​With external patio shades, your outdoors will stay protected against UV rays, heat, as well as cold gusts of wind. So when you have outdoor space, why not make full use of it through motorized patio shades?

For similar style and durability as manual screens, but improved accessibility and convenience, motorized solar screens are an excellent choice for enclosing your patio, deck, balcony, or gazebo. Our motorized shades provide comprehensive protection from the sun's harmful UV rays, forming a physical barrier that grants full shade and lowered temperatures during even the most brutal days of summer. Best of all, our solar shades do all this without sacrificing much-needed ventilation and your view. You can ensure your patio remains shady all day by easily adjusting these screens to accommodate the shifting angle of the sun.  Additionally, the darker the fabric the more your view out is preserved.
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Motorized solar screens feature numerous useful benefits beyond shade. They offer peaceful privacy from the prying eyes of your neighbors or passersby as well as preventing the intrusion of annoying mosquitoes and other bugs.  You can comfortably lounge and dine late into the evening without constantly needing to reapply bug repellent or burn a smelly citronella candle. With the simple push of a button, your outdoor space will become the ideal spot for relaxing on a warm, sunny day.  Motorized patio shades are perfect not only for the summer but for enjoying your backyard all year round. They can shield you from spring showers and fall winds.  In addition, if your outdoor space overlaps with any windows, you’ll enjoy substantial energy savings by reducing your reliance on HVAC.

If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor living space with motorized shades, contact LC Window Treatments today at 628-400-1665. Our screens are created with the highest quality materials available, sourced from a  local Bay Area company, as well as the country’s top vendors. We custom manufacture every screen to meet your specific needs while ensuring the finished product creates a stylish, attractive element of your home design. With years of loyal, satisfied customers, we are so confident you will love your new shade system that every purchase comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

One of the first questions to tackle when choosing new window treatments is just how much light you'd like to block out.  Do you need light filtering shades? Room darkening?  Or are you looking for blackout?  What's the difference?  There are some key differences in how window treatments affect light, specifically when it comes to styles and fabric choices. That’s why there’s an advantage to working with the design professionals at LC Window Treatments. We understand these differences so we can help you make the right choice for your home.

Light-filtering, room-darkening and blackout shades come in a variety of different products (i.e cellular shades, roller shades, roman shades, sheer banded shades) but how do you know which one is right for you? Here are the differences between how our products control light. 
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​Light-filtering shades transform harsh sunlight into a soft glow and are better for rooms that don't require complete darkness or privacy such as your kitchen or living room.  Light filtering shades brighten the room and reduces the need for artificial lighting. 
 
Light filtering can be further controlled by the window treatment you choose. Cellular shades and sheer banded shades will soften and diffuse. More opaque shades in any style will block more light from entering a room.
 
These materials also offer varying degrees of privacy depending on how open you want the space to feel. Letting natural light into a room doesn’t mean you have to feel exposed to the rest of the world.

Room darkening is a category between light filtering and blackout. However, it doesn’t completely block the light from a room.  You can use a room darkening window treatment, like Roman shades or cellular shades to reduce the glare on a TV screen or keep bedrooms darkened.  Controlling light with room darkening shades is also a great way to reduce your energy bill, especially during the summer
 
Blackout window treatments are good options for a home cinema, bedrooms or child's room. They’re available in styles like honeycomb and roller shades. However, to stop light from leaking through the gaps on sides of the windows, lightguards  (strips of metal or PVC) need to be installed on the sides of the window frame.  Another option for blackout window treatments is to combine room darkening cellular or roller shades with blackout drapery panels to reduce any light gaps. 
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Whether you need soft light or want to darken your room, there’s a shade that’s right for you. We offer the most innovative styles from a variety of manufacturers and our window treatments are offered in a range of opacities, so you can easily find one that perfectly suits your light control and privacy requirements.
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To learn more about which style is right for your home, schedule a free in-home consultation today by calling us at 628-400-1665. We’ll bring the showroom to you so you can make the best choice for your home.

How to keep exterior shades from blowing in the wind?
Our outdoor shades are available with optional tie-downs than will stop the shade from flapping in the wind. Tie-downs may look like bungee cables looped on each side of the shade's bottom hem bar that attach to hooks on the wall or into the patio floor (see picture on left). Another type of tie down system, typically used on larger size shades, is a cable guide system (see picture on the right).  This system uses stainless steel cable guides to stabilize the shade and avoid wind flap.  
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Designed to withstand the elements
​Unlike traditional indoor shades, exterior solar shades are designed to hold up under tough conditions for years and years.  Our exterior solar shades are tested to endure the harshest elements, including constant UV rays, rainfall, and strong winds.  Additionally, outdoor shades are easy to clean. Since they are designed to hold up in rainy conditions you can gently hose them down to rinse off pollen, dust and minor debris. For tougher spots, a bit of diluted, mild dish soap and a soft sponge should do the trick. 

