Window On Life » Sunlight

Give Your Windows A New Lease Of Life

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:48:52 +0000

Windows are all about both appearance and function. On the outside they help define the character of a building and on the inside they let in light according to their size and aspect.

So windows have a dual purpose and dual settings too. And getting it right both inside and out and in terms of what works well and what looks right is an interesting challenge.

If you’re considering changes to your windows then take time to assess what you’d like your window fitter to achieve. First it’s important to recognise if the windows are a distinctive architectural feature or if they are anonymous, maybe even poor, badly chosen replacements. Take a look at the windows of neighbouring buildings – do your windows fit in with the style of the street? Are they made from appropriate materials? Is their size in proportion to the wall or would they look better if they were bigger or framed better?

Also their condition is important – get your window fitter to take a good look at them and tell you whether wooden window frames are suffering from rot or letting in more of a draft than necessary. Are they warped or well fitted? Is the glass cracked at all?

Then go inside and decide if any improvements are needed. Do the windows let in enough light? Do they need to be bigger, or does a plant outside need trimming to let in more light? Is there too much, glaring sunlight streaming in? Are the windows allowing you to enjoy a great view? Do you have enough privacy from the outside world? On the maintenance side is there condensation on the inside of the window? Can the windows be opened to let in fresh air? Is there too much noise from a road, aeroplanes or passers-by?

By answering all these questions you’ll help define the positive and negative aspects of your windows and what work needs to be done by your window fitter.

You may just need a good decorator to strip off the paint from wooden frames and start again – if the windows are in good condition but just looking a bit scruffy then this will be the most cost effective option. It will also help prevent problems in the future by sealing the frames and keeping water out. If your windows are generally fine but a bit drafty a window fitter can fit better draft excluders around the windows – nowadays these can be very subtle, in fact virtually unseen. And if you have wooden sash windows that no longer function properly then a specialist window fitter can re-cord them, so they open and close smoothly.

If security is an issue then get your window fitter to fit window locks, especially on ground floor windows. Toughened glass and double glazing also help keep intruders out. And if you’re really worried then metal bars could be installed – again these are most commonly found on lower ground and ground floor windows.

You may need to replace the existing windows because they are worn out or rotting. Depending on the style of your building you can opt for wooden frames (this is aesthetically the best option in a period home) or UPVC (requiring no ongoing maintenance). If lack of light is a problem then consider creating a new or bigger window opening, but look first whether there are obstacles such as a large tree or unnecessarily heavy curtains that could be replaced with something less bold. If you are getting too much light, think of ways to shade a room – light sheer curtains can cut out glare. Planting a tree or installing a canopy over a window can protect you from too much sun. Also look into frosting windows for both privacy and less direct light.

Finally on the inside don’t forget that your window dressings have a big impact on the look and feel of your room. For a modern look replace thick curtains with blinds or wooden shutters. To create a sumptuous, luxurious feel go for beautifully patterned or textured curtains. For a bit of fun paint the window frames a bright colour or plant up window boxes to brighten up the view.

Windows are a vital part of defining the character and feel of a building. Small alterations or a complete change can really improve your home.

Watch the video related to Window On Life

A day in the life of pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek.

Help answer the question about Window On Life

What would be an example of how the Johari Window has benefited your life, when applied to yourself?
I need more direction. I dont fully understand The Johari Window. What would be an exzample or idea of an essay on how johari window has bennifited your life using either the secret or blind side?

About Author

India Cooper -
About the Author:

Expert home improver India Cooper describes windows as a vital part of a building’s character and advises the public to seek the opinion of a window fitter when assessing their condition. To find out more please visit http://www.ratedpeople.com/find/windows

Ideas On Discount Window Coverings

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:00:22 +0000

When choosing the discount window coverings, you need to look into how much sunlight you would prefer to seep into the interior of your home. Different kinds of fabric have various capacities to absorb sunlight.

