Starting from Scratch: What You Need to Know
If you've never purchased custom window treatments before, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. Blinds, shades, shutters, drapery — and within each category, dozens of materials, operating systems, and configurations. This guide will help you cut through the noise and make confident decisions.
Step 1: Understand the Main Categories
Blinds have horizontal or vertical slats that tilt to control light and privacy. Wood, faux wood, and aluminium are the most common materials. They're durable, easy to clean, and work well in almost any room.
Shades are made from fabric or natural materials and roll or fold up when raised. They range from sheer (light-filtering) to blackout, and include cellular, roman, roller, zebra, and woven wood styles.
Shutters are solid panels with adjustable louvers, mounted inside the window frame. Plantation shutters are the most popular style and are known for their durability and classic appearance.
Drapery refers to fabric panels that hang from a rod above the window. They add softness, colour, and texture to a room and work beautifully when layered with blinds or shades.
Step 2: Consider Your Priorities
Before choosing a style, think about what matters most to you:
- Light control: How much light do you want to let in? Blackout options are available in most categories.
- Privacy: Do you need full privacy, or is filtered privacy sufficient?
- Energy efficiency: Cellular shades are the best choice for insulation.
- Aesthetics: What style complements your existing décor?
- Ease of use: Consider motorisation if you have hard-to-reach windows or mobility challenges.
Step 3: Measure Correctly
Accurate measurements are critical for custom window treatments. You'll need to decide whether you want an inside mount (treatment fits within the window frame) or outside mount (treatment is mounted on the wall above the window). Each requires different measurements.
For inside mounts, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening, and use the narrowest measurement. For height, measure at the left, centre, and right and use the tallest measurement.
Pro tip: When in doubt, have a professional measure. A Shade Above offers free in-home measurement visits throughout Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.
Step 4: Choose Your Operating System
Most window treatments are available with several operating systems:
- Corded: Traditional pull cord. Less expensive, but not recommended for homes with young children.
- Cordless: Clean look, safer for children and pets. Now standard on most products.
- Motorised: Remote, app, or voice control. Ideal for hard-to-reach windows and smart homes.
Step 5: Get Professional Installation
Even perfectly measured, high-quality treatments can look wrong if they're not installed correctly. Professional installation ensures everything is level, secure, and operating smoothly. At A Shade Above, installation is always included — it's part of the service.