Keep Outside Weather Where it Belongs

Living in the Lowcountry is a blessing, but it can also be a curse. I f you relocated from a place location with a colder climate, you most likely appreciate the pleasant weather and sunny skies. There are probably times, especially during the warmer months, when you would prefer to keep the elements outside. Here, we highlight some of the challenges of Lowcountry living, and solutions to improve upon these challenges. Our goal is to make your home comfortable and safe for all seasons, so you can enjoy your Lowcountry home year-round.

You can always tell Spring is around the corner when you start to notice a yellow-green film on everything outside. Not only does pollen wreak havoc on your allergies, but it also likes to cover your home in all its green glory. This is especially troubling if you have a porch that you entertain or relax on with your family. An excellent way to keep pollen from your porch is by installing Vinyl Weather Curtains with clear windows. These curtains keep your porch comfortable, free from pollen, rain, and wind – and don’t impede your view.

Another famous fact about the South in the Spring and Summer? Insects. From flies to love bugs to the dreaded no-see-ums, nothing can make relaxing on your porch more unbearable than these flying nuisances. The perfect solution to this problem is to install no-seeum screening on your porch. There are several options to choose from when it comes to screening; retractable screens, screen-under to your existing porch, and screen enclosures, which are especially great if you have a pool.

Of course, living in the Lowcountry also means being safe and prepared throughout hurricane season which runs from May through November of every year. Fortunately, there are several solutions available to help mitigate the threat and keep your home and family safe. Some of these include motorized and hand-operated roll downs, aluminum and fabric, storm panels, fabric panels, accordion shutters, and storm-rated colonials and Bahama shutters. Each of these options offers protection from damaging winds and projectiles, ultimately keeping your home safe from catastrophic damage.

Your house is not only your largest investment - it’s your home. You want to enjoy it and protect it from damage. Fortunately, Armor Building Solutions offers many options to protect your home and keep the outside where it belongs. Not only are we able to provide a wide range of storm protection solutions, but we also offer screening, vinyl curtains, colonial shutters (both storm-rated and traditional), and more. Best of all, Armor’s products are locally manufactured right here in the Lowcountry ensuring they are the highest quality possible.

Having moved to the Lowcountry from the New York Metro area one thing stood out working with clients. When discussing window treatments, everyone always repeated “I want to preserve my view”. Whether the room in question overlooked a marsh, golf course, wooded area or ocean, it is always the same litany, “Do not ruin my view”.

Having shopped for real estate myself, I remembered every Realtor mentioning the view before the other features of the property itself. This home, lot, etc, is desirable because of the view.

I do very much enjoy the beautiful place where we live, however, a room rarely feels finished without window treatments. Not just the functional type: plantation shutters, blinds or shades, but also “dressed” with fabric. The functional part of window treatments for privacy, light and glare control, and energy savings is completely necessary. The true “finishing touch” is the “pretty” part from a simple solid linen panel framing the view to a more formal treatment to emphasize the architecture, antiques and finishing of the space.

This “pretty” part also has a function. The soft treatments absorb sound and create intimacy in a space. So many of us have wood or stone floors and the echo factor is greatly softened with the fabric, lining, and interlining. The color and pattern add visual warmth and the overall space has a complete and finished look.

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Submitted by Jennifer

Kirkland, ASID Graduate Parson’s School of Design Owner of Carolina Window Designs

Reputation Counts. Best Full Service Shutter, Shade & Drapery Workroom on Hilton Head. 9B Hunter Road, Hilton Head, SC 29926 • Ph: 843.342.6050 www.carolinawindowdesigns.com Carolina Window Designs 126 WWW.LOWCOUNTRYHOME.COM HOME TIP

You’ve decided on the perfect location to build your dream home. Now what’s next? Before you start digging into dirt, know what to expect when it comes to financing your custom home. Here are 3 questions to ask before you start your build:

There are many benefits to speaking with a lender early. Understanding how much money you’re approved for will help define your budget when you meet with your builder to plan your home’s features and amenities. Furthermore, most lenders require that you close on your loan prior to breaking ground, with most