Tag: energy efficiency

Freshen Up Your Windows for the New Year

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Start 2020 with eco-friendly window treatments from Budget Blinds. With our vast selection, embracing sustainability with gorgeous window treatments has never been easier. With eco-friendly window coverings, you can do your part in helping to preserve our natural resources and still be on-trend with innovative products. 

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Hardwood window treatments utilize renewable resources and environmentally friendly forestry techniques without sacrificing style.

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Cellular shades, with their honeycomb-shaped cells, act as an insulator, and when combined or layered with other window treatments can reduce heat loss.

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Woven shades are made from natural eco-friendly materials such as reeds, grasses and rattan, making them environmentally friendly and completely recyclable.

To stay up to date on design trends, schedule your free consultation or to request a design guide, reach out at pbrown@budgetblinds.com or visit my web page budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

-Pamela Brown

 

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Uncompromising Style That’s Good for the Environment

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With eco-friendly window treatments from Budget Blinds, you can do your part in helping to preserve our natural resources and still be on-trend with innovative products. With our vast selection, embracing sustainability with gorgeous window coverings has never been easier.

We use 100% recyclable packaging when shipping our products, and most of our non-wood product components can be recycled as well. Plus, most of our window treatments offer superb energy efficiency that helps reduce dependence on electricity and natural gas for cooling and/or heating your home.

Created from natural, eco-friendly materials such as rattan reeds, jute, natural woods, and a variety of grasses, woven wood shades from Budget Blinds impart a craftsman-like, ethnic vibe to a room that inspires comfort. And our woven wood shades, also known as woven wood blinds are made from 100% organic materials, making them environmentally-friendly window treatments and completely recyclable.

Various woven wood shade styles include standard Roman shades, which offer a clean, classic look and rises evenly into neat, flat folds; looped Roman style, which features soft, billowing loops of natural material for a more dimensional look; and hobbled, waterfall style, which hangs from the front of the headrail and positions the cords behind the shades for a clean look. Select woven wood shades, including ones some from our new Inspired Shades Collection, are available as sliding panels that can be configured to open via as one-way draw, from the center, or as free-moving panels.

  • Renewable materials like bamboo and jute introduce eco-friendly window treatments with an organic appeal to your home.
  • Our Inspired Shades™ collection features woven shades made of soft, natural fibers in a wide color palette including vibrant reds, greens, and blues.
  • Woven wood shades are ideal for rooms furnished with rich woods, including wood flooring.
  • Are available in a wide range of colors and hues, including lighter tones to complement rooms with white, bright, or neutral furniture, and darker tones for rooms with bold colors or dark wood accents.
  • For the ultimate in privacy and light filtering, woven wood shades are semi-transparent, and can be paired with a blackout liner, making them perfect bedroom or home theater window coverings.
  • Complete your room’s makeover by coordinating your woven shades with woven drapes and panels that enhance both windows and sliding doors.
  • Available in a variety of operating styles, including popular top-down/bottom-up and roller shade options.
  • Add convenient motorization to your window shades for additional safety and convenience.

 

Call me, Pamela Brown – Owner & Interior Designer of Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo
651.351.7620 Main
612.812.3261 Mobile/Text

 

HOME AUTOMATION MADE SIMPLE

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With Budget Blinds, I’ve partnered with Lutron®, the worldwide leader in smart home technology.  With Lutron’s whole-home wireless automation, your shades can open and close at the touch of a button, or at a pre-selected time of day or night, giving you effortless control of your window coverings.

Automated shades provide a safer environment for children and pets, due to their cordless nature. Also, programmable features allow you to use heating or cooling only when you need it for maximum energy efficiency.
Make everyday life just a little bit easier, safer, and more secure.

Call me today! I’d be happy to help! 🙂
651-351-7620!

Pamela Brown

Retrofit – Smart Home

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Everyday life just got easier!

