Hunter Douglas recently released a new line of high level energy efficient honeycomb shades. The Duette Architella Honeycomb Shade Collection is able to provide this high level of efficiency with its innovative honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design, reducing energy loss up to 50% at the window. New to Architella is the revolutionary IllumiCell – a clear inner cell that offers superior light transmission with the same evergy savings as a fabric inner cell. In addition, all Architella fabrics are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® to ensure healthy indoor air.

The honeycomb within a honeycomb construction enhances the form and function of Duette’s natural shape — colors are truer, pleats are crisper and energy efficiency is increased. Three distinct air pockets provide increased insulation. Using improved technology the Duette Architella Collection delivers overall higher R-values. With insulation, every layer counts. Using the Hunter Douglas patented honeycomb construction they have introduced two more insulating air pockets within the Honeycomb. What makes this even better for consumers is now they can get this great benefit on larger pleat sizes. Colors ar truer because of the way the Architella cell is constructed, less light filters through the room-side fabric. This produces a richer color any time of day.

The best news of all is that you can qualify for a  tax credit of up to $500 when you purchase Hunter Douglas Duette Architella Honeycomb Shades!

This week, we at Robin Bond Interiors would like to share with you some of the great products that are available through our firm from some of our best window covering vendors. If you have any questions about these or any other products we offer please feel free to contact us at 512-358-7200.

Sussex Shutters by Norman Shutters

There are shutters that decorate a home, and there are shutters that define a home. Borne of the finest hardwoods, crafted by hand and finished with a rich palette of 18 paints and 32 stains, Sussex Shutters from Norman Shutters are truly fine furniture for your windows. The refined elegance of the Sussex line is created by artisans who craft each custom shutter using mortise and tenon joinery, arguably the strongest joint in woodworking. The assembled shutters then undergo a meticulous process that includes the application of five separate hand sandings and application of five coats of your ideal paint or stain. The result – an heirloom with a soft, lustrous surface more akin to silk than the rough-hewn shutters you see from other manufacturers.

Artisan Roman Panel Shades by Vasa Window Coverings 

Artisan Roman Shades are fabricated at Vasa Window Coverings Austin Texas facility. This features luxurious woven fabrics in many styles and colors. The many distinctive Artisan fabrics range form traditional to contemporary and provide for an array of design possibilities. Rich hues, subtle tones and sublime neutrals are included in Artisan’s diverse color palette. The Artisan shade consists of fabric panels that that are supported by a unique channel that is positioned behind the panels of fabric and remained concealed whether the shade is in the lowered or raised position. The horizontal fabric panels hang smoothly and create a flat Roman shade look and when the shade is raised the fabric panels nest neatly behind one another. Artisan Panel Roman shades has an attractive matching fabric valance that can be made at multiple heights and come with or without returns for outside mounts. You can also mix and match multiple colors of fabric panels, thus creating your own colorful design.

Designer Roller Shades by Hunter Douglas

Designer Roller Shades from Hunter Douglas offer a diverse range of custom fabrics, including Traditional, Natural and Soft. Traditional fabrics feature a classic look, Natural fabrics showcase elements typically found in woven woods and Soft fabrics offer elegant textures. Available in a variety of lifting systems and design options.

Designer Screen Shades by Hunter Douglas

Designer Screen Shades from Hunter Douglas are an innovative combination of sheer beauty and functional technology, offering visibility of the outdoors while protecting valuable furnishings from harmful UV rays indoors. For an environmentally sensible solution, there’s PVC-free and recyclable Greenscape fabric.

Watch this video to see a sample of sketches becoming custom draperies.

Homeowners need to protect their drapes, furnishings, wood floors and carpets from the sun’s damaging UV and solar radiation in order to keep their things looking nice and new.  One great way to accomplish this is with V-Kool window films.  Unlike all other window films, V-Kool is not tinted, but is a clear, almost colorless window film treatment.  No other product matches the superior optical clarity, non-reflective aesthetics, and superior heat rejection of V-Kool.

V-Kool is the world’s first clear, spectrally-selective applied film, which transmits more than 70% of daylight while rejecting 99% of ultra-violet, and 94% of infra-red heat. Spectrally-selective films have transparent, metallized coatings designed to transmit, reflect or absorb different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. In the case of V-Kool, it is designed specifically to be light transmitting while rejecting heat without the “mirror” look.

V-Kool was first installed in the U.S. in 1991 and was originally invented as a specialty item for the U.S. government and was applied to the U.S. Military’s Stealth Bombers. Performance data was obtained using a Perkin-Elmer Lambda 9 Spectrophotometer in combination with the “Window 4.0 Fenestration Program” provided by the Windows and Daylighting group at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, the world’s foremost window science group. No other spectrally selective window film has been around half this length of time.

V-Kool technology has been chosen as one of the top 100 inventions of the past millennium by Popular Science Magazine (November 1999).  V-KOOL is installed on the White House, the Texas Governor’s Mansion and the Headquarters of the American Institute of Architects.

V-Kool cannot be compared to other competitive films because it is proven to be the most technologically advanced spectrally-selective coating in the world. Other films are classified as conventional films, meaning that they are either tinted or reflective films. Tinted films require significantly less sophisticated technology to produce; hence the cost is low.

Instead of looking at the initial cost of V-Kool, you should consider its life cycle cost as well as other intangible benefits. While there is a premium associated with the purchase, V-Kool reduces air conditioning operating cost, reduces fading damage to draperies and furnishings, allows occupants to use floor space near windows even in the direct sunlight because of increased comfort. Productivity and alertness are heightened in such comfort-enhanced environments. It is a long-term cost-effective investment.

Depending on the amount of glass and the orientation of your windows will determine the amount of energy savings. In most cases there is a 3 to 4 year payback period on your utility bills and it normally reduces 33%-50% of energy costs annually. History shows utility rates increase just about every other year, so your lifetime warranty is a sure money saver.

Locally, Stellar Energy Solutions can educate you on how to solve your heat, glare, fading, and utility bill problems with our premium professional films from V-Kool, the CLEAR “UN-TINT” Solar Control Solution.  Visit them on the web at: http://www.stellar-nrg.com.

Benefits of Window Film

• 99% UV Protection
• Protects your furniture, flooring and window treatments
• Reduces Heat Buildup and Eliminates Home Hot Spots
• Lowers Energy Bills and Provides a Return on Investment
• Increases Home Comfort
• Reduces Annoying Glare
• Enhances Your Views
• Adds Value to Your Home
• Provides Additional Safety Against Broken Glass
• Privacy Can Be Provided by Some Films
• Provides Up to a 200 SPF and May Be Medically Prescribed