myshadeSolutions.com

Latest News

2010-09-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have posted to my blog. Been busy working at AT&T Retail Store, and trying to grow the blind, shade and shutter business. Things are getting better sales are up almost 400% from last year. It is still slow, but moving up the curve is better than down in any small business these days. We have several new customers on our web site. Also we have a new commercial client - Wamar Tech. And a new location for our friends at Ultimate Sports Bar.

Best regards,

Dave

Atlanta Premier Window Coverings

Atlanta Discount Blinds

www.davewross.com

New Client in Great Sky Cherokee County Georgia

2010-06-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well. I went out today to take pictures of our new client's windows. She is very happy with our solutions - Hunter Douglas and Kathy Ireland Woven Wood Shades, and Soft Window Shadings. I am very excited about offering such a quality product. And we stand behind our service and commit to the manufacture's guarantee of "as long as you own your home warranty".

Pam in Great Sky Canton GA...I am so glad you are happy with our product and services. Pam did say she will call us when she needs more...and she has a lot more windows to cover!

Dave

2009-09-27T07:23:00.001-07:00

Recent Sales

Business is slow, but we did sell a few customers this month. We got another commercial client Click Here------> - a small business: Chocolate store in Alpharetta...great European style chocolate.

http://schakolad.com/Chocolate/Alpharetta/Atlanta/

They make it right there on site.

Also, we have our business linked everywhere we can get it on the web. I hope it works. We have no received many calls or e mails from people searching Google this month.

It's been a long time...

2009-09-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have posted a blog to my site. A lot has been happening since you last heard from me. I have a new personal business web site davewross.com. The blind business has slowed down a bit, but we keep pressing on. We have sold good business this year, but we are down about 30%. We are trying to use more tactics learned in Marketing 2.0, and to adopt to the concept of Gorilla Marketing. I am confident that business will pick up at some point later next year. This business is a good business to be in. As with all the businesses in the Real Estate supply chain, things are down. But, they will recover.

We do have our newest commercial customer - a large orthodontist office (26 Phifer Solar Sun Screens). And the Waffle House is our customer now too. Not a store, but the founder's son...pretty cool, huh?

All for now..

