Budget Blinds vs. Custom Window Coverings: 5 Surprising Differences to Consider

If you’re considering buying budget blinds, you might be tempted by the simplicity of picking up pre-made window coverings from a nearby retailer and attaching them to your windows. But are budget blinds really as straightforward as they appear? As with all home solutions, it’s good to weigh your options before you make a purchase. This is especially true for window treatments, as they are an element of your home that you’ll use daily to control light and temperature throughout the house.

When it comes to window treatments, the budget choice sometimes comes with a handful of limitations and drawbacks. With so many other options on the market, you may want to consider getting custom window coverings for your home instead. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, here’s a look at some of the main differences between budget blinds and custom coverings.

• Budget blinds may not break the bank, but they may be more likely to break. Cheaper window treatment options are far more likely to show signs of wear and tear after you buy them. Individual slats are fragile and may break off, or become warped from exposure to sunlight and gravity; and fabrics may fade or buckle. In a short amount of time, budget blinds may need to be replaced, making them less budget-friendly in the long run. Custom window coverings are a different story. Whether they’re blinds, shades, or drapes, custom coverings tend to be made with higher-quality materials like wood, durable vinyl, and high quality fabric. This means they’re less likely to break and can last in your home for years to come.

• Cookie-cutter sizes only work for cookie-cutter windows. Because most budget blinds are manufactured en masse, they only come in a few standard shapes and sizes. If any windows in your home are uniquely shaped or have an atypical size, you may have difficulty finding a fit off the shelf. Custom window coverings can be made to your exact specifications so you don’t have to worry about issues with poorly-sized blinds such as large amounts of light creeping in from uncovered edges.

• Budget blinds stick together (and not in a good way). Slats and hardware aren’t the only things that can break. The system of strings that keeps budget blinds together can easily snap or get tangled, giving you blinds that are lopsided or can’t be controlled. If your blinds are stuck up or down, you might as well not have blinds at all. Meanwhile, the superior quality and precision manufacturing of custom blinds makes sure you can always shut out or let in light to your home.

• Custom coverings can reflect your unique style. Not all homes look the same, so window treatments shouldn’t either. By their nature, budget blinds tend to come in a limited number of styles. Custom treatments, on the other hand, can be crafted with your personal aesthetic in mind. Working with an expert, you can determine what types of window coverings best fit the look of any room, and the blinds or shades can be made with materials that will fit seamlessly into its style.

• With motorization, custom window covers deliver unbeatable convenience. Custom-made blinds, shades, and drapes can be motorized, so that opening and closing them is as easy as pressing a button (literally!). Budget blinds come with simple mechanisms for opening and closing, but motorization surpasses them in terms of ease of use. In addition to convenience, motorization also helps window treatments last longer, as they are not subject to the constant pulling that can wear them out over time. As a bonus, if you connect motorized blinds with a home automation system, you can set them to let light in an out at different times of day all on their own.

Want to learn more about custom window coverings? Contact us today for a free design consultation.