How to Buy Discount Window Blinds for Beginners

2009-03-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

When it comes to discount window blinds, there are a variety of styles and colors to choose from for the savings-savvy homeowner who wants to make some home improvements even in the midst of an economic downturn. This includes types such as bamboo, roller, roman, venetian and wood blinds to name a few. Traditionally, installing blinds in ones’ home is left to retailers specializing in windows, window installations and window treatments.

For those who want to save a bit, trekking to big chain retail stores like Costco, Home Depot and WalMart is the other option. However, retail stores cannot match all the time the quality of service and selections that can be delivered by the specialists. The customized and personal service of the specialists however comes at a higher cost.

The highest discount can be had by sourcing the materials online and measuring and installing the blinds yourself. Aside from the savings on the labor costs, one also save on the cost of the blinds themselves as those that are bought online are quoted closer to the factory price.

One’s savings starts even during supplier selection itself. Comparing prices among online suppliers is more cost effective that spending the day going around town to see which retailer can give the biggest discount. Most online suppliers offer free samples and free shipping, with some restrictions or conditions to be met. One supplier offers shipping in as fast as within three business days while another offers no sales tax for certain states.

Almost all online stores have articles on design tips on their websites and guides on how to measure and install the blinds complete with instructional video or a free DVD on installation shipped together with the orders. Other after sales services offered by online suppliers of discount window blinds are toll free customer service hotline and newsletters to update customers on topics such as tips cleaning and maintaining the blinds.

In this article, I’ll be discussing the most popular types of discount window blinds you can find in today’s competitive market. It’s always best to do your due diligence and research ahead of time to ensure that you find the best discount window blinds fit for your individual needs.

Not just limited to an Asian-themed or inspired room, bamboo blinds are actually more versatile than that. Bamboo blinds can be used in the living room, bedroom, the kitchen, bathroom, the patio, or as covering for French doors.

The standard design is bamboo roll up blinds but they can also be available roman style.

There are several things to consider when choosing bamboo shades blinds. First, if used in sleeping and living areas, it would be better if they come with a lining. A blackout liner on the bamboo shade will keep the room darker as it prevents stray rays from seeping through the bamboo slats.

Since it is of a natural material, using bamboo discount window blinds in the kitchen or the bathroom will expose it to moisture and cause mold. One should make sure that bamboo blinds used in these areas are chemically treated to make it water proof. The same goes for outdoor bamboo blinds installed in the patio or the garden shed.

Bamboo blinds are available in both custom and stock sizes. To save on money, one can shop for discount bamboo blinds at retails stores or online. In making a decision, it is also advisable to consult a decorator or interior designer regarding the design or how the blinds are going to be customized. More often than not, retail stores attendants are not experts on this specific matter. Additionally, interior designers may have their own suppliers that provide discounts that they can pass on to you.

Other things one should look in getting bamboo blinds are the quality (cuts should be even, there should be no broken pieces and stitching should be solid), production time, and after sales customer service. With all these in place, one can be sure to enjoy this eco-friendly window installation.

Discount window blinds are now a more stylish alternative to curtains, one type of which are roman blinds. They achieve the same results of providing privacy, blocking out light and heat in summer, and keeping out the cold in winter. These type of blinds can be made from any type of fabric and can fit any shape and size of window.

A quick search online can direct one to manufacturers that offer made to measure expensive to cheap roman blinds depending on the design and material used. For a little more time spent researching, one can find a wealth of discount roman blinds for sale. Discounts can reach up to forty percent of what one would usually spend at retail stores.

However, for the more thrifty-minded, it is quite easy to just make them oneself. A lot of arts and crafts sites in the internet give detailed instructions on how to make roman blinds. These sites provide thorough instructions on styles, required materials and tools, measuring tips, and even videos if written instructions become too complicated to follow. It is also possible to resurrect one’s old plastic mini blinds into new roman shades blinds just by adding new fabric and using the old mini blind as the skeleton of the new window cover.

Some manufacturers of custom roman blinds also offer the option of customers purchasing do-it-yourself kits online. Thus one can avoid the hassle of buying all the tools and materials but still have the fun and satisfaction of having assembled one’s own roman blinds.