Dave

FAQs About Blinds and Shades

2009-02-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

How should I clean my window coverings?
Many manufactures such as Hunter Douglas, Kathy Ireland and Comfortex design window fashions to require minimal care and cleaning. You won't have to do much to keep them looking like new, aside from regular dusting and periodic vacuuming. Their products are dust, soil and stain resistant. They exhaustively research cleaning solutions for spot-cleaning, from mild soap to lemon oil to wood preservatives, so that we know what works best with each product.
Recommended Cleaning Methods
Dusting - regular light dusting maintains a like-new appearance of most blinds, shades, shadings, plantation shutters and sheers.
Vacuuming - for deeper cleaning, vacuum gently with the brush attachment of any vacuum cleaner. Most products may be vacuumed using a vertical stroke with the exception of certain Privacy Sheers.
Compressed air or hair dryer (non-heat setting) - use to blow dust off selected window coverings.
Spot-cleaning - spot-clean shades and blinds with soft cloth or sponge moistened with lukewarm water. Add mild detergent if needed. Blot gently to avoid creasing or damaging the fabric. Rubbing can damage fabrics. Spot cleaning may result in cleaner areas.
Stain-finished wood blinds – water may damage the surface, so use lemon oil or wood preservative to clean.
Aluminum horizontal blinds – use an over-the-counter blind cleaner with a soft cloth.
Vinyl and aluminum vertical blinds - reduce build-up of static electricity by applying a very thin film of detergent on all slats and vanes.
Bathtub cleaning/water immersion - this method is used for Faux Wood Blinds and Shapes, Modern Precious Metals® aluminum (metal blinds, mini blinds) horizontal blinds and most, but not all, honeycomb fabrics (see the manufacturer’s Care and Cleaning Charts).
1. Immerse the entire shade assembly in lukewarm water with mild detergent. Wash for five minutes by gently moving liquid around with your fingers.
2. Rinse with clear water.
3. Close the shade before removing from rinse water.
4. Hold rails and tilt the shade to allow excess water to drain off.
5. Re-install the damp shade into window opening.
6. Lower the shade all the way to allow it to dry completely.
Note: Honeycomb shades should be dried in the fully lowered position. Certain honeycomb fabrics should not be immersed in water. Please consult the Care and Cleaning Chart for more specific information.
Avoid dry cleaning - most soft alternative window treatments do not require frequent cleaning. A light dusting with a vacuum cleaner brush attachment on a regular basis will keep them looking new for years.
Ultrasonic cleaning - professional ultrasonic cleaning is recommended for several products. Do not use this method
for: Alouette® Light Louvers; Country Woods® wood blinds; EasyGlide®; UltraGlide®; PowerRise® and LiteRise® systems; Jubilance® Roman shades; EverWood®; WoodMates®; Silhouette® Bon Soir™, The Matisse Collection® and Trés Vue™; motorized systems; Skyrise®; Simplicity™; Vertiglide™; Nantucket™ Misty Harbor™; metallized-backed shades or fabric-covered headrails.
On-Site injection/extraction cleaning system - this type of cleaning injects a cleaning solution into the fabric and extracts the dirty solution in the same motion. It is a very effective way to deep clean your window treatments. The service is typically performed in the home so there is no need to remove the window treatments. One of the leading companies that provides this service is On-Site Cleaners. They have a national network of trained professionals that can clean any soft, fabric-based Hunter Douglas product including Luminette Privacy Sheers; Alouette LightLouvers (translucent Clair fabrics only); Silhouette window shadings (except The Matisse Collection); Nantucket and Vignette® Modern Roman Shades; and Duette® honeycomb shades. Dry method is recommended for certain fabrics.
Steaming - steaming can be done to remove wrinkles from some fabrics. A hand-held travel size steamer that provides continuous steam is best. Heavy-duty steamers are not recommended.
PVC, Faux Wood or Vinyl Products
To reduce static cling and help repel dust, wipe the product with dryer sheets. Do not use abrasive cleaners or chemical solvents, as they will scratch or damage the surface.
Wood Products
Clean using a dry and soft feather duster, clean cloth, dust cloth or dusting mitt. A vacuum with the soft brush attachment can also be utilized.
Ultrasonic cleaning or use of chemical solvents and scrubbing cleansers are not recommended. They will damage the product. Protect all fine wood products from exposure to steam or high moisture areas, rain or outside irrigation systems to ensure their long life.
When cleaning any window, spray glass cleaner on a cloth rather than spraying directly on the window. This will prevent damage to the wood finish by splattering cleaner.
Cloth Tapes - spot-cleaning with fabric cleaning wipes found at your grocery store is recommended for all tapes. These will typically not leave a stain or discolor the tapes. We suggest a cleaning test on the underneath side of the blind where the tape wraps around the bottom rail where any stain would be the least visible.
100% polyester tapes can be spot-cleaned with cool distilled water using a clean white cloth. Support the trim from behind using another clean cloth that is dry. Use a gentle blotting action to clean the spot or soiled area. Rinse by blotting with clean distilled water. Let air dry. A gentle detergent can also be used on the 100% polyester trims. Spot-cleaning may result in cleaner areas. If the tape is shiny or has a luster, DO NOT USE WATER. It is most likely rayon or acetate. The result will be a water stain. Wipes are the best for all fiber contents.
Fabric Shades or Shadings
Do not spot-clean Silhouette® or Nantucket™ window shadings.
Do not use electrostatic cleaning devices, such as Pledge Grab-It™ or Swiffer™, on Silhouette or Nantucket window shadings, or on Vignette® EveScape™ room-darkening fabrics.
Do not use magnetic cleaners such as a dusting mitt on room-darkening fabrics. This will cause damage to the room darkening backing.
Do not use the injection/extraction method to clean Silhouette or Vignette fabric-covered head-rails. Vignette fabrics used as cut yardage may be laundered in home washing machines on a delicate wash cycle using delicate detergents. Dry the fabrics in home dryers on the cold, delicate setting. Fabrics may also be dry cleaned, if desired. (Under no circumstances should finished Vignette shadings be laundered.)
When cleaning any window, spray glass cleaner on a cloth rather than spraying directly on the window. This will prevent damage to the fabrics by splattering cleaner. While some fabric window covering products may seem perfect for an outdoor setting, all are recommended for indoor use only.
Sheers
When choosing an ultrasonic cleaning technician for Luminette® sheer fabrics, be sure to ask:
• Have you ultrasonically cleaned Luminette Privacy Sheers for other customers?
• Do you have the proper equipment and Luminette product knowledge? The ultrasonic cleaning process requires the sheers to be removed from the home and transported back to the cleaning facility. And, sheers should be rolled on a tube during transport to minimize wrinkling and damage.
• Will the temperature of the bath water exceed 90°F? If the water temperature is higher than the recommendation, oxidation will occur in Evening Star® vanes.
• Is your tank long enough to accommodate the length of the sheer? (Very important.) The tank used should be at least as long as the height of the sheer to allow for cleaning without folding and wrinkling the vanes.
Where can I have my window coverings repaired? Blind repair?

