Get To Work In Your Basement Home Office
AVOID THE DISRUPTIONS
If you work from home, you probably know that statistics show you are more productive than if you were to work in a large office with several people. The main reason is you *supposedly* have fewer interruptions. You don’t have co-workers knocking on your office door or stopping by your cubicle asking about your weekend. In fact, statistics show that for every time you are interrupted, it can take up to 23 minutes to become refocused, so working alone can be helpful when trying to get a lot of work completed.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Home offices do have downfalls however. FedEx may ring your doorbell setting the dogs into a barking spree. The kids may come home from school and start arguing or playing loudly. All of these things, and so many others, can cause disruptions, especially if you are on a conference call, GoToMeeting or Zoom call. We’ve worked with customers to try to alleviate some of these noise issues in home work spaces by adding a ceiling mount curtain track with eclipse curtains around the office space. When the curtains are pulled, it helps absorb sound (perfect when you are head down into a project or on a call) plus when pulled behind you, they can give your office a uniform look around your dedicated space (concealing a concrete wall), which your boss may love.
SOUND OFF
For those with a drop ceiling, our drop ceiling clamp attaches easily to the metal parts of the drop ceiling and our 6151 cartridge allows for the carriers and hooks to connect to the clamp. These ceiling cartridges are used to mount the 6100 Flexible Curtain Track and should be placed every 10 inches. The 6100 curtain track is perfect for a basement project because it allows long continuous lengths for curved or angled applications, but can also be used for straight applications. So if your home office is in a corner, you can bend the track to accommodate your work space. After you have installed your track, add the curtains of your choice. To help reduce noise, our eclipse curtains are the best and we have a vast selection of colors and sizes to choose from.
ALL WORK
If you are looking for a sound-solution in your basement office, adding curtain tracks and eclipse curtains may be just the sound absorbing solution you are looking for!
Too Much To Store?
STUFF
Did you hit the Black Friday sales and purchase just a bit too much? Wondering how to hide or conceal everything? Consider creating storage space. It’s easy! We work with customers across the country who want to create a place to store items. Oftentimes, this area is in a basement or a corner of a garage. They just have some “stuff” (holiday decorations, bins of clothing, toys, high school yearbooks, etc.) that they want to conceal so it is out of the way. Depending on the space our customers choose, adding a ceiling mount curtain track and curtains can be a solution for your storage issues.
OPEN AND CLOSE
If the curtains are going to be opened and closed frequently, our Extra Heavy Duty Track is a perfect choice. Available in silver or black anodized aluminum, it has a thicker top wall for added support. It is available as a 12 foot track and cut to 8 ft. and 4 ft. or 6 ft. and 6 ft. sections for shipping and is compatible with our 7140 Double Wheel or 7146 Short Snap Carriers. If you have a drop ceiling, our 6155 Flexible Curtain Track Drop Ceiling Clamp, which allows you to attach the track directly to the framework of the drop ceiling and works particularly well with the 6100 Flexible Curtain Track, is another solid choice. Add curtains to your track and your storage space is ready to conceal your stuff!
INNOVATIVE
You don't need to have a large house to create extra space to store items. The perfect curtain track and accessories, plus a little creativity, and you can create a storage space in your basement or garage. Have some doubts? Give us a call or visit our Gallery for innovative ideas!
Being Creative in Confined Spaces With Curtain Tracks
SMALL SPACE?
At one point in many of our lives, we live in a small, confined space. College dorm? First apartment? A condo while waiting for your dream home to be built? The list of reasons can vary, but it is safe to say that everyone can relate to sharing snug living quarters. Being creative in how the space is utilized is key, and also exactly where Curtain-Tracks enters the picture.
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
First, you’ll want to live in your small space for a little while to determine what purpose each part of the room should serve. You’ll find yourself tweaking where things are stored based on how you use the space, and before you know it, you’ll naturally create different “zones” of living. Or, you may have to be a little more direct about how the room is divided if you are living with a roommate for the first time.
QUIET AND DARK
Once you have the areas and purposes of the room decided, it makes a lot of sense to use a flexible solution to define the space. Curtains are a great choice because they can be pushed out of the way when you need the whole room to be functional. But when someone needs privacy, quiet, or darkness while another person does not, the curtains can be drawn to create that small space. Our personal favorite for this type of use is our Eclipse Curtains. Thanks to the sound and light diminishing nature of the fabric, you can block out neighbors who aren’t studying, or you can take a mid-day snooze.