Venetian blinds are window coverings with horizontal slats that are usually suspended by tapes or cords. The slats can be rotated 180 degrees with the overlaps either facing inward or outward. First used in the 18th century, the design offers versatility in that they can be raised all the way up for maximum light or to clean the window or just tilted when down so one can choose the direction in which light or air can enter the room. The design also has limitations however in the sense that the wider the window, and in effect the blinds, the harder it is to operate the blinds. They can be made of metal, plastic or wood though the wooden venetian blinds usually fall in another category of blinds.

The most popular especially for office use has been aluminum venetian blinds. Being made of metal, these blinds have a long projected lifespan. In addition to its durability, these discount window blinds can be painted in a variety of colors to suit how formal the office or home space is going to be.

Looking for cheap venetian blinds is not difficult as they can be found in most home furnishing stores. One can get them at a discounted price especially during clearance sales. Searching for suppliers of venetian blinds online is also easy as there are thousands of them that do business over the internet. One should practice due diligence and careful research before committing to a certain supplier.

It is recommended that cleaning venetian blinds be done at least once a year. Dust tends to accumulate in both sides of the slats. It is possible to take the blinds down and wash them but this method of cleaning is very labor intensive. Instead of doing that, one can invest in cleaning tools or brushes that can be attached to a vacuum cleaner that will take care of the dirt several slats at a time. For those who can afford it, there are a lot of companies that offer cleaning and repair of venetian blinds.
Wood blinds are a functional and aesthetic addition to any room. Whether installed in an office or in the home, they provide a cozy yet stylish and modern feel to any room.

Easily within anyone’s budget are cheap faux wood blinds. Almost fifteen percent cheaper than wooden blinds, they exude the qualities given by wood blinds at a lesser price. Made from vinyl or a combination of wood and vinyl, have the added advantage of no warping, splintering, cracking or splitting. These are also easy to clean – you just need to wipe it with a damp cloth and they dry very quickly.

For those who want authenticity without straining one’s budget, cheap wood blinds are available if one spends the necessary time and effort in looking for and comparing amongst suppliers. Mostly bought online, they are usually provided at selected sizes thus having one at a discounted amount comes with the trade off of not being able to customize fully. It is important that one should exercise caution in choosing a supplier online and ascertain the quality of the construction and verify if it really is the real thing or just made of plastic.

If one wants assurance of quality whether be it faux or real wood, one can order a hunter douglas wood blind. This Dutch manufacturer is well known in having the highest quality architectural products. They offer a variety of blinds which one can customize according to one’s tastes and preferences. Whether horizontal or vertical, they have both natural and faux wood window blinds that one can order in a variety of shapes and design options, operating systems and level of energy efficiency and sound absorption.

If one wants to have a natural but less heavy and more casual feel, woven wood blinds are available. This type of wood blinds can be made from lighter materials such as bamboo and wicker. Very versatile, they can complement other wooden furnishings, leather, or even bathroom tiles to soften the aura in a room.

Roller blinds are recommended for windows with narrow depths. These blinds can be used for office, living room, bedroom or the bathroom window. Some users also use them as a covering for storage areas as well. This system has a simple mechanism that is easily controlled to let the sunlight in or put the room in shade.

For a warm, cozy feel to the room, bamboo roller blinds are usually chosen. The standard style is the flat roll up where it is raised or lowered with a pull cord. The bamboo blinds can come with or without a liner on the back. Having no liner will just filter out the light but not provide total privacy as you or the people outside can see through the bamboo material. With a liner, total privacy is guaranteed and more light is blocked.

To totally block out the light especially for those who want to take a nap during the daytime, blackout roller blinds in the bedroom are ideal. Because of the material, it can totally darken the room. Aside from that, the thickness of the blind adds as a barrier to keep heat from escaping the room, inadvertently decreasing heating bills.

Roller blinds can also be installed in the patio, gazebo, porch, pool cabanas, outdoor hot tubs or garden sheds for shade or privacy. One should ensure that materials used for outdoor roller blinds are weather proof and durable so they can last for a long time.

In choosing cheap roller blinds, one should be careful not to sacrifice quality. Materials used should be of good quality and one should get a guarantee from the supplier that roller blinds will fit properly.

Well there you have it. If you have been contemplating about upgrading the look of your home, then definitely consider discount window blinds. Do your research in advance and select the best type of window blinds for your home or office. You won’t go wrong by choosing bamboo, roller, roman, venetian or wood blinds to spruce up your home decor. The best discount window blinds will provide you the quality and lasting results you will appreciate for many years to come.