Curtains and Shades Guide.com

Make Your Own Swag and Jabot Window Treatment

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:51:04 -0400

Swag and jabot sounds like an exotic cocktail, but it's actually a classic window treatment found in all kinds of residences, from cozy country cottages to the White House. It has a U-shaped downward slope in the middle and two hangings that drape down on both sides of the window. It's definitely a unique kind of window curtain and should catch the eye of visitors who can appreciate old-school elegance. DIY Network shows you how to make your own from scratch with minimal sewing, which should prove an engaging project for handy home decorators. There's a lot of folding and cutting in the instructional diagrams, so expect to do something akin to origami with cloth.

For a more traditional and modern household project, check out our earlier post on stenciling in painted designs on your custom shower curtains. Whether you're a disciple of the old school or a student of the new, you have plenty of ways to liven up your windows and other areas in your home in exactly the way you want. Make your own swag and jabot window treatment and leave us a comment to let the world wide web know how it went and how it looks.

(Photo via Morguefile)

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-10-18 19:51:04

Remote Control Window Curtains Open On-Demand with a Wiimote

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:42:00 -0400

Seems like you can do almost anything with a Wiimote these days, including letting the sun shine in through your windows. A gadgeteer has managed to synchronize a Wiimote and a PC with a set of motorized window curtains, and describes how you can do it too on a website. You typically control motorized curtains via infrared or with a flip of a wallswitch, but apparently you can also control them with something called a CAN bus, which connects to your computer. The Wiimote then connects to your computer via USB Bluetooth, so you're basically controlling the curtains through your PC. The aforementioned instructional website provides the code that helps you synchronize your Wiimote with your PC applications to get your window curtains moving. Watch the video above for a demo of the finished product.

So does the system work for other window treatments, like blinds and shades? My guess is yes, as long as they're motorized and use the same general technology as the aforementioned window curtains. Anyway, it seems like a pretty interesting contraption if you can get it to work. Looks like the Clapper has some serious new competition.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-10-10 10:42:00

Take Care When Cleaning Your Venetian Window Blinds

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:57:43 -0400

Are you thinking about cleaning your Venetian Blinds, but feeling concerned about damaging them in the process? wikiHow has an interesting guide that outlines three ways to properly clean these intricate window blinds. The first two are lighter methods that you can use on a regular basis with metallic, synthetic and wood blinds. The third represents a heavier method designed to make up for long periods in between cleaning for metallic and synthetic blinds only:

Cleaning with your Hands: After you shut your window blinds, use a glove, clothes dryer sheet or paper towel and lightly wipe each slat starting from the center going to each edge. When you're done, you shut your window blinds the opposite way so you can repeat the process on the opposite side of each slat. Make sure to replace your glove or sheet from time to time to avoid buildup as you clean. Also, don't use water or anything damp on wood blinds - it'll leave a streak.
Vacuum: This is basically the same process as cleaning window blinds with your hands, only with a vacuum. But make sure to use a soft duster brush attachment to minimize damage as you go over each slat.
Deep Cleaning for Non-Wood Blinds: If you have metallic or synthetic blinds and you haven't cleaned them in awhile, the wikiHow article recommends lowering and removing them with the slats shut, then putting them in your bathtub and immersing them in water and a light cleaning solution. Soak, scrub, rinse, dry, and re-hang.

Keep in mind that this is a summary of the article, so make sure to read it in its entirety before you try these methods. Just remember to think before you clean - using the right method and level of care can go a long way to preserving your window blinds in the long run.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-10-01 15:57:43

Make Your Own Custom Shower Curtains with Homemade Stencils

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:33:32 -0400

Looking for truly custom shower curtains? We talked about them last month, and size certainly does matter when it comes to customization. At the same time, you can also monogram or paint custom designs on your shower curtains according to an interesting article off Associated Content.

