6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Window Treatments

Blinds, shutters, shades, and any type of window treatments for your home can be a major investment and not a decision to take lightly. Window treatments are meant to be strong, durable, and last for years with proper care. You definitely don’t want to be stuck with blinds or shades that you hate or that just don’t suit your home or lifestyle.

That’s why it’s so important to make the right decision when shopping for window treatments, and to have your home, family needs, budget, and comfort level in mind. Don’t go blindly into window treatment shopping; use our handy guide to help you avoid common mistakes and errors. You will save yourself money, effort, and a potential headache if you know what to avoid when purchasing your perfect window treatments.

Wrong Measurements and Sizes

It’s very important to make accurate measurements of your windows from the start. It would create more problems down the road if you find out that the custom blinds or shades you ordered weren’t the right size. Not only will you waste money, but the window treatments will also look out of place on your windows.

Take your time with the measurements and contact a professional if you are unsure. If you decide to measure on your own, it might be a good idea to have another person with you so they can confirm and act as a second pair of eyes.

Style over Function and Convenience

While it may be tempting to go for looks and aesthetics when choosing your window treatments, keeping functionality in mind is definitely more important. You need to consider factors such as light control, privacy, and insulation from outside elements. This will keep your energy bill down, thus saving you money, and keep your home safe and comfortable for you and your family.

Not Prioritizing Safety

Safety should be of utmost importance, especially if you have kids, pets, or elderly parents at home. Cords and chains from window treatments can easily become tangled and pose a risk of strangulation to young, curious, and playful children. Elderly parents or those with mobility issues may find it difficult to manoeuvre these cords and pulls, and may prefer motorized options that don’t require manual intervention. Motorized blinds and shades are convenient, hassle-free, and safe for use in all homes.

Ignoring Existing Décor

Going into the shop and choosing what you love is easy to do. You may be attracted to bold patterns and bright colours; however, how well do these designs actually work with your existing home décor? Chances are, they may not mesh well at all. Take pictures of your home and existing décor along with you when shopping as a reminder of where your window treatments will eventually end up. This will help you keep a cohesive look at home so you don’t regret your choices when your window treatments arrive.

Choosing the Wrong Materials

When choosing your window treatments, you generally have options such as genuine wood, PVC, vinyl, or plastic. The price of your window treatments will depend on certain factors, and one of the main factors is the material that they are made out of.

Genuine wood blinds are generally the most expensive, as they hold a certain charisma, charm, and elegance as well as great quality. If you like the look and feel of wood, but don’t want to pay the hefty price tag, you might opt for faux wood options.

Whatever you decide, choose the materials that are right for your home, your preferences, and the environment you are in. For example, genuine wood won’t do well in moist, humid environments where mould and rotting can cause them to deteriorate. Be aware of the windows and surrounding environment you intend to outfit with window treatments and choose your materials accordingly.

Choosing Cheap Over Quality

When it comes to the quality of your window treatments, you get what you pay for. While deals and low prices may be attractive, you need to think about why certain companies may be able to offer these insane deals or prices that you can’t find anywhere else.

Perhaps they are also cheaping out on materials and quality. Some of these products may not even meet safety standards and can pose a potential risk to your home. To be on the safe side, always purchase your window treatments from a reputable company and do your research when it comes to good quality.

If you pay half price for your window treatments and they fall apart within 2 weeks, you’re not really saving anything or getting a good deal in the long run.

To avoid making a costly mistake when purchasing your window treatments, do some research beforehand and keep our tips in mind. It’s easy to go into the store and choose what you like; however, you need to be practical and ask yourself what you are really looking for.

For more information on custom blinds and shades in Toronto and the GTA, please call Window Blinds Direct at 647-503-4357 or contact us here. We can set you up with the best options for window treatments within your budget and price range. Call us today for more information on our selection of window treatments.