pleated

A Guide to Pairing Your Windows and Blinds

by BlindsHints and Tips

In choosing a new set of blinds, you have a lot of different things to consider; without careful planning and acute foresight, you could end up pairing a set of blinds with a window they are simply not suited for. Functionally and aesthetically, this could compromise the quality of your blinds. Therefore, to help you avoid this predicament, this month we’ll be outlining the key things you should be thinking about when pairing your windows and blinds.

Striking a Balance: Privacy Versus Aesthetics

Sometimes, striking the right balance between achieving adequate privacy and aesthetic fulfilment is a tricky one. Finding the right blinds for your privacy concerns depends entirely on the room you’re worried about; if it’s the living room, for instance, you can afford to compromise slightly on privacy to get the perfect look, but if it’s your bedroom then you may opt for a less appealing blind that offers full privacy, such as a blackout blind. Discuss this issue further with your blind specialist to determine the best choice for your requirements.

How Important Is Energy Efficiency to You?

If you have small windows, you may not need to worry so much about heat lost through your windows, but for those looking to cut their carbon footprint and save on their energy bills, large windows can be a huge impediment. To curb the threat of heat loss large windows encourage, thicker fabric blinds are more suitable, such as Roman or fitted Velux blinds.

Do Your Blinds Need to Be Water Resistant?

The matter of whether or not your blinds need to be water resistant is perhaps one of the most important areas to consider on this list. In bathrooms and with windows above a kitchen sink, water (from splashes as well as vapour) and how certain types of blinds can deal with it becomes a critical issue.

With wooden blinds, for instance, you run the risk of warping occurring, and with some metallic ones you have the risk of rust. Likewise, fabric blinds can develop moulds in their folds if they aren’t properly aired out on a regular basis.

To avoid the worst effects of water damage to blinds in bathrooms and windows above the kitchen sink, there are blinds on offer that can help. These blinds need to withstand high humidity levels while maintaining respectable levels of privacy. They can include aluminium and faux wood blinds, both of which have water resistant abilities.

Expand Your Room Through Colour

If you have a small room or windows, you may often feel cramped and uncomfortable, especially if you have a lot of furniture in it. Fortunately, you can in fact make your room and its window areas appear larger than they are by using lighter colours, such as creams and light blues, for your blinds. Alternatively, in a large room blinds of a darker colour could make the room appear smaller in size, giving it a homelier feel.

If you’re searching for the ideal set of blinds for your windows, contact Paul James Blinds today. We are the premier blind and curtain specialists of the Colchester, Sudbury, Colchester, Braintree and Bury St Edmunds areas.

With over 35 years of experience in the field, we are perfectly suited to provide you with professional advice on pairing your windows and blinds, balancing aesthetic and practical uses expertly. We use only the best brands in the industry to provide top quality and reliable products at a competitive price. For a free no obligation survey of your home, contact our friendly team.

 

 

Development of curtains in the UK _ Paul James Blinds

The Best Ways to Clean Your Curtains

by Hints and Tips

Curtains are a huge part of the rooms they can be found in, and in particular they are a magnet for dust and other particles that in time can alter their colour. To keep your them looking fresh and lively, it is important to clean the curtains regularly, but doing so can be a challenge for those not in the know. Consequently, in this month’s article we’ll be looking at the best ways you could clean your curtains to restore them to their better days.

Curtains - Paul James Blinds

Steam Cleaning

If you don’t feel like taking your heavy or difficult-to-remove curtains down to clean them, fortunately you don’t have to. So long as you own a steam cleaner, you can efficiently clean your curtains while they hang from their railing. Key to steam cleaning your curtains is to start from the top and work your way to the bottom; this is because the runoff from the steam will be mucky and you don’t want it staining the freshly cleaned areas. Pull the steamer down over the curtains and for particularly stubborn marks: steam then scrub with a cloth and then steam again.

If the curtains become too wet, you may need to pull the steamer further away from the curtain, but at all times you must be careful not to scold yourself on the steam. You can wear protective clothing to try and circumvent any harm, but at the very least you must remain wary.

Finally, make sure that your curtains aren’t bunched up afterwards and that they can dry out fully. Failure to do so will likely result in the formation of mould on your curtains that will leave them worse off than before.