First, you'll need a paintbrush and a copy of your letters or design blown up to your desired size. The article recommends using acrylic paint for plastic shower curtains and fabric paint for fabric curtains. But unlike what the article says, I'd be inclined to neatly cut out the letters or other designs on my piece of paper or cardboard, tape it over the flattened curtain in the desired spot, paint over the cut-out spaces like a stencil, and let my artwork dry overnight. Then again, I wasn't too good with coloring books as a child, so I may need it more than you would. In any case, it's definitely an interesting way to make your own truly custom shower curtains. Try it yourself if you feel so inclined, and leave us a comment to tell us how it comes out.

(Photo by Jane M. Sawyer via Morguefile)

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-09-18 16:33:32

Hospital Curtains Preserve Patients' Privacy in More Ways Than One

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:37:13 -0400

Ever watched a hospital drama on TV and immediately assume that the hospital curtains surrounding each patient's bed were a matter of common courtesy? In reality, hospital curtains may also be your health care provider's way of following the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, which took effect in 2003 and aims in part to protect the confidentiality of patient medical information. The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) website assures health care institutions that while they should make a reasonable effort to protect a patient's privacy, it's not like they have to erect soundproof walls or construct separate rooms for confidential communications.

However, reasonable measures may include putting up cubicles or hospital curtains in areas where privacy can get compromised, especially at the bedside where a patient discusses his/her condition with a doctor or receives treatment. It's certainly some interesting legislation and appears to strike a fair enough balance in theory between protecting patient privacy and saving hospitals from spending a small fortune for major renovations in the name of compliance. In any case, next time you're watching House or Grey's Anatomy, remember that the hospital curtains and cubicles in the background may very well serve as the inspiration for an upcoming episode of Law & Order.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-09-05 16:37:13

Custom Shower Curtains Keep Your Shower Area Dry and Clean (Sponsored Post)

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:26:47 -0400

Back in July, we talked about picking the right shower curtain and track for your bathroom or locker room. But let's face it - unless you really feel like showing off your skills with scissors, you'll want your curtains custom-cut by a professional to save you time and effort. And as a leading retailer in the industry, Brite Inc. offers custom shower curtains in your specified size.

So how do you figure out how much your custom shower curtains will cost? Simple - just go to your desired product page in the shower curtains section on Briteinc.com, click on the Features tab, and open the Track & Curtain Measure Form in either PDF or Word. Print it out, fill it out, fax it to 781 767 9544, and a customer service representative will get back to you with a quote for your custom shower curtains. Get your estimate today and take the first step to preserving privacy and minimizing residual moisture and mildew in your shower area.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-08-26 10:26:47

Put Your Window Curtains on the Right Track with Traverse Rods

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:51:29 -0400

Window curtains can help preserve your privacy, insulate your home, and add some elegance to pretty much any room in your home or office building, but they don't just magically move on their own. To draw your curtains without having to touch them or manually pull them like you would with standard curtain rods, you can mount them on traverse rods. Simply put, a traverse rod is the curtain track accessory from which you suspend your curtains by hooks and draw them via pull cord.

As you can guess, there are three basic kinds of traverse rods, depending on how you want to draw your curtains. Two way traverse rods part your curtains from the middle, and one way traverse rods can draw curtains to the left or to the right. The main advantages of using traverse rods over more traditional curtain rods are control and leverage. Manually drawing your curtains can take extra effort, especially if they're big, and dragging rings or hooks along a rod can create friction that slows down the process even more. Traverse rods provide a smooth mechanism that does a lot of the work for you.

On a very general level, traditional curtain rods make a good choice if you're short on cash and you don't mind a little extra cardio work when you open and close your curtains. But if you want a more advanced and automated system, traverse rods can save you some extra effort and potential frustration.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-08-21 15:51:29

Life May Eventually Imitate Art in the Window Treatment Industry

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:57:49 -0400

Can you imagine window treatments that fold up like origami? Apparently Dutch designer Hannah Allijin can, and she's turned the idea into a tangible product. It's not exactly new anymore, but it might make you wonder about the future of curtain design. Whether they roll up, part, peel away, or tear away, most curtains seem to lack the unique and artistic flair of Allijin's intricate origami-influenced design. That said, this unique art-piece-turned-product certainly has its potential merits and drawbacks:

