What Type of Window Covering Can I Put on My Large, Wide Windows?

September 7, 2017Automatic Blinds, How To, Hunter Douglas, Sliding Doors, Upholstery, Vertical Blinds, Vertical Vanes, Window Coverings, Window Treatmentsblindinfusion

I am often asked the question: What type of window covering can I put on my large, wide windows?

In Calgary, Cochrane and surrounding areas we are blessed with beautiful mountain views and a large amount of sunlight. We maximize this light with larger than average windows. Calgary window coverings need to have the ability to cover these large windows as well as capture the views and light and be easy to use. There are several window blinds and shades that function more efficiently than others to accommodate the wide and long windows.

Silhouette blinds by Hunter Douglas, available in Cochrane, Alberta.

Hunter Douglas has two proprietary products that I love for the ability to be lightweight and easy to use as well as span the large glass area. One is the Hunter Douglas Silhouette®, which provides a beautiful diffusion of light through two layers of sheers fused with a horizontal fabric slat to maximize the view.

Choose Silhouette Clearview by Hunter Douglas for your home's large windows.

Hunter Douglas has just introduced the Clearview Silhouette® which is a perfect solution for Calgary window coverings that allow our fabulous impressive mountainous views and cityscape to be unobscured. The innovative black rear sheer provides a transparency that Calgary and area home owners will love.

Luminette by Hunter Douglas for your Calgary & Cochrane home.

Secondly, the Hunter Douglas Luminette® Privacy Sheers pairs extremely well with the Silhouette. Its vertical sheers and drapery options make it the perfect solution for the wide expansive windows and patio doors that Calgary and area boasts. The beautiful sheer with a fabric vertical vane allow homeowners to rotate the vanes to maximize the light while maintaining the view. The sleek hardware system is exceptionally easy to use especially with the option of Powerview® which can accommodate extremely wide windows and sliding glass doors with the touch of a button.

Use Hunter Douglas PowerView for the convenience of controlling your blinds and window coverings.

Another of my favourite window treatments for the large Calgary windows are Roller Shades. With their large widths available on many beautiful fabrics the roller shade has become one of the more popular choices to accentuate your interior.

The roller shade works especially well in modern contemporary homes and those with an industrial flair. With the added option of a Sheerweave or Sunscreen roller fabric you can protect the harsh UV rays while maintaining some outward view. The standard operating system, the continuous beaded chain, it is very easy to operate, however using Powerview® is a great alternative for ease of function as well as simplicity.

Skyline by Hunter Douglas, perfect for the large windows in your Calgary home.

Many of the Rollershade fabrics can also be considered for a panel system such as Hunter Douglas Skyline® Gliding Panels. The 11 ½” or 17” panels glide on a sleek hardware system to provide a dramatic look on your large windows or sliding glass doors.

Calgary window coverings can encompass so many different products – drapery, blinds, shades, shutters and the list continues. The forward, creative innovation of products makes Calgary window covering options aesthetically pleasing to enhance your home.

For custom window covering solutions for your Cochrane & Calgary home, contact Kirstin today!

PowerView® Motorization Brings Convenience Home

February 27, 2017Automatic Blinds, Custom Window Coverings, Energy Efficiency, Hunter Douglas, Motorized Blinds, Remote Control Blindsblindinfusion

hunter douglas remote motorized blinds calgary

Imagine having the ability to control your window coverings from your hotel in Hawaii… this is a reality with Hunter Douglas advanced PowerView® Motorization. You can transform the light in your home by the touch of a button whether it be in the comfort of your living room or a tropical location while on vacation. There are many benefits to having your blinds and shades motorized and Hunter Douglas makes the decision affordable and attractive.

Child & Pet Safety

hunter douglas remote motorized blinds child safety

Child safety is top of mind when considering a new window covering. The untidy cords are a child and pet safety hazard due to choking. You can provide your family peace of mind by choosing PowerView® motorization for your shades and blinds. This will eliminate your cords on your shades, with the exception of the Parkland and Everwood blinds, where you can tilt the shades only with the automation. Imagine having a Duette top down bottom up shade and being able to control it with the touch of a button and keeping the area free of any safety hazards.

