Living in our slice of Texas gives us access to many awesome things like live music, cutting-edge technology, gorgeous lakes and lots of sunshine. While the sunny weather is perfect for water sports and sipping cool margaritas, the sun can wreak havoc with your home. Too much harsh light coming in through your windows can be a hassle. That’s why if you live in Austin, window shades are a great option.
Window shades come in a variety of styles like roman shades, roller shades, dual shades and natural woven shades to name a few. Plus, many shades can be motorized for added convenience and functionality. The best choice of shade treatment simply depends on the window solution you desire.
At ABC Blind & Drapery, all of our shades are high-quality, stylish and versatile. Let’s look at a few reasons why Austinites love window shades:
Energy Efficient
Using shades in your beautiful Austin home is an easy way to stay cooler in the warm weather and warmer in the cool weather by utilizing natural solar energy. Roman shades, roller shades and dual shades are perfect for keeping out solar heat and preventing heat loss. Honeycomb shades and shades with thermal fabric are ideal for West-facing windows because they keep the harsh rays out. In the cooler months, they can be opened completely on South-facing windows to let in natural solar heat.
Picture Perfect Lighting
Another reason window shades are so popular in Austin is because they can handle your lighting needs perfectly. Do you have a room that gets too much sunlight, but when you close your window treatment, you still want to see a soft glow of light? Or do you have a room that is just way too bright, like a bedroom perhaps, that needs to be totally dark when the shade is pulled? This is exactly why homeowners loves shades. They can be made with a lighter fabric to give off light when closed. On the flip side, shades can be lined, so you can enjoy the fabric look & feel, but they are room darkening when closed.
Windows Treatments Boost Home Value
According to a recent report from the Austin Board of Realtors, the Austin housing market is strong, but buyers are not paying pie-in-the-sky prices. This means when it comes to real estate, you need a competitive edge. Investing in window treatments can improve the value of your home. Custom window treatments typically don’t convey, so when it’s time to sell your house, they become an added bonus for your buyer. Homes with custom shades not only show beautifully because the lighting accentuates your space, but shades also lend themselves the organically “smart home” concept that homeowners love.
Haute Hipsters & Stylish Homes
If you’ve read Forbes lately, you may have seen the article about Austin being dubbed one of the most stylish and chic cities in the US. Sure, Austin is a hotbed for hipsters, but the affinity for modern home decor extends beyond the city’s hip downtown dwellings. From Travis Heights to Westlake to Lakeway to The Arboretum area, our customers are using window shades to express their style. Shades come in lots of colors and interesting fabrics like bamboo, grass cloth and matchbox. If your interior inspiration means you want roman shades with fringe trim and a rounded hem, we can do that.
If you’re ready to discover your Austin window shade solution, give us a call at ABC Blind & Drapery!