​Schedule your free in home consultation today!
We are available to help answer all your questions, measure your space and help you decide on color and opacity level.  Give us a call today at 628-400-1665

One option is to treat the street facing rooms of your home with the one consistent product like blinds, shades or shutters for curb appeal and resale value. Then to add personality and decor use different product(s) across the rear facing rooms of the home. 

Another option is to choose a cellular shade in different colors for different rooms - they all have white backing so they will look consistent from the exterior.  Or choose a roman shade in different colors,  patterns, or even a woven wood but that have a consistent white lining on the back.  You can also add drapes with white lining.  This way you have a uniform look on the outside of the house but you will have a variety of different colors/textures inside your home.

Your local window treatment company, LC Window Treatments, has hundreds of options to choose from and the decor expertise and experience to help you through the process. Request a free consultation at 628-400-1665 to get started! 
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With so many options available, choosing a custom drapery or curtain style for your home can seem a bit confusing. But there isn’t a right or wrong answer, it’s a preference, and it’s made much easier by answering a few questions:

What is the style of your room? Is it modern? Traditional? Transitional?

Will you be opening and closing the drapes often or will they be just decorative and stationary to frame your window?

​Do you like structured drapery or more flowing and billowy?

Once we have discussed these specifics with you then selecting a style from one of our options is easy.

​Box pleat drapery is less formal than pinch pleats and goblet pleats. The Inverted Box Pleat has a neat and tailored style with a fullness on the back of the drape but a flat face surface suitable for more contemporary and casual style.

Do you know which drapery style you prefer?  If you have questions please give LC Window Treatments a call at 628-400-1665.  We are here to help!

Drapery hardware can be a little tricky but it doesn’t have to be difficult. With some help from LC Window Treatments, you can have beautiful window treatments AND stunning drapery hardware.

​When drapes and hardware are selected and installed correctly, your entire living space will be upgraded to a whole new level of beauty and sophistication. The hardware is not only a fashion accent for your room, it is also functional. There are many variables to consider before you choose your hardware. Here are a few tips:

The term drapery hardware refers to several items— drapery rod, wall brackets, curtain rings, finials or end caps, and decorative or standard traverse rails. These components allow your draperies to function well and provide a beautiful finishing touch. Whether you are looking for a contemporary look or a more traditional style, there are many options to choose from.
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Custom draperies should be hung on custom hardware, which is significantly different than the mass market stocked hardware that you see in stores. With custom draperies on mass market hardware, rods sag and brackets bend because they simply can not support the weight of custom draperies. Custom draperies tend to be heavier due to their use of high-quality fabrics and linings and more fabric fullness per panel.

​You should never use telescoping rods which usually have problems with sagging. Also, the bump in the middle where the telescoping rods meet cheapens the look and the rings get stuck on the bump when trying to open or close the draperies. It might sound convenient to have adjustable rods, but they will sag and they are not at all attractive with exposed screws and cheap looking brackets.

Think about how you want the draperies to function? Will they be installed over a window, or a door? Do you want them to be stationary and purely decorative, or do you want to open and close them on a regular basis? These factors will determine what type of rods will be best for you.

If the drapes are very long, then you may need a traverse rod with a cord or baton that will allow you to open and close the drapes. Motorized rods are also available. Traverse rods are also great for when wall mounting the rod is not an option. Hanging drapes from the ceiling is very on trend and can help with problems like by passing molding that protrudes from wall or heating elements that are below the window. Traverse rods can be decorative or have a more utilitarian look.

Traverse rods have clips or eyes that move along a track embedded in a slot in the rod. The eyes have a small opening for the curtain pins or fasteners and they’ll run evenly across the rod, with the number of eyes dependent on how long the rod is.

Traditional drapery rods can be used with rings or if you’d like to go with no rings then drapes with grommets or tabs are an option.

Need a curved rod or a corner rod? We have those too!

If you do not need the draperies to close, then for stationary panels you may consider short rods on either side of a large window.

