How to choose the best window treatments for your Japan based rental property

Finding the right window treatments for your home is often the final touch to your interior décor but it can be tricky and sometimes even overwhelming to decide on the most suitable solution.

Alpine Interiors offers a made-to-measure service for a range of window treatment options to match your home style and decor. Below we will run through some of the main considerations when selecting window treatments, making it easy for you to choose the best style for your home.

Rental Properties

For Airbnb properties or villas that are available for commercial rental, window treatments are required to have a tag confirming that they are made from fire-resistant materials and an inspection is carried out prior to receiving your rental operators’ licence. Alpine interiors can advise on and supply a full selection of window treatments that meet local regulatory requirements.

Blackout fabrics

If you are looking for total darkness in the bedrooms – which actually helps most people sleep better – then you definitely want to go with a blackout blind. Blackout Roller Shades or Blackout Honeycomb Shades are ideal for blocking the maximum amount of light from entering the room. You may also consider mounting these blinds outside of the window frame or pairing them with curtains to ensure that you don’t have light infiltration around the edges.

Sheer curtains or screens

Sheer roll screens or curtains not only offer daytime privacy, but they diffuse bright light and offer a degree of insulation against heat and cold.  They can also help to soften rooms with their light, textural appearance while also partnering perfectly with blackout roller blinds or curtains for a layered look.

Wet areas

For properties that require shades or privacy screens in potentially wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens, we usually propose aluminium Venetian blinds which are easy to clean, waterproof and have a mildew-resistant surface, making them ideal for areas with high humidity or moisture.

Curtains:

Curtains or drapes have a classic look and can provide a soft elegance to your room. However, in Hokkaido’s extreme climate central heating radiators are often placed under windows to wick away any moisture or condensation from windows which can form as a result of the extreme temperature difference between internal and external temperatures. As a result, it can be difficult to have curtains fall to the floor especially if they are in close proximity to, or touching the heaters under the windows. In the event that curtains are not possible, Roman shades can also provide the softness of a curtain but are installed within the window frame for a clean and modern look.

Cathedral windows

Homes with vaulted or cathedral-style windows that follow the roof line can be dramatic but provide quite a challenge when considering suitable window treatments. Some choose to leave these unique windows uncovered, but with that much glass – heat, glare and privacy can be a major concern. One of the few potential solutions for covering triangular or trapezoid-shaped windows are modern vertical blinds which can provide exceptional privacy and light control.

Inside mount vs outside mount

Installing your blinds or shades within the window frame gives your windows a clean, finished look, and allows the window coverings to be flush with the trim or wall. For blinds or roll-shades we recommend choosing an inside mount for 95% of our customers unless window depth or obstructions like cranks, handles, or other hardware within the window opening prevent them from doing so. Mounting outside the window frame is usually used for curtains or drapes, if there is a hardware obstruction, or if it is necessary to cut all potential light infiltration around a bedroom window.

Automatic or Motorised window treatments

Smart home devices and home automation are transforming the way we live and take care of our homes. These new innovative technologies are making everyday living easier and more convenient but before flipping the switch on automatic window treatments, there are a few considerations within the Japanese market.

Blinds from the major domestic suppliers offer excellent quality and adherence to the local fire-retardant regulations etc, but automation is still relatively uncommon and is therefore fairly highly-priced compared to many other parts of Asia. An important benefit of using local suppliers however is the availability of warranty and maintenance support in the event of a mechanical issue.

A power supply must also be provided to the top of the window for motorised blinds and this is often prohibitive after the installation of the internal wall linings. The Japanese power supply is 100v.

While many modern products are compatible with an app you download to your phone or tablet for programming and operation, this is not usually practical for a rental chalet. Guests are unlikely to download an app for a relatively short stay and usually require a manual switch or wall-mounted control for operation.

Alpine Interiors are here to help

Deciding on the most suitable options for the window treatments in your home doesn’t have to be daunting. Just reach out and we can advise and assist you with the perfect made-to-measure solution for your home.