• Shutters Let Sunlight In

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    Nothing compares to the beauty of natural light. The invention of the incandescent light bulb revolutionized the way society operates, allowing people to work longer hours. There is no mistaking the benefits offered by contemporary lighting, but it’s important to remember the warmth and illumination of natural sunlight.

    Let There Be Light

    While new lighting technology has been optimized for energy efficiency and cost effectiveness, the free light from the Sun will always be the cheapest! And although fluorescent bulbs are one of the brightest forms of artificial lighting, they are too hard on the eyes and can throw off the design and feel of a space.
    To take advantage of the benefits provided by the Sun, we strongly advise you to invest in a set of shutters. Choosing the right window treatments can be a daunting challenge, but if your goal is to maximize the amount of available sunlight, you will be hard-pressed to find a more effective alternative. Many studies have demonstrated the dangers of excess exposure to sunlight, however, it is worth noting that underexposure is just as, if not more, hazardous. Since the dawn of time, humans have needed the rejuvenating effects of sunlight. Have you ever noticed how energized and in a better mood you feel when you go outside, or how people who work night shifts tend to suffer from sleep problems, depression and other ailments? This is why we stress the importance of proper window treatment installations. Interior shutters feature louvers that can be fully opened for superior light control. They are functional and versatile when it comes to lighting spaces naturally. With a simple movement of the tilt bar or the louvers, you can precisely adjust how much sunlight is entering the room. This has a dramatic effect on its atmosphere and mood. Let more natural sunlight in with shutters!

  • How To Clean and Maintain Your Shutters

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    When decorating your home, you cannot go wrong with a nice set of shutters. Window treatments are functional, stylish and can add a ton of curb appeal and equity to a house. With a wide array of types and options, you have the ability to create a unique design your house guests and next-door neighbors will be in awe of! Interior shutters are made to be low-maintenance, but they do require periodic upkeep. The cleaning process tends be relatively easy, especially when working with wide-louvered panels.

    Interior Shutter Cleaning 101

    The environment you live in will determine how frequently you need to clean your shutters. Dirt and dust accumulation are more prominent in homes situated in close proximity to heavy traffic areas and near gravel roads. This is the inevitable price to pay when living in urban and rural places, but in any event, your shutters do not deserve to suffer. As far as dusting is concerned, you will want to avoid using feather dusters and other related products. Rather than capture the particles, they spread the material around and ultimately make more of a mess (not to mention force this debris to go airborne). Instead, use either a magnetic dust grabbing cloth or a vacuum cleaner. When using the latter, make sure to attach a soft-bristled brush to the end of the hose. To be thorough and avoid missing any dust, tilt the louvers so that you can also clean the rear. Another important factor to take into consideration is the material type of your  shutters. The three main types are wood, composite and Polyresin. Extra care should be taken when cleaning hardwood with damp cloths as moisture damage can occur if left in contact for too long. Composite is a bit more forgiving, but stay on the safe side by not exposing it to water. Polyresin shutters can easily be cleaned with a small amount of soap and water and a damp cloth. They are the most low-maintenance shutters that are available today and will last a lifetime with minimal care.

  • The History of Shutter Blinds

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    You may not know it, but there is a stark difference between shutters and blinds, though many homeowners think of the two as interchangeable.

    Shutters vs. Blinds

    Part of the reason for this confusion concerns how these window coverings came about. “Shutter blinds” refers to first-generation shutters that were once featured on the exterior of houses to prevent break-ins and the onslaught of Mother Nature.

    When interior shutters were first manufactured, they were used primarily for functional purposes in contrast to the famous Venetian blinds that people sought for aesthetic appeal. It was not until the early 1900s that the style of interior shutters became fashionable, and thus needed to be distinguished from interior blinds.

    Over the years, there has been a significant rise in window blind subsets, ranging from vertical ones to leather to metal and micro versions with the trend hinging on the style desired during the particular era.

    On the other hand, shutters have seen little change in their overall structure and design (albeit modern materials and feature customization), but they continue to be one of the most highly sought-after window coverings on the market.

    Homeowners everywhere love the simplistic elegance that  shutters provide, not to mention the fact that they complement nearly every housing style. shutters serve as the perfect backdrop for any room in your house, and they look extremely attractive from both inside and out.

    Which Window Covering Should I Buy?

    Determining whether interior shutters or blinds are the best choice for your home will depend on a number of factors. If you prefer to select from metal, wood or faux-wood, window blinds offer more in the way of versatility. Most shutters are made from either wood or faux wood, but the decision is ultimately yours to make. Wood shutters tend to require more maintenance and long term care than faux wood shutters, and that must also be taken into consideration. Faux wood shutters, such as Eclipse Shutters, are extremely durable and will stand the test of time with minimal care. They will never have to be refinished and will never crack, peel, warp or chip.

    From a cost perspective, blinds are a more affordable option that will last for years if maintained properly. They do need to be cleaned regularly and care should be taken when working with the pull cord and wand. Shutters will cost more up front but they are far more durable and will last much longer. Eclipse Shutters have a warranty of 25 years!

    Whichever window covering you choose, just know that when you say the outdated term “shutter blinds,” you are actually talking about something that existed centuries ago!