Our custom rods come in many diameters - 5/8”, 7/8”, 1 1/4”,
1 3/4”, and 2”. The 7/8” and 1 1/4” diameter are the most popular. All the custom rods we have available are very sturdy, but if the rod has an expanse of more than ten feet, it’s better to go with a thicker rod. If the window is four feet or less, the thickness of the rod shouldn't matter.

​Make sure to select a rod that also works with the scale of the room. Larger diameters look great with high ceilings to fit the proper scale of the space.

Look around your room at your decor and the wood, metal, and painted finishes. Choose a rod style and finish that complements and balances out the elements present in your room. Use a mix of textures to create depth and interest.

Metal rods are very popular right now in matte or satin black, antique brass, polished chrome, nickel, brushed gold, and oil rubbed bronze.

Wood rods are also showing up in washed or light oak finishes with the grain showing that can work well with beach/coastal decor. Wood rods in darker finishes are perfect for a traditional formal look.

French rods with ends that curve back towards the wall are popular right now. French rods mix traditional with casual that fits perfectly with modern farmhouse decor.

Finials on the end if the rod are like jewelry, there are so many styles to choose from. For a simpler look choose an end cap instead of a finial.
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Are you looking for a sleeker look than curtain rings? Grommets have been a popular choice for draperies for years because they offer a more modern look. Grommets come in a variety of sizes and colors so they are easily worked into any decor. Grommets allow the fabric to fall into folds creating a beautiful look from the top of the drape to the bottom of the drape.

​One option we don’t love - rings with clips. Who wants to see an ugly clip when there are much more attractive options available!

There are so many more design choices and finish colors in custom rod hardware products than the stock rods you can find in stores. The beauty and functionality that will last for years make these rods more than a worthwhile investment in your home.
While the number of styles, colors, etc. can be overwhelming, LC Window Treatments can help you get the look you want—and the functionality you need.
As experts in drapery hardware, we at LC Window Treatments are here to help you make the right decisions when purchasing hardware for your draperies. Call us today for an in home consultation 628-400-1665

​Vertical blinds certainly aren’t exactly the trendiest window treatment. These blinds are often overlooked and thought of as tacky white metal strips that bang together on the window.  What most people don’t know is that vertical blinds now come in a variety of materials, patterns and textures to create a clean and stylish look that is perfectly suited for patio doors and large windows.  Additionally, vertical blinds now move across a window with superb and silent new technology.  
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So what’s not to love about vertical window blinds? Here are our top three reasons to choose vertical blinds!

​Finding a window covering for sliding glass doors or patio doors can prove to be difficult. Window coverings for sliding glass doors and patio doors need to open from side-to-side and need to be durable and easy to clean since doors are usually higher traffic areas. In terms of window coverings that slide open, the options are somewhat limited. If you’re looking for a window covering that slides from side to side and offers louvers or vanes that can be tilted to allow various degrees of light in, then the product that will provide the best functionality and most versatility is a vertical blind.

Verticals now come in so many materials, patterns, colors and textures that you will no longer think that vertical window treatments are boring or outdated. We all remember the white PVC or metal-like material - perfect for office buildings and other commercial applications. This is your most basic choice, but to take advantage of all the new innovations in design, we highly recommend any of the vertical treatments that are fabric which are softer, quieter and more stylish, giving you that relaxed drapery feel and come in many colors and many textures. There are also wood and faux-wood verticals that come in beautiful stains to match your furniture or flooring and who can resist the rich and classic feel of wood accents-so stunning on a large window. Solar material is now available on vertical blinds, made of the same amazing material as Solar Screens, which will reduce glare, block those harmful UV rays and control the heat of the sun blazing through those large patio doors.

​​Since verticals are a perfect choice for large windows, affordability is a great advantage when selecting this window treatment. Obviously, when you have a very large window it means more material and more expense. Vertical window treatments are so cost effective you can add these blinds to your room and still have plenty of  budget left over for more decor for the rest of your home.

​So there you have it! That’s why we love vertical blinds – function, style, and budget!  Call LC Window Treatments today at 628-400-1665 for a free in home consultation.

​If you’ve never bought custom window treatments before, one purchase from us will likely change the way you shop for window treatments forever. Over the past few years, we’ve met many home owners who were initially hesitant about buying custom window coverings who have now become loyal customers that can’t imagine purchasing their blinds and shades anywhere else.
We’re proud to make customers for life when people order from us, and it often happens because of these seven reasons:

Customers initially think big box retail stores have the lowest prices on window coverings.  The truth is that big box retail stores often can’t compete with us on prices. That’s because we focus specifically on window coverings and don’t need large showrooms to house our products. We bring the showroom to you in person, and we pass the savings on to our customers. In addition, we also work closely with the manufacturers of a variety of blinds and shades to make sure we get the very best prices.