For those Hard to Reach Areas

hunter douglas top down bottom up duette blinds kitchen

Many homes also have hard to reach areas such as over the sink, in the Master ensuite over the tub or the beautiful second story windows that allow ample light and view through. However, using your blinds in these areas can be cumbersome and frustrating. With Hunter Douglas PowerView® you can make this operation easy and effortless.

PowerView® Pebble Remote Control

hunter douglas pebble remote colors calgary cochrane

You can control your PowerView® blinds and shades with the PowerView® Pebble remote, which is a hand held remote that comes in an assortment of the latest design colors. You can pre-set and operate 6 groups of blinds (or six single units) on the remote. You can also opt for the pebble room scene controller to program and schedule your blinds or groups of blinds to open and close according to the schedule that you choose.

Introducing the PowerView® APP

hunter douglas powerview app calgary

You set your room scenes on your PowerView® APP from your smart device or tablet. Through this APP you can control your shades remotely as well as having each room on its own timer that you have chosen specifically. Alternately, you can choose to have the wall mounted remote or scene controller inset into your wall so the remote does not go missing in action. These are available in three neutral colors. Hunter Douglas PowerView® technology is top of the line and integrates into other whole-home automation systems.

Choose a dedicated, local window coverings specialist in the Calgary & Cochrane area. Call Kirstin at Blind Infusion to discuss your custom blinds and window treatment needs!

How to Keep Your Blinds & Window Coverings Looking New

December 14, 2016Blinds, Blinds & Window Coverings Maintenance, Draperies, How To, Window Coveringsblindinfusion

Dusty homes in Calgary, Alberta need special attention to keep blinds and window coverings clean.

Let’s face it – we live in a dusty province and this can be a challenge when trying to keep our blinds and shades looking fresh. Pollutants, dust and insects can settle on your blinds and this can trigger asthma, allergies or just plain untidiness.

Follow these tips to help your window coverings look like they were just installed, however please keep in mind to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.

Woods, Faux Wood or Aluminum Venetians

how to clean wood blinds, aluminum or faux wood blinds We love our slatted blinds in this area, but these are the dustiest culprits of them all. Using a microfiber cloth, you can close the slats and wipe each slat down. You can reverse the tilt and then get the other side. For the aluminum blinds, you may find it easier to use a vacuum with an upholstery brush, especially if they have not been cleaned for a length of time.

Real Wood blinds are treated like furniture – a simple wipe with your dusting cloth when you dust your furniture will keep them beautiful for years to come.

Drapery and Curtains

How to clean drapes, drapery and curtains in Calgary. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning, for many designer fabrics cannot be washed as they will lose their finish. A light vacuum with the upholstery brush especially along the top of the pleats will help repel any dust. Alternately, after removing the hooks, you could put the curtains in the dryer on air tumble depending on the pleat and design of the drapery.

If it is custom drapery use extra caution and check with your designer. If you need to spot wash it, test an inconspicuous area first to ensure that the fabric won’t change color and try putting the cleaner on the cloth and dab the spot.

Rollers and Honeycombs

How to clean honey comb shades and roller blinds in Calgary, Alberta. These are the easiest to maintain and keep clean. Simply using them will repel any dust settling on them. A light vacuum a few times a year will keep these window coverings fresh.

The cellular shades can be spot cleaned using a stain-buster cloth or a light baby wipe. You could also consider having these professionally cleaned by a company that used ultrasonic cleaning methods. Please be sure to check the business’s methods of cleaning before approving their services.

Silhouettes and Pirouettes

How to clean silhouettes and pirouettes These delicate beauties will require extra caution when insects go into the pirouettes or the silhouettes vanes. A hair dryer on cool, compressed air or a vacuum on blow can take out closer insects. But, if your blind is extra wide and the pesky bug is in the center, try getting a smooth pole with sticky tape on it and ever so gently insert it in the vane while someone helps you hold the shade out and still.

Take extra caution not to snag the sheer as this will cause permanent damage. This is not the best scenario; however, it is an option to consider if you cannot get them professionally cleaned.

With regular cleaning and a quick wipe or light vacuum your blinds and shades can look new for years to come. Simply exercising them will repel some dust and pollutants off and also allows you to enjoy them!

