Window Fashion Costs

While the eyes may be a doorway to the soul, window fashions are a reflection of your interior decorating style. Even if you have haute couture taste, you can still find window treatments to suit your budget.

Today, drapes are considered somewhat formal, so current interior design favors blinds and shades. Blinds come in horizontal and vertical versions, while shades include varieties such as cellular, Roman, pleated, solar and panel track. Shutters are another option that can take you into a classic or modern aesthetic.

Window fashion costs

The cost of blinds, shades, shutters and drapes varies depending on material and size. Wood blinds are more expensive than metal or vinyl, and natural fiber shades may cost more than man-made materials. Here are some ballpark cost estimates for shades, shutters, draperies and blinds, based on a 3' X 4' window size:

Blinds

• Wood $48 - $68
• Aluminum $26 - $46

Shades

• Cellular: $57 - $80
• Roman: $51 - $90
• Pleated: $42 - $53
• Roller: $27 - $44
• Solar: $53 - $85
• Panel track: $59 - $90

Shutters

• Wood $251 - $404
• Vinyl $34 - $54

Draperies: $111 - $365

These are material prices only. For the exact cost of blinds or other window coverings, shop in the window fashions section of a home improvement store or use the form on this page to obtain pricing from a local window treatment installer.

Before you buy, take careful measurements of your windows and have that information at your fingertips. Window size is one of the primary components of window fashion costs.

Most window fashion retailers also provide installation at an additional cost. If you are working with an interior designer, installation is usually included in the project fee.

Window fashion manufacturers

Most window fashion manufacturers' product lines include blinds, shades and drapes. Each of the following well-known manufacturers has been in business a long time, has an excellent reputation, and stands behind their products with a solid warranty:

• Hunter-Douglas
• Levelor
• Comfortex
• Springs, which manufactures the Bali, Graber and Nanik brands

Of course, there are many other manufacturers as well. Give some thought to the durability, ease of operation and cleaning for whatever window treatments you buy. You may be living with these window fashions for several years, so make sure they are compatible with your lifestyle.