Looking After Your Awnings

Awnings and retractable awnings look great on many styles of Sydney homes. Awnings can create extra outdoor living spaces and can keep your home cool and shaded all through the long summer months. But how do you make sure that you get the most from your awning and keep it in the same condition as the day it was installed?

Cleaning: If you take good care of your awnings they can last for up to ten years. That’s lots of lazy Sunday afternoons spent out on the deck under the retractable awnings of your Sydney home. So how do you go about keeping your awnings clean and stain-free?

• Regularly rinse them with a hose every two to three months to stop dirt building up. Don’t forget the underside!
• Clean off bird and bat droppings immediately. The acid in the droppings can cause stains
• Keep the gutters above your awnings clean so runoff doesn’t spill onto the fabric
• Get rid of any standing water on your awning as it can stain and stretch the fabric
• Find out if the fabric of your awning has a suitable stain guard spray that you can use after cleaning

Source: http://www.bcd.com

Environment: Some things or activities in your garden or yard can potentially harm your awning:

• Keep plants away from awnings as some plants have acids that can damage the awning fabric
• Try and avoid spraying insect repellant too close to awnings as the chemicals can stain the fabric, as well as making it less water resistant
• Avoid wetting the metal frame, particularly with sprinkler. Also, remember to dry off the frame if you wash the awning fabric while it is still on it to avoid rusting

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com

Maintenance:  Like with all things, a little maintenance goes a long way:

• Every year, check your awnings for signs of rust
• Repair any tears or rips as soon as possible. They can go from small to enormous very quickly

If you follow these simple tips the awnings of your Sydney home will last for a very long time in an excellent condition.

If you are interested in awnings in Sydney, visit Davonne or call us on (02) 8355 4040.

By Jeffrey Zheng

How to Harness the Energy Saving Wonders of Window Blinds | Infographic

There are plenty of ways to save energy at home, and one of those ways is the proper use of window blinds. The following are some recommended window covering solutions that will not only improve how your home looks and feels; they will also allow you to keep the warm air in and cold air out during the cold months, and cool air in and warm air out during the warm months.

As one of the leading providers of window blinds and curtains, we at Davonne recommend harnessing the energy saving features of window blinds and shades. With the right set of blinds for the right climate condition, you will be able to make your home feel much more comfortable throughout the year. You will also substantially save on energy consumption.

If you want to find out more about our customised energy-efficient window solutions, visit Davonne or call 02 8355 4040 today.

By Jeffrey Zheng

A History of Blinds

If you were to go for a short drive around your suburb, you would notice many people in your area have window blinds of some descriptions. Both indoor and outdoor blinds are extremely popular in Sydney and around Australia, almost to to the point of being as much as a staple of a home as solid walls. So how is it that window blinds came to dominate Sydney homes as the go-to for providing privacy but also providing the ability to control and filter light into a room?

• BC Blinds: The story of blinds goes back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. The earliest known blinds were used by nomadic tribes in African and Asian deserts. Their primitive blind was a simple sheet covering a window. As basic and crude as it was, it provided the dwellers of the home protection from the desert sun. The ancient Egyptians used the abundance of reeds from the Nile River for many purposes, including fashioning blinds for their homes that would allow a breeze to pass through but to stop the sun. The ancient Chinese used their most common resource of bamboo to make their blinds, and bamboo is still used as a material for window blinds today.

• Middle Ages and the Venetian: Persian merchants brought window blinds to Venice, as one of their many wares to trade and sell. These blinds were a simplified version of today’s: slats raised and lowered by a strong. The blinds became popular and took on the city’s name, so if you’ve ever wondered why a venetian blind is called so, there is your answer. Blinds then began to move through Europe and became popular in London during the Industrial Revolution. They were produced in mass quantities and became a common sight throughout Western Europe.

Source: http://www.luxtimber.com.au/images/stories/bnd3.gif

And so we come to today when blinds in Sydney are just as common a sight as they were in ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. As we move through a technological revolution, the blind has taken on new forms beyond the venetian. We now have roman blinds, vertical blinds, and automated roller blinds. It is no wonder they are in every home - there is a blind to suit every house.

If you are interested in window blinds for your Sydney home, Visit Davonne or call (02) 8355 4040 today.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Sydney Outdoor Blinds Buying Guide | Video

Those Sydney outdoor blinds are perfect for Australia’s bright and sunny weather. 

They provide not only protective shade from the sun, they also provide energy-saving benefits, as well as aesthetic improvements to your home or establishment. 

If you’re in the market for the right outdoor blinds, below are some ideas to help you choose a suitable product for your needs.
 

There you have it, quick and simple guide to buying the best outdoor blinds for your Sydney property.

If you want to find out more about wide selection of window blinds and shutters, visit Davonne today. To arrange for a free measure and quote, call 02 8355 4040.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Reasons Why You May Need Blinds in Sydney | Video

Visit Davonne or call us on 02 8355 4040 to discuss the window blinds that will best suit your needs. Our staff will help you choose stylish blinds that are also practical.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Venetian or Roman Blinds? Which One should You Choose? | Infographic

Should you choose Venice or Rome? Many people are struggling to decide which to choose between Venetian blinds and Roman blinds. Both offer protective and decorative features in unique ways. But what will help you make informed decisions when choosing between both is to learn about their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their unique properties and features.