Hand Wash

If your curtains are a little on the delicate side, you could instead hand wash them to get them back into shape. Take them down from their rail – being careful not to lose the rail gliders if your curtain has them – and prepare your bathtub with a regular washing powder or one designed specifically for hand washing delicates. Follow the instructions on the washing powder/liquid for appropriate concentrations.

Gently hand wash your curtains to avoid damaging them, working through them meticulously to ensure that all areas are cleaned and the curtains don’t come out in uneven levels of freshness and colour. Leave them outside to dry, ensuring they have dried thoroughly before reattaching them to the rail.

Machine Wash

The least tedious option, however, would be to clean your curtains in the washing machine. You should be careful only to machine wash fabrics that can withstand the machine cycle, otherwise one of the other two options above would be better suited. Set your machine to delicates and hang them out on the line to dry afterwards. A lower temperature setting would be best to avoid shrinking, but if shrinking remains a worry you should hand wash them instead.

Once your curtains are fully dry, you can hang them back up on the railing, safe in the knowledge that they feel as good as new and aren’t threatened by mould. Nevertheless, sometimes curtains are just too far gone beyond saving, and it’s when that realisation dawns or when you want to completely revamp your room’s aesthetic that you need the help of an excellent curtain specialist. That’s where Paul James Blinds come in.

Paul James Blinds are the expert curtain, awning and blind specialists of the Colchester, Sudbury, Colchester, Braintree & Bury St Edmunds areas. We use the best brands in the field to provide top quality and reliable products at a price you can afford. Our curtains are perfect for use in both domestic and commercial settings, so no matter what your needs are, we can help. For a free no obligation survey of your home, contact our friendly team today.

 

 

Woman cleaning Windows with a Sponge

The Best Ways to Clean Your Blinds

by Hints and Tips

Keeping your blinds clean is all important for ensuring that you’re getting the most out of them in terms of aesthetic and physical quality. Letting them get dirty is one of the easiest ways to bring a room down. Therefore, in this month’s article we’ll be teaching you how to look after your blinds and the best ways to clean them. The easiest way to discuss the methods to clean your blinds is to look at the materials that they are made of. So without further ado, we’ll begin with faux wood blinds.

Faux Wood

If your faux wood blinds have seen a build-up of dust or grime, you’ll want to tackle that as soon as possible to reinvigorate them. Luckily, you don’t need to fret too much with faux wood blinds about cleaning them delicately. Simply grab your vacuum and install the head with a soft brush and gently pass it over the blinds to both brush off and suck up any and all dust on the slats. Other solutions include wearing an old sock on your hand and carefully running your fingers along and underneath the slats to collect the dust your vacuum misses.

However, if your blinds are in the kitchen, there will be a layer of grime embedded on the slats that will make vacuuming them difficult. Nonetheless, you can still clean them easily with the use of white vinegar or other similar cleaning agents.

Wooden Blinds

Thankfully, most wooden blinds are treated with a special finish that acts as a repellent for dust and stains, but sometimes this may not go far enough. A high quality furniture polish and a microfibre cloth can be used to effectively clean your wooden blinds every so often. Be sure to wipe each slat individually and you’ll soon see your blinds restored to their peak condition. However, should you need to give your wooden blinds a deeper clean using water to dislodge grime, remember not to saturate the wood so as to ensure the water doesn’t warp or stain it.

Aluminium

With the summer set to be the hottest on record, seize the opportunity to wash your blinds outside and leave them to dry on the washing line or laid out on the grass if they are too grimy to clean with a cloth.

Take care when bringing your blinds down and then transfer them outside, and then lay them down on the grass. Get your hose ready and then squirt some soap on the aluminium blinds and rinse it off, being sure not to forget the other side. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and scrub at any stains that seem unrelenting, and then rinse it all off with fresh water. Then leave them to dry before reattaching them in the house.

Fabric

Again, you should be getting your vacuum out and its soft brush appliance to clean your fabric blinds. Be sure to use a low setting to avoid damaging the blind during cleaning.

But if you discover stains on the blinds, you’ll need to go one step further than vacuuming. A microfibre cloth or sponge damp with soapy water can go a long way to solving the issue. However, you will need to remember to leave the blinds to dry out completely before raising them to prevent mould from forming.

Vertical

You should use your best judgement and utilise one of the cleaning techniques listed above to tackle your vertical blinds. It may also be worth investing in a lint roller to collect dust more effectively from your vertical blinds.