For blind warranty service and/or repair service, please contact the dealer from whom you purchased the product. The dealer will work with the fabricator who assembled the product to promptly repair and/or replace any defective parts or components. If your dealer is no longer in business or you inherited your window coverings (perhaps they came with your new home) and need to find a local Hunter Douglas dealer, visit Where to Buy to find a dealer near you.

What warranty do I have with my product?

Manufacturers warrant our products which will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for as long as the original retail purchaser owns the product. It is important that you register your product purchase with the manufacturer.

Measuring for blinds - How do I measure for an inside mount, outside mount?

While we recommend you contact your local dealer to arrange for a professional to measure your windows, if you'd like to do it yourself, below are some general guidelines:

Inside Mount (IB)

Measure the width inside the window opening at the top, middle and bottom. The top measurement is critical because the headrail must fit! Record the actual dimension of the shortest width to the nearest one eighth of an inch.

Measure the height inside the window opening at left, right and center. Record the actual dimension of the shortest height to the nearest one eighth of an inch. Also measure the window on its diagonals. If the two diagonal dimensions are not exactly the same, it may be necessary to specify an outside mount for optimal fit, light control and privacy.

The ordered width should ensure a precise fit for the head-rail and allow proper operation of the shade. If widths in the window vary, order the minimum width if necessary to allow the shade to raise and lower properly.

The ordered height should ensure clean operation at the base of the window as well as provide maximum privacy and light control.

Be sure the window opening is deep enough to install the mounting bracket.

Outside Mount (OB)

Measure the desired width and height. To minimize light leakage, the shade should overlap the window opening at least 2" on each side and at the bottom.

When measuring the height, take into account the requirements for mounting the bracket attachment.

I have young children and safety is a big concern for me. What Hunter Douglas products should I consider?

All Hunter Douglas products are designed with safety in mind, and provide standard or optional safety features. If you select a window treatment in the Our Products section, you'll see information about what lifting systems and motorization options are available for that product. Also, you can visit our Safety page, which is located inside Getting Started, for information about our innovative safety
How do I find what levels of energy efficiency, UV protection, privacy and lighting control my window coverings provide?

When you select a Hunter Douglas product from within the Our Products section, you'll be able to see what levels of energy efficiency, UV protection, privacy and lighting control are available for that treatment. For more information about these functional considerations, be sure to stop by Consider Your Needs.

I'm looking for window treatments with a motorized lifting system. What Hunter Douglas products should I consider?
Motorization, remote control, and innovative manual lifting systems are available for many Hunter Douglas window treatments. If you select a window treatment in the Our Products section, you'll see information about what lifting systems are available for that product. Also, you can visit our Easy Operation page, which is located inside Getting Started, for information about all our lifting systems.
Where can I get product samples?

Contact your dealer. Many dealers are shop at home services and will come to your home or business with samples of their products.

I see your products offer something called "UV protection." What's that?

UV stands for the sun's ultraviolet rays. When we test our products for how well they filter out the sun's UV rays, and the heat associated with those rays, we consider two important variables: R-value and shading coefficient. R-value is a measurement of a product's ability to resist heat flow. The higher the number, the better the insulation. Shading coefficient is a measurement of a product's ability to shade against heat. The lower the number, the more effective it is in preventing heat gain and reflecting heat. To learn more, visit our UV Protection page.
What is the difference between Duette® Architella® shades and Duette honeycomb shades?