Too much exposure to the sunlight may also degrade the quality of the discount window covering. The silk is the weakest type of fabric to resist the heavy exposure to sunlight whereas the polyester, acrylic, glass fibers, and modacrylic possess the highest resistance to the damages caused by the sun.

Choose a style that suits your taste as well as your budget. Are you interested in getting custom shutters, blinds, draperies, or shades? Or are you more convenient with the motorized or upholstered window coverings? There are companies that manufacture the discount window coverings that you really want to have for your home.

There are relatively numerous ways wherein you would be able to save more money when it comes to the purchase of discount window coverings yet without having to sacrifice its appearance.

For a customized look, you may either choose any tension rod that has a thicker component piece of the PVC pipe. You just have to be cautious with the removal of the sand off it or else it would go straight onto the fabric and get seeped in. You may use the acetone, PVC primer, or the fingernail polish when removing it.

The PVC pipe is indeed sturdy and versatile too. You could have it painted with the color black so that it would be brushed with the image that is like that of the wrought iron. You could also try to paint it brown so it would appear like a wood, or have it sponge painted with dark green or copper for some effects of verdigris.

You may also opt to boost a silver or gold color to it. If you are after the long life of the pipes for your discount window coverings, you may make use of the closet dowels which are made of wood. If you are going to utilize the copper pipe, you first should spray it with some clear gloss so as to hinder any oxidation process against having the fabric stained.

Alongside your intention to purchase discount window coverings must be the idea of exerting an utmost care for them too. Hence, you need to be equipped with the ideas on how to boost the care to the quality of the discount window coverings.

By: Albert Lee

Decorate Your Windows With Roller Shades and Blinds

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:19:53 +0000

All of us love our home as much we love ourselves. We dress ourselves in every possible way to look pretty and we remain thirsty to get complements. In the same way we also like to decorate our houses so that everyone praises our creativity. A beautiful house comprises of well dressed windows, covered flooring and patterns on the walls. Among these, windows play the most important rule as one can see them from inside as well as outside of your house.

Windows are needed to be properly placed and configured to have a healthy and fresh atmosphere in the house; hence you would like them in a really cool design. Nowadays, people are doing every possible method to make them decorative and beautiful. Earlier there was only one option to do so was window curtains, but now we are quite fortunate to have window shades and blinds with us. Hence the various traditional window curtains are replaced with shades, because they fit to your windows easily and can be handled, cleaned with an ease.

Roller shades are what I found very handy. Roller shades are coming in the market with a wide range of patterns and designs, giving you freedom to choose the right one, discount Roller blinds are also very popular among the customers. Some shades come with 100% opacity which will serve fruitful for your bedroom, another group allows normal light to penetrate in your living room, and some others allow full sunlight to enter without the dazzling heat of the sun. So you’ve got each category serving your unique purpose.

Roller shades can be used in your house at the same time in offices and factories to save you from the scorching heat of the sun. Roller shades has a unique property of reflecting sun rays thus it protect your interior from the blazing sunlight. This also helps the plants in the room to grow in you have any. Roller shades are made of pure polyester which imparts the property of one way looking, i.e. one cannot peep inside your room from outside but you can easily enjoy the outer world from the comfort of your bedroom, this gives a lot of privacy isn’t it?

Now, if you are thinking that will your windows or other furniture and color of your walls will match or not, then don’t worry you have a wide range of colors and designs available with roller blinds. They are very easy to install, you can even have custom sized Roller window shades to fit the size of your windows. So, what’s your take on this, I think there are numerous reasons to give Roller Shades a try!

By: Sourav Sarkar

The Benefits of Using Home Window Film

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:29:18 +0000

The benefits of Home Window Film are many. Whenever the seasons change, you probably find yourself on the internet looking for ways in which to keep the temperature of your home manageable without having to use heating and cooling aids (and thusly, running up your utility bill). Without a doubt, no matter what you are trying to do: increase heat or decrease heat, there is probably a lot of information about sealing your windows. It is through your home’s windows that heat is lost and gained, depending on the time of year. Now, though, because of Home Window Film, you have options to help you both keep your home’s temperature constant and reduce your cooling costs.