Many of our customers want some degree of customization when they order window coverings from us. Whether it’s choosing specific fabrics, colors and patterns, specific dimensions to fit certain windows in their homes, or requiring specific options like room darkening liners, cordless operation and top down bottom up operation.  But in a big box retail store or online you have very limited customization, only a few colors, out of stock products, and potentially a long wait to get what you want—if they’re even capable of fulfilling your needs at all.  And who is going to install the product?  At LC Window Treatments we have a team of experienced installers who install with perfection. 

​When you buy window coverings in a big box retail store or online, it can be difficult to determine the exact dimensions and installation options. It’s also difficult to determine the quality. Attempts to find information and possible options can be frustrating, especially if you’re looking to purchase many window coverings at once. But when you work with LC Window Treatments, all the information you need is provided to you during the initial consultation and during any subsequent appointments or phone calls. We get precise measurements and provide you options,  information about maximum lengths and widths, color, materials, and different options for operation.  All of the information you need to help you make a decision is provided up front.  

​What good are window treatments that let in too much light, have gaps, too short, or too long? That’s a reality for countless homeowners who bought their window coverings at big box retail stores. Window coverings that are installed by the homeowner straight out of a box almost never fit correctly, resulting in huge light leaks or impossible installations due to simply being not a perfect fit for the window. In addition, big box retail stores don’t always custom cut blinds and shades correctly, which means providing them with precise measurements may still result in poor fits. At LC Window Treatments we do the measuring to get a perfect fit every time. 

​Seeing blinds and shades in person won’t help much if you can’t replicate their colors and patterns in your home. The lighting in big box stores is often significantly different than the lighting in an average home, and window treatments can look dramatically different in each environment, particularly cellular shades.  And trying to determine the color, look and feel of the material when buying online is impossible. But when you work with LC Window Treatments, we come to you with fabrics and materials samples to give you an accurate idea of how a particular window covering will look in each room of your home. It’s the most critical step in the process of purchasing window coverings that will help ensure that you are 100% satisfied for many years to come.

​When you buy window coverings from most big box retail stores or online, you get their standard return policy and that’s about it. At some stores, you may have only a few weeks to make a return. What if you get your blinds and they’re cut to fit your windows but the color is not right…and you can’t return them. At LC Window Treatments we offer a satisfaction guarantee and our manufacturers offer extensive warranties on all of the products.

In addition, you can’t go wrong with the ease and convenience of buying your window coverings from us. You don’t have to worry about wasting your gas to drive across town and fighting for a parking space, and you don’t have to concern yourself with making room in your car for huge boxes of blinds and shades. Instead, we come to you and you can complete the entire process from the comfort of your home while knowing that beautiful new window treatments will be shipped to us and installed by our professional installers.

Don't hesitate to give LC Window Treatments a call today.  We're here to help you create the perfect window treatments for your home.  Schedule your free consultation!

​Want an alternative to vertical blinds to cover a sliding glass door or large window? Vertical blinds are durable and can span wide distances, but their utilitarian style isn’t for everyone. We’ve got some other window treatment options for sliding glass doors that are just as functional but more likely to suit your home decor.

​Roller shades can easily align themselves perfectly with sliding glass doors and almost “disappear”. You can choose between regular roll or a reverse roll or a cassette valance or a metal fascia. All these mounting styles allow for the shades to lie closely with the window and give it a neat and clean finish. The reason why this feature comes in handy for sliding glass doors is that it does not hide the look of the window or the door. So, those big glass panes that allow you to enjoy the view from your living room are not covered up behind layers of fabric. The fabric rolls neatly to the top and stays out of the way. 
Roller shades are also available as solar shades (pictured below). Solar shades maintain an actual weave in the fabric which keeps the outside view open to the person through the blind even when it is fully lowered. This lets you retain your beautiful view and keeps your room looking open, while still blocking heat and glare. These solar shades also block more heat and protect your floors and furnishings from damaging UV rays.

​A great solution for your large sliding glass door would be a vertical cellular shade. Vertical cellular shades are designed with “honeycomb-shaped pockets” which keep your room insulated and at a comfortable temperature by preventing air from entering or escaping.
In addition to being energy efficient, vertical cellular shades help you control light and privacy. They come in three light control options so you can achieve the desired extent of light and privacy control: sheer, light-filtering, and room darkening. The privacy options are important depending on which room your sliding door is in because if you have a sliding door in a bedroom, room darkening opacity would be great for ultimate privacy and light control.