Paul James Blinds are the expert blind, awning and curtain specialists of the Colchester, Sudbury, Colchester, Braintree & Bury St Edmunds areas. We use the best brands in the field to provide top quality and reliable products for the best value. Our blinds and shutters are perfect for use in both domestic and commercial settings, on patios and above windows and doors. For a free no obligation survey of your home, contact our friendly team today.

 

 

roman blinds chelmsford

What to Look for When Ordering Bespoke Blinds

by BlindsHints and Tips

For those serious to make a lasting impression on guests and customers there are a few questions to ask from the blinds company when it comes to purchasing and ordering bespoke blinds. Knowing exactly whom to go to for the best blinds out there can be difficult if you haven’t previously purchased bespoke products before.

Therefore, in this month’s article, Paul James Blinds will be looking at what questions you need to ask when looking for the perfect place to have blinds made for your home or business.

How long has the blinds company been in business?

Experience is essential when it comes to bespoke blinds. The longer a business has been in the field often directly corresponds with the quality of the products they produce – a craftsman, after all, perfects his art with patience and time as well as skill.

How large is the blinds company?

Bigger is not always better, and with that in mind it’s worth noting that a very large company – the household brand, for instance – may not be able to provide your project with the care and attention it both requires and deserves. Larger companies with the budget to mould their image in promotion disseminated through the media can afford to lose customers after providing poor service and products, and while this may not always be the case it can happen. Hiring a smaller company with extensive experience is a way to avoid this poor service for the simple fact that they cannot afford to lose the business, and are more reliant on positive word of mouth to promote their wares.

Does the blinds company have a wide selection of samples?

Variety is the spice of life, and therefore the ideal blinds company will have a huge selection of samples for you to choose from. Everybody’s tastes and requirements are vastly different from everybody else’s, meaning the only way to please as many people as possible is to have the biggest range of choice possible available to customers. A showroom and samples also serve to let you know what the final product will look like, ensuring that you can make an informed decision about the design you want.

Does the blinds company have any special offers?

Though this might not always be applicable, you should definitely look out for and inquire about any special offers a company may have for bespoke blinds and fitting them. Sometimes a special offer may come in the form of a free no obligation survey, while other times it may be a buy one get one free type deal. No matter the offer, it will doubtless sit well and give you a better footing for finding the perfect blinds!

What are the prices, delivery and fitting times of the blinds company?

Finally, the budget you have will greatly impact the business you chose to design your blinds. However, a restrictive budget does not mean you should compromise on quality, so shop around for the best deals possible on the market. Moreover, the delivery and fitting times the business offers will be important for anyone with a hectic working day; be sure to find out whether or not these times will work for you to avoid disappointment and headaches down the line.

Paul James Blinds are the expert blinds and curtain specialists of the Colchester, Sudbury, Colchester, Braintree & Bury St Edmunds areas. We use the best brands in the field to provide top quality and reliable products at a price you can afford. For a free no obligation survey of your home, contact our friendly team today.

electric blinds

Types of Blinds and their Best Uses

by BlindsHints and TipsInterior DesignPleated BlindsWooden Blinds

So, you’ve decided your home needs a fresh look or a bit more privacy, and blinds seem like the perfect solution. Great choice! Blinds not only improve the look of your windows but also offer practical benefits like light control and privacy. But with so many options out there, where do you start?

We have compiled a list of all the types of blinds you’ll find and explained where they’re best suited to help you get started.

Understanding What You Need

Before jumping into the many options, let’s clarify what you want your blinds to achieve:

  • Light Control: Decide if you want to soak your room in sunlight or keep it cosy and dim.
  • Privacy: If your main goal is prioritising privacy while still letting light in, certain blinds handle this beautifully.
  • Looks: Blinds are part decor, too. They should match your home’s style and make it more beautiful.
  • Budget: Prices vary a lot, so know what you’re willing to spend ahead of time.
  • Safety and Cleaning: If you have kids or pets, cordless blinds can be a safer choice. Consider how much effort you’re up for in keeping them clean, too.

Blind Styles

The first decision is blind style. The most popular options include:

Venetian

The History of Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are great for controlling and filtering the amount of light in a room for your needs. Made of metal horizontal slats that tilt to control light levels and come with a varying choice of slat width to further control light. They are a great fit for offices, schools and in the home.