This isn't to show you which one is superior or inferior. In the end, your choice will rest entirely on your personal preference. Your choice could also be influenced by what your home needs or which complements your windows best.

For more information and wide variety of choices of Roman and Venetian blinds visit Davonne or call 02 8355 4040

By Jeffrey Zheng

Elegant Vertical Blinds for any Sydney Homes and Offices | Video

Sydney homes and offices look more elegant not only with the appropriate set of furniture, but also with elegant vertical blinds.

For more information, free quote and measure, visit Davonne at or call 02 8355 4040 today.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Outdoor Blinds and their 6 Amazing Advantages | Video

For some homes, the outdoor area is one of the neglected, but not for many Sydney homes that have attractive outdoor blinds in place. These types of blinds offer the perfect solution not only for enhancing the look of the home, but also for protection and some privacy.

If you are a homeowner who is not sure whether outdoor blinds are right for your home, here are some amazing advantages of outdoor blinds as shared by window blinds authorities in Sydney.

For more information on outdoor blinds ideal for Sydney homes and offices, visit Davonne or call 02 8355 4040.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Protect Your Furniture from the Harsh Sydney Sun with Blinds

With the summer sun beaming uncontrollably into your home it's not long before you start to notice some changes in your room. What were once vibrant colours are dull and faded. The constant high temperature beating that happens to your furniture and rugs summer after summer eventually take their irreversible toll.

Source: carpatys.com

With a few simple adjustments you can protect your things from sun damage.

Awnings are the best method to keep the suns harmful ultraviolet rays out of your home and off your furniture. Retractable awnings are the best option because they are flexible. They can be adjusted to the suns position throughout the day provided the awnings have been fitted to at least twice the height of the window that is being shaded. Awnings can also be moved to change the amount of warmth entering the room making them an effective way at cooling your home down during the hot summer months.

Another option to keep the sun from damaging your furniture is internal shading in the form of blinds. In this case it is better to get fabric blinds like roman blinds or panel blinds as opposed to timber venetian blinds or vertical blinds. By creating a seal the blinds trap some still air in between it and the window. This will drastically reduce the flow of heat through the glass. For maximum protection I recommend a combination of awnings and roman blinds or panel blinds in your Sydney home.

You don't need to have your awnings down and your blinds shut through the whole of summer. Learn when your room will be hit with the most amount of sunlight and close your blinds or bring your awnings down accordingly. The great thing about blinds is that you can adjust the amount of light that comes through,so you can protect your furniture while still having enough sun to light up the room.

For more options on blinds and awnings to help protect your funiture and rugs from the harsh Sydney sun, visit Davonne of Sydney or call 8355 4040 today

By Jeffrey Zheng

How Motorised Window Blinds Work | Infographics

Motorised window blinds offer you flexibility and convenience. At the push of the button, you can either open or close the blinds, or you can roll them up or down.

If you're wondering how they work, here are some information on motorised window blinds' basic operation.

For more information on fitting your windows with motorised blinds, visit Davonne or call 02 8355 4040.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Safety Tips for Window Blinds

Source:www.windowblindsafety.ie

For most things, child safety stays on top of our priority, even when installing window blinds at home in Sydney and elsewhere. Without proper safety measures in place, children could get hurt when they play around with the blinds.

The following are some tips for making window blinds at home and in business safer for kids:

Roller blinds

Roller blinds can be operated manually with a spring or looped chain or with a motor.

Motorised roller blinds are much safer for kids, but parents must make sure that the cables are hidden from sight to make sure that the kids don’t play with them.

Roller blinds that are spring operated are also a bit safe for kids. However, chains are deemed to be a bit dangerous. When installing chain operated roller blinds, ask the supplier if they come with a safety device. Also, be sure that they are properly set up.

Vertical blinds

Vertical blinds can also be operated either manually with a chain, wand or cord, or with a motor.

To make them safe for kids, keep the cables out of plain sight. Cords must also come with safety devices and they should be cut short so that little kids can’t reach and play with them.

As for vertical blinds with wand, they are deemed to be very safe, with almost no risk to children.

As for vertical blinds with chains, have the chains glued to the louver so that are not left dangling dangerously. However, this could affect the blind’s operation.

Metal Venetian blinds

As with most types of blinds, metal Venetian blinds can also be either motorised or can be operated with a wand and cord. The motorised types, however, are seldom used, as they can be a bit expensive.

Wand-operated Venetian blinds are relatively safe, but they can be made safer by cutting the wand shorter. This keeps the wand out of children’s reach.

As for cord-operated, they can be made safer by attaching a cleat where the cords can be tied, so they are not left dangling dangerously.

Want to know more about making window blinds more efficient and safer? 

Visit Davonne or call 02 8355 4040 today.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Interesting Facts About Window Blinds | Infographics

Check out the following interesting facts about window blinds:

Window blinds make Sydney homes and offices more attractive and elegant. Window blinds
would seem to be a recent invention, but they actually have a long history of gracing homes since the ancient times.

For more information on window blinds in Sydney, visit Davonne or call 02 8355 4040.

By Jeffrey Zheng

Reasons Why You May Need Window Blinds in Sydney | Infographic

Below are some of the most common reasons many Sydney homeowners install window blinds:

Visit Davonne or call us on 02 8355 4040 to discuss the window blinds that will best suit your needs. Our staff will help you choose stylish blinds that are also practical.

By Jeffrey Zheng