Duette Architella is similar to our standard Duette honeycomb shade except that it has an inner layer of fabric—what we call our "honeycomb within a honeycomb construction." This new design offers many benefits, including superior energy efficiency and a softer look and feel. The extra layer of fabric also gives the color of the shade a richer appearance, as it prevents bright sunlight from washing out the exterior fabric color. Our original Duette honeycomb shade offers various opacities, a wide array of fabric and color options in single, double or triple honeycomb cells.
When a window fashion is called "energy efficient," what does that mean?

At Hunter Douglas, an energy efficient window fashion is a product that helps to conserve energy inside a home. How well a product does this depends on three important properties: its ability to insulate room interiors from extreme exterior temperatures; its ability to flexibly control the flow of heat generated by the sun (solar energy flow); and its ability to provide optimal daylighting, which minimizes the need for electrical lighting. All Hunter Douglas products help to conserve energy inside a home. Our highest rated energy efficient window fashion is our Duette® Architella® honeycomb shade.

What's Been Happening!

2009-02-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have blogged...I should be keeping up with this. Since I last blogged on thsi site, we have been fortunate enough to service many customers. We have installed at a custome in Bridgemill - Canton, GA Cherokee County - development off of Sixes Road and Bells Ferry Road in Canton GA. Kathy Ireland Woven Wood Deisgner Shades and Norman Woodlore Plantation Shutters. We have also started a new company - Atlanta Premier Window Coverings - www.MyShadeSolutions.com - This company will take on the High end brands Hunter Douglas and Norman Shutters. Kathy Ireland and Comfortex are Hunter Douglas brands. Atlanta Discount Blinds will continue to provide a cost effective solution for Bass Wood and Faux Wood Blinds.

We will blog to you soon!

Dave

Kathy Ireland Woven Wood Shades

2008-10-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

We recently sold Kathy Ireland Woven Wood Shades - Bandar Baroque to a customer in a beautiful custom home built by Robert Williamson Homes in Bridge Mill in Cherokee County Canton Georgia 30114. Woven Woods are a beautiful product for matching decor, cabinetry or wood floors in Kitchens, Keeping Rooms, and Bedrooms. Even in a Basement Bar area the look is very nice.

They also purchased Stained and Painted Plantation Shutters and Wood Blinds to round out a beautiful ensemble to decorate their new home. Get you estimate today!

Did You Ever See a Stained Plantation Shutter

2008-10-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

We recently installed a very large Bass Wood Plantation Stained Shutter in the BridgeMill Community in Canton, GA Cherokee County. Bass Wood is a beautiful hardwood with stunning natural grain qualities. This particular customer had us stain the shutters with one coat of Ebony stain. Take a look at http://www.atlantadiscountblinds.com/

Wand Tilt on Blinds?

2008-07-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

Do you prefer a wand tilt or a cord tilt mechanism on blinds? Let me tell you the disadvantage of the wand tilt. Ususlly a wand tilt is on a lesser quality blind which may have a plastic headrail and mechanism for lift and tilt versus having a metal one (which is in better quality blinds). A wand tilt is much more likely to break within a couple of years of owning the blind due to wear and tear.

A cord (or string) tilt lasts a significantly longer time than a wand tilt. But if that is what you prefer you can get that as an option at no extra cost.

Amazing Vacation and Entertainment WEB Portal

2008-07-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

I have discovered an amazing resource for travel information and reservations http://www.escapeforawhile.com/ This site also gives me access to a lot of other things like Concert Tickets, Sporting Event Tickets and more! Much better than Expedia and Tavelocity.