The Best Blackout Blinds from Hunter Douglas for 2016

May 10, 2016Blackout Blinds, Blinds, Curtains, Hunter Douglas, Vertical Blinds, Window Coverings, Window Treatmentsblindinfusion

Spring and summer bring on the long summer nights that can be troublesome for those people who need the room dark to sleep. Whether it be a newborn, young child or an adult needing darkness to sleep, there are window covering options to provide room darkening or room dimming effects. It is important to note that room darkening blinds are not all created equal. To this end, we will discuss some of the details to consider when choosing a room darkening window covering and this includes a recommended list of a few choice products from Hunter Douglas that provide ample light control and design options.

The best room darkening blind is the honeycomb or cellular. The mylar in the cellular construction makes the blind completely opaque; that is, no light penetrates through the fabric of the blind. The cellular will provide the tightest fit in your window as well because the deductions are minimal and the fabric will go to the edge of the moving rails. Light has a way of creeping everywhere, so you will have a glow of light around the perimeter of your window. The room darkening cellular will also give you the option of cordless and “top down bottom up” so they are a perfect option for excellent versatility in function and the variety of colors lends itself to any interior design.

Another room darkening blind is the roller shade. This is best as an outside mount as it has a light gap on each side due to the operating mechanism, preventing the fabric from going to the edge of your window trim. The fabric can be opaque making it a good consideration for room darkening as an outside mount – meaning that it is mounted on the wall above the window trim. If you prefer a cleaner look of an inside mount, which most do, you could look at mounting room darkening curtains on the side to block the light.

The silhouette A-Deux or the Silhouette Duolite is a fairly new room darkening window covering option combining the beauty of an elegant silhouette with a room darkening roller shade that can operate separately from the silhouette. This provides very good light control, however there is still a large glow on the edge due to the light gap on the sides. However, for those that can withstand a bit of light this is an excellent option providing versatility and elegance.

A photo of Hunter Douglas Solera model, an example of custom Roman Shades that help block out excessive sunlight.

Perhaps you would like to have a room darkening blind that provides more softness and this would lead you to the Vignette or perhaps a lined Roman Shade. The fabric will act as drapery for your window and provide you with a dressier finish to your interior without compromising the room darkening qualities.

One can also add room darkening curtains to each window treatment to provide more light control and custom drapery options can be almost limitless with the many fabrics to choose from. Changing the pleated style of the drapery will allow you to personalize this treatment to your interior.

If you are looking for blackout blinds and curtains in the Cochrane and Calgary area, call Blind Infusion today! Make the most of your night’s sleep by ensuring that you choose the right types of blinds for your home’s decor and provide the optimal amount of light control from room to room. For more information contact Kirstin at 403-801-6434 or by email through our contact us page.

Why Choose a Specialist for Custom Window Coverings?

March 30, 2016Blinds, Consultations, Custom Window Coverings, Window Coverings, Window Treatmentsblindinfusion

Calgary and Cochrane home owners have a lot of choices when it comes to deciding on where to purchase window coverings for the new home, renovation or minor project. It can be daunting and overwhelming where to even start to look, which online sources you can trust or what do-it-yourself store to conquer and try to get assistance. It is a common misconception that custom window coverings are not within their do it yourself budget. However, professional window coverings specialists can often meet any budget. Beyond budget concerns, one should also consider other reasons to discuss your window covering needs with a professional who can help you from start to finish.

A window covering specialist it simply that – a specialist. When you discuss your window coverings with someone you have chosen to invite into your home, make sure you trust their advice – are they asking you questions about your lifestyle and needs, are they considering your interior style and colour preferences, is child safety top of mind? Do they have product knowledge that is top notch and are their samples current?

Installation of Custom Window Coverings in Calgary & Cochrane

Once you are comfortable with the specialist you have chosen to work with there are many other reasons to continue to do work with a custom window covering dealer. A true specialist is going to make sure that you have the right product in your home. Can you automate top down bottom up honeycombs, which products will provide the least amount of light gap at the sides for room darkening, which are more insulated and heat-efficient would you like options that provide view through to the outside such as a solar shade…so many options to consider with a variety of products that may or MAY NOT work in your window. A specialist with an eye for detail will also look for mounting depth requirements, window obstructions such as window locks and whether an outside mount will serve your needs better.