The Good: First off, Allijin's curtains are sure to win you style points with just about anyone who has an imagination. On a functional level, they save space because they can fold up into spheres. Plus, the less accessible they are to little hands, the less likely they are to compromise a child's safety around the home.
The Not-so-Good: How do all those folds stay folded over time, for lack of a better term? In other words, do gravity and constant use make the folds fade, leaving them flat and robbing them of their memorable design? I'm sure the designer already accounted for that, although I'd be interested to see it firsthand for myself. More importantly, it probably costs a good amount to manufacture something this detailed and complex. That means we probably won't see it gracing many residences or commercial buildings anytime soon.

So where does curtain design go from here? In an industry that seems a bit slow to change in certain respects, I'm guessing the answer lies with designers like Allijin who can reconcile their artistic sensibilities with their practical instincts to create a safe, efficient, and lower-cost model that people can use and admire at the same time.

(Photo by Carolina Antunes via Morguefile)
Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-08-14 16:57:49

Close a Dangerous Loop with Kid-Safe Window Treatment Tips

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:49:05 -0400

Is your home safe for kids when it comes to window treatments like curtains, blinds and shades? The answer may lie in the date your window coverings were manufactured. KidSmartLiving@Home has published a very useful and comprehensive guide to kid-safe window treatments that will make you think twice about an often overlooked element of home decor. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 160 children died nationwide from strangling on window blind cords with loops between 1991 and 2003. CPSC worked with the window treatment industry in 1994 and 2000 to fix the problem, but the hazard still exists and KidSmartLiving@Home provides some proactive ways to protect your kids such as installing cord stops, cord cleats, and safety tassels for pull cords that separate potential loops.

KidSmartLiving@Home also notes that children can reach longer window treatments and bring down a rod, an end cap or other potentially dangerous parts. To protect against these hazards, the blog suggests either tying your draperies out of reach or buying child-safe window coverings such as Mini Blinds and Roller Shades. Whatever window treatment you use, make sure to do your research. That means finding out when your curtains, blinds or shades were made and testing them out for yourself before you buy, replace or fix them. Children can get pretty creative, so try assessing your window treatments from their point of view. The extra time you invest today will give you peace of mind down the road.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-07-28 18:49:05

Picking the Right Shower Curtain and Track

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:40:13 -0400

Think of Shower Curtains as the Space Partitions of your bathroom. If you want to keep the rest of the room dry outside the shower while preserving privacy, they're a necessity. SuperPages.com has a useful article that tells you what kinds of shower curtains to buy and how to install them. If you're looking to combine style and substance, SuperPages recommends using plastic or vinyl shower curtains as a waterproof inside liner and cotton or linen shower curtains on the outside for aesthetics. You can also buy shower curtains treated with fungicide to minimize mildew and make the curtain surface easier to clean. But if you're working on a limited budget, go with the plastic or vinyl shower curtains to make sure your bathroom stays dry.

One way to hang your curtain involves sticking rings or hooks through holes in the top of the vinyl shower curtain and hanging them from a suspended rod. First, you need to choose between a plastic and a metal shower rod on which to hang your shower curtains. Plastic costs less, but metal lasts longer. Just make sure to rustproof your metal shower rod first - I neglected to do it in my apartment and the resulting roughness makes it hard to slide the rings that hold the shower curtains on the rod.

Speaking of rings, the SuperPages article recommends measuring the grommets at the top of the shower curtain so you can fit the rings through during installation. Buy bigger rings to hold up heavier shower curtain material such as cotton. As an alternative to the rod and rings setup, you can go with a more elaborate, smoother-operating Curtain Track and Accessories set.