With our Smart Home Collection the shades and blinds you already own just got a whole lot smarter! Because now, we can motorize your existing window coverings with retrofit solutions!

Motorization provides you with home security, child-safety, and energy savings all at the touch of a button! With Retrofit solutions, you can control your window coverings with the touch of a button from anywhere!

Motorized shades are ideal for family rooms, playrooms, kids rooms, and virtually any room in your home. With advances in technology and increased demand for smart and connected living, excitement about motorized blinds has been steadily rising. They provide convenience, safety, and energy efficiency!

First, let’s talk about convenience. Motorized blinds allow you to automate a repetitive task with the touch of a button, located right on your smartphone!

The next benefit is safety. As any new parent knows, cords are dangerous! Most motorized blinds are cordless which takes the danger of choking or accidental strangulation off your mind. Remember, your four-legged fur-babies are susceptible to this as well. The final touch point for today is the benefit of going green.

Maximize your home’s energy efficiency with motorized blinds by keeping the hot sun out while running the air and the heat in during those chilly months!

Explore the many benefits for yourself today! Call me, Pamela at Budget Blinds serving Stillwater at 651-351-7620 to schedule your free in-home consultation and I will help you determine which type of motorized blinds make the perfect choice for your home!-Pamela

NEED HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA’S? – CHECK OUT OUR DESIGN GUIDE!

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Are you stumped on gift ideas this holiday season? What better gift for your family than the gift of safety? What better gift for yourself than beautiful window treatments that save you money on your energy bill? Get all these things with new window treatments from Pamela Brown at Budget Blinds!

Choose Safer Window Coverings

“Going cordless” is a trend across several industries.  But the movement in window coverings is not just about modern style and convenience.  It is an issue of safety for homes with small children.

Some styles of traditional corded window coverings pose a tempting hazard to infants and toddlers who view dangling cords as playthings. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least one child dies from window cord strangulation every month, and during that one-month period, at least one more child suffers a near strangulation.

Budget Blinds® recommends cordless treatments for homes where small children or pets live or frequently visit.  Cordless options include:

  • Shutters:Offer a classic and inherently cordless window covering option
  • Motorized shades:Motorized shades can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button using a battery-operated remote control
  • Cordless cellular shades:A sleek and modern option, cordless cellular shades can be easily raised and lowered with one hand

Choose Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Budget Blinds offers a variety of energy-saving window coverings that are not only stylish but will help you save money in the winter AND the summer too (note: efficient treatments help in the summer by to regulating indoor temperatures!)

Cellular and Roman Shades

Cellular shades and Roman shades are the TOP  energy-saving window coverings. Both of these styles are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bill.

Cellular shades (aka pleated or honeycomb shades) are designed to create insulation by trapping the warm air inside and keeping the cold air out! Cellular shades are very versatile window treatments with a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. We have light filtering options including sheer, light filtering, room-darkening and blackout fabrics which help with privacy and insulation too!

Roman shades are like cellular shades and are one of the most popular windows coverings for energy efficiency. They are stylish and offer plenty of energy-saving qualities. They too come in a variety of colors, prints and textures to add elegance to your home. Due to heavier fabrics, Roman shades can trap in warmth which can save you money on your electric bill as you would ultimately use your heater less and less. Also, like cellular shades, Roman shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control.

So, do I have your attention? Then it’s time to browse our Design Guide below! And don’t forget to place your orders by November 9th to ensure installation before Christmas! Visit www.budgetblinds.com/stillwater to book your appointment today!

Budget Blinds Design Guide

Get Smart, Get Smart Shades

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Today, everything is SMART and your home should be no exception. Budget Blinds, North America’s #1 provider of custom window coverings and the most established name in smart home technology are the smartest choice out there. Now, opening and closing your shades with the touch of a button is easier than ever— talk about convenience! Automated window coverings offer many benefits. They reduce the wear and tear that comes from manual operation and can be set on timers to open and close at your preferred time of day. With various automated options from Budget Blinds, you can feel confident you are getting the best window coverings available. Here are a few reasons why Smart Shades should be added to your home décor:

Energy Savings

Program your window coverings on timers to open and close at specific times of the day to save on energy costs. Energy-efficient window coverings provide effective insulation, offering your home increased protection against heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer.

