Torgie’s Point of View

Many Wilmington, NC residents have small windows that are difficult to find a window covering for.  One common type of window in the Wilmington, NC market is what is commonly called a sidelight window.  These are the small windows located to the left or right or sometimes on both sides of the main entry door to the house.  These window are many times left uncovered in the Wilmington market because homeowners are unable to find a good solution, however it is important to put a window treatment, window blind, or window covering on these windows because even though these windows are small, at night one can see completely in the home from the street.

Many have tried using blinds or shades to cover these windows.  Window Blinds and shades work well but these type products are designed to work off of weight and gravity and since the product is so small there is not much weight there making the product fickle when operating.  There are a few items that work very well.  They are Plantation Shutters, Window Film, and Window Inserts.

Plantation Shutters work very well for these applications.  Since shutters are like a door style of operation, not relying on gravity, they work very well in this type of window.  Giving you the maximum privacy and durability, a shutter is an excellent choice to cover a sidelight window in the Wilmington, NC market.

Window Film is also a great choice.  Window film is available in a frost which allows light to filter through but gives you complete privacy.  Window Frost however doesn’t allow you to look through the window, unlike a shutter which gives you the ability to control light and privacy.  However if your front door is equipped with a peephole, then Window Film is also a great solution to covering those sidelight windows.

Another product now on the market for Wilmington, NC residents is Window Glass Inserts.  These are very elegant glass inserts that are installed replacing the existing clear glass already in your window.  They are available in many different styles and layouts and change the look of your entire entryway.  These inserts are not designed for the everyday do-it-yourself-er since many times after your existing glass is removing the door has to be trimmed and cut, so this is a product best left to a Qualified Installer.  These Window Glass Inserts are beautiful and are a must see.

So if you live in the Wilmington, NC area, call a qualified Window Blind company today and they can set up a time to demonstrate one of the many great products mentioned above.

Its almost that time of year again.  Spring is just around the corner.  In under 3 weeks, we will again Spring forward by adjusting our clocks to daylight savings time for the Wilmington, NC area.  This means warmer and longer days, giving all of us the chance to spend more time outside in the wonderful Wilmington, NC climate.

Many Wilmington, NC residents have a porch, deck, or patio in which they are preparing for those wonderful outdoor gatherings with friends and family.  There are many options that can be added to make that porch your home away from home.  One such option is a Retractable Awning.

Retractable Awnings provide shelter from the sun or protection from light rain.  They help protect from those harmful UV rays and  they give you that added shelter making the porch or patio an extension of the home.  Awnings are easy to operate, look great, extremely durable, and tie in nicely with any home.  A quality awning isn’t usually visible from just a quick glance.  A professional awning dealer can help you make a great decision when it comes time to purchase one for your Wilmington, NC home.  Available in a wide range of fabrics and colors, from hand crank to motorization, there is an awning to fit your needs.

Call a knowledgeable dealer today and see how one of these amazing products can add protection and functionality to your Wilmington, NC home.

     Many homes in the Wilmington, NC area have large windows, such as sliding glass doors or multiple French doors.  You may find it easy to obtain a Window Covering Product that fits your needs for smaller windows, but then you come to that large window and it might become more of a challenge. 

     Many people in the Wilmington, NC area think the only product out there is a typical vertical blind.  These do a great job covering those large windows and they work well for these applications, but there are also many more products to choose from.  One product that really adds a beautiful appeal to a large window is a Plantation Shutter.  Many manufactures make Shutter by-pass systems and Shutter by folds systems for these types of windows.  These products work well if you are professionally installing shutters in the other windows in the same room, as this keeps the look consistent.  They are also easy to operate and easy to maintain. 

     Another Window Covering solution is the Cellular or Honeycomb shade in a vertical application.  This is when the manufacture takes the same fabric used on cellular or honeycomb shades and mounts it on a sliding track that moves left or right rather than up and down.  These are very easy to use and are great insulators as well.  You may also consider a standard horizontal cellular or honeycomb shade, but with a cordless feature or continuous loop lift to make the operation one of ease.

    Sliding Panels are becoming more and more popular in the Wilmington, NC area as well.  Sliding panels have a look of their own, providing the easy operation of a vertical blind, but with a much greater visual appeal. 

     These are just some of the great and affordable products that are used on larger windows including sliding glass doors.  There are many more  to choose from in the Wilmington, NC area such as Drapery Panels, Wood Vertical Blinds, Bamboo or Woven Wood sliding tracks, also known as Natural Folds, the exclusive Murano 2” Fabric blind, the Hunter Douglas Luminette, Roller Shades, Window Tint and much more.