HANG TEN
Once you have made your favorite color selection from our 28 stylish fabrics, you’ll need to decide how to hang them. This will depend on what kind of ceiling you are working with, but our favorite for just about any situation is our best selling, ceiling mounted Flexible Curtain Track. Just like its name implies, it’s flexible! So, you can bend it by hand to even the most obscure of angles to make it work in your small space. It’s also one of our easiest to install, because it does not require any mounting brackets! Decide on a way for the curtains to hang on the track with a carrier or a glide and you are in business.
HELP? PLEASE?
Not sure that a flexible track is the right one to mount to your particular ceiling? Need help with the best carrier or glide to choose? Just give us a call and we will walk you through each step of this process. We are happy to help! 1-888-434-7444.
Beat The Winter Blues With This Outdoor Project
IS IT SPRING YET?
February can seem like a long month. The days are still short, the weather is cold and skies are often gray throughout much of the country. The Team at Curtain-Tracks is here to help cheer you up and beat those winter blues with an outdoor project that will motivate you and get you wishing for sunny skies!
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
We often talk to customers that share a common dilemma - how can they use curtains tracks and curtains outside so they can enjoy their yard even during wind, rain or scorching afternoon sun? A simple solution that allows you to enhance your outdoor living space includes adding curtain tracks and curtains along a pergola. Our 6100 flexible curtain track is durable and holds up well, even in inclement weather. We recommend pairing it with the 6152 ceiling cartridges and our 6111 carriers because, like the 6100 track, they stand up well in the outdoor elements. Simply add curtains (a heavier canvas curtain is effective and looks great) and when not in use, simply tie them back at the corners.
If you don’t have a pergola and instead prefer to spend time in a summer room or 2-seasons room, extend the use of the room by adding curtain tracks and curtains. They will allow protection from wind and shade from the sun. Plus, adding durable curtains in a fun color can enhance the look of the entire room.
NOW WHAT?
After you order your products, you may seem a bit overwhelmed. You can relax. We have simple instructions on our website and if you still have installation questions, our friendly customer service team is here to help. Just give them a call or send them an email.
ARE YOU READY?
So as you dream of spring, why not get started on this project now (visit our blog for inspiration!) so you can enjoy every bit of the season? Measure your space, order your curtain tracks (don't forget the carriers and end stops), order curtains and tie backs, and you will be on your way!
Don't hesitate to contact us with questions! Call us toll free: (888) 434-7444.
Floor to Ceiling Curtains For Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors and floor to ceiling glass walls provide spectacular views to residents lucky enough to live on a beach or lake, near mountains, or simply those with a beautiful backyard flower garden. We encounter customers every day asking for advice on what hardware they can use to hang curtains or draperies in these type applications. These type sliding glass doors and glass walls are common in condominiums, apartments, and high rises. Given the frequency of these discussions, we wanted to share a few thoughts on hardware selection and also share a few images to help inspire you.
Curtain-Tracks Helps Four-Seasons Room Find The Happy Temperature
HOT AND COLD
There aren’t many parts of the country that maintain a comfortable temperature year round. We’re looking at you with jealous eyes, San Francisco! For the rest of us, we have four seasons with four very different temperatures. This change in weather can create some interesting challenges.
AN EASY SOLUTION
The fluctuating temperatures can be a challenge for those of us who have an addition on our house or condo. The ever changing temps might keep you from using the four-seasons room in your home because it is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. And when you do decide to use that extra space, your furnace or air conditioning is constantly running because your thermostat is trying to compensate for the difference in temperature. We have a solution that can help. Adding our Eclipse Curtains will not only block light, they are also energy conserving so they also help when it comes to regulating the temperature in your four-seasons room. That means they help keep the cold air outside in the winter and the hot air outside in the summer. That also means a happy thermostat and a comfortable room temperature in a room that you can now enjoy.
MORE THAN ONE USE
Eclipse Curtains are a great feature for any four-seasons room (as mentioned above) that typically has three walls full of windows, because these curtains not only help with maintaining comfortable temperatures, they also block 98% of the light. By blocking the light in a room full of windows, they can help save your furniture from fading thanks to the sun.
WHAT TRACK?
When you are ready to start your project, consider a ceiling mounted Flexible Curtain Track. First, measure the perimeter of your space, then order the appropriate amount of track. Then, do a little math and divide that number by 10 because you will need these ceiling mounted cartridges every ten inches. Last, and the most fun, choose your favorite Eclipse Curtains. If you mount your most colorful and favorite curtains from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, you can drastically change the feeling of the room.