Safety

It is important to not overlook basic household items such as window coverings when child proofing your home.  Automated window coverings eliminate the need for dangling cords so they are both kid-friendly and pet-safe.  Making window treatments safer for homes with infants, toddlers, children, and pets is one of Budget Blinds’ top priorities.

Security and Privacy

Timers allow you to open and close your window coverings on a predetermined schedule when you’re home or on vacation. Giving an outside impression as though someone is home at all times. In addition, privacy is just a click away with Smart Shades. They offer complete privacy even with the hard to reach windows. Control the amount of privacy you want in your home with automated window coverings — you won’t be disappointed!

UV Protection

Automated shades prevent harmful UV rays from entering the room. Program your window coverings to close when the sun is shining bright to keep fabrics, rugs, upholstery and artwork from fading.

Convenience

Finally, what’s better than convenience? Smart Shades transform a room’s lighting and ambiance at the touch of a button. Making it super easy to lower and raise at your leisure. Monitor and control lights from your smart device no matter where you are or create personalized lighting schedules that change with the seasons.

Choose from a wide array of control options such as wireless wall switches, hand-held remotes and timers, and apps that allow you to control from your Smart device. Whether you prefer blinds, shades, or drapes, all popular Budget Blinds window coverings can be automated. To learn more about automated window coverings, reach out today!

-Pamela Brown

 

Beat this Heat with Energy Efficient, Honeycomb Shades

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When you’re considering new window treatments, don’t forget to compare the energy efficiency of different styles and materials, because the right window treatments can greatly improve your windows energy efficiency and lower your energy costs whether you are warming your home in the winter or cooling it in the summer.

For example, the unique design of signature series cellular shades traps insulating layers of air and reduces heat transfer. Whether you’re trying to keep the heat out or in and when you combine that Enhanced energy efficiency with motorized controls that let you program when your window treatments automatically open and close your blinds or shades become an effortless part of your home’s heating and cooling system and with so many colors and styles to choose from you don’t have to sacrifice style for energy efficiency.

Cellular and Roman Shades

Cellular shades are the TOP  energy-saving window coverings. These styles are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bill.

Cellular shades (aka pleated or honeycomb shades) are designed to create insulation by trapping the warm air inside and keeping the cold air out! Cellular shades are very versatile window treatments with a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. We have light filtering options including sheer, light filtering, room-darkening and blackout fabrics which help with privacy and insulation too!

When they are closed, cellular shades will help keep in the heat and make every room pleasant to be in during the winter. For hot summer months, they block intense heat or they roll up all the way allowing for a view. Best of all, cellular shades have a cordless lift or one-touch remote control motorization making them easy to open and close as well as child safe!

Contact me today to schedule your free in-home consultation and make your home stylish and energy-efficient!

-Pamela
651-351-7620
pbrown@budgetblinds.com

Four Benefits of Home Automation

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 1. Peace of Mind

With home automation, you can control almost everything in your home from securing your alarm system to controlling your window coverings. Smart home technology can provide a certain level of comfort- after all, your home is the place you should feel the safest. With the help of smart home systems, you’re able to turn lighting on or off and open or close your window coverings at all times to make it seem like someone is home even when you’re not. It is a way for technology to provide peace of mind when it comes to your family and their safety.

2. Convenience

Your household may be chaotic, but smart devices are here to make life a whole lot easier. Having these systems in your home make it easy for you to enjoy automated lights, shades, even music at the touch of a button or with a simple command. This technology was invented to make life easier for you.

