Most of us spend a heck of a lot of time trudging around the shops looking for the perfect prezzie for friends and loved ones over the festive period. If you’ve been agonising over whether to get uncle Harry even more socks or perhaps a bottle of whisky this Christmas instead, you’re probably ready to burst with stress. If you’ve been braving the throng at a big retail outlet like Bluewater in Greenhithe, you’re probably tired, dazed and ready for some much-needed “you” time.
If you’re looking for a way to pamper yourself, you could book a massage or perhaps a spa day, or you could treat yourself to some new blinds… Whilst this may not seem like an obvious way to spoil yourself rotten, it’s not as daft as you think.
OK, we admit we’re slightly biased towards the idea since we make our living from supplying and fitting blinds, but there are some real, tangible benefits from having them fitted in your home this winter.
Fuel economy
For starters, there are potential fuel savings to consider. At the time of writing this post, our December here in Kent has been pretty harsh. This, of course, means that we’re likely to crank the heating up a notch so we can remain warm and cosy when we’re at home. Higher temperatures on the thermostat mean higher fuel bills, and one of the main places energy can escape from your home is through the windows. Despite most homes being double-glazed these days, our windows are one of the main sources of leaked thermal energy that escapes through the glass.
What about the summer months?
If you’re thinking to yourself: “If these blinds are so good for the winter months, won’t they be unsuitable for the longer, sultry days of summer?” The short answer is No. The insulating properties of our lined blinds are equally well-suited to the summer months too. They’re great at keeping a more consistent temperature in your home by trapping the cooler night air inside the room during the day, thus keeping the temperature of your room more evenly balanced over a 24-hour period.
Home security
Whether or not you already have curtains in your home, our sumptuous Roman blinds are a perfect choice for those long winter nights. If you opt to have them lined, you’ll then get even more protection from the frosty outdoors. Aside from this, our Romans can be lined with ‘blackout’ material which can be a real bonus if you’re away visiting the relatives this holiday season.
This time of year is a prime time for house break-ins due to the long nights and the number of people who go away. It’s easier for a would-be intruder to tell if a house is unoccupied if they can see into your home to deduce whether there is any activity or not. This is one area where a blackout lining on your blinds can prove to be invaluable; virtually no light can escape (only a tiny amount around the edges) so it’s really difficult to tell whether there’s anyone at home or not.
If you’re not swayed by our Roman blinds, our Venetian blinds are also a great burglar deterrent as well. Your average burglar won’t relish the idea of trying to scrabble their way through the noisy clatter of our aluminium Venetians. A racket like that would surely alert the neighbours!
A boost for your Zen
If you’re looking for the best way to relax and unwind during the long winter evenings, you’ll want to do all you can to create a warm, cosy and inviting environment indoors. Your newly fitted blackout blinds will create that snuggly feeling by keeping in more heat and blocking out any light from car headlights or street lamps, and of course, from any prying eyes outside. Who wouldn’t enjoy that “snug as a bug in a rug” feeling after coming home from work and unwinding in front of a nice movie? If you like to watch a lot of TV during the day and the windows happen to be facing the television screen, a blind can help reduce the glare from the sun on the screen.
It also goes without saying that a less stressed you is a healthier you. So, maybe it’s time to connect to that chilled-out Zen Master that lurks within you, just waiting to be let loose.