Just what is this fabric I am using to make outdoor sheers to give my patio a truly romantic feel? Sunbrella Sheers.  If you have been trying to find a sheer fabric for indoor or outdoor check out the sheer selections from Sunbrella.

Sunbrella Sheers are available in several colors and keep your furniture safe from fading.  Plus they are easy to clean.  Either machine wash cold and hang to dry or have them professionally dry cleaned.

Sunbrella sheers are the perfect finish to any outdoor space.  Especially when they keep your furniture safe from fading and add a romantic flair to any space all at the same time.

Pella Windows offers three styles of between the glass window treatments, all available in designer colors to help match any decor.  With the added benefit of not being forever, they are easy to change.

The three types of styles available are Slimshade blinds, fabric shades and decorative panels.  The Slimshade blinds are like traditional blinds in that they can be tilted open and closed for light control, but can also be slid up or down.

The fabric shades are cellular shades.  They can only open or close there is no tilting available.  But you can get them in the top down or bottom up feature so that you can control your privacy by which way you open the shades.  Like traditional cellular shades, they are also white to street side, so you have a uniform look throughout.

The last option is a decorative shade.  They do not open or close and are mostly used in situations where the view is not desirable or privacy is needed around the clock.  The decorative shades are available in a variety of colors, textures and designs.

Pella offers a line of windows with the option for window treatments built-in.  This is an excellent choice for homes who have children and pets. All of the “Between the Glass” window treatments are cordless and completely enclosed behind glass where they can’t be a safety danger or damaged by little fingers or paws!

Outdoor shade cloths can significantly reduce the amount of heat and UV rays that come into your home. One company who makes solar shades or shade cloths for outside is Coolaroo.

If you’ve got a window that lets in a tremendous amount of heat, then consider using a Coolaroo shade cloth to provide your home with some relief.  Coolaroo shade cloths reduces 80% of the suns harmful UV rays and glare. This means it will be dramatically less hot inside your house near those windows with a shade cloth outside.  It also means that any glare on televisions and computer monitors will be minimized as well.

I’ve seen these shades in action and I’ve got to tell you, they really do work and are worth every penny spent.  At under $100 for a 6ft shade, Coolaroo shade’s are reasonably priced especially compared to indoor custom order solar shades which would cost 2 or 3 times that price.

No matter what your style or color scheme there is bound to be a Coolaroo shade cloth for you.  And with all the benefits, why not chose a product that will help reduce the heat in your home, reducing your cooling bills and making life more enjoyable indoors!

Well, keep reading because in this article I will share some tips for staying cool this summer that will provide you with immediate relief, all without breaking the bank.

Solar Shades

Even for those who do own homes with central air already installed, adding the cost-effective benefit of solar shades into homes seeing 90 degree-plus heat outside will save money on cooling costs.

Available online or in local stores, solar shades provide you with an attractive screen that prevents your home from being bombarded by heat from the sun, while still keeping the outside view completely intact. A proper solar shade basically reflects the sunlight away from your windows. They come in many different attractive colors to meet the needs of your existing decor. And the price is not something that will put you into great debt, either. For the money spent, this is a must own in hot areas. Solar shades can provide tremendous value with their energy-saving abilities.

Ceiling fans

Despite the impression you may have gotten from certain home improvement shows, ceiling fans are still very much a must own for keeping homes cool. Modern ceiling fans are cost-effective, provide temperature distribution in both the summer and winter, and they come in so many different styles that they’ll fit into the feel of any home regardless of decor.

Like solar shades, a new ceiling fan will help to distribute the cool air during the summer months while providing relief by pushing the heat downward in the winter. This is done via a control switch or cord, located on newer ceiling fans that change the wind direction. Each fan is different, so be sure to see the manufacturer’s instructions on how to take advantage of this great feature.

Staying cool — use what works

As you can see above, simply by keeping the air moving in the right direction and blocking the excess sun from invading your home, these tips can do wonders for keeping your house as cool as possible.

If solar shades and ceiling fans are simply not enough, there is no shame in buying an in-window or exhaust hose type air conditioner to extract the hot air. Used in rooms you spend most of time, this will give you a refuge from the heat.  Pair your new A/C unit with a ceiling fan or solar shade to get the maximum relief from the heat.

Whatever approach you take, these solutions will provide relief from the heat for a price that cannot be beat.

Dear Diva,

I know you have written countless articles on cordless blinds, but I wanted to get your thoughts on the dangers of corded blinds and children.

Are articles like this correct? Is there really this big of a danger at hand?

Are cordless blinds the only options for avoiding this kind of danger or is there another option besides going with those expensive cordless blinds? Maybe some kind of shutter? Help!

Yes, strings on blinds are a huge concern for small children and pets alike.  The strings can be a strangulation hazard.  But there are things you can do to minimize the strangulation risk of corded blinds.  For example you can get  free retro-fit kits from the Window Covering Safety Council. Here is a helpful link from their site.  It includes diagrams so you can see how to retro fit an existing blind to make it safer for small children in your home.

The retro-fit kits will help minimize the strangulation risk, but to maximize safety, I suggest installing cordless blinds.  Cordless cellular shades, cordless roller shades and vertical blinds with wand control are the safest.  And yes, they can expensive.  Shutters however, are even more expensive.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive blind option consider going to a home improvement store and buying in stock roller shades or vertical blinds.  Neither of these options have any cords or strings that can be unsafe for children.  No matter which option you go with, just remember you do have options.  As I always say, it just takes a little research to find the option that is right for you!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!