People have been tinting the windows of their cars for ages-they do it to maintain privacy while driving, but mostly people tint their windows to keep the sunlight from damaging the interior of the car and from turning the car into a four wheeled sauna. In the last few years, people have realized that home windows can be tinted in much the same way and the field of Home Window Film has taken off.

Home Window Film is a thin film that is applied to your windows-you can do this yourself or hire someone to install it for you. The film, essentially, acts as a sealant. This means that during the winter, the pores of the window are closed and less heat escapes. In the summer, the Home Window Film lets in the light but acts as a protective barrier-keeping the direct rays out of the house.

The direct rays of the sun can cause a lot of damage. Everybody knows about protecting themselves from the sun when they go outside, but UV rays can get into your home too, and once inside your home, they will damage more than your skin. UV rays are there responsible for the fading of colors as well. This means, that by putting Home Window Film on your windows, you will also be extending the life of your walls, furniture, floors and drapery!

Home Window Film is, basically, a substance that filters the sun’s rays. The rays hit the film and then diffuse into it. This means that light from the outdoors still brightens your home, but the direct rays are not getting in to cause damage to your interior, heat up your house or keep you from working. Nobody likes the glare that plagues their television and computer screens during the day. Those are caused by sunlight bouncing off the surfaces inside your house. Home Window Film prevents that glare by not letting the direct rays of the sun through.

By: Mario Kotik

Curtains Or Drapes For Window Coverings

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:56:31 +0000

Curtains Not Only A Piece Of Decoration:

At Hand are so many singular casement treatments on the soak that it can get perplexing. You could even be tempted to just go with boring shutters, or cheap blinders. Basic functionality aside, these options leave a lot to be desired. Curtains or drapes aren’t just for decorating windows. There are three important functions they should provide in addition to the basic functionality of blinds or shutters. Which of the three is most important depends on your needs and preferences for the room. Curtains are materials that are hung over a window for decoration and other purposes. The main purposes are to provide privacy, block sunlight and decoration.

People can find in sequence and tips on factors to take into account when buying curtains for your home. Observably overcrowding out the sun during the day and other light in the nighttime is a priority, so taking into financial credit the position of your home and how the sun affects it is imperative to getting it right the first time. A good tip when choosing curtains is to enhance the window and room effect with curtains rather than taking on something excessive that may result in a whole makeover.

To enhance your room’s technique and feel, admiring comment the room with curtains that have a similar look and feel or bring life to an area with your chosen curtains. This means that if your room is a dark space due to lack of sunlight, it is advisable to use bright color curtain fabric to add life to the room. If you have a room with plenty of sunlight, choose a curtain fabric that can offer strong resistance to fading over time. For rooms with plenty of light, blocking out the light and protecting your indoor furniture and carpets from the long idiom damage sunlight can do.

Although the words are often used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between curtains and drapes. Drapes tend to be more formal, floor length affairs, with a heavy lining, that can be opened and closed with a pull cord. Curtains are their less formal relatives, often made from a lighter fabric, with or without lining. They are generally suspended by hooks, rings or even tab tops from a pole, and are opened and closed by hand. While drapes are usually stand alone, curtains can be used with blinds or shades, and in this case are sometimes tied back permanently to the window edge and never closed at all.

If you are choosing curtains as ingredient of your home intend assignment, you should mull over three basic types. Panels are the simplest and most often used, being basic panels of material, hemmed top and bottom, gathered at the top to bring into being soft folds, and hung by hooks or rings from a pole. The leading edges of your curtains can have bullion edging friendly. This is usually custom dyed to obtain an exact match to the curtains that you are applying it to. Make sure that you do not employ fringing that is too heavy for the curtain it is being applied to or you will end up with a very shocking effect where the periphery of the curtain is dragged down away from the shaft or handrail.

By: David Faulkner