A custom blinds specialist will provide a professional measurement as well. Every product fits differently in your window and a knowledgeable dealer will be aware of the different deductions and how to ensure a proper fit. Furthermore, the certified installers to install the product in your window will make sure that everything is fitting as it should and show you how to use the product. For example, an automated window covering will require a quick lesson on programming and how to use the remote or wall switch.

An example of a custom drapes installation by Blind Infusion in a Calgary area home.

Custom window coverings will also have a warranty. You have invested time and money into this decision, it is wise to look at the warranty options. If you purchase from a do it yourself store how will you go about obtaining warranty service? With a custom window covering dealer rest assured your product will have a one to five year warranty if it is not limited lifetime. This will be discussed at the time of your consultation. Knowing that your purchase will provide years of enjoyment provides peace of mind for years to come.

Choose a dedicated, local window coverings specialist in the Calgary & Cochrane area. Call Kirstin at Blind Infusion to discuss your custom blinds and window treatment needs!

Top Choices of Window Coverings for Sliding Glass Doors

March 5, 2016Blinds, Consultations, Horizontal Blinds, Hunter Douglas, Sliding Doors, Vertical Blinds, Vertical Vanes, Window Coverings, Window Treatmentsblindinfusion

Sliding Glass doors, Garden doors, Atrium Doors all seem to pose an overwhelming window covering issue for Calgary and Cochrane home owners. We love our Patio doors to maximize our light, however they do cause a stumbling block when it comes to covering them with blinds.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical Blinds are a traditional choice for Calgary and Cochrane homes that have large windows and patio doors, such as sliding doors.

The most traditional, yet perhaps the more dated solution is to consider vertical blinds. Although these now come in fabulous fabric prints and textures there are other options to look at. If you prefer a vertical solution, or one that is drawn across the sliding glass doors, another modern option is Hunter Douglas Skyline^®. The panels glide over a minimal track to prevent obtrusive projection into the room and come in two sizes – 11 ½” or 17”. Although these panels do not tilt open like their old friend the vertical, they do offer versatility in light control with the varying choices in light filtering fabrics, including solar screens which can allow some view through to the outside of the home.

Vertical Vanes

Luminette Sheers from Hunter Douglas for sliding doors in Calgary and Cochrane.

If you would like the option of tilting the vanes you could look more closely at the Hunter Douglas Luminette^®. Their vertical vanes that can rotate are set in between sheers for maximum light control and privacy. This also allows home owners to have UV protection when the vanes are tilted open and the Luminette is drawn closed over the window.

Horizontal Blinds

Honeycomb shades, such as these ones from Hunter Douglas Canada, provide a great solution as a large window covering.

A very common solution to patio doors and garden doors is to consider the door as a window – that is to install shades or blinds that move horizontally and stack at the top. This is a perfect solution for the garden doors, however, contact your window covering specialist for mounting requirements to clear the screen obstruction. There are a few great horizontal options, two being the honeycomb shade and the roller shade. This is mainly due to their neat and tidy stack that is very minimal when the blind is drawn up. This allows traffic flow out the doors and excellent light coverage or privacy when the blinds are drawn closed. It will be important to look at cordless options for child safety in a high traffic area and automation may also be worth considering.

Roller shades provide an elegant and functional solution to larger windows and patio doors, perfect for the Calgary home owner.

For more information, take a closer look at Hunter Douglas’ window treatment solutions (http://www.hunterdouglas.com/patio-door-and-sliding-glass-door-treatments).

Need help with finding the right solution for the sliding glass doors and larger windows in your Cochrane and Calgary home? Call Kirstin at (403) 801-6434 for a free consultation for all of your window covering needs!

How to Save Energy & Money with the Right Window Coverings in Calgary

February 17, 2016Blinds, Energy Efficiency, How To, Hunter Douglas, Window Coveringsblindinfusion

Did you know that up to to 50% of your heating and cooling energy can be lost through your windows?
If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money on your heating and cooling bills, you’ll want to check out this free report by Blinds specialist, Kirstin.

