Buying Your Blinds

“They’re all the same size!”

I lost count, long ago, how many times a customer said this:

“You just have to measure one - they’re all the same size”.

Now, if you sense the presence of a tire-kicker, you might accept that, at least, temporarily. After all, an experienced eye can see that several windows are, probably, all similarly sized. To get a rough estimate quickly, I’ve done that.

On one consultation, the customer was adamant. She knew for a FACT that all the windows were exactly the same throughout her newly constructed home. She did not need me to waste my time or hers with measurements.

A quick look around contradicted her statement. There were at least 3 completely different window sizes in the home, to say nothing of the variation that is inevitably present between two windows of the ‘exact’ same size.

Even a ¼” difference can ruin your day so why risk it?

The Blinds Don’t Fit

If your sales consultant or measuring pro takes your word for the sizes of the windows and the blinds don’t fit, whose fault is it? Well, the pro should NEVER take your word for it (no offense!). If they do, find another pro. Better still, let the pro do what their training and experience qualify them to do. And, try not to talk to or otherwise distract them. Nobody wins when custom product goes in the dumpster!

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Window Treatment Descriptions

Horizontal Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running left-to-right or parallel to the horizon. Also known as Venetian blinds. Sub-categories includes Wood, Faux Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum(mini, micro).

Vertical Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running top-to-bottom or perpendicular to the horizon.

Shadings – These are hybrid roller shades with internal, tilting fabric louvers. Originally released as the Hunter Douglas Silhouette but now available from many brands.

Banded Shades – Also known as Zebra shades. They are rollers with alternating strips of varying opacity which can overlap for full privacy.

Vertical Sheers – A hybrid of a traditional vertical blind and sheer drapery.

Roller Shades – A traditional product familiar to many as a cheap vinyl covering from a home center or hardware store but custom rollers are available in a dizzying array of fabrics.

Solar Shades – A sub-category of roller shade featuring ‘screen’ like fabric of varying transparency expressed as a percentage ‘openness factor’.

Pleated Shades – A simple, traditional fabric shade formed by creasing fabric in increments from 3/4″ – 2″. The predecessor of the cellular shade.

Cellular (Cell) Shades – Also known as honeycomb and accordion shade. Based on pleated shades but have two or more layers creating a thermal barrier which is an effective insulator. Popular with a ‘top-down/bottom-up’ feature which provides direct light while maintaining partial privacy.

Vertical Cellular – A cell shade with cells (pleat lines) running top to bottom. Ideal alternative to vertical blinds for sliding patio doors.

Roman Shades – A decorative traditional fabric shade available in several styles.

Austrian Shades – A traditional fabric shade typically made with sheer fabrics. Privacy comes through the ‘gathering’ effect. They are not particularly practical but are valued for the decorative street view they provide.

Woven Wood – A rustic sub-category of Roman shade available in natural wood and grass woven materials.

Louver Drape – Another sliding door option, these are generally woven wood shades with a drape-like appearance drawing side-to-side.

Panel Track – Also known as a sliding panel. Typically used for sliding patio doors, these feature 2 or more fabric, solar or woven wood panels which stack in parallel, one over another. Great companion to matching roller, solar or woven shades. A clean, modern look but partially obstructs the view outside.