Roman

A more luxurious option, Roman blinds are great for rooms that can get cold or chilly. They are raised and lowered by a chain you can personalise, and feature soft folds of fabric available in different styles, patterns or materials. But because of their fabric design, it is worth noting that they don’t work well in bathrooms, where they are prone to dampness. However, they are ideal in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms where a sophisticated touch is needed.

Roller

A straightforward approach, roller blinds do what they say on the tin and are one of the most popular blind types because of it. Essentially a sheet that rolls up and down the space of your window, you can craft your blind from a variety of fabrics for your own special touch, and adorn them with elegant patterns to make them stand out. They work well in all environments to complement your room and provide full privacy and lighting adjustment.

Vertical

The classic design perfect for use anywhere in your home – from the living room to the conservatory – or in offices or schools, vertical blinds offer pure privacy and also filter light very effectively. Glare reduction materials make them great for south-facing windows which feature in a room where you’ll be undertaking a lot of written or computer-based work.

Panel

Used also as room dividers, panel blinds offer a contemporary take on blinds that can add an extra level of colour and dimension to a room. Patterned panels act as the most ideal form of this type of blind as they then can also act as a centrepiece of your room, not just a blind.

Skylight

With an impressive range of patterns and colours available, skylight blinds partner excellently with Velux windows which will be fitted perfectly to the frame. Blackout fabrics can help plunge your room into darkness, but other materials will simply filter the light. Coloured fabrics will allow for a specific shade of colour to flood your room, so get creative.

Wooden

Bringing a softer, more organic touch to the table are wooden blinds, be they faux or not. The design most often involves horizontal slats that are tilted to adjust light levels in the room. Wooden blinds do not go well in bathrooms, but faux wood blinds can withstand moisture a whole lot more.

Pleated

Pleated blinds are ideal for injecting a stylish and modern feel into your room. They are made of honeycomb or concertina folds of fabric that tuck away neatly or extend out when you pull the cord or tab to raise the blinds or lower them.

Blackout

Ideal for those who work nights and need their sleep in the daytime, blackout blinds are the type of blinds that block light from entering a room. You can transform some of the blind types above into blackout, but where blackout blinds work best is when they perfectly fit in the window frame, such as in the case of a skylight, where the light will be fully blocked out of the room.

Custom Features

Next, consider special features like:

  • Cordless lift operation: Safer for homes with pets or kids. Allows blinds to be raised and lowered smoothly.
  • Motorisation: Electric motors to raise, lower and tilt blinds automatically on a schedule or with the touch of a button.
  • Insulated fabrics: Help reduce outside noise and maintain comfortable temperatures. Perfect for bedrooms, media rooms or family spaces.
  • Custom sizes: Get a perfect fit for any uniquely sized or shaped windows. Precision measurements ensure proper light control and appearance.

Making the Choice: Blinds vs. Curtains

If you’re torn between blinds and curtains, consider this: blinds offer more flexibility in light and privacy control, they’re generally easier to clean and can be more cost-effective. Plus, they give a modern look that can complement any decor.

Finding Help Locally

For those feeling unsure, reaching out to local blind specialists can be a game-changer. At Paul James Blinds, we can offer personalised advice, help you measure, and even install them for you. We can guide you through the blind-buying journey, ensuring you end up with windows that look and function just how you want.

Paul James Blinds are the expert blind, awning and curtain specialists in the Colchester, Sudbury, Colchester, Braintree & Bury St Edmunds areas. We use the best brands in the field to provide top-quality and reliable products at a price you can afford. For a free no-obligation survey of your home, contact our friendly team today.

Blue Blinds with Flowers in from, within White Room

Window Dressing Options for Privacy

by BlindsHints and Tips

Whether it’s protecting your modesty in the bathroom or giving yourself freedom to relax in the living room, we all appreciate a bit of privacy in our homes, but if your windows are overlooked by neighbours or passing foot traffic, it’s easy to feel a bit exposed. To help you increase your privacy at home, the team here at Paul James Blinds have put together some of our favourite window dressing options that can shield your home from prying eyes.