Whatever you select, just remember that there are a lot of choices out there. Settle on the Shower Curtains that make sense for you so you can enjoy a dry and clean bathroom for years to come.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-07-01 11:40:13

Megaphones Help You Get Through to Your Audience at Outdoor Events

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:44:46 -0400

True story about the benefits of megaphones: I used to teach high school students at a summer program and for one activity, I had to take them on a walking tour of my college. Of course, when you have 40-50 people with short attention spans fanning out onto a college campus, it helps to have the vocal power and charisma of a Michael Buffer to keep your audience locked in. But what if you don't? My employer understood and armed me with the most powerful speech amplification tool known to man: a handheld megaphone. Okay, that's a bit of a stretch. But I just held down the trigger-like button, spoke into the mouthpiece, and I projected infinitely better than if I'd just cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled. Everyone picked up what I had to say, they stayed engaged, and many of them asked questions afterward.

So what makes a handheld megaphone so useful for outdoor engagements? Here's a short list of benefits:

Portability: You can carry your megaphone around with you as you walk and talk without having to plug it in anywhere. Plus, your battery lasts long enough for you to focus more on speaking and less on how much power you have left. This helps preserve the flow of your presentation because you don't have to stop at inopportune times.
Efficient, Space-saving Design: Think of a a megaphone as a microphone with the speaker built in. And since your voice is like an instrument, it's good to have an output shaped like the bell on a trumpet for extra projection and a sharper, more focused sound.
Power: Outdoor events force you to contend with background noise and wind, and a megaphone helps your voice rise above the din.

When it comes down to it, a megaphone can help you clearly communicate with the masses at a road race, concert, barbeque, or anywhere else you need to maintain order and authority. Pick one up for your next outdoor event and find out if it's as useful for you as it was for me.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-06-12 16:44:46

Blackout Curtains Insulate You From the Outside World

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:18:03 -0400

Last week, we mentioned how Blackout Curtains keep out sunlight and minimize the rise in indoor temperature in hot weather. But Blackout Curtains do more than just reduce your summertime utility bills. Think of this unique product as the closest thing you'll find to an impenetrable wall when it comes to a window covering. Here are some extra benefits you get from Blackout Curtains:

They turn day into night: If you work the graveyard shift and sleep during the day, just pull down a Blackout Curtain over your window to completely block out sunlight and make it easier to rest.
They reduce glare: Light coming in through windows makes TV, computer and projection screens hard to see and read. Blackout Curtains ease the strain on your eyes and enhance your experience.
They can keep you warm in winter: Just as they help slow down the rise in indoor temperature during summer, Blackout Curtains can insulate your home, classroom, or office and minimize heat loss when the weather gets colder. As a result, you reduce your heating bill and keep everyone comfortable and productive.
They can block out noise: When you want peace and quiet, the same properties that make Blackout Curtains a great insulator make them an excellent soundproof barrier. This can prove especially useful if you live or work near a busy street or a developing area undergoing construction.

Of course, when people say Blackout Curtains black out your room, they really mean it. So when you do get a set, keep your good china locked away and tread carefully.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-05-23 11:18:03

Curtains, Blinds and Shades Can Make You Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:06:54 -0400

Check out our Window Curtains, Blinds and Shades page and you can read about how these products provide style and privacy for your classroom, home, office or business. But with the weather warming up in the North and Southern areas dealing with heat on a regular basis, we're all looking for ways to stay cool and minimize our energy bills. Last August, David Dobbs wrote an article called Ways to keep your cool and your cash and under Tip 4, he mentions how letting too much sunlight inside can turn up the heat and ultimately lead you to turn up the A/C.

Dobbs tells us that drawn shades can slow the rise in summertime indoor temperature down to �only 1 degree per hour when outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees.� For budget-conscious consumers, he recommends installing Roller Shades. Otherwise, Dobbs suggests looking into Venetian Blinds or Blackout Curtains for their durability and sun-blocking designs and materials.

