Resources & Ideas

The Window Treatment Journal

Buying guides, design ideas, and practical advice for choosing window treatments that fit Southwest Florida living — from hurricane season prep to beating the summer heat.

White plantation shutters wrapping a corner of windows in an elegant Sarasota living room

Buying Guides/6 min read

How Much Do Plantation Shutters Cost in Florida?

A clear breakdown of what drives plantation shutter pricing in Southwest Florida — materials, sizing, louver size, and installation — so you can budget with confidence.

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Exterior hurricane protection screens on a Southwest Florida home

Florida Living/5 min

Best Window Treatments for Florida Hurricane Season

From motorized shades that make closing up fast to exterior hurricane screens that add real protection, here is how to prepare your windows for storm season in Southwest Florida.

Motorized roller shades on floor-to-ceiling windows in a modern living room

Buying Guides/5 min

Motorized vs. Manual Shades: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Motorized shades are more affordable and reliable than ever. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide where motorization is worth it and where manual shades still make sense.

Light roller shades layered with floor-length linen drapery panels over floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors overlooking a pool

Buying Guides/5 min

The Best Window Treatments for Large Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors are a Florida staple — and a tricky one to cover. Our top recommendation pairs roller shades with drapery, plus how it compares to vertical blinds, SmartDrape, and motorized options.

Day and night honeycomb cellular shade with a light-filtering top and room-darkening bottom over a window

Florida Living/4 min

Day/Night Honeycomb Shades: Beating the Florida Heat

Honeycomb shades trap air for real insulation, and day/night designs pair light filtering with room darkening in a single shade. Here is why they are ideal for Florida homes.

Solar roller shades filtering bright afternoon light in a sun-facing room

Tips & Advice/5 min

Choosing Window Treatments for Sun-Facing Windows in Sarasota

West- and south-facing windows take a beating from the Florida sun. Learn how solar shades, UV-stable materials, and layered treatments protect your interiors and comfort.

Motorized exterior hurricane screens lowered over a lanai on a Southwest Florida home for storm protection

Florida Living/6 min

Hurricane Prep: The Benefits of Impact Doors, Windows, and Hurricane Screens

Impact-rated doors and windows plus motorized hurricane screens are the strongest way to protect a Southwest Florida home. Here is how each works and how they pay off year-round.

Luxury new construction home with expansive windows in a Sarasota-area master-planned community

New Construction/7 min

New Construction Window Treatments in Sarasota’s Top Communities

From Lakewood Ranch to Wild Blue, Palmer Ranch, Wellen Park, and Siesta Key, here is how to plan window treatments for a new construction home the right way — and why timing matters.

Local community volunteers gathered together at a charity event in the Sarasota area on a sunny day

Community/5 min

Giving Back: How We Support Our Sarasota Community

We are more than a window treatment company — we are a local family that loves this community. Here is how we support Easter Seals, the Boys & Girls Clubs, autism awareness, and partner with other local companies to give back.

Interior designer reviewing fabric and window treatment samples in a bright, elegantly styled living room

Design Trends/6 min

2026 Window Treatment Design Trends (And Why We Let Our Designers Lead)

From layered textures to warm earthy tones and seamless motorization, here are the window treatment trends shaping 2026 — and why we trust our designers to bring them to life in your home.

A dark, restful bedroom with a roller shade in a blackout channel frame blocking nearly all daylight

Product Spotlight/5 min

Norman LightGuard 360: For When You Want It PITCH. BLACK.

Nurseries, home theaters, night-shift sleepers, or anyone who just refuses to sleep in anything less than total darkness — meet the room-darkening system that takes light gaps personally.

Motorized drapery and shades in a modern living room integrated with a Lutron smart-home system

Smart Home/5 min

What It Means That We’re a Lutron Certified Dealer

Motorized shades are only as good as the system behind them. Here is why our Lutron certification matters for your smart-home window treatments — and what it means for your project.

Crisp white Norman plantation shutters filtering warm light in a bright Florida room

Product Spotlight/6 min

Why We Recommend Norman Shutters

Norman is one of the most respected names in shutters, and for good reason. Here is a look at their Woodlore, Woodlore Plus, and Normandy lines — and why they hold up so well in Florida.

Cellular honeycomb shades on a sunny Florida window, insulating the room from heat and UV

Energy Efficiency/6 min

Energy Savings & UV Protection: How the Right Window Treatments Pay Off in Florida

Florida sun is relentless. The right window treatments cut cooling costs, protect your furnishings from fading, and make your home more comfortable year-round. Here is how.

Modern new construction home interior with motorized shades integrated into a smart-home system

New Construction/6 min

Why Wiring for Motorized Shades Belongs in Your New Construction Plans

The best time to plan for motorized shades is before the drywall goes up. Here is why early coordination with your architect and builder makes all the difference in a new construction home.

Real estate agent showing a bright, beautifully staged home with elegant window treatments

For Partners/6 min

A Window Treatment Partner for Realtors: Residential & Commercial

From getting a listing show-ready to solving a buyer’s bare-window problem after closing, here is how we help residential and commercial real estate agents close deals with confidence.

Interior designer selecting drapery and shade fabrics for a luxury Sarasota-area interior

For Partners/6 min

Why Interior Designers Partner With Us on Window Treatments

You bring the vision; we bring the products, the precision, and the flawless installation. Here is how we help interior designers deliver window treatments that elevate the whole room.

Beautifully appointed model home great room with coordinated window treatments in a new community

For Partners/6 min

Window Treatments for Developers: Model Homes to Full Communities

Outfitting model homes, spec inventory, or an entire community? Here is how we help developers deliver consistent, high-impact window treatments at scale and on schedule.

Bright, guest-ready vacation rental living room with clean motorized shades and a water view

For Partners/5 min

Window Treatments for Property Managers & Vacation Rentals

Durability, privacy, and guest-ready good looks — here is how we help property managers and vacation rental owners choose window treatments that hold up and impress.

Modern medical office with sleek solar shades controlling glare on a sunny Florida day

Commercial/6 min

Commercial Window Treatments for Offices & Medical Spaces

Glare control, energy savings, privacy, and a professional look — here is how the right commercial window treatments improve any office, medical, or professional space.

Stylish restaurant dining room with solar shades softening bright Florida afternoon light

Commercial/5 min

Window Treatments for Restaurants & Hospitality Venues

Set the ambiance, control the afternoon sun, and protect your interior — here is how the right window treatments elevate restaurants, bars, and hospitality spaces.

Sunlit seasonal Florida home with treated windows overlooking the water

Buying Guides/5 min

Window Treatments for Snowbirds & Seasonal Florida Homes

Protect your Florida home while you are away and return to a comfortable, sun-safe retreat — here is what seasonal residents should know about window treatments.

Gold award trophy and winner medal on a navy background celebrating a Best of SRQ Gold win

Community/4 min

We Won Gold in Best of SRQ!

We are proud and humbled to be voted Gold in the Best of SRQ awards. Here is what this recognition means to us — and the community that made it possible.