Download this free PDF report:
Blinds, Window Coverings & Energy Efficiency in Calgary

In this concise report, Kirstin outlines some key areas of concern for home owners in the Calgary & Cochrane areas, who must contend with Alberta’s harsh climate and strong UV rays year-round.

Learn which blind offers the most energy efficiency and highest R-Value rating, the benefits of the “solar shade” and how to automate your blinds so you can “set it and forget it” using the latest technology that makes your home smarter and quite simply more efficient.

When homeowners are faced with a downturn in the economy and extreme season changes, they need to consider these factors when choosing the best blinds for their homes. In this free report, Kirstin will help you save energy and money, year after year.

For a free consultation on how to improve your Calgary & Area home’s window treatments and save energy and money in the process, call Kirstin today at 403.801.6434

Receive up to a $500 rebate on Hunter Douglas Silhouette Blinds in Calgary, Cochrane & Area

January 18, 2016Blind Rebates, Blinds, Events & Community, Hunter Douglas, Window Coveringsblindinfusion

Receive a $250 or $500 Rebate from Hunter Douglas Until April 30^th, 2016

Discover the Convenience of UltraGlide®

UltraGlide® by Hunter Douglas is a retractable cord mechanism that allows the raising and lowering of the window blind. By keeping the cord a constant length, there are never any long, dangling cords to inhibit the appearance or safety of the window treatment in your home. This is ideal for pet and child safety.

Silhouette®Shadings feature the UltraGlide 2 Click and Walk Away™ system that automatically opens the vanes when completely lowered.

Introducing PowerView™ Motorization

Looking for the latest technology in window treatments beyond great looks and high quality, long-lasting design? Hunter Douglas Canada now offers a revolutionary automated system that automatically adjusts your shades throughout your home, so you don’t have to keep adjusting them by hand, multiple times a day.

If you are looking for beautiful and intelligent modern window covering ideas, then look no further than Hunter Douglas! Their award-winning innovation with PowerView has brought automatic blinds to a whole new level. Combine this with the simple elegance of the Hunter Douglas Silhouette^TM series and you have a stunning and intelligent combination of function and design in your home.

Imagine having blinds for your Calgary home that anticipates your needs and adjusts automatically throughout the day’s changing light, allowing for the right ambiance morning, noon and night.

Simply program PowerView to adjust your window treatments to exactly as you’d like them and control the schedule right from your mobile device using the PowerView App; Beauty and convenience combined!

PowerView^TM Features and Benefits

Remote Control Blinds – Control PowerView remotely through the PowerView App or a “Pebble” remote control
The PowerView Pebble easily pre-sets your automatic blinds and operates up to 6 different window treatment groups with a click of a button.
Choose to control different aspects of your Calgary home’s window coverings using an advanced display screen to preview and select room scenes that include a variety of shades and shade positions that you have programmed in.
Find the right color combination of Pebble to match your Silhouette shades from one of seven beautiful colours. You can even wall mount the control using the PowerView Surface Mount

Hunter Douglas Silhouette Shades with PowerView^TM Responds to YOUR Schedule

If you’re looking specifically for motorized blinds, then why not choose the intelligent kind that you can schedule to activate and respond on specific days and times?

Choose Hunter Douglas Automated Blinds and co-ordinate with the ever-changing sunrise and sunset times as seasons change.

Not Home to make changes to your settings? Use the RemoteConnect^TMfeature via the Web to operate your shades anywhere in the world using your smartphone or tablet and an internet connection.

PowerView extends the convenience of cordless functionality found in many of Hunter Douglas’ window treatments across Canada.

Most PowerView window treatments are battery-powered. This allows for easy installation, operation and maintenance. The battery pack is hidden and remains unobtrusive to the overall look of your window treatments.

There are so many types of blinds to choose from, where does one start?

It is always best to start the process by talking with an experienced window covering expert who can guide you seamlessly through the process.

Ready for the Convenience and Intelligent design found in the combination of Hunter Douglas Silhouette Shades with PowerView in Cochrane and Calgary, Alberta?

Contact your local Hunter Douglas Calgary connection, Blind Infusion, a custom blind company and Hunter Douglas dealer. With our extensive experience, we can help you through the entire process from an in-home consultation to certified installation.

Remember, this rebate is only good until April 30^th, 2016, so book today!