Whether or not you invest in a set of curtains, blinds or shades, it's a good idea to do what you can to keep cool this summer. Your body and your wallet will thank you in the long-run.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-05-16 16:06:54

Facility Floor Mats Keep Indoor Environments Slip-Free

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:54:13 -0400

Did you know that slip-resistant floor mats can prevent up to 73.6% of all Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) slip and fall accidents? Actually, I made that number up. But slippery floor surfaces can pose a serious hazard almost anywhere you step, whether you're knee-deep in the cutthroat world of competitive DDR or walking into your office building on a rainy day.

Floor mats can reduce slippage in two main ways:

The mat surface removes and diverts moisture from the bottom of your shoes, keeping your hallways and floors dry and safe to walk.
The rubber backing grips the floor so the mat doesn't slip out from under you.

Look down near any elevator, exit, or entrance at your favorite establishment and there's a good chance you'll find a floor mat ready and able to keep you safe and upright. This should tell you that there's no time to dance to the beat of your own drum when it comes to making your indoor environment clean and slip-free. Facility floor mats provide a quick, budget-friendly and low-maintenance safety solution, so shop around and find the one that's right for you.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-05-12 09:54:13

Map Your Mats with Our New Floor Mat Placement Guide

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:47:40 -0400

Read our Facility Floor Mats product pages and you learn about the key features and specs that can help you decide what to buy. But do you know where your facility floor mats should go? We already talked about optimal locations to place your Clean-Room Floor Mats a few weeks ago. Since then, we've added a convenient new feature to each product page: the Andersen Company Mat Placement Guide.

Let's take a look at a typical product page and try it out. Visit our Waterhog� Classic page and click on the link that says �The Andersen Company Mat Placement Guide.� You should see a popup that shows a sample floorplan with a list of Facility Floor Mats. Here's how you use it:

Place and hold your cursor over the name of the mat you're viewing (in this case, Waterhog� Classic). Check the floorplan and you will see the optimal spots for your mat light up in red.
You can also place and hold your cursor over certain spots on the floorplan and the recommended mats on the list will light up in red.

It's a unique feature that we hope you'll use frequently during the shopping process. Try it out for yourself and make the most of your Facility Floor Mat purchase.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-04-28 09:47:40

Buying is Believing with Our Facility Floor Mats

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:34:18 -0400

Buying versus renting a facility floor mat ultimately comes down to one thing: Commitment. Buying a mat means sticking with your selection through the good times and the bad, repairing it, and cleaning it on a regular basis. On the other hand, renting a facility floor mat means delegating the grunt work to a rental company and having the flexibility to change the style or color of your mat on demand. So what should you do?

Do the math and you'll find that buying a Facility Floor Mat from Brite Inc. gives you the best of both worlds. First off, consider the wide range of features our mats can provide:

Slip-resistant backing that grips the floor, keeping pedestrians safe
A wide variety of surfaces tailor-made to keep any indoor or outdoor environment safe and clean
Custom logo printing to establish your brand
Consistent quality versus the revolving door of used mats of unknown origin provided by a rental company
A simple one-time investment versus continuous rental costs that add up over time
Durable rubber material that features up to 20% recycled content

And that's just the beginning. Fill out this worksheet from Andersen Company to calculate how much you can save over a 3 year period.

Most importantly, Brite Inc. Facility Floor Mats come with a 100% Unconditional Guarantee. So if your mat doesn't fit your needs for any reason, you can return it and get your money back. You have nothing to lose, so browse our selection today and take the plunge with our Facility Floor Mats.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-04-07 11:34:18

Facility Floor Mat Placement 101: Clean-Room Mats

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:14:25 -0400

Whether it's real estate or Brite Inc.'s new Facility Floor Mats, the right location makes a big difference. But don't go asking a Feng Shui expert about Floor Mat placement before you consult the experts. Brite Inc. offers several different kinds of Floor Mats with their own unique features and benefits that work best in certain kinds of facilities and areas. In this entry, we cover Clean-Room Mats and recommend the best places to put them.

Our Clean-Room Mats provide two key benefits:

They gently remove dust and dirt particles of all sizes with your choice of adhesive Clean-Stride or combination Clean-Stride and carpet surfaces that work just like a lint remover.
You can quickly and easily peel off, replace and dispose each adhesive surface.

