Installation Problem with High Rise Condos

Q: We are trying to install a window treatment and when trying to put in the mounting brackets, the screw is hitting metal. We live in a high rise condo and have had this issue before. Is there any screws you can use on metal? -Rise, Milwaukee

A: Hi Rise, Yes there are screws that you can use to install your window treatments into metal. What you will need to do is go to the hardware store and get some self-tapping screws. The screws are designed to go right into metal without needing to predrill any holes. If you are unsure of what to look for at the hardware store, ask them for "self-tapping screws" or "tech screws. They will know what you are looking for.

Depending on where you are installing the window treatements, the self-tapping screws might not work. In some high rise condos, they build them using cold rolled steel plates. If you are trying to install the window treatments into this, nothing will work. You will not be able to put a screw in it. Instead, you are going to need to install the shades into the metal frame around the window. That is your only option. The self-tapping screws will drill into the metal window frame.

Palladium Shelf & Energy Effiecent Shadings

Q: We have two 2 windows in our master bedroom approx. 54 x 72 and each window has a half circle window on top. We recently had all new trim in the bedroom and it is beautiful. Now I want to put blinds or thte like up so the trim can be seen. Since the windows are east facing I would really like to have something that will cut out the light and reduce the heat in the summer. Is there anything out there that would work for us? -Shona, Milwaukee

A: Yes, we have many options to cover the windows. First, we would start by installing a palladium shelf between the bottom window and the arch. The palladium shelf, made by LaFayette Interior Fashions, will be installed where the arch window meets the bottom window. By installing the shelf, we will then be able to install your shades with an inside mount. That way we will not cover up any of your wood work.

With the east facing window, I would recommend going with a shade with a high R-value. All shades have an R-value ranking. The shade with the highest R-value is the Hunter Douglas Duette Architella shade. The Duette Architella shade is literally a shade within a shade. When you look at the picture to the right, you can see the three distinct airpockets that the shade has. These three airpockets trap the air in the blind to provide the highest possible insulation on your windows. The graph on the bottom shows how high the Architella shade rates R-value wise compared with other window shadings. For a reference, an R-value of 4.00 will prevent up to 75% heat loss through the window. The shade comes in a variety of brilliant colors. It is great to help keep the heat out in summer and the cold out in winter.

Blog Ideas

I am here to help solve your problems. If you have a question or would like to see me ideas on a certain topic, please let us know. I am open to suggestions and would like to answer your questions. As you know, if you have a question, I am sure someone else has the same question. You can submit your questions via a comment to this blog, or you can email me at emailus@bazaarhdc.com.

Thanks,

Tom

Covering Your Patio Door

For the longest time verticals were the popular way to cover a large patio door. They were perfect when they came out. Verticals allowed you control the light coming into the room. You could have them closed, tilt them either left or right, or you could pull the verticals all the way open. The allowed for easy access to use your patio door. They did all of this at a good price. Yet, there were some draw backs. If you have plastic vanes, they loud clanking of the vanes blowing in the wind when the door was open. There was also the tangled mess of the weights and chains that come with the fabric vanes. Well, you can throw those chains away now. Here are a few options:





1.) The easiest change you can make would be to add an Ado Wrap to your existing vertical. An Ado Wrap is a sheer fabric that is designed to snap around each vane ont he veritcal. The fabric will soften the harsh look of the vanes as well as soften the light that is coming in the room. The Ado Wrap comes in a variety of colors and patterns.





2.) If you would like more privacy on your patio door, you can try a Vertiglide by Hunter Douglas (pictured right). Vertiglide is a honeycomb cellular shade that move vertically across your opening instead of horizontally. Vertiglide will give you the privacy that normal cellular shades give. It will also provide insulation for you patio door. It will enable you to keep the unwanted cold/heat out of your house. It easy to use and gives you the same versatility that a vertical gives you. It can draw left, draw right, or be a center draw.



3.) Another option is the brand new Hunter Douglas Skyline. This versitale product can be used to cover your windows or as a room divider. The skyline is a perfect to cover large window and patio doors. Skyline uses panels to cover the window. the panels come in either 11 1/2" or 17" sizes. They stack into a small spac eon the side of your window like a vertical. Perfect to cover a wall of windows in a condo or high rise building. There are many options with the skyline. There are a variety of fabrics that can be used to change the opacity of you gliding panels as well as colors.