyers will be far more attracted to a well-managed piece of forest than to a clear-cut.

Remember that plants native to your area will require less watering, and apply this knowledge to your landscaping plans. Remember that whatever spills on the ground will eventually seep into it and contaminate ground water, so take care when doing vehicle repairs, and have old vehicles taken to a professional auto recycler.

If you want to take your environmentally-minded approach a step further, consider green renovations for your home. Any home renovation that achieves a greater degree of energy and water efficiency, and creates less waste than conventional building can be considered green. These can be achieved by installing energy-efficient appliances, thermal windows and using recycled materials for parts of the home. Passive solar designs maximize usage of natural lighting by carefully considering where windows are placed. A few strategic skylights can dramatically reduce how many lights need to be turned on during the daytime hours. And think of the warmth radiating off of ceramic tiles in front of a south-facing bathroom window or around your living room fire-place. If those tiles are re-used, salvaged from a nearby demolition, then that’s double the “green points”. To increase air quality, use one of the modern low-emission interior paints and avoid using woods or other materials treated with formaldehyde, such as pressed board and wood laminate.

Active wildlife makes your area appealing to almost anyone considering buying a home there, and polluted land can be very hard to sell. So maintaining the environment of your rural Minnesota property makes it a better investment for you and your family.

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How Do I Know I’Ve Selected The Right Kind Of Window Treatments?

Even if you have the most beautiful furnishings, but the windows aren’t done right, the room will feel incomplete. Something will be off. Here is a simple 3-part checklist to follow in finding the right window treatments for your style. Balance. Usually, our rooms are naturally busy at the bottom. Meaning, there is your carpet or area rug, sofa, chairs, tv stand, coffee table, plants, etc, etc. While the top of the room is usually empty. To quote a client: “The eyebrows are missing” I thought her comment was brilliant. Think of it as if you were wearing rich, colorful lipstick – but no make-up on your eyes, so they are barely visible. We don’t want that. What we want is a balanced look, where all elements work in unison, whether on the face or in the room. Proper Scale of Statement. Adding valances to your windows or treating them with curtains, is not synonymous with overdoing it. We are not talking window treatments during the times for Louis IV, when everything was over the top, plush, and luxurious. The window treatments need to make the same statement as the rest of the furnishings in the room. This statement includes: design style, color, and physical proportions. Here, there is no need to overthink it. If you have minimalistic décor – don’t go with over the top curtains. If your color pallet is monochromatic, no need to make bold statements with your curtains. Functionality. Every window treatment has its purpose, regardless of whether the purpose is functional or aesthetic. For example, if your primary goal for doing the window treatments was to block the glare on the TV, be sure to consult the professional that your selection will do just that. Similarly, if you’re trying to minimize the appearance of a window treatment, it’s a good idea to go with shades, not blinds. Make sure you know the pros and cons of each type of treatment. While your selection may not perfectly address all your requirements, at least it will be the optimal one – the one that addresses most of them or those that are most important. How do you learn the pros and cons? Research. So how will you know that the end result is the right one? Your goal is to feel cozy, warm, and soft. You want the room to have the feeling of being pulled together. A sense of being complete. If you at least follow this simple 3-part check list, you’ll know you’re on the right path.

Windows of Hope #323: Does 90% of a paycheck go as far as 100%? Discover the joys and blessings of faithful tithing in the modern world.

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Question by Snakeater: Wait till NASA hears about her…?
An American astronaut, a Russian cosmonaut, and a blonde chick were all sitting in a bar one day, knocking back a few. After drinking four a half-hour, the Russian says to the American:

“You Americans are so incompetent. I’m going on a mission next month to be the first man ever to set foot on Mars.”

The American replies:

“Ha, you’re the incompetent one. I’m going on a mission in three days to become the first man to set foot on PLUTO,”

The blonde interjects and says:

“You’re both full of it. Tomorrow, I’m going on a privately funded mission to be the first person to set foot on the sun.”

The American says:

“Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea how hot the sun is? You’ll melt into a puddle of carbon looonnggg before you set foot on the sun.”

She replies:

“I know, I’m not stupid
…
…
…
That’s why I’m going at night.”

