Wednesday 11 December 2013

Window Decoration tips for Christmas


Christmas is incomplete without decorations. Whether it is simple, elaborate, elegant or traditional nothing adds to festive mood like decorating your home. And then if you are a person, landing up doing the decoration at the last moment, the easiest and the most affordable option is decorating your windows. Just like the front door, windows add to the look of your home from the outside.
Colorful festoons, ornaments, fairy lights, sparkles, garlands, swags, snowflakes, ribbons, wreaths, candles…anything and everything can create a magic look. You can elaborately dress up your windows to stand out all through the day or decorate it just so much that passersby get a glimpse of your interior décor, specially the Christmas tree lighted at night.



Snowflakes:  Create the wintry Christmas look with window display of falling snowflakes. You can simply hang the decorative snowflakes of metal, plastic or paper with strings or ribbons or even paste them on the windows. Try colorful snowflakes to create a distinctive look. For the interior, dress the window with a lacy valance or an evergreen swag and hang paper snowflakes with colorful ribbons from the curtain rods.

Ribbons: Colorful ribbons of various fabrics are most affordable and easy to use. You can hang them, loosely tie them, wrap them or even make decorative bows with them. Jazz up your wreaths with colorful ribbons or decorative ribbon bows and hang them on the window or hang your ornaments, baubles or snowflakes with ribbons. The best thing about ribbons is that you can use them to embellish anything. So buy ribbons and be at your creative best.

Tree Placement: Use your windows to add to the festive look. Since the Christmas tree is the focal point, of the home, placing it in the right location can make all the difference. Drape the tree with Christmas lights and place it near the window or light up the interior of your home to display the Christmas tree. Let everyone who passes by see and feel the warmth of your home on a wintry day. Use your windows to give a sneak peek.

Yes, decorating windows is an important part of your Christmas decorations. But think of the windows themselves. Having the right style window with a clearer view is equally important, not to forget their energy efficiency. Though it may not be something you can do last minute, it is worth considering replacing your old windows with new energy efficient ones. Plan and save money and replace them maybe before next Christmas. You can even think of going for bay or bow windows to add up to your Christmas décor. Champion Window manufactures Energy Star rated windows and for the perfect clear glass needed for the view of your décor, their windows will be a good choice. Read reviews of Champion Window by customers who are satisfied with their products and also their service as they install the windows for you.

So enjoy decorating your home and have great Christmas time with your loved ones.

Benefits of Argon filled windows

Windows play a big role in the energy efficiency of your home. Windows with improper weather stripping, caulking cause leakage and infiltration of air/water resulting in increased energy bills. However in the recent times, many new techniques have been developed to make windows energy efficient.
One of the most popular options for energy efficient windows is Argon filled windows. So what is meant by an Argon filled window? It is a window unit consisting of two or three panes of glass, with the Argon gas filled in between the panes. Argon is a low conductivity gas heavier than air and provides better insulation properties.
Double pane Argon filled windows are more energy efficient than single pane windows and are becoming a popular choice now .Here are some benefits of Argon filled windows-

·        1.       Argon is heavier than air and hence provides better insulation.
2.       They have increased R value which means increased resistance to heat flow through the windows.
3.       Thermal conductivity of Argon is about 35 % lower than normal air resulting in slow transfer of heat. Argon thus assists in keeping the heat out in summer and heat in during winter.
4.       Reduce the sound transmission, resulting in a quieter home.
5.       Argon is transparent, meaning the windows look similar to air-filled windows and give a clearer outside view.
6.        Being non-toxic and odorless, Argon is also safe in case the window breaks and the gas leaks.
7.       Being a non reactive gas, Argon does not corrode the window material like any other gas.
8.       Filling the space between panes with Argon, increases the temperature of the glass. This significantly eliminates or reduces the likelihood of condensation or frost; the most common problem occurring in windows.
9.       Argon is found in abundance in nature and hence relatively cheaper to obtain than other gas options like krypton.
10.       They can be used in all types of climates, even extreme temperature conditions.
11.   Though expensive than normal windows, they save money later in terms of reduced energy bills.
12.   Heating and cooling systems can work efficiently if Argon filled windows are installed making your home comfortable and healthy in all seasons.

Combined with high performance glass, Argon enhanced windows are the best choice when it comes to energy efficiency. You can read reviews of Champion Window, and the like, who manufacture Energy Star rated windows which are Argon filled before you buy the windows.  The exclusive glass used for the windows brings in more light and also blocks the harmful ultra violet rays which affect the interiors of your home.
Though there is a fear of the gas diffusing out, the current sealed windows offer better protection from this, resulting in a better life for the windows. Make your home energy efficient by replacing your old windows with double or triple pane Argon filled windows. Invest now and get returns by saving in your energy bills.