Evaluate how well Blinds and Shades meet your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in blinds and shades and you've learned about the different features of blinds and shades. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of blinds and shades - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the blinds and shades available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed blinds and shades to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well blinds and shades meet your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available blinds and shades in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any blinds and shades that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any blinds and shades that clearly exceed your price limit.
Blinds come in a variety of design choices and slat widths. They are available in wider slatted Venetian blinds or smaller mini blinds. The standard blind is made of wood, aluminium or plastic and can come in almost any colour in the rainbow. They provide a great deal of privacy, however, they may not do a good job of blocking out light as they allow light to filter through the slats.
Tip: Room darkening can be especially difficult with blinds that are lighter colours or made from thinner plastic or vinyl products. If you require a dark room, consider choosing a darker colour or a metal product. If the light filtration is still a problem, consider another window treatment style.
Blinds also come in a vertical format, which is excellent for covering a bigger window such as a patio door. Like traditional blinds, vertical blinds also come in both metal and plastic and are available in a wide array of colours. They tend to do a better job than horizontal blinds in blocking light.
Roller shades also work well to provide privacy. Just like blinds, they can be purchased in a variety of widths and a number of colour choices. In addition they come in both plastic and fabric designs with a wide array of special detailing that runs from a basic shade to those with embellished edges and designer pull cords.
Tip: Roller shades are available in a variety of thicknesses and darkening abilities. Cheaper shades will allow a lot of light into the room, while special room darkening shades, will block out nearly all light. For the best darkening ability, custom shades, which are fit to the exact width of your window, will prevent light from sneaking in the sides.
Roman shades are another type of window treatment that offers full window coverage. These shades are typically custom made to fit the shape and size of your window and can also be created with fabric that matches other decorating elements in your space. The shade is raised and lowered by a cord that is woven through the centre. Pulling the cord causes the fabric to gather much like an accordion.
Pleated shades are similar to horizontal blinds in their operation. However, they are not individual slats, but rather a solid pleated fabric. They can come in a thin fabric that works in the much the same manner as a window sheer to provide a light and airy feel in the room, or they can be designed with a room darkening fabric. One unique characteristic of this type of shade is the top down feature. This allows the top of the shade to remain opened to let in light or allow ventilation, while the bottom of the shade is closed for privacy.
Cellular or honeycomb shades are similar to pleated shades in that they use fabric to create the window covering. However, they are designed in such a way that they have a honeycomb appearance when looking at them from the side. This allows the shade to insulate a room by blocking out the hot sun or harsh winter winds with a double layer of fabric. In addition, because there are two layers of fabric, they are outstanding in their room darkening abilities.
When you were considering your requirements in blinds and shades it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as material type, style, size and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various blinds and shades meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Material Types
- Plastic - PVC, vinyl
- Wood
- Fabric - polyester, cotton
- Metal - steel, aluminium
Blind and Shade Types
- Roman shade
- Roller shade
- Pleated shade
- Cellular, honeycomb shade
- Woven wood, bamboo shades
- Venetian blinds
- Wood blinds
- Mini-blinds
- Shutter blinds
- Vertical blinds
- Standard or custom sizes
Vertical Blind
- 12 to 156 inches (30.5 to 396cm) wide
- 12 to 120 inches (30.5 to 305cm) high
- Inside mount requirements - 2&1/4 to 3&3/4 inches (5.7 to 9.5cm)
- 3&1/2 inch (9cm) dust cover valance
Folding Shutter Blind
- 14 to 95 inches (35 to 241cm) wide
- 16 to 114 inches (40.5 to 290cm) high
Cellular Shade
- 12 to 96 inches (30.5 to 243cm) wide
- 8 to 120 inches (20 to 305cm) high
- Minimum mounting surface - to 2 inches (1.2 to 5cm)
- Continuous cord - 1 or inches (2.5 or 1.9cm)
- Head rail 1&1/2 x inch (3.8 x 1.2cm)
- Top down, bottom up - 72 inch (183cm) max width, 96 inch (243cm) max height
- Double, single cell
Wood Blind
- 10 to 96 inches (25.5 to 243cm) wide
- 10 to 120 inches (25.5 to 305cm) high
- Kiln dried
- 1 to 2 inch (2.5 to 5cm) slats
- Inside mount requirements - 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10cm)
- Flush mount requirements - 1&3/4 to 3 inches (4.5 to 7.6cm)
- Outside mount requirements - 1&3/4 to 3 inches (4.5 to 7.6cm)
Aluminium Blind
- 12 to 96 inches (30.5 to 243cm)wide
- 12 to 126 inches (30.5 to 320cm) high
- Inside mount requirements - to 3 (1.9 to 7.6cm) inches
- Flush mount requirements - to 2 inches (1.9 to 5cm)
- Outside mount requirements to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5cm)
- Single blind recommend width 72 inches (183cm)
- to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5cm) wide
Other Features
- Cover valance
- Break away cord
- Self aligning, lubricating
- Rod, wand, cord tilt
- Elliptical louvers
- Cordless lift
- Continuous cord loop
- 1 on 2 head rail, 2 on 1, 3 on 1
- Top down, bottom up
- Chair rail, doorknob cut outs
- Crash proof cord lock
- Anti-static paint
- C.P.S.C. child safety guidelines conformation
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your blinds and shades needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in blinds and shades.
Once you have finished evaluating the blinds and shades available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the blinds and shades one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well Blinds and Shades compare with competing Blinds and Shades
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of blinds and shades that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of blinds and shades that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which blinds and shades on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these blinds and shades best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed blinds and shades has the best warranty?
Which blinds and shades are the easiest to use?
Which of the blinds and shades seems of the highest quality?
Which blinds and shades are the easiest to install and maintain?
Which blinds and shades do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating blinds and shades that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the blinds and shades, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the blinds and shades are put together. Check the assembly - are the blinds and shades solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the blinds and shades from the perspective of ease of use. How easily are the blinds and shades prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the blinds and shades fit your windows properly, some blinds and shades look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - easy to use, accessible
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits window correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as accidental damage.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need a breakaway cord, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize your blinds and shades?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of blinds and shades that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:ComparisonsRate and compare different blinds for energy efficiency