Have you ever wondered if there was a way to block that harsh sun from seeping through your windows and heating up your home? Lucky for you and everyone else in Arizona, there is a way! There are two products that work to do just that. Solar Film and Solar Screens both block out the sun and reflect the heat from your home! The Solar Film product offered at Arizona Blinds is called

Panorama window film

. It is a top-rated window film that is virtually undetectable and comes with countless benefits.

How does it work?

Solar Film

is a thin film that is fitted and installed inside your window’s existing glass. This allows the film to be maintenance free and undetectable while reflecting heat and reducing up to 99% of the UV rays that come into your home.

What does it do?

Solar Film

reflects the heat, blocks sun rays and produces shade. All of these benefits work together to keep your home cool during the summer months, and in turn, may lower your energy bill. Solar Film also helps to protect your homes’ furnishings. Unfortunately, the harsh sunlight slowly fades and destroys furnishings; by blocking the sun from coming into your home, you will be protecting your furnishings from any accelerated aging the sun may have on them. Additionally, Solar Film works as an extra layer of protection to your windows, while also securing the glass (and keeping it from shattering into a million pieces) in case a window is broken.

What does Solar Film look like?

Solar Films are practically undetectable. While you may be able to see the film on the window if you look closely, from a normal distance, the film will not be noticeable and will not affect your view.

With the help of

Panorama Window Film

and protect your furnishings from the harmful UV rays.

Solar Screens and Solar Film are two extremely functional

window treatment

options offered here at Arizona Blinds! While they are two different products,

Solar Screens

and

Solar Film

produce similar sun blocking and home cooling results that are perfect and often times essential, for Arizona homes.

Arizona is home to some of the hottest summers around. With the help of

Solar Screens

or

Solar Film

, you can strategically and cost-effectively cool down your home. Solar Screens replace your home’s existing window screens to keep the sunlight and heat from coming in. They are extremely dark screens specifically designed to reduce heat transfer through windows, reduce glare and harmful sun rays, without blocking your view. These screens will dramatically cool down and add privacy to your home – you can see out of Solar Screens, but outsiders cannot see in.

If you’re looking for a way to cool down your home without adding additional privacy, Solar Film may be just the product you are looking for. Solar Film is a thin film that is installed into your existing glass, providing you with a maintenance free product that reflects the heat, reduces the UV rays and protects your indoor furnishings.

When it comes time to choose which product is right for your home, there are a few things to keep in mind. Solar Screens can be swapped out with your homes regular window screens depending on the time of year. This gives you the option of letting more natural light shine in during the cooler months, and blocking it out during summer months. Solar Film is more permanent, however it also works as a glass protector, adding a layer to the glass for protection, strength, and to hold the glass together in case a window breaks.

Each product will help protect your home from the harsh Arizona sun, block out the harmful rays and cool down the temperature in your home. No matter which product you choose, we know you will be happy with the significant and positive changes Solar Screens and Solar Film can have on your home!

Now is the perfect time to make some changes in your home to get a fresh start this spring! There are plenty of ways you can

spruce up your home

before summer without spending a lot of time or money. Here are a few tips and tricks to help get you started!

• Pull back those shades and let the sunlight in! Studies show that having natural light in your home increases productivity and improves you mood! However, natural light can also increase the temperature of you home, which is why

solar-film

is a great option here in Arizona! Solar film allows you to let the sun shine in but helps cool down your home at the same time. The best of both worlds!

• Painting is an easy and inexpensive way to give any room in your home a quick face-lift! Crisp whites or bold bright colors are great for spring!

• Rearrange the furniture in your home. By simply moving around a few pieces of furniture, you can drastically change the overall feel of the room. Who knows, you may like a new layout much better than your current setup anyways!

• New

window treatments

are always a great way to add something extra to any living space. Be bold and go for a bright new

accent color

this spring.

• Once you get new window treatments in your home, get creative with your old window treatments. Check out our post “7 Ways to Reuse Your Old Drapes” for some new ideas!

