| Prefabricated | Custom blinds |
|---|---|
| Least expensive option | More expensive than pre-fab |
| Fit standard window sizes | Can be made to fit any window size |
| Range of material quality levels | Many feature higher quality materials |
| Usually do not come with warranties & guarantees | Usually do come with warranties & guarantees |
Materials
| Material | Cost Per Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $20 – $70 | Slat blinds |
| Fabric | $50 – $100 | Vertical blinds |
| Vinyl 1 | $11 – $120 | |
| Bamboo | $30 – $80 | Roller blinds |
| Faux wood | $30 – $95 | |
| Wood | $30 – $215 |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive | Can be easily bent/ damaged |
| Aesthetic appeal
Sheer fabrics allow light to come through |
Can be stained or acquire mold |
| Most affordable | Low durability |
| eco-friendly | Natural visual variation
Can warp or fade |
| durability | Affordable alternative to wood
Easier to maintain |
| Aesthetic appeal | Most expensive
High maintenance |
Labor
Prior to installation, you should determine whether you want to hang your blinds on the inside or outside of your window casings. This is important for establishing how you should make your measurements. Measurements should be made prior to purchasing your blinds so that you can have a perfect fit.
- Outside mounts 2: Hanging your blinds outside the casing can make both the blinds and your window look larger. For outer hangings, you should measure from the outer edges of the casing. If your window has a sill, measure from the outer top edge of the casing to the sill.
- Inside 2: Hanging your blinds inside can give them and the entire room a tidier appearance. They also allow for more light to come through. For inner hangings, measure the edges of the window glass where it meets the casing.
Professionals usually charge $10-$20 per standard window to install blinds. For a one-story house with 8 windows of 27-inches as we described above, the labor cost would be $80 – $160.
Installation materials like mounting brackets 2, screws and power drills are usually provided by the professional installation team. Many will also measure your windows for you.
Motorized blinds
Motors can be added to many models of blinds to make them controllable via remote. Each window will need an individual motor. Most motor rods can typically be DIY installed depending on your skill level; the labor cost of installing the motors is $30-$80 per motor.
| Brand | Cost Per Motor | Cost Per Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Somfy | $100 – $320 | |
| EzWand | $80 | Included |
| Simu | $290 |
| Highly durable
Comes with warranties |
Most expensive |
| Compatible with existing blinds
Easy DIY installation |
Lower durability |
| High powered
Special features |
Expensive |
Eco-friendly window blinds
Wood blinds ($30-$250) are the most eco-friendly because they use replenishable materials. Some brands use wood from sustainable sources.
Energy efficient blinds
Blinds with thicker materials and slats that close tightly are best for insulation purposes. Wood blinds usually are best in this respect, followed by faux wood and fabric.
Removal and disposal of old blinds
Old blinds can be removed by unmounting them from the brackets 3. It’s possible to recycle blinds if they are made of aluminum. You will need to remove all strings 4 and non-aluminum parts before recycling.