  • Easy Home Improvements and Repairs

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    We have now entered unofficial home improvement season, so it is time to bust out your residential work gear! After a long winter, the warmer months give homeowners the opportunity to tackle a host of new projects inside and out.
    If you are a fan of home improvement television shows, there are probably millions of ideas floating around in your mind at any given moment, but are any of them feasible? What does your budget say? The great part about owning a home is that you have more than enough time to upgrade, renovate and personalize. The jaw-dropping transformations you see on HGTV are only possible because the hosts have a hefty amount of funds and large crews working around the clock. For now, you can get great results both in terms of aesthetics and ROI by sticking to a few simple home improvement jobs. Your goal may to be sell the property for a higher value or to mix things up, and these projects are guaranteed to exceed the expectations for both! Ideas for Easy Home Upgrades

    • Research and pick out paint swatches – color does so much to a space! It can make small rooms look larger than they are and make dark areas bright and inviting. You will be amazed at what a fresh coat of paint can do, so stop procrastinating and get to painting! Lighter color palettes and schemes are best for homes being listed on the market. The goal is to help prospective buyers see the space as their own, so aim to create a clean slate with neutral tones.
    • Give your windows a makeover – window coverings are a must-have for every home. Whether it is blinds, drapes, curtains or  shutters, changing your window coverings will make a huge difference in your home décor. Window treatments offer many functional benefits (e.g. privacy, light control, etc.) and serve as an aesthetic focal piece. In addition, they’re easy and fast to install! Visit our page on shutter installation for details. shutters are the only window treatment that will instantly add value to your home!
    • Swap out that old hardware – When attempting to spruce up your home, it truly is the little things that count. Resist the urge to splurge on new kitchen appliances and purchase inexpensive cabinet hardware instead. Handles, hinges and doorknobs come in a variety of styles and are much more affordable.

    In the mood for decorative window coverings? At Eclipse Shutters, we specialize in the manufacturing of custom  shutters. Feel free to call or visit us online to learn more!

  • Let the Sun In!

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    Life as we know it would not exist without the sun. Humans have devised many ways to counter the obstacles set in place by the natural world, but we can only go so long without sunlight. A daily dose of natural light is what keeps us happy and healthy. It affects everything from our mood and our circadian rhythms to our physical well-being. On top of that, using natural light helps reduce our energy use.
    Your Home Deserves Sunlight Too many homeowners have become accustomed to relying on artificial light at times when it is not needed. In reality, the only time you should ever turn the lights on in your home is after the sun sets, though we know this is a rarity in modern households. There are numerous ways to bring more sunlight into your house, some which are actually fairly creative. One of the easiest ways to add more natural light is to install additional windows, particularly in the rooms that have the fewest number. Placement is more important than quantity, so take the time to assess which wall and window height is best. For upper-level corridors and certain ground floor rooms, a newly installed skylight can significantly increase the amount of natural light. The paint color you use also has a big effect on room lightening as does the presence of mirrors and other reflective products. The darker the shade, the greater the light absorption, this is why it is highly recommended to paint small rooms with neutral color palettes. Strategically placed mirrors will bounce the light from one wall to the next, casting it into the darkest recesses of your home. Another thing you will want to do is spend some time researching window coverings. shutters are an excellent choice for people looking to maximize the flow of natural light as their louvers can be opened fully. The angles provided by these window treatments afford the greatest amount of control with regards to light and privacy, making them a definite win-win. Custom fabricated for every window, they are also perfect coverings for bay windows and other unique, light-maximizing window styles. Your natural light-increasing efforts need not stop inside. Trim nearby tree branches and shrubs that may be impeding incoming sunlight. This will also reveal more of your house and boost its curb appeal. Check out the wide selection of interior shutters at Eclipse Shutters to get started!

  • How to Incorporate Shutters into Modern Design

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    We’ve often talked about how shutters are perfect with literally every design aesthetic, but there are still some doubters who don’t believe us. We want to take this blog post to explore how shutters work within the realm of modern design, a design school that is typically very difficult to match to window coverings.

    Focus on Clean Lines

    One of the most important elements to modern design is the effect that clean, stark lines can have on a space. These lines are used to create drama, tension or unity within a room, and they are a crucial focal point.  Fortunately, the clean, sharp lines of each louver of your interior shutters complement this design element perfectly. Whether you want to use bold contrasts or focus on parallel surfaces throughout the space, the clean lines of shutters will provide you with the modern look you seek.

    A Blank Slate

    The definition of what constitutes “modern design” can vary pretty drastically from one designer to another. However, that doesn’t actually matter when you install indoor faux shutters. The simple neutral color and clean design of your shutters provides you or your designer with a totally blank slate that can easily fit with any decor decisions they may make.

    No Unnecessary Details

    The form of your Atlanta shutters directly applies to their function. They have no unnecessary details or accessories to distract from the modern design elements you have used in your space. The straightforward construction includes just the shutters themselves, their louvers, the louver shaft to move them and attaching hinges — anything else is your choice to add or leave off. We truly believe that the timeless design of shutters can work with any design style. We encourage you to share how your custom-made Eclipse Shutters work with your personal design aesthetic, especially if you love modern design.