Take advantage of all the opportunities that spring time has to offer you; “Spring into Action” and have fun doing it!

Spring has sprung, meaning it’s time to get down and dirty and get your home sparkling clean! Don’t forget about the

windows

so you can have a nice clear view of the spring day outside without looking through dirt grime stuck on from winter. Hiring a professional to

clean your windows

can be expensive so here are five

do-it-yourself tips

that will help you efficiently clean the windows in your home.

1. Gather your tools – Get an old t-shirt or soft cotton rag, not a towel (they leave lint behind!). You also may want to consider investing in a squeegee rather than only using rags. It’s more sustainable than paper towels and helps get a streak free shine. You will also need a bucket for your cleaning solution and rag.

2. Save money on cleaning solution – Consider making your own instead of spending a ton of money on window cleaner. Mix one tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent with one quart water for a safe and non-toxic cleaner.

3. Use this cleaning method – Dip your rag in the soapy water, wipe the window, then squeegee it clean. Wipe horizontally on the inside and vertically on the outside so if there are streaks, you know which side of the window they are on.

4. Avoid direct sunlight – When you clean in direct sunlight, the water will dry too quickly and leave streaks. Wait for a cloudy day or clean them in the early morning or late evening.

5. Polish for extra shine – Buff the window with some dry crumpled newspaper afterwards. This will give your windows extra shine and help them be resistant to dirt in the future.

Once your windows are clean, give them a fresh new look with one of Arizona Blinds’ window treatments. We have light draperies for spring and dark blinds to keep the hot sun out during summer!

Diane

Considering that we all lead busy lives these days, it’s essential that we live in a stress free and happy environment. Your home can largely contribute to how you feel and act; if you dislike the

interior of your home

or are unhappy with the décor then you have a problem. Have some fun with your home decor and live with what makes you happy.
First, think about each room in your home and what it is used for; this will help you determine how to decorate that specific room. For example, the kitchen is for cooking and eating, so you might want to pick a clean neutral color to avoid it looking messy or dirty. The living room is for relaxing or having guests over, so you might decide to go for a calm blue theme or a splash of bright color on one wall.

Think about what each color means. Here’s a list of a few of our favorites and how they may affect your mood:

• Blue: A perfect soothing color that helps calm your mind and reduces tension; perfect for the bedroom and helping you to have a good night’s sleep.

• Red: It can raise the energy level of a room. Red is an exciting and vibrant color, usually recommended for either a living room or dining room.

• Yellow: This color can brighten up any room; it’s an uplifting and cheerful color. It should only be used in small sections of the house, such as hallways, in the kitchen or through accessorizing; large amounts of yellow in the home can lead to frustration.

• Green: Considered the most restful color for the eye; it promotes a calming and refreshing living space. Recommended for any room at any time, just be sure to pick a relaxing shade of green such as sage, and steer clear of the brighter shades.

• Neutrals: Even a basic and clean color scheme can be relaxing for a room, just add a hint of excitement with bright pillows or fun wall art.

Another aspect that can lead to a happier you is the lighting inside your home. Recent studies have found that natural light not only brightens your home, but can put a smile on your face and boost your health. It’s estimated that 90% of humans suffer from seasonal mood changes during the dark winter months and natural sunlight has been found to be the most effective treatment for kicking the winter blues. With the right blinds, shades, drapes or screens, you can control the amount of natural light entering your home, changing the mood whenever you want. To get the best results, match the window treatment of the room with the overall theme of the room. With the right color theme,

window coverings

and lighting, you will have a happier home in no time.

Call today to schedule your free, in home consultation!

are not just for the inside of a home. They can bring a little something extra to any outside patio, deck, gazebo or cabana:

• Optimize your backyard or front porch by using beautiful
  

  shades

  or colored

  drapes

  to provide a contemporary touch.