Add Value to Your Home with Custom Window Treatments

2008-06-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

A big question you may have is, "do window treatments, like Blinds, Shades and Shutters, add value to my home?" The answer is YES! - Custom Blinds and Shutters can! The keyword is custom. If you choose to do it yourself, you are not gettng custom. Going down to your local Home Depot or Lowes and buying what is on the shelf IS NOT a custom window covering. Custom Window Coverings are accurately measured, then cut down to the exact specifications of your window's opening. They are then professionally installed by an installer that has the proper equipment to adjust any of the pieces of the window blinds, etc. to properly mount the window covering correctly and permanently the first time. An example of this would be cutting down the "return" (the return is a piece that goes on the end of the valence, and is perpendicular to the valence) to fit the depth of the distance from the edge of the valence to the frame or wall.Now, you can get custom window coverings at Home Depot or Lowes (I do not want to knock the competition), but the experience can be painful. The process entails calling into their store phone number and getting their voice response unit which give you multiple department options to be transferred to.Once you do get through to someone (assuming someone is available at the time you call), you provide them with a measure estimate and the type of blind you are looking for. If it is not one of the shades of white (usually the only inventory in stock) then they will have to go out and make a custom order. Once you have selected a type of blind, the retailer will schedule a person to come out and measure. Depending on availability of their contract installers in the Queue will determine when they can come out to your house to measure.When someone comes out and measuring is done, most of the time you have to go into the store to choose the colors, etc. Once this is done your order is placed with the fabricator. The scheduling for your install depends upon if the covering is in stock, or has to be ordered.This over-all process is time consuming for you and inconvenient. An alternative is to buy from a shop-at-home service. These companies will come out to your home and bring the samples to you, and consult with you on your window covering needs. It is a much more painless process, and you are likely to get much better long-lasting quality for your money.Now, let's get back to adding value to your home. Typically a Faux Wood Blinds (composite or pure plastic) or Real Wood Blind does not add value to your home because it is semi-permanent. However, if your goal is to match, let say for example, new - expensive Kitchen Cabinets. You probably will want to get a real wood product such as Bass Wood, Phoenix Wood or Poplar. These woods will give you the natural grain (and can be painted or stained virtually any color) to match kitchen cabinets, custom window frames that you already have, furniture style and color, and many other attributes of your home. In this case you have added a more expensive, custom wood product to your home where you are unlikely to ever replace it as long as you live in your home. If you have matched permanent kitchen cabinets or custom window frames, etc in your house, you are probably in a good position to have those blinds included in an appraisal on your home when you go to re-sale. The same goes for custom Plantation Shutters - they are permanently installed with a nail gun, and becomes a permanent component of the window and window frame itself.In both cases, it becomes "Window Furniture".

2008-05-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

See some of our customer's photos http://www.atlantadiscountblinds.com/roommakeover.html

Sales This Week

2008-05-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

This week we installed a cutomer that purchased beautiful Honeycomb (cellular) Shades on a Palladium window (second story), and a custom arch. We put in a custom "sunburst" honeycomb shade. This application significantly reduces UV/UB rays from the sun, and reduces heat into the house during the hot spring and summer weather. The result is savings on cooling costs.

Think About Objectives When Purchasing Window Coverings

2008-05-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

When purchasing window coverings like Blinds, Shades or Shutters, something to keep in mind are your objectives in placing particular types and styles on your windows. A simple acronym to remember is L.I.P.S. Light, Insulation, Privacy and Style. Depending on the room in your house you are putting up window coverings can determine what part o LIPS you need to pay attention to. For example, in a basement where you may have an entertainment center area, you may want to control the light that comes into the windows to allow watching of television during the daylight hours. Any room that has windows that have partial or full East/West exposure, you want to be concerned with how much of the Sun's heat can be cut down - and its effect on your air conditioning bill. Time of year is also a factor. Summer is when the Sun's UV rays are strongest coming into your house through the windows. In a bedroom or bathroom, privacy is a big concern. You may be concerned only with style to match room decor, cabinets in a new kitchen, hardwood flooring, etc.

What ever your objectives are, there are many products, styles and colors to choose from.

