This guide looks at the various ways to save money when buying and installing window blinds and shades in homes and other places. In addition, it discusses how you can cut down on window coverings and installation costs without sacrificing quality and style.
As they are essential for decorating homes, window blinds and shades are standard in many homes in the UK. But more than elevating the appearance of homes, these window coverings provide privacy, give you control over the amount of light you allow into your rooms, block harmful UV rays, and provide insulation from the weather conditions outside.
The following recommendations could save you hundreds of pounds when buying and installing your window blinds or shades:
Install based on what each room needs
Each room in a house often requires specific decorations. The covering that suits each window is also not the same. It is better to have blackout blinds in your bedrooms. However, elegant and stylish blinds and shades are suitable in the living room. Fire and water-resistant shades and blinds are best for garages, kitchens, and bathrooms.
You can save a lot of money by installing the blinds and shades based on what will function well for each room. For instance, you may opt for a cheaper, durable, and water-resistant blind for your kitchen while having a pricier, more elegant one in your sitting room. Try different money-saving blind and shade combinations that’ll help you add just the right touch of style to your home’s décor.
Survey what the market has to offer
New products and innovations enter the market daily. Therefore, before pulling the purchase trigger on a particular brand or quality of window covering, you may want to explore the other options available on the market. For example, to save time and money, check out the competitors’ prices on websites instead of going to different showrooms. Price checking is a crucial step to obtain the best deal.
You will save hundreds of pounds if you find a higher-quality version of the blinds and shades you were looking for at a lower price. Also, look out for special and seasonal offers that dealers make available to customers.
Look for blinds and shades that come with free shipping and a warranty
Like other household items, blinds and shades of genuine quality should come with a favourable return policy. Ensure the window covering you’re looking to install comes with a warranty. Additionally, deal only with suppliers that offer free shipping. This will help you save on the cost of transporting the window coverings to your location.
Avoid window treatments that come with hidden charges
Check that the final purchase price of the blinds and shades you’re buying covers all that has to do with the product, including accessories such as cleats, cord, and valence. Stay clear of window coverings that have hidden costs that will push you beyond your budget.
Choose the material that fits your budget
The material window blinds and shades are made of impacts their prices. Some materials tend to be more expensive than others. For instance, wood usually costs more than faux wood. PVC and bamboo blinds are the most economical types of blinds. To save money, you may want to consider buying window coverings made of expensive materials only when going for an alternative is not feasible. Generally, choose mid-weight fabrics that’ll serve you for a long time.
Have a budget
It may seem obvious and perhaps not worth mentioning but having a budget can save you a significant amount of money when installing blinds and shades. Contrary to widespread assumptions, having a budget would not stop you from having the best blinds and shade for your home. Do some research to find out the average cost of window coverings in your area and use your researched price as the basis of your budget. With a realistic budget, you’ll be able to stick to your plans rather than spend more on just about any kind of window covering. Another option that you may want to consider is checking trusted websites for second-hand blinds and shades.
Do the installation yourself
While some window covering suppliers provide customers with installation services, their services often do not come cheap. Professional installers, on the other hand, also charge per window or hour, and the cost of hiring an installer can quickly add up.
You’ll save money on labour if you install the window coverings yourself. Do-it-yourself installation of blinds and shades has even become easier with recent innovations and installation guides that come with products. Additionally, there are hundreds of tips, suggestions, and tutorials on the internet on how you can go about setting things up. Besides saving money on workmanship, there are other benefits to installing your own window coverings:
- You’ll get the opportunity to set up the window coverings exactly how you want them
- Ability to carry out repairs and replacements on your own, if the blinds and shades get damaged
- You’ll get the installation done on your own schedule rather than that of an installer
- You get a sense of pride
However, if you’re not enthusiastic about doing the installation yourself and plan to hire a professional, ensure you compare quotes from different tradespeople to get the best deal.
Go for energy-efficient blinds and shades
One of the ways to save money on energy over time in homes and business places is to use energy-efficient window coverings. If you’re buying window shades, make sure you install them close to the glass in the window frame. Like the Roman varieties, some shades come fitted with multiple layers of insulation. There are also different insulated cellular shades on the market.
Insulated blinds help preserve energy when closed. These energy-saving blinds protect your home from UV rays. If it’s within your budget, you may also want to consider motorised, heat-sensitive blinds. Such motorised blinds automatically close when the temperature rises.
These are blinds and shades that provide insulation from outside weather, allowing you to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Using energy-efficient blinds and shades helps reduce the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling. If heat easily escapes from your home, consider adding drapes over your windows.
Essential considerations that can save you money
Have a clear priority
Setting your priorities right before embarking on the installation of blinds and shades in your home may save you money. There are things you should consider: What kind of character do you want your windows to have? How much light do you want in each room?
While some windows require only functionality and light control, others need some elegant and stylish treatment. Cellular shades and aluminium blinds are ideal for blocking out light. Blinds and shades made of ordinary fabric do not provide much privacy. Assess each room and determine what you want the window to look like, then budget accordingly.
Measurements
It’s important that you measure your window size correctly. With an incorrect window size, you’re likely to waste money buying blinds and shades that won’t fit. Seek the help of a professional if you’re not sure how to go about measuring your window size.
Factor in your unique family needs
Plan your window coverings based on needs peculiar to your family and how you live. If the blind or shade you’re buying is going to be installed in a high-traffic area, you may want to consider only those that are not only washable but durable. Also, you’ll want to avoid installing blinds and shades made of delicate fabrics in areas of the house where they’re likely to come into contact with water or get stained.
Safety
As with everything else, safety should be at the top of your list of considerations. If you have pets and children around your home, then it’s best to buy the safest blinds and shades you can afford. The safest window coverings are cordless. Since they have no pull cords, those types of blinds and shades pose no threat to pets and kids.
Think about the maintenance it would require
Before settling for a window blind or shade, you need to think about the maintenance the window covering would require. While window blinds are easy to clean, shades are difficult to clean and require a lot of maintenance. Some window shades and other window coverings may need to be cleaned by a professional window cleaner, and that’ll add to your expenses.
Buying and installing window blinds and shades do not have to be a cumbersome and expensive process. With proper planning and a little research on the brands, materials, and styles that’ll work best for you—and implementing the things this guide discusses—you can save as much as 20–30% of the “regular” cost of installing these window treatments.