A woman was taking a shower one day, when she realized that she had no clean clothes to put on. She looked through her house, trying to find something clean to wear, but no avail. All of a sudden, there was a knock at her front door. She shouted:

“Who is it?”

“I’m a blind man. Your husband called me over this morning. He said he had a check for me on the kitchen table.”

She remembered how her husband would donate money often. She couldn’t find anything clean to wear, but then she thought:

Oh well, he’s blind. He won’t notice.

She grabbed the check, and answered the door. The man reponded:

“Nice cans. Where do you want your blinds?”

Two Minutemen were camping outside a British camp, spying on them and gathering intelligence for the American forces. After staring at nothing but redcoats for three days, on soldier asks his commanding officer:

“Sergeant, why do they wear red coats?”

“Because if they get shot in the line of duty, they woon’t be able to see their own blood and become frightened, allowing them to fight on.”

“Oh, is that why we wear our brown trousers?”

Best answer:

Answer by Dyslexia of Borg
Ok the 1st and 3rd ones were funny,I liked them. I had heard the 2nd b4 tho

What do you think? Answer below!

First a little back-story: I love to invite my friends and family over for dinner. To me, this is one of life’s joys. It is not just the food but the camaraderie, conversation and intimacy of this kind of social gathering. It combines some of my most favorite activities: eating, talking and personal connection.

So, it has long been my dream to create a beautiful dining room for my most favorite social time. And it wasn’t until recently that I had the wherewithal to make this dream a reality. Though this isn’t about trying to impress my friends and family – the truth is we would still enjoy our gatherings even if we were eating pizza on a folding card table – but, I do believe in creating beauty and spending money on things that mean the most to me.

The first upgrade came in the form of a new dining room set. My wife and I were so happy to upgrade from the old hand-me-down set that we have been using for many years. The new table (which now seats twelve) and chairs looked good but still there was something missing. So, we went on the internet to look at pictures of finished dining rooms and found some that included the most beautiful window treatments I’ve seen. I came to learn later these shades were called roman shades, which in the picture were combined with some lovely drapes. I just loved the elegant rich folds and fabric and the drapes made an excellent color contrast that really completed the look. I knew instantly that these were right for our new dining room.

My wife and I purchased our own set, along with some nice custom drapes, and installed them ourselves, a first for me. And neither of us could be happier. For days afterwards, I kept walking back into the dining room just to look. You could say that I had been blinded by the beauty of my new dining room and it was the shades and drapery combination that made the difference. Specifically what we ended up purchasing were Levolor sheer roman shades in a very light olive green and custom drapery panels in a burgundy-red. I am not an interior decorator so I just used the same color combination as I saw in the online photo. No need to complicate things, I saw what I liked and copied it.

At our next dinner party, my wife and I were so excited to bring our guests into our new dining room. And the reaction on all of their faces did not disappoint. Later, I made a toast and told my guests that, “this room was dedicated to us, to this gathering and all of those to come.” Sentimental stuff, I know but I can’t think of a better use of money than to spend it on those things that bring you fulfillment. Some people spend their money on cars, some people spend their money on electronics, I decided to spend mine on creating a beautiful sanctuary, a shrine to good food, great wine and great company.

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Although most fabrics for roller blinds are recommended for, or suitable for kitchens and bathrooms the choice has been extended by the growth of ‘coated’ fabrics.

A range of fabrics are now available with a number of properties that make them ideal for rooms with either steam or are in an environment where they could get splashed with water or another domestic liquid. The material used for these types of fabrics are different to the normal roller blinds as they use Vinyl and Fibreglass to give them the unique properties.

Firstly they are all blackout due to the PVC coating used so they can be and are often used as blackout fabrics.

Secondly they are Flame Retardant so they are great for any room where you must have FR rated materials for insurance requirements, and obviously in kitchens where in the highly unlikely event that a spark flicks onto the fabric it will not cause the fabric to catch a flame.

Thirdly and the most important for the purpose being discussed they are wipeable. Whereas normal roller blind fabric can still be wiped, it does have a limited lifespan if it is continually wiped, whereas the coated fabrics can be wiped as many tiems as you want. It is still not advised to use a detergent based cleaner but a wet or damp cloth will remove any liquid or dirt that may have built up.

