Older homes mean careful measurement
A good share of Palmer Lake's housing predates the Second World War, and some of it predates the First. Those homes have windows that are rarely square, frequently non-standard in size, and sometimes original single-glazed sash.
Three things follow. Measurement matters more: we measure at three points across and three down every opening, because a window that is a quarter inch narrower at the bottom than the top will show a wedge of light with an inside-mount blind cut to the wider figure. Outside mount is often better, overlapping the frame to hide the irregularity rather than fighting it. And scale needs attention, a two-and-a-half inch slat that looks right on a modern slider can overwhelm a small original sash.
For older homes we usually recommend narrower louvers and slats, which suit the architecture and close more tightly on windows that may not be perfectly sealed.
Single glazing and serious cold
Palmer Lake sits above 7,200 feet, and winter nights are genuinely cold. Where homes still have original or early replacement glazing, the heat loss through the windows is substantial and very noticeable, a cold draught falling off the glass into the room.
This is the strongest case for cellular honeycomb shades anywhere in our service area. A snugly fitted double or triple-cell shade adds a captive air layer directly against the coldest surface in the room, and in a house with older windows the comfort difference is immediate rather than theoretical.
The critical detail is fit. A cellular shade with a half-inch gap at each side lets room air convect down the glass and around the shade, bypassing the insulation entirely. On older, out-of-square openings that means either very careful inside-mount measurement or, more often, an outside mount with generous overlap. We will tell you which your windows need.
Views worth protecting
A lot of Palmer Lake property has a genuine view, the lake itself, the Front Range, or east across the plains from the higher lots. Those views are usually why someone bought the house.
For view windows we steer away from anything opaque and toward solar screens in a 5% or 10% openness, which cut glare and UV while keeping the view essentially intact. On shutters, we specify the widest practical louver, 4½ inch, so there are fewer horizontal lines across the glass when they are open.
The layered approach works well here: a solar screen for daytime view and glare, plus an insulating cellular shade for night-time warmth and privacy. Two treatments on one window, each doing what it is genuinely good at.
Where we work in Palmer Lake
Neighborhoods
Palmer Lake · Glen Park · Red Rocks Ranch · Ben Lomond
ZIP codes served
80133
What we install in Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake questions
- Do you charge extra to come out to Palmer Lake?
- No. Palmer Lake is inside our regular service area, and the in-home consultation is free with no travel charge. We schedule Palmer Lake appointments in blocks so we can offer you a tighter arrival window rather than a half-day range.
- How long does an installation in Palmer Lake take?
- Most whole-home installations are done in a single day. A few large windows or specialty shutters can run into a second visit, and we tell you which applies before you order rather than on the day.
- What is the lead time from measurement to installation?
- Typically two to four weeks for blinds and shades, and four to six weeks for custom shutters. Specialty shapes and stained hardwood run longer. You get a real date at the point of order.
- Can you fit blinds to old, out-of-square windows?
- Yes, and it is common in Palmer Lake. We measure at three points across and three down every opening so we know exactly how much the frame varies, then recommend an inside or outside mount per window based on what will actually look right. On significantly irregular openings an outside mount that overlaps the frame usually gives a far better result.