   You can contact a Qualified Window Covering or Window Blind consultant in the Wilmington, NC area today for a Free In-Home Consultation and they can demonstrate many of these products in the comfort of your own home.

We are living in very unusual times.  Most of us have never lived through such an economic crisis.  Many of us are wondering where all this is going to lead.  Well, as we wait and see, life has to go on… maybe not the same as it used to be, but yet we continue with a different mind set.  Instead of frivolous spending habits, we are now frugal. Instead of a quick purchase, we now do a little more investigating.  There’s nothing wrong with this. It’s a way to make us wiser and savvier in our spending habits.

So how does all this apply to purchases made for our home?  Many times we fool ourselves into thinking, “I will save money by doing a particular project myself”.  In theory that’s sounds really good, but in reality it can be disastrous.  I know from experience that it has cost me more money, time, and frustration because I started a project that didn’t go or turn out I as had planned.  For example, I have met many people that decided they would do their own window coverings.  They measured their entire house and hoped they didn’t make a mistake.  They went and looked at products and hoped they made the best choice for their needs.  The finally received the product and hoped they were able to figure out the best way to install.  Well, most that I talked to said they would never do it again.  The frustration, stress, and time invested was too much… to the point they would rather have paid a professional to do it while they had indulged in an activity that was more enjoyable and stress-free.  So the question then, is how can I find affordable blinds in the Wilmington, NC area.  What do I need to do if I am on a fixed budget when it comes to affordable blinds and window coverings?

Well, not to worry, affordable blinds are easy if you know were to look.  There are many window covering and window treatment companies in the Wilmington, NC area.  Some have been here for many years, while others are somewhat new.  To be wise and frugal doesn’t take much time.  A little research can help in the process.  Make sure the company has been established in the area for a while. You don’t want to make a purchase if they won’t be there later for warranty services, should the need arise.  Also, check to see if they are part of a larger organization, for example if they are a franchise.  These companies are more stable, offer more products, and have buying power that helps even the tightest budgets to stay affordable.

So if you want to renew the look of your home with affordable blinds, shutters, shades or any of the many window-covering products, do a little research and you should be successful.

Is your home no longer a home but rather just a house? Have you lost that original warmth you once had in your home? Sometimes we tend to get so used to our home that it is nothing but a place to lay our head down at night. It no longer gives us that original feeling we had when we first purchased. Maybe we started looking for a new home, but found out that we can’t sell the one we are in. Maybe we just neglected our home because of the ever fast pace of life. Or maybe, we just never made the home we are in our personalized place we find comfort, warmth, safety, and relaxation. Well, don’t wait… Make your house your home!

There are many affordable options that can turn your house into that place you personally call home. A place where you look forward to coming back to at the end of the day. A place that speaks your personal style. A place where your friends and family know that you took pride in personalizing.

A few decorating options you can start with are Window Coverings. Window Treatments can change the look of any room without breaking the bank. From Plantation Shutters to Roman Shades, Valances to Draperies, window blinds can turn a boring, tasteless room into a beautiful relaxing oasis.

Another option for personalizing your home is organization. If your closets are filled and clutter is now invading your living area, a simple closet system can solve your organizational needs. Keeping all the stuff that needs to be in the closet, pantry, laundry room, or garage in their proper place will give you the living space you need to enjoy the comfort of your home.

The last area that we will focus on is the outdoors. Spring is just around the corner with warm weather, fresh air, and longer days. Make that porch or deck a second living space. With an outdoor awning or retractable awning you can turn that outdoor patio into another room. If the outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, but the fresh spring air is, then stay inside but let the air in with a retractable sliding screen.

So don’t wait, make your house feel like home again. Personalize it with some of the many affordable home improvement products available.

Have you ever cleaned out your closet and found items that still had price tags on them? You know what that means… you found something that was such a great buy that you just had to purchase it. Then, the reality set in. You forgot you ever had it because you can’t see what is in your closet.

Don’t think you are alone. Most Closets are full and many people feel they can’t fit another item in them, but that’s not true. I recently had a company come out and redo my master bed closet with a ClosetMaid laminate system. It was beautiful when they finished and guess what? I could not believe how organized my closet was. Now I can find everything I know I have and I can even find items I forgot that I had.

There are so many items to choose from: drawers, baskets, tie racks, belt holders, shoe shelves, valet rods, benches, hampers and more. What impressed me the most was when the company came out to give me a Personalized In-Home Consultation at no charge, they helped me get the most out of the amount of space I had. Then, they provided me with several options so that I got to choose my perfect closet.

So if you need a running start to close your closet door or you’re afraid to open your closet door, have a qualified closet company come by and give you a Free Personalized Closet Design today!