READY TO GET STARTED?
When you are ready to move forward with your project, our customer service representatives are available to answer any questions and we even have installation guides that will make this project a breeze. We get excited just thinking about the possibilities of this project! Send us pictures if you give it a try in your own home.
Window Design Trends
LET THE LIGHT IN
When it comes to your home, one feature that is often overlooked are windows. If you are looking to bring upscale style to your home, try some of these trends from Epic Home Ideas.
BAY WINDOWS
Bay windows are classic and allow natural light into a home. They open up the space and are most commonly used in front living rooms but are becoming increasingly popular in other spaces such as bedrooms and even in kitchen breakfast nooks. Adding curtain tracks to a bay window is easier than ever when you use Flexible Curtain Track 6100. This flexible track can be used for curved or angled applications, but also for straight applications, making it perfect for bay windows. It can bent by hand without compromising strength and can be mounted to the ceiling or wall. To learn more about bay windows and different applications, check out the Bay Windows section on our blog for several articles featuring a variety of products.
ADDING MORE WINDOWS
Another popular home design trend is actually adding windows to your home. Adding windows opens up a room and can even make a space feel larger. Not only will it allow in tons of natural light but creating a wall of windows can feel like you are letting the outside inside. So even in colder climates, you can enjoy nature from the comforts of the inside of your home but be sure to choose quality insulated windows that will be energy efficient.
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Window treatment trends continue to include adding lush floor to ceiling curtains to windows. A beautiful pattern on curtains that compliments your interior design style can go a long way to complete the look of a room. Our ceiling mount curtain track selection is sure to help you with your project. Ceiling mount curtain tracks are designed to be mounted to the ceiling and can be screwed directly into the ceiling using mounting holes or they can be attached with ceiling mount hardware such as clips, clamps, brackets, or retainers.
Staying up to date on current design and window trends can be overwhelming but we hope you find these suggestions helpful as you look to refresh the look of your home!
Overflow of stuff? Create a storage solution
STUFF, STUFF and MORE STUFF
As Christmas decorations are put away you may notice that you
seem to have more stuff now than you did at the beginning of December. Perhaps
you’re not ready to get rid of some of these items. Maybe some items hold a
sentimental value or perhaps you just want to hold onto stuff because you will
use it again. What do you do if you just don’t have enough storage for your stuff?
Create it!
WHEREVER, WHENEVER
We work with a lot of customers who create storage in various
areas of their home, in the basement, the garage, classrooms, or a corner of a room. One
customer even created an extra pantry in their home. Wherever you want to
create your new storage space, curtain tracks is here to help.
OPTIONS
There are many options when it
comes to the type of curtain track you use. For heavier applications and for curtains
that will be opened and closed on a frequent basis, consider the Extra
Heavy Duty Curtain Track. This track is available in silver or black anodized
aluminum and it has a thicker top wall for added support. The Extra Heavy Duty Track
is available as a 12 foot track and cut to 8 ft. and 4 ft. or 6 ft. and 6 ft.
sections. It is compatible with our 7140 Double Wheel or 7146 Short Snap
Carriers. For storage areas created in spaces with curves or angles, the 6100
Flexible Curtain Track is a great choice. This flexible track can be
ceiling or wall mounted and used for straight applications or bent by hand for
curved applications. Once you have your tracks installed, just add curtains and your
storage space is ready to go.
SUPER SIMPLE
Creating extra storage space
doesn’t have to be difficult. Start by selecting your space then look for the
materials needed, like curtain tracks, end stops, carriers and curtains, to
complete the project. Creating a space in your home or office to conceal extra items is a snap!
I “heart” Curtain Tracks!
Last week I attended an interior design round-table discussion and was surprised with how many people were not aware of curtain tracks and all their potential in the interior design and Do-It-Yourself worlds. So, I thought it would be helpful if I pulled together a simple summary of why I love (and you'll love) working with curtain tracks from Curtain-Tracks.com.
What's YOUR Hang Up?
Working in the interior design industry, I have heard equally as many design success stories as I have horror stories. And while I don't like to bring up the negatives, I think there is some merit involved with bringing to light the challenges I've seen others face, as well as the ways to conquer them. Thankfully, Curtain-Tracks.com is definitely a huge help in tackling the woes that many of you come across when it comes to your curtain-hanging experiences. Take a look!