Q&A: Venetian blinds

Q: My apartment has old metal venetian blinds on the windows, which rattle and are noisy. What can I replace them with?

A: Sorry? Can't hear you. It's those blinds rattling in the window frame. You may hate those 1960s metal venetians but most of them can be repaired and tightened to sit nicely in the window frame again. Professionals can install new ladder tapes and cords to make the blind look swanky and new again. If the slats are starting to rust or have built-up grime, then a good clean is probably in order. You can clean them yourself or call in a pro to do it. Companies such as Delta Blinds do ultrasonic cleaning, using soundwave technology to clean the blind without damaging it.

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Pictures: InteriorIllusions

Q&A: let in the light - skylights and solartubes

Q: Our hallway is darker than a bat cave. My wife wants to install a window but wouldn't a skylight be cheaper?

A: They vary in price, with Solartubes being the cheapest and large-scale, insulated, double-glazed skylights more expensive. A Solartube can often be installed for about $500, provided access is easy and the work takes less than half a day. If your roof and ceiling frames are complex and difficult to cut, then a skylight may not be the answer. Just make make sure you have a professional install them; there's nothing worse than a leaking skylight that becomes a waterfall when it rains.

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