So where should you put your Clean-Room Facility Floor Mat? Since the design focuses more on function than on form, Clean-Room Facility Floor Mats go best in a work area where dirt and dust can accumulate on shoes or boots and spread everywhere as workers walk around the facilities. Try putting your Clean-Room Mats in two spots:

At an exit that leads into an office or reception area
Inside your lounge or break room

Why put your Clean-Room Facility Floor Mat at an exit? Because you don't want people bringing in dirt and dust from the work room floor into an office or reception area where they can damage important documents and high-priced office furniture. In addition, office employees and guests can't protect themselves from breathing in the particles because they don't have access to the equipment that laborers, workers, scientists and engineers use to deal with difficult conditions. In the end, removing pollutants and harmful particles before you enter the premises minimizes guests' and office employees' risk of developing health problems.

Installing a Clean-Room Facility Floor Mat in your break room or lounge makes sense because it cleans off your footwear so you can re-enter the factory floor free of the substances that stick to your shoes or boots. As a result, you break the endless cycle of dust and dirt accumulating on the floor and clogging up your machinery and equipment over time. Also, your break room probably has a trash can, so you can easily peel off your used Clean Stride Inserts and dispose of them right away.

No matter where you work, our Clean-Room Facility Floor Mats keep your premises clean and safe, so buy some today at an affordable price from Brite Inc. Stay tuned for more tips on how you can make the most of your Facility Floor Mats.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-03-18 17:14:25

Table Top Study Carrel Panel Sets Have Your Activity Table Doing Double Duty

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:09:08 -0400

When it comes to getting work done, study carrels keep students focused on the task at hand. On the other hand, open activity tables enable students to interact and work together on projects. All this leads to the following question: should you get a big table or a set of study carrels for your classroom? Instead of committing to one option and going for broke, try going for both with our Table Top Study Carrel Panel Set.

With this panel set, you can turn an open activity table into your choice of 4 or 6 separate study carrels in no time at all with no need for tools. Panels come in 5 colors and measure 3/4" in thickness to preserve privacy. They're also durable and easy to clean. Best of all, you save serious space in keeping your activity table and study carrels in the same place. So get the best of both worlds and buy a Table Top Study Carrel Panel Set today.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-03-10 14:09:08

Show Off in Style with our Trophy Display Cases

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:57:35 -0500

I hate to toot my own horn, but I was a pretty accomplished athlete back in my day. After winning a second place ribbon in the sack race back in elementary school and pulling out a couple junior tennis tournaments in my teens, I had it all. But what happens when the spotlight fades and all you're left with are trophies and memories? Personally, I recommend getting a trophy display case from Brite Inc. so you can rest on your laurels whenever you want.

In my case, I have to live every day with the fact that my trophies are gathering dust in a box somewhere in the attic at my parents' house. No accomplishment deserves that kind of neglect and disrespect. So whether you're a principal looking to stir up some school spirit in the hallway or a proud parent celebrating your child's accomplishments, Brite Inc. offers wall-mounted and floor-based trophy cases, as well as a recessed case that goes right into your wall. You can also choose models with sliding doors or doors that open out for optimal accessibility to trophies, plaques, books, sculptures, or anything else worth a second look.

In any case, don't wait another minute - pick up a trophy display case and start spreading the news.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-26 15:57:35

Foldable Outdoor Chairs Make A Great Gift For Your Guests

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:32:23 -0500

Let me begin this entry with a disclaimer: I like weddings. That being said, I'm not a big fan of the actual ceremony. For me, it's all about having a nice place to sit as I patiently await the post-ceremony spread and the afterparty. So if you invite someone like me to your wedding, you should pick up a bunch of sturdy white wedding chairs from Brite Inc. They're foldable, stackable and easy to clean. More importantly, they go great with the decor, especially if you're planning an outdoor ceremony.