Woven Woods are Making a Comeback

2008-05-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

Remember those old woven shades? When you wanted to raise one, you had to roll it up by hand like a humungous burrito and then while holding the unruly beast in place, secure it with a hand-tied knot. There were virtually no colors to choose from; I remember maybe three. And, matchstick bamboo was practically the only style. That was then and this is now. Natural woven woods are now chic and cool and come in a tantalizing, almost mind-boggling array of styles, colors, textures, features and options. When choosing woven wood shades these days, you have to do your homework. A good place for guidance and enlightenment is the internet and the various internet retailers. Consider the ones that sell multiple lines of natural woven woods by nationally recognized blind and shade manufacturers.
To help decide if woven wood shades are the right choice for you, the following is a summary of the significant components and options:
Natural woven wood shades are hand-woven and are relatively environmentally friendly. They come in a variety of materials: woods, bamboos, weeds, and grasses which can compliment a wide variety of decorating styles.
The grasses are generously loomed and are soft and flowing with an exotic, modern, jungle-feel. The bamboo and reeds bring nature to its elegant best with a tropical flair, while the matchstick’s tightly woven, uniform construction gives a more formal look. If something truly unique and eye-catching is your forte, consider a combination. These shades are intricately woven by using two or more natural materials in stunning patterns. The color range of woven woods is naturally beautiful from creamy whites to luxuriant ebonies, and almost everything in between, including all hues of browns, gold, oranges and greens.
Similar to roman shades, the natural woven woods have a graceful, definitive construction. When in the closed position they feature either a classic flat roman fold or the elegantly looped hobbled fold. The lift options include the standard cord, on your choice of side, with shade descending. A handy lift option is the top down/bottom up feature especially for bathrooms and bedrooms where privacy is important but sunlight is desired. If you’re dressing a large bay or picture window, a lift worth considering is the continuous cord loop with its heavy-duty clutch and pulley mechanism. Cordless woven woods have just hit the market and not a moment too soon. It’s an excellent safety option where small children or pets are a concern, or if you simply prefer the uncluttered look.
Additional options are privacy or blackout liners and edge binding. Since woven woods naturally have gaps, some more so than others, you’ll want to consider privacy liners. They provide just that - privacy, while allowing a soft glow of light to filter through. A blackout liner is ideal for bedrooms and home theatres. Fabric edge binding comes in matching or contrasting colors, in patterns or solids and, along with giving a finished look, can add lifetime to your shades.
So, if you are in the market for some really cool window coverings, think green, think exotic, think natural woven woods and shades.

Faux vs Real Wood Blinds

2008-05-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Wood blinds and shutters are still two of the most popular window coverings sold in America. However, there’s always a limit to how much people will spend on their window treatments, and these two products are among the most expensive. Further, sometimes wood is undesirable in high moisture areas or in rooms susceptible to damage by kids and pets.
Recently introduced by almost every manufacturer are quality alternatives to 2” wood blinds. All have slats which imitate wood, but there are some big differences between them. They’re generally called Faux Wood Blinds, Alternative Woods, Wood-like, Polywood, and a host of other names. They’re made of vinyl, vinyl compounds, and even some which are made of a combination of wood and vinyl - in effect a wood/vinyl alloy. The most popular products as of this writing are NuWood by Levolor, Lake Forest by Graber, and Woodwinds 2 by Comfortex. Just a few weeks ago Hunter Douglas unveiled their two entries - Woodmates and Everwoods. Since all of these products use vinyl for at least a portion of their slats they have two inherent advantages to wood blinds: (1) they cost less, and (2) they resist moisture.
The Disadvantages. There are some disadvantages to consider: (1) most people still prefer the warmth of real wood, (2) there are limited color choices and no stains, [Jan/2001: Hunter Douglas' Everwoods now come in stain colors] (3) there are size constraints and size limitations, (4) they are flimsier yet heavier than wood, and (5) they may yellow ( but paint can yellow too).
Beware of the very cheap “foam” blinds. They are especially flimsy, can sag, and require many more support strings (called “ladders”) not only because of their flimsiness, but also because they are heavy. Since most are made with inferior headrails and components, the weight puts a burden on the mechanism, accelerating its demise. I’d strongly suggest you stay away from these foam products. They are sold in Home Improvement centers and in some retail locations usually under a “private label brand”.
All of the faux wood blinds, however, require more ladders than wood blinds. The sturdier the blind, the farther apart the ladders can be placed and therefore will require fewer ladders - and that’s better because with fewer ladders the blinds have a cleaner, sleeker, more shutter-like appearance. The ladders run through holes in the slats, so when the blinds are closed, you’ll see all those holes due to the light piercing through them. Believe me, I’ve seen them and I don’t like the way that looks, and my customers don’t like it either. Further, if you want cloth tapes (like the older venetian blinds had) instead of the string ladders, then there will probably be too many tapes for your taste, and they obstruct your view.
Which are Best? We have evaluated every vendors’ entry, and there’s no doubt that the wood/vinyl alloys are best. They have more color choices, are sturdier, and require fewer ladders. Those products include Levolor’s NuWood, Comfortex’s Woodwind 2, Hunter Douglas’ Everwood, and NoBrainer's Everlast.

