Probably the ultimate ‘Green’ window coverings are grass cloth, or woven wood shades. These shades have been around for literally thousands of years. They are produced from readily available grasses, reeds and bamboo. All of these materials are quickly renewed in the natural growing process and need little to no fossil fuels to produce.

Some materials are painted, dyed or stained, so watch for products in their natural state. These shades can be lined with a natural canvas or linen lining to provide more light control. Some major producers of eco-friendly grass cloth shades include Conrad Shades, Castec and Hunter Douglas.

Learn more.

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As we discuss eco-friendly window treatments, a category that comes immediately to mind are plantation shutters made from wood. The wood species that are used most commonly for shutters are poplar and basswood. Both of these woods grow fairly quickly in farmed environments, and qualify as eco-friendly by most definitions. The question then becomes whether the manufacturing and finishing process remain ‘green’. Other hardwoods are also used for plantation shutters such as maple, cherry, mahogany and walnut. These slow growth woods are harvested from managed forests that actually promote new growth, and therefore are eco-friendly.

Does the manufacturer operate in an eco-friendly fashion; are scraps minimized and utilized properly? Is transportation minimized? Are the finished used water based and or low VOC’s?

Finally the product itself is very eco-friendly and remains so indefinitely. Shutters are a wonderful insulator for the home, reducing heating and cooling costs. The louvers can direct the sunlight into or out of the home to allow the sun to passively heat the home, or direct the sun’s rays back out of the home to maintain a cool home.

Learn more at our very detailed shutter information page.

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As we discussed yesterday, the problem with finding eco-friendly window treatments is to understand the definition.

A whole host of products have been certified ‘Green Guard” by the Green Guard Environmental Institute. This group certifies that products are safe for indoor use and/or safe for children and schools. The primary concern of this group is indoor air pollution. In the window treatment industry, this is generally referred to as ‘off-gassing’, meaning the product will emit a gas or odor for a short period of time after installation. This is generally a factor with products made from vaious plastics or vinyls, or with painted products.

While certifying that these products are safe is quite important, this certification does not fit most definitions of ‘Green’, ‘Sustainable’ or ‘Eco-Friendly’. There is not a current organization that provides a clear certification for products in the home furnishings industry. this leaves the consumer, retailer and designer to do the research.

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Our first product for Green consideration is Drapery fabrics. These fabrics can be used for traditional draperies, but can also be used for valences and top treatments as well as shadings and even some upholstery and bedding.

Natural fibers are the obvious choice when looking for ‘green’. But the content is not the only thing to consider. How is the product dyed? does it have any other chemical additives like fire retardents? How is waste handled at the mill? Is the mill operated in an energy concious way? And finally, how far does the material need to be shipped?

We have a number of natural fiber materials that are dyed with plant based dyes and woven in state of the art Mills. Some of the lines of fabric that we carry that have made strides in this area include; Robert Allen, Kravet, Kasmir, Thibault and Tapestria. Link

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We are often asked about ‘Green’ products by our clients when we are designing window treatments. the problem is; how do you define green? Many materials that are totally natural will not stand up to sun rot, or the wear and tear of daily use at the window.

But, manufacturers are slowly hearing the call of the client and are developing a number of products that fill this much needed niche in the industry. Over the next few days we will discuss some of these trends and the options currently available. Link

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The trend toward designing with natural, sustainable and renewable products is stronger than ever. What could be more ‘GREEN” than Grass cloth from Conrad Shades?

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Are your drapes or binds contribution to indoor pollution? Let the sun shine in with eco-friendly window coverings.

Indoor air pollution has been sited as three times more polluted then outdoor air and one of the main sources is from our window dressings. More and more people are opting for non-toxic fabrics, textiles and window coverings and a resurgence in organic materials is literally bringing nature indoors.

Simplicity of bamboo
For simple window coverings, bamboo blinds are a winning combination of good looks and eco-friendliness.
Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants and easiest to cultivate on earth, is actually a grass. It’s popular for its sustainable and environmentally-friendly quality but also for its wood tones that infuse interiors with natural warmth.

For some soft shades, look at Robert Allen’s Islandia. This 100 per cent bamboo fabric comes in 25 colours and for perfect for creating earth friendly drapes.

Art for your windows
You can find plenty of intriguing designs from The Woven Company created with roots, twigs and twines from exotic trees, reeds, bamboo, grass, and palm leaves. The Nguyen family has created window treatments with such a variety of patterns and textures that choosing one for a space is like choosing a work of art. They honour a strict environmental code using only quick-replenishing plants, and plants indigenous to the area where the factory is located.

Link

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