​A modern solution for covering your sliding door are sliding panel track blinds. They're over-sized panels with varying widths and consistent overlapping. They can be used for sliding doors and windows or as room dividers. They come in a large selection of fabrics that add personality to your living spaces.
A popular trend with sliding panel track blinds is woven wood material. It is an elegant, eco-friendly option made of natural woven grasses. They are made from materials such as bamboo, jute, hemp, and flax for a textured look. With panels, you can even coordinate the materials with an accompanying top treatment for an overall designer look.

If you're looking for a timeless classic to cover your sliding door, shutters would be your answer. Shutters for sliding glass doors have an abundance of benefits such as privacy, ventilation, and protection. Depending on your style Plantation shutters come in real wood or composite wood in three popular louver sizes, 2 ½”, 3 ½” and 4 ½” to match your desired level of light and privacy. You can manipulate the louvers to fully open and close or to any value in between to achieve the exact level of privacy and light that you want.
A major benefit of Plantation shutters is they are energy saving due to their insulating design. Another important advantage is that they are extremely durable and constructed to last. Shutters come in different styles including bi-fold shutters which are ideal for large windows and sliding glass doors, as they are hinged in the middle and fold accordion-style to open (pictured below). Bypass style, a great option for patio doors, are panels that slide on a track and stack neatly behind one another for a well-ordered look. Shutters can be custom-fit to properly fit any sliding door.

​Drapes are fashionable way to cover your sliding door that won’t hinder the use of the door. Drapery allows you to have an uninterrupted view of the outdoors when open and full privacy when closed.
Drapes not only look great but will provide you with light and privacy control along with sun protection and energy-saving insulation. For extra coverage, drapery can be layered with shades for added appeal and flare. Or consider adding light filtering and room darkening liners for enhanced light control and privacy. At LC Window Treatments we have hundreds of fabric styles and colors to choose from and we will ensure you get exactly the look and feel that you want.

​The Norman Window Fashions company recently released a revolutionary product to the world of window fashions called Smart Drape Shades, the innovative window treatment has the elegant look of drapery the with superior versatility and functionality. With the ability to cover windows and doors up to 245” (just over 20 feet), there’s a place for Smart Drape Shades™ in nearly every home.

Unlike ordinary drapery, these shades allow you to use the door even when they are closed. Constructed of individual veins, suspended in flowing sheer fabric, the shade will allow you to move in and out of your home freely, without the hassle of having to open and close them each time. Each individual vein has the ability to be removed from the head rail for easy cleaning. With these shades there is no need to hire someone to come to your home to clean them for you. This product is sturdy enough that you can place it in your washing machine.

These customizable shades are available with extensive options, allowing you make these shades fit your needs and desires perfectly. The sheer fabric that surrounds the veins comes in many colors and patterns so you can choose those that will best compliment your homes décor. With the simple twist of the wand your shades can go from allowing a light filled warm, inviting environment, to a solid providing you with a certain level of privacy when desired in a matter of seconds. An added dimension of versatility provided by these shades is the customizable option to open them to left, to the right, or have a split stack where they can be opened from the center outward.

​Whatever option you choose for your sliding glass door, we can customize for a perfect fit and work with your existing home decor. Give LC Window Treatments a call today at 628-400-1665 to discuss your exact requirements and schedule a complimentary in home consultation.

Working from home became a reality in almost an instant, with coronavirus spreading around the globe disrupting the traditional workplace. It caught many by surprise and consequently, many businesses that had dismissed working from home in the past are now re-thinking ways to adopt it long term. Many of us that only occasionally worked at home (at the dining room table or sofa) are figuring out how to set up and decorate dedicated home offices for maximum comfort, creativity and productivity.

Serving both form and function, window treatments are a necessary addition to home offices and can make all the difference when it comes to designing a space in which you can concentrate and feel motivated. There are lots of choices when it comes to window treatments for your office, here are a few suggestions to make your home office the very best it can be.

Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades are superior insulators. They are the most energy efficient window covering available on the market. Their honeycomb shape traps air inside, keeping a room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, lowering your energy bills and making your home office much more comfortable. Cellular honeycomb shades also have excellent light filtering capability to reduce glare yet still allow plenty of light into your office.