• Be open to colors and orientation, feng shui and color coordinating will set different moods to even an outdoor setting.

• The use of automatic shades will be the talk of all your friends at the barbecues you will host this summer!

Spring is nearing and now is the time to take advantage of new styles and deals we have for you, as well as finding useful ways to spruce up your outdoor space. The key decorating term you should apply this spring is “optimization”. Be open to the possibilities! Check out our pinterest, to see more great ideas about optimizing space.

This year, green isn’t just for Saint Patrick’s Day. Emerald green was recently named the Pantone 2013 color of the year. You may be thinking that this vibrant shade is too loud to use in your home, however when used tactically, emerald green can be an energizing and inviting color. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for selecting the perfect color scheme for decorating with the jewel-tone.

Try a neutral color scheme. This will allow a statement emerald piece, like a couch or

drapes

to stand out all while complementing the warm tones in the color. A monotone color scheme uses varying shades, ranging from light to dark, of the same color. Emerald is a strong color so you will want one deep emerald piece with two to three pale shades to balance it out. A helpful hint for creating a monotone color scheme is getting some paint swatches of the color you want to help select your shades. Don’t be afraid to carry those paint swatches with you when you go shopping!

Remember the color wheel from art class? Well, according to that wheel, red is the complementary color for green. However, red and emerald green might make a room look a little too much like Christmas, so we suggest using a pale or soft pink or coral shade to complement the emerald. To keep the room from becoming too warm, make sure you add lots of white accents, like throw pillows or a window treatment, to emphasize the green.

Follow these tips to decorate a rich, emerald accented room that will make you feel like royalty!

Spring is in the air and the gloomy winter weather is almost a distant memory. Make sure to prep your home for summer before the sweltering summer sun starts to shine through! One of the easiest and most cost effective solutions is to have solar screens installed. Solar screens are the perfect solution; they allow you to control the light and heat entering your home, which is essential when you live in Arizona. Solar screens also help you save money during the scorching summers and help reduce your electric bill.

How do solar screens benefit you and your home?

• Eliminate heat transfer from the sun from heating up your home. During the summer, the sun’s rays are vicious and unforgiving. Windows quickly become heat conductors for your home.
• Control the amount of natural light entering your home
• Decrease sun damage caused to furniture and artwork. When the sun’s rays are constantly entering your home, it can cause permanent sun damage and fading to your furniture and artwork.
• Solar screens help by blocking all harmful UV rays.
• Save money! When your air-conditioner works less, you pay less
• Add privacy to your home without losing the view.
• Make your house “green” and sustainable by reducing your carbon footprint.

Go green and save money with solar screens. Call today to schedule your free, in home consultation!

All parents know that when you have kids, everything gets dirty. And we mean everything, even your

window treatments

Sure, most window treatments are washable but if you choose the wrong material or color, that may not be an easy task. There are a few tricks you can use to ensure that no matter how many little hands you may have roaming around your home, your window treatments stay clean.  Go with any of the choices below and you’ll be prepared for just about anything!

• Shutters – These are one of the best options for homes with little kids because the surfaces are hard so no matter what your kids may get on the shutters, it can most likely be wiped off.
  

  shutters

  typically come in three materials – vinyl, composite, and hardwood. While the wood may be the most difficult, all of them can be wiped down, even after sticky little hands have at them!

• Drapery – Drapes may seem like a hazard around little kids, but if done correctly, they can be a suitable option. The best way to use drapes in a home with little kids is to use strong, heavy duty and dark fabrics. The darker the fabric, the less likely dirt will show and the stronger the fabric, the easier it will be to clean.
• Blinds – Blinds are also a good option as they come in both wood and faux wood, both of which are easy to wipe down. One thing to consider with blinds is to choose a darker color if you expect to have dirty fingers touching them. Just as with drapes, the darker the material, the less dirt will show up.

Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you need to settle for boring window treatments. As long as you use the tricks above, you can have just about any window treatments in your home, even with little kids!