Frosted window film

Frosted window film is a very low tech, cheap solution to your privacy needs and will offer a degree of privacy without compromising on the natural lighting you receive through your windows. Frosted window film is translucent, so while it won’t completely protect your home from nosy neighbors, it will distort shapes and colours. This solution is best used for bathrooms in which the humidity makes many materials unsuitable, and is rarely used in more social rooms as the aesthetic of this choice is not very attractive and can look very industrial.

Blinds

Venetian: Venetian blinds are a great choice for maintaining privacy as the horizontal slats can be tilted and adjusted to prevent outsiders being able to see in while still allowing you to see out. This means that your view isn’t hindered in your quest for privacy, and you can still allow natural light to enter your room.

Roller: Roller blinds are simple to use and offer a sleek, fuss-free design. You can opt for more sheer materials so that whenever the blind is drawn, light can still enter the room, or opt for thicker materials if you want the ultimate privacy. Roller blinds make a great alternative for frosted window film if you want something a bit less harsh.

Roman: Roman blinds offer a soft, feminine touch to a room so you don’t have to compromise on style for the sake of privacy. Like roller blinds, you can opt for sheer or thick materials depending on your preference, and these blinds operate simply.

Vertical: Vertical blinds are a classic piece, with the light, vertical slats being able to be tilted and adjusted to adapting lighting and privacy needs. The material for these slats is quite sheer, so they can be used as stand alone piece to maintain privacy while allowing light into the room, or paired with curtains for a more opaque and cosy feel.

Shutters

Shutters are available in a range of materials and styles, including plantation, PVC and wood, and are a robust and long-lasting choice for any window. Perfect for use in any room of the house, these sleek and stylish window covers are a great way to keep your home private. They’re made from thick, opaque material so you can completely block out the world, but also have slats to allow lighting into your rooms – you can also opt for your shutters to only cover the bottom half of your windows, so your room can still be flooded with natural light, if that’s a priority.

Paul James Blinds are home to a huge variety of window dressings to help maintain the privacy of the home, with our selection covering many designs of blinds and shutters. All of our products are made from the finest materials and are measured and installed very precisely by highly trained fitters to ensure a high quality and long-lasting product. Get in contact today for more information on any of our products and services, we’ll be happy to help.

 

 

white sofa with bay windows in background

Top tips to stop heat escaping through your windows and doors this winter

by Hints and Tips

 

As the weather gets colder, we all do our best to avoid the chill and keep our homes a comfortable temperature. You may think that you are taking all the right precautions by keeping your doors and windows closed, turning the heating on for long periods of time and even investing in insulation for your roof and walls, so you might be surprised to learn that at least 10% of the heat in your home is lost through your windows and doors. There are many simple ways to improve the thermal retention of these areas, so follow our top tips to keep your home warmer this winter.

Double glazing

Perhaps the most effective way to improve the insulation of your windows is to invest in some double glazing. Whilst is proven that double glazing is much more insulating than traditional single glazing, the price tag of about £75 per window attached to the upgrade can put a lot of potential buyers off. Furthermore, the savings to be made are debated, with many arguing that the savings are not worth the initial costs of purchasing double glazing. There are some much more affordable steps to be taken before investing in double glazing that can significantly improve the insulation of your windows and doors.

Draught-proofing

Draughts can make any comfortable room feel much chillier. Identify any draughts around your windows and use a rubber sealant, available from most hardware stores, to block up these gaps. To block draughts coming from under your door, a draught excluder can be placed at the bottom of your doors to keep the cold air firmly outside. These can be as simple as a stuffed fabric tube, though more decorative options and animal shapes allow this practical item to add a personal touch to the room.

Window treatments

The most cost efficient way to increase the insulation properties of your windows is to invest in a high-quality window treatment. Both blinds have effective insulating properties, but we recommend using a combination of both to really keep the room warm. Wooden blinds are by far the most insulating blind option available, with pleated blinds being an excellent alternative. Double up with a heavy material curtain to form an extra insulating barrier between the cold air at your windows and the interiors of your room.

Also, don’t forget that if you have glass doors or skylights, you can even invest in a blind to be fitted to those to ensure the heat stays inside your home.

Paul James Blinds’ colossal range of high-quality blinds  provide everything you need to prevent the heat from escaping your home this winter. Our expert fitters ensure that your new blinds are perfectly and quickly installed into your home, hassle-free. For more information on our services, contact us today.