Have you ever been new to an area and just didn’t know where to go for various products for your new home? It can be a challenge and a little scary at times. For example, Blinds or Shutters. This is something everyone needs for their home. Where do I go to purchase my window treatments? How much should I pay for my window coverings? Will the work get done? Will the workmanship of my Plantation Shutters be up to my standards? Will the company I select be in business years later when a repair issue or warranty issue arises?

These are all great questions and concerns that one might have. Well, I must say, I have lived in the Wilmington, NC area for almost 40 years and I have seen it all. I have seen companies come and go. I have witnessed companies not standing behind their products. I have even seen companies take a client’s money and never return. All of this disgusts me. It is not only selfish, but also poorly run business.

So where should one go if living in the Wilmington, NC area or Southport Area? I recommend going with a company that has been in business for many years. A business that is associated with a National Chain. When is the last time you saw a McDonalds go out of business? Can you understand what I am saying?

My recommendations would be Budget Blinds, Window Coverings of Wilmington, Strickland Window Coverings, and Wilmington Shutter Company. All of these companies are either associated with a National Chain and/or have been in business for many years.

So if you live in the Wilmington NC area or the Southport, Shallote are don’t worry about making a bad decision. Just check out these companies and you will soon see why these companies are far superior to any others.

Are your Window Coverings or Blinds boring? There is an easy and affordable way to dress them up without changing them out.

Many people have white or neutral colored blinds. This is smart because many times, having color visible from outside the home is tacky. However, if everything inside the home is neutral, then this can appear boring or tasteless.

There is an easy way to get the best of both worlds. Sticking with a neutral color Blind or Window Covering is a good choice to make, but then you will want to dress up the blind with a top treatment.

Top Treatments are Valances, Cornices, Panels, Soft Treatments and more. They are a nice way to add color to your décor. Having an experienced Blind and Drapery Consultant come by and give you a “Personalized In-Home Consultation” Free of Charge will help you make a great decision.

There are thousands of patterns and colors to choose from to dress your window coverings. Don’t let this be overwhelming. An experienced professional can eliminate many of the choices with a “Personalized In-Home Consultation” and help you choose just the right fabric so that you make a great decision. They can also help bring together other items within a certain room by adding pillows, area rugs, bedspreads, and more.

So if your blinds are naked, dress them up with a beautiful fabric treatment today.

We all want a change every now and then. Everyday we wake up and we come home to look at the same style. Have we had the same style for many years and ever thought of changing it?

Many people will move their furniture around in a particular room to create some change. However there are many other affordable options that can make your house more like a home again. The three greatest changes are Wall Coverings, Floor Coverings, and Window Coverings. Out of these three, the most affordable is Window Coverings.

Many people don’t realize how much of a difference that a Window Covering, such as a blind or shade, can make to your decor. They will make many other changes, but leave out the one that is the most cost effective and easiest to achieve. You don’t have to pack all your furniture in a room for several days while your walls or floors are being replaced. Window coverings can be redone with almost little to no effort on your part.

So if you are ready for a new affordable change. Call a local Window Covering Company to come by and give you a free in-home consultation. They can assist you with the many products like 2” Faux Blinds, Plantation Shutters, Window Shades, Woven Woods, Draperies, Valances and many more…

So make the change… make it with Window Coverings!

Many people are tired of their 1” mini blinds. These were in style about 15 years ago. Now everyone is taking those down and getting rid of them. Many are going to the new wider slat look. With the wider louvers, you can gain many options, like an up-to-date style, better viewing, easier to clean, and more. You can achieve this in several ways.

The most impressive look is a Shutter. Some refer to it as a Plantation Shutter. Either way, they are furniture for your window and offer a rich clean look. They offer a variety of different size louvers so as to get the best look for your decor and the most visibility when looking through. Shutters come in a variety of materials, such as many different types of wood, composite, solid vinyl and extruded vinyl. Many times, the quality of a shutter can’t be seen just by looking at it, so don’t make a bad investment in your home.  Have a qualified blind company give you a free in-home consultation to help you make a great decision.

Another option is a 2” or 2 ½” Blind, sometimes referred to it as a shutter blind. These too offer a nice look and can be accented with a top treatment, valance, or drapery panels. These come in a variety of materials such as wood, composite, vinyl, and metal. When having a decorating consultant come by to assist you, have them explain which material would be the best match for you and your home. Blinds have many moving parts and a great warranty is very important. So ask your consultant about the manufactures warranty, the service warranty, and if there are any “no questions asked” options available.

So have fun changing out your old blinds for the new, nice, clean 2” look!