3. Energy Efficiency

Did you know that you can save money on your energy bill with home automation? It’s estimated that we lose over 50% of our home’s heating and cooling through the windows. So rather than cranking up your heat or air conditioning to avoid uncomfortable temperatures in your home, consider automated Smart Shades by Budget Blinds. These automated shades can be controlled with the touch of a button or with your favorite smartphone or tablet.

4. Child Safety

As a parent, your number one concern is your child’s safety. It is important to not overlook basic household items such as window coverings when childproofing your home. Smart home technology can be a major benefit for parents. Having automated shades by Budget Blinds can eliminate dangerous dangling cords out of a child’s reach keeping them safe around all windows.

Simply put, smart home technology is life changing. From security and light control to child safety, the benefits are endless.

visit my website to book your FREE in-home design consult, today!
www.budgetblinds.com/stillwater

How To Style Your Windows To Save Money This Winter

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It’s that special time of year again. The ground is sprinkled with a light layer of snow, you can see your breath outside in the frosty air, and nothing sounds like less fun than worrying about your drafty windows! But with you know that people spend an average of 60% more on their energy bill in the winter, it’s hard to ignore.

There are plenty of DIY options to help with drafty windows, but the winter brings more then the cold with it, it also brings friends and family for the holiday season. The last thing you need to be stressing about are ugly, plastic lined windows with random blankets pinned over them to hold in the heat.

We have a solution for you with energy efficient window treatments – only at Budget Blinds. Budget Blinds offers a variety of energy-saving window coverings that are not only stylish but will help you save money in the winter AND the summer too (note: efficient treatments help in the summer by to regulating indoor temperatures!)

Cellular and Roman Shades

Cellular shades and Roman shades are the TOP  energy-saving window coverings. Both of these styles are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bill.

Cellular shades (aka pleated or honeycomb shades) are designed to create insulation by trapping the warm air inside and keeping the cold air out! Cellular shades are very versatile window treatments with a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. We have light filtering options including sheer, light filtering, room-darkening and blackout fabrics which help with privacy and insulation too! When they are closed, cellular shades will help keep in the heat and make every room pleasant to be in during the winter. For hot summer months, they block intense heat or they roll up all the way allowing for a view. Best of all, cellular shades have a cordless lift or one-touch remote control motorization making them easy to open and close as well as child safe (every home owners dream, motorized window treatments, right? :))

Roman shades are similar to cellular shades and are one of the most popular windows coverings for energy efficiency. They are stylish and offer plenty of energy-saving qualities. They too come in a variety of colors, prints and textures to add elegance to your home. Due to heavier fabrics, Roman shades can trap in warmth which can save you money on your electric bill as you would ultimatley use your heater less and less. Also, like cellular shades, Roman shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters add value to your home while protecting it. Investing in shutters can be a major bonus to your home and allow you to keep in the warmth in the winter months or control a summer breeze by adjusting the louvers.

Interior shutters are beautiful window treatments that again help with heat gain and loss for your home. These types of shutters are a window covering that is made to last and save you money (amazing!) Shutters will keep your energy bills low because they work as an insulation shield by preventing cold drafts and unbearable heat from entering your home. They regulate the temperature in your home so you won’t have to use the heater or air conditioner as much (or sometimes at all!)  Also, shutters will provide extra security because they fully cover the window when closed but still allow you to have an uninterrupted view when open. Shutters will benefit your home in many ways, making them a great choice for an efficient window treatment.

Drapery

Drapery on your windows is like having your windows wrapped up in a blanket (can you tell I am thinking of the winter!!) Drapes are designed for insulation because their heavier fabrics allow them to keep in the heat. During cold weather, drapery can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10%. Closing your draperies at night and during the day can keep in the warmth. Another way drapery is energy saving is by layering it with another window covering!

So this winter, impress your guests with the most stylish and energy efficient window treatments in town!

Contact me today to schedule your free in-home consultation and start getting your home not only stylish for the holidays, but energy-efficient too! 651-351-7620 pbrown@budgetblinds.com