Custom Window Treatments

Custom Window Treatments

Why should you invest in Custom Window Treatments? What is the difference between Custom Window Treatments and the ready made options available on-line or in the big box stores? As custom window treatment experts we would like to shed some light on the subject for you!

Choice

1st major difference is the literally hundreds and hundreds of fabric and blind options available as custom product vs the limited options available in ready mades. For a full range of options the obvious choice is custom treatments. We work hard to curate the choices that we present to our clients because these options are literally limitless. That doesn’t mean that all these potential options are right for you, and we like to narrow down the selection based on your feedback to avoid completely over whelming you with choice.

What do we mean by choice? How about 800 colours of cellular shades? Add on 800 more choices for roller shades. Or custom printed fabric options for both. Did you see a picture in a magazine, like Elle Decor, or Traditional Home? If the source is listed we can easily find this fabric for you.

Fit and Finish

Ready made treatments are quite limited as to the options for sizing, and when ‘cut to fit’ the compromises are obvious. You can easily tell, even from the street side, that your treatments are ready made. The biggest offender is ready made box store drapery panels. It’s a matter of detail and taste whether your drapery breaks just at the floor, puddles slightly or allows a subtle 1/2″ clearance. However if your baseboard is exposed because your panels are too short it just looks temporary. Make sure you invest in  window treatments that the value you have invested in your home.

Fullness

Ready made drapery is simply not as full as custom made. What does it matter? In this instance you can see the difference that quality makes. Ready made drapery looks skimpy and floppy. Custom drapery should look rich and tailored. Even custom blinds are easy to spot. Did you know that ready-mades have more cords for example to make up for the weaker materials used in their construction?

Hardware

Sure the telescoping drapery poles that you can pick up for a couple of bucks are handy, but the truth is unless your drapery is purely decorative they don’t work well at all. Brackets that you cannot traverse,  bumpy glides that hit the join and snag, you know exactly what we are talking about. With custom hardware the drapery can smoothly traverse a wide expanse, hand drawn, cord drawn or motorized. There are numerous material options and we can suggest options that are well under $100 depending on the application.

Quality Materials

Take the typical faux wood blind as an example. There are a variety of materials that can be used to create the faux wood slats. From foam PVC, to vinyl, all the way up the quality continuum to composite materials. Unlike the ready made faux woods in the picture the Hunter Douglas Everwood is guaranteed not to yellow, fade or warp in the window.  Mechanisms for blinds are another quality point, you can’t rely for long on plastic moving parts.

Professional Advice

Since ready-mades are generally purchased online or in a big box outlet the experienced advice of a window treatment professional is absent. Often you can pick up several different treatments in your self guided attempt to get it right, adding expense and time to the equation with every purchase. An experienced window treatment professional will help you avoid costly mistakes from the start of the process, saving you time and money!

Warranty

One year vs Lifetime Warranty for Custom.

Ready made trying to pass as custom….

Beware! There are ready made ‘cut-down’ shades that attempt to pass themselves off as custom fit. These shades are simply ready made shades, cut to size. Again, they have few of the options, and generally lack the quality features of true custom made.

Value

Certainly the initial investment in a window treatment is less when you go with a ready made option. However you really need to consider when assessing the value the overall cost. If the treatments doesn’t function properly, doesn’t look right, and needs to be replaced you haven’t saved anything in the long run. Another consideration is that properly fitted Custom Window Treatments can add to the appeal and value of your home on the resale market. A great example would be Custom Shutters that are widely recognized by Realtors as an upgrade that increases your resale value in proportion to your investment.

Complimentary in home consultations

Allow us to find the right treatment for your home. We bring samples, and explain the process thoroughly, no hassle, no pressure! Another way we make quality custom window treatments easy. Call us at 613-706-1250 or by email.