Keep in mind that not all your guests will have natural cushioning where it counts, so the interchangeable vinyl padded seat will score some serious points in the comfort department. And when the wedding ends, the interlocking design enables you to make stacks up to 44 chairs high for secure and easy storage until your next outdoor get-together. Remember - only a few more weeks until the official beginning of spring, so stock up now.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-25 14:32:23

Go Green with our Trash Cans, Recycling Bins and Receptacles

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:20:37 -0500

In some circles, they call it sanitary engineering. In others, they call it taking out the trash. But no matter what you call it, it's something that needs to get done for the sake of everyone in your office and at home. So give your resident sanitary specialist an assist with Brite Inc.'s full range of eco-friendly trash and recycling receptacles that give everyone an easily identifiable place where they can dispose of everything they don't need.

Our receptacles come in a number of different shapes, sizes and materials, so sift through our selection to find the one that's right for you. Remember - you don't need an advanced degree in sanitary engineering to know that trash and recycling bins can keep your office, your home, and your planet clean and green. So reduce the clutter and give people a convenient place to throw away their waste.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-22 11:20:37

Move On Up with Our Trucks and Dollies

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:19:06 -0500

Ever moved out of your apartment with UHaul or some other commercial moving service? If so, you know what it's like to wait for hours to borrow one of their dollies or trucks. Meanwhile, the clock's ticking as the new tenant gets set to move in and you try to get everything done before the deadline for returning your moving van. So why not save yourself some stress and buy your own moving dolly or truck from Brite Inc.? More importantly, if you're a moving business, having more equipment on hand improves customer satisfaction, increases revenue stream through rentals, and ultimately expedites the moving process so you can take on more customers. And if you're any other kind of business, you move around file cabinets and desks on a semi-regular basis, so it makes more sense to buy moving equipment than to rent it.

We sell rolling trucks and dollies for pretty much any purpose, from chair, table and desk storage and moving trucks to hand trucks and heavy duty carts. No matter how big the job, we have a product that can handle the load. So do your due diligence and check out our trucks and dollies. And for the true-blue do-it-yourselfers looking to do all the heavy lifting, try one of our back support belts on for size. In any case, stay safe and stay prepared.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-19 12:19:06

Find Your Perfect Match with Brite Inc.'s Custom Boards

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:15:35 -0500

With all the dating sites and services out there, it's hard to believe that more people haven't found their perfect match yet. We try, but maybe we're asking for too much. Admit it - if someone gave you a long survey about everything you're looking for in your ideal mate, your answers would probably eliminate about 99.2% of the pool.

But while it's hard to find an ideal love interest, it's pretty easy to find an ideal board for your office, classroom or hallway - just browse the Brite Inc. website and you're bound to find something you like. They specialize in custom markerboards, chalkboards, bulletin boards and other office supplies and furniture tailored to your exact specifications.

Don't read too much into the words on the tag in your non-fitted baseball cap - one size does not fit all. From 5'x5' cubicles to cavernous lecture halls, people like you and me live and work in areas and spaces of all sizes. We need custom markerboards, bulletin boards, letter boards, display boards and chalkboards with personalized designs and logos that can fit in any unoccupied corner of our wall, floor, or desk. So if you're tired of not finding a board that fits you, check out the selection at Brite Inc. You won't be disappointed.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-14 19:15:35

Edutain Yourself with our Maps, Globes and Atlases

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:56:48 -0500

At last year's Miss Teen USA pageant, we all heard Ms. South Carolina's explanation as to why many people in the US can't even point out their own country on a map. We here at Brite Inc. agree with her completely and offer you the best weapons you can wield in the fight against geographic ignorance: maps, globes and atlases. Of course, these aren't just any maps, globes or atlases. They come in all shapes and sizes, and cover every stretch of the Earth and the known universe.