Initally the choice of fabrics were plain in only neutral colours but by popular demand the choice has increased significantly. A large range of plain colours from white to black as well as patterns in most colours are now available in roller blinds and vertical blinds.

Have a look at the blackout roller blinds and blackout vertical blinds sections and any fabric that has PVC and Fibreglass in the fabric properties are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.

In today’s modern contemporary home designs, having big windows is in! After selecting the right window material and design to install in finishing, consider having it treated with solar window shades. Similar to the traditional types of window shades, these window treatment also available in conveniently operated roller types and motorized models that can be automatically adjusted to effectively block the sun rays during daytime. The primary purpose of this protective window treatment is to block or minimize the intrusion of heat and UV rays coming from the sun. While having big windows conform to the practice of feng shui and the latest architectural trend, they risk your home’s interior from the sun’s piercing rays all day long. But you do not need to suffer that. Installing protective window shades can allow natural light to come in and minimize the heat and fading caused by prolonged exposure to the sun.

What are Solar Window Shades?

Solar window shades, or solar blinds, are made from hi-tech plastic materials which are developed to effectively protect and block harmful sun rays. A typically solar window shade can block around 90% of the sun’s harmful UV rays while still allowing valuable light to come in. it functions similar to sunglasses, it minimizes the sun’s glare while still allowing you to enjoy the ample sunlight to enjoy the view outside your home. It also functions similar to a car tint in giving your home its needed privacy. Compared to installing a curtain, the material is easiest to maintain. It does not need constant vacuuming or laundry schedules to be kept clean. It is never bulky or stuffy, which makes it perfect in complementing any interior design approaches to furnishing your home. Similar to your furniture, the hardware of these window treatments can be custom painted to match your home style and décor.

Modern Applications

In response to the rapid improvements and demand on automated home features, solar window shades are now made available in motor-operated models. While they can either be installed outside or inside the home, it makes a welcome addition to the valuable amenities of a modern home. Aside from appealing to your family’s much needed protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays, they also add elements to your home and family’s security and safety. These shades can be programmed to be operated even when you are home or not. For example, when you all prepped up going to work and already in your car and you forgot to put down the shades, all you need to do is push a button of your window shade motor’s remote control.

Advantage and Disadvantages

Compared to the traditional curtain and blinds, solar window shades can easily and quickly adjust to your sun shielding needs. That way, the paint as well as the polish of your home furniture will not easily fade. Prolonged exposure to sun rays usually causes your painted furniture to fade, making them look dull and old over time. Prolonged exposure can also cause some materials such as fabric to wear easily and leather to crack.

Another advantage that solar shades have over any other window treatments is reduced power consumption. Since they block the glare of sun rays, they help keep the room cool, minimizing the need for the air conditioning unit to run all day long. Hence, these window treatments develop an effective climate control system for your home.

While most of the models and designs available for solar window shades feature easy adjustments, it is not exactly the case with those that are meant to be installed outdoors. They are typically fussy and difficult to reposition and maintain due to constant exposure to dirt, dust and moist.

To some, the functionality and simplicity of solar shades do not work in terms of style, which is why they still tend to put in curtains and other window treatments along with the shades. As a result, they end up doubling the budget of their original window renovation improvement project.

Conclusion

Serving both aesthetic and functional purposes, solar window shades can give you just the trick to make your home windows useful in blocking out the heat and the piercing sun rays without compromising style. Curtain fabrics, patterns and weaves are often the considerations when finishing a window treatment. While many people can afford to spend a fortune in sprucing up their home, more people are looking out for more practical window treatment options. Getting solar window shades offer simple, effective and least expensive options to protecting your home against the damaging effects of sun rays. The quiet simplicity and functionality of solar window shades could be just the kind of change that your home needed in the first place.

Should you decide to install solar window shades in your home, you can contact one of the major window shade manufacturers such as Hunter Douglas. You can also go online and find many home window treatment providers and installers to enjoy more solar window shade designs and excellent deals.

• Photographic Print Title: Window Shutters, St. Johns, Antigua Island, Lesser Antilles, West Indies
• Artist: Richard Cummins
• Size: 9 x 12 inches

Window Shutters, St. Johns, Antigua Island, Lesser Antilles, West Indies is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!

List Price: $ 24.99

Price: $ 24.99