Atlanta Window Coverings

2008-04-27T17:44:00.001-07:00

See Premier Window Coverings in Atlanta and surrounding metro area

Thinking Late About My Business

2007-12-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

I am sitting up late here on Saturday, trying to think about what it means to own a business. You need to have passion and energy about what you do. And, you need to be able to move quickly with a sense of urgency. I decided to go into the blind, shade and shutter business. Why? I don't know. But it does seems like a good, honest, and noteworthy business to own. Start up cost are not that much (relative to...say starting a McDonald's). But, when it comes down to it, it is a business where you are improving peoples lives. You are making there home as livable as possible.

So, we go on in our business and try to provide the best customer service and best customer experience possible. You know everyone says that. But I mean it. Look, I have been in the corporate world long enough. I know what NOT to do. So, my philosophy is do everything opposite to what the big corporate company which is hard to do business with. And I think that is what is really about..trying to stand out from the competition and be different. And do it with honesty, integrity, forthrightness (is that even a word?) and...be passionate about it.

So, that is what you will get at Atlanta Discount Blinds. And, that is my promise!

Window Coverings Can Add Value to Your Home

2007-12-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

A big question you may have is, "do window coverings, like Blind and Shutters, add value to my home?" The answer is YES! - Custom Blinds and Shutters can!

The key is custom. Going down to your local Home Depot or Lowes and buying what is on the shelf IS NOT a custom window covering. Custom Window Coverings are accurately measured, then cut down to the exact specifications of your window's opening. They are then professionally installed by an installer that has the proper equipment to adjust any of the pieces of the blinds, etc. to properly mount the window covering correctly and permanently the first time. An example of this would be cutting down the "return" (the return is a piece that goes on the end of the valence, and is perpendicular to the valence) to fit the depth of the distance from the edge of the valence to the frame or wall.

Now, you can get custom window coverings at Home Depot or Lowes (I do not want to knock the competition), but the experience can be painful. The process entails calling into their store phone number and getting their voice response unit which give you multiple department options to be transferred to.

Once you do get through to someone (assuming someone is available at the time you call), you provide them with a measure estimate and the type of blind you are looking for. If it is not one of the shades of white (usually the only inventory in stock) then they will have to go out and make a custom order. Once you have selected a type of blind, the retailer will schedule a person to come out and measure. Depending on availability of their contract installers in the Que will determine when they can come out to your house to measure.

When someone comes out and measuring is done, most of the time you have to go into the store to choose the colors, etc. Once this is done your order is placed with the fabricator. The scheduling for your install depends upon if the covering is in stock, or has to be ordered.

This over-all process is time consuming for you and inconvenient. An alternative is to buy from a shop-at-home service. These companies will come out to your home and bring the samples to you, and consult with you on your window covering needs. It is a much more painless process, and you are likely to get much better long-lasting quality for your money.

Now, let's get back to adding value to your home. Typically a Faux Wood (composite or pure plastic) or Real Wood Blind does not add value to your home because it is semi-permanent. However, if your goal is to match, let say for example, new - expensive Kitchen Cabinets. You probably will want to get a real wood product such as Bass Wood, Phoenix Wood or Poplar. These woods will give you the natural grain (and can be painted or stained virtually any color) to match kitchen cabinets, custom window frames that you already have, furniture style and color, and many other attributes of your home. In this case you have added a more expensive, custom wood product to your home where you are unlikely to ever replace it as long as you live in your home. If you have matched permanent kitchen cabinets or custom window frames, etc in your house, you are probably in a good position to have those blinds included in an appraisal on your home when you go to re-sale. The same goes for custom Plantation Shutters - they are permanently installed with a nail gun, and becomes a permanent component of the window and window frame itself.

In both cases, it becomes "Window Furniture".