Think you know everything about geography? Browse our Theme Maps that cover everything from bird migration patterns to Shakespeare's Britain. No matter which map you choose, you're guaranteed to learn something new. So take it from Ms. South Carolina when she says, "I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., or should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for our children." In other words, start charting a course to enlightenment with our maps, globes and atlases.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-12 13:56:48

Paper Shredders Prevent Identity Theft

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:58:49 -0500

When you think of paper trails, you probably envision corporate bigwigs shredding sensitive documents before the SEC or IRS come knocking. But a paper shredder isn't just a party favor for white-collar wrongdoers. Keep in mind that back in 2005, the federal government added a provision to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) that actually requires businesses to shred their employees' confidential tax information so thieves can't dig it out from the trash. This also applies to homeowners who employ a gardener or any other household help.

So if you have to do it anyway, you might as well find a quality product at a low price to get the job done. We have an extensive selection of paper shredders in all shapes and sizes that can take on jobs of almost any volume. Many of our shredders have anti-jam features so you can finish shredding your paper with little to no interruption. So follow the law and pick up a paper shredder, then pat yourself on the back for protecting your employees. Just don't forget to take off your tie before you get started.

Posted by: Taeho Lim on 2008-02-06 13:58:49

Our Curtain Track Finds Many Unique Uses

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:23:46 -0400

The most interesting part of selling products like our cubicle curtain track is the uses with which people find for this product. When we first started offering this product to our web customers over ten years ago I never considered the uses beyond what it was designed for.

Any day you can walk into the local hospital, nurse hospital or clinic and find our cubicle curtain track. But, I never gave the alternative uses much thought. For instance, we had a customer in California order the track so that he could hang his golf net in the garage at home. This way, when he was done driving golf balls he could pull the golf net off to the side and pull his car in.

We've had customers use the cubicle curtain track to hang our custom shower curtains around their whirlpool or Jacuzzi tub, a place where a standard shower curtain rod just will not work. The curtain track has been used on boats and RVs; in laboratories and clean rooms; in a house to divide spaces and in military evacuation hospitals. There are many convenient uses for this track.

The most interesting application came by way of an order from a major retail chain, where they used the track to hang their display banners in the storefront windows. Every one of their stores, in every mall in the country, has our curtain track hanging the storefront display banners. Now that is a very cool application.

Posted by: Scott Newman on 2007-10-03 13:23:46

The Dawn of a New Age

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:57:05 -0400

I'd like to introduce you to the new BriteInc.com website. The BriteInc.com website was our very first site, launched in the summer of 1996. Like most websites "back in the day", the BriteInc.com website was designed to supplement our brick and mortar company. We've surely updated the site before, but nothing like this. This is a full overhaul of products, systems, and ideas.

When we started designing the new BriteInc.com website the first thing we did was head straight to our trusty whiteboard. We started listing all the products we wanted to see on this site. One of my designers asked, "how are we determining what products to add?" This was an excellent question. The hardest part was explaining how I came up with the list. I knew what products made sense but had a hard time explaining it. In very short order we figured it out.

We drew a tall building. And, in that building you must be able to find everything we offered. Now, that sounds like a pretty broad approach so we narrowed the field down to the following categories: Facilities Management, School Building Management, and Retail and Hospitality Management. Once we did that, everything started to make sense.

Now that you have a better understanding of how we built the new BriteInc.com website, here are a few of the great items you will find: Crowd Control Devices, Waste Receptacles, Cubicle Curtains and Curtain Track, Laser Curtains, Directory boards, Luggage Carts and Luggage Racks, Mini-blinds, Window Shades, Computer Workstations, Projection Screens, Whiteboards, Drapery track and hardware, Maps and Globes, Signage, Display Cases, PA systems, furniture dollies, material handling equipment, Blackout Shades, Paper Trimmers, Laminators, Lecterns, Podiums, Room partitions, Office Seating, and we even offer the parts to maintain Rollease Clutch Shades.

Brite Inc. was established in 1946 with one goal in mind, to service the customer. Over 60 years later our goal is still the same. We specialize in custom work. If you have a custom design in mind, I am confident we can help.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call.

Thank you for your consideration.

Scott Newman
President/CEO

Posted by: Scott Newman on 2007-09-29 11:57:05