Did you know by adding a window treatment over your window, you have a better chance of conserving energy in your home? Be sure your house is keeping in the heat by following these simple steps for better insulating your home:

• Think Like a Bee
Did you know cellular shades have insulating qualities to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer? The construction of cellular shades, which are also known as honeycomb shades, make them an energy saving window treatment. Other excellent window covering choices for preventing heat loss are roller shades with lining or Roman shades with lining.

• Consider Custom Shutters
Wood or composite shutters offer the next best option to cellular shades for insulating your home. Shutters also provide excellent light control, and they coordinate with virtually any décor style. 

• Bundle window treatments
Combine classic window treatments, like a cellular shade, a drapery panel, and a close-fitting cornice, to further enhance chill busting. When spring comes, switch heavy draperies for sheers and lighter fabrics. Remember, appropriately installed window treatments can cut heat loss by up to 25% according to the U.S. Department of Energy.*

• Find and Seal Air Leaks
Weather strip and caulk windows to seal air leaks and help eliminate drafts. Check for air leaks in other areas, too. The most common places for air leaks also include pipes around plumbing, unfinished gaps near cupboards, closets, and spaces surrounding lighting fixtures.

Every home is different, and window stripping and caulking procedures can vary depending on the size and location of your house. Be sure to check your ventilation needs for indoor air quality. **

Window coverings add an inviting finishing touch to any room,  and during winter they can help keep your home warm and cozy. To update your window coverings, schedule a free in-home consultation today by visiting www.budgetblinds.com/request-consultation today!

Sources:

*U.S. Department of Energy, Window Draperies, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13530
** U.S. Department of Energy, Weather Stripping, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13530

Whether you’ll be entertaining or traveling, we have the top tips for making sure your home is ready for the hectic holiday season.

1. It’s not all visions of sugar-plums
Set realistic expectations.  Before you even start thinking about Thanksgiving turkey, Black Friday and holiday festivities remember what the season is all about – spreading love and cheer to all that’s far and near.

Take the time to create a calendar of all the holiday to-do’s you want to tackle. Set deadlines for each and plan time to get each task done. Start to de-clutter in early fall before you’re overwhelmed with dinner parties and last minute shopping. Update your greeting card mailing list and holiday wish lists while the family visits for Thanksgiving. Delegate cooking duties to family and friends. Enlist help from the kids by teaching them how to take on age-appropriate house work.

2. Make a list and check it twice
Set a budget early on and research practical tips to help you stay within your budget. Don’t underestimate how expensive homemade gifts can be and don’t overlook how far a batch of warm cookies with creative packaging can go.

List all the people you need to shop for with gift ideas to get an estimate of how much you might spend. Find out how they like to decorate their home, what their favorite foods are and what their other interests might be. Remember, it’s the thought that counts – not the price tag or discount.

3. Deck the Halls
Before you bring out the storage bins and boxes of decorations, be sure to clean the rooms that guests will be entertained in and pack away your home accent pieces that might clash with your holiday décor. The additional room accents can seem like clutter in a room that’s not neat and tidy.

If you have to move your furniture to make room for a tree, make sure you look for spots in the carpet that might be discolored. Use inexpensive rugs or runners that compliment your festive décor to hide carpet stains.

If you plan to place your tree in the window, be sure that there’s plenty of room between the tree and the window so that the treatments will close properly. Leaving the treatments open may seem like a nice way to spread holiday cheer among your neighbors but it also invites thieves to see into your home.

Motorized blinds offer a convenient solution for controlling your home lighting. Motorized Blinds Powered by Somfy® feature a timer to help you remember to close your treatments and can provide the illusion that someone’s home if you’re planning to leave town for the holidays. Most importantly, motorized blinds are inherently cordless helping to prevent harm to little ones, pets or even your holiday decorations!

4. Now bring us some figgy pudding
Whether you plan to take on the Thanksgiving feast with a one man army or have the pleasure of sharing your favorite dish with your family, it’s a good idea to start early and plan ahead.

Choose recipes that are freezer friendly such as mashed potato casserole or candied yams. Almost any dessert can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer to be ready in minutes after dinner is served and the oven is still warm!

If you’re hosting the holidays at your house, be sure the taste buds of your loved ones are fully satisfied with healthy appetizers and easy starters.

Looking for an easy clean-up tip? Fill a large sink or tub with hot water to place dinnerware in right away so food doesn’t stick to your fine china.

5. May you’re days be merry and bright!
Don’t let the holiday season overwhelm you with stress. We recommend you think of the traditions that your family members might have outgrown and think of new ones that bring a refreshing perspective to the season. Pick out the memories you and your family enjoy most and keep those as traditions.

Perhaps the kids have outgrown decorating sugar cookies and reading story books. Teach them the meaning of giving back and start a tradition volunteering at a soup kitchen or donating old clothes and toys to charity. Maybe it feels like there’s just no time to go caroling together. Play the songs your family likes to sing while getting the home ready for guests to arrive.

Whatever you end up doing to celebrate, sit back and relax so you can have enough energy left to start planning your new year’s resolutions. Happy Holidays!

Budget Blinds announced today that it will offer its new woven reed blind to homeowners and business owners.  

“This stylish, new window covering offers the tropical appeal of woven wood, but the homeowner can raise and lower the blind or tilt the louvers to better control light and privacy,” said Tracy Christman, vice president of Budget Blinds vendor alliance.

The window covering looks like a traditional horizontal blind, but the louvers are unique. Each louver is comprised of woven, sustainable bamboo wrapped around an inner fabric liner.  This construction filters light like a woven wood shade, but the liner enhances light and privacy control.

Traditional woven wood shades raise and lower like a Roman shade, or the homeowner could opt for a feature that allows them to raise the bottom of the shade or lower the top of the shade for added versatility.  The woven reed blind operates like a traditional horizontal blind to offer enhanced privacy and light control to the user.

Budget Blinds added even more features to this blind to make it even more appealing to homeowners.

·         Homeowners can choose from seven earthtone colors, including two duotone styles, which means there are colors that can coordinate with a variety of decors

·         A modern trapezoidal bottom rail improves appearances and allows the blind to close more tightly for added light and privacy control.

·         Louvers are 2 inches wide to offer a wider field of view, fewer louvers to clean, and fewer moving parts

·         Motorization is available for enhanced convenience and safety.

·         Woven bamboo is a sustainable, renewable resource, which makes this a great product for eco-conscious consumers.

The Enlightened Style™ Woven Reed blind is available exclusively through independently owned and operated Budget Blinds franchises.

About BUDGET BLINDS, Inc. and Home Franchise Concepts

Based in Orange, California, Budget Blinds, Inc. was founded in 1992 and currently boasts over 800 franchise territories serving nearly 4,000 cities throughout the United States and Canada. In 2006, the founders of Budget Blinds, Inc. created Home Franchise Concepts to be the parent company to Budget Blinds and its sister concepts. As consumer demand for its quality, convenient services continues to grow, Budget Blinds is on its way to dominating the multi-billion dollar window covering market.   Budget Blinds has been recognized as a leader in the franchise industry by organizations such as Entrepreneur, AllBusiness, Inc. and Franchise Business Review.  For more information on Budget Blinds please visit www.budgetblinds.com or www.budgetblinds.com/pressroom. or call 1-800-519-6298.

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