People accustomed to purchasing products at brick-and-mortar stores (where you can feel products and speak with sales representatives) may consider buying blinds online to be a riskier endeavor. Once you understand the process, however, buying blinds online will likely be easier than buying at a store and also less expensive.
To make online blind shopping go smoothly, you just have to know what is important before you click that buy now button.
Accurate Measurements Are Important
It cannot be said enough – proper measurements will determine whether your online blind shopping experience is smooth sailing or a difficult return experience. Store employees may take measurements for customers; however, this masks how important precision is.
For inside mount blinds (the blinds fit into the window frame), you want to take measurements at the top, middle and bottom of the window recess to get the width measurement. Take the narrowest measurement. As noted above, the windows themselves are not always square, and the blinds need to fit the tightest spot.
Outside mount blinds require measurements of the width extending past the window frame to block light gaps. Typically, you’ll want to add 10-15 cm to both sides of the window; however, be sure that there is indeed wall space or molding for mounting the bracket that far out from the window.
Almost all online vendors provide a measuring guide. By strictly adhering to these measuring guides, you can prevent almost all common errors when ordering online.
Choosing Between Inside & Outside Mount Options
Inside mounts mean the blind is installed within the window frame, giving a clean appearance. Inside mounts are dependent on sufficient depth in the window recess – generally 5 cm or greater. Shallower recesses will not accommodate an inside mount.
Outside mounts mean that the brackets are attached to the walls adjacent to the window, and the blind covers the window opening and some of the surrounding wall. Outside mounts work for windows that don’t have enough recess depth to allow for inside mounts, and offer superior light-blocking capabilities.
Before you start taking measurements, you must decide between inside mount and outside mount options – each one has different measurement requirements.
Why Online Retailers Really Work
When buyers take the time to learn the process, online retailers have made improvements to their processes that include clearly defined specifications and detailed measuring instructions that walk you through every step of the way.
Blinds are easy to buy online, as well. In fact, having no in-person sales personnel really works to your advantage. You have time to compare options without being pressured, to double-check your measurements without feeling hurried, and to research materials without someone standing over you.
Making Material Choices Without Sampling
As described below, Blockout fabric will completely block out light. Translucent fabric will filter light and create a private atmosphere, while allowing light to pass through. Sheer fabric will filter the light, but will not create much privacy. The name of the fabric describes exactly what it does.
Roller blinds have simple material choices. For Venetian blinds, aluminum is standard and adequate for most uses.
Online retailers typically allow you to purchase material samples for a small fee via the U.S. Postal Service. If you are ordering something expensive or if you need to match a particular color, it may be wise to request samples.
Matching Colors
Computer screens are not ideal for viewing colors. A color that appears to be warm white on your computer screen could end up being cool white.
While there is little difference for neutral colors (whites, grays, blacks) there can be a noticeable difference in color representation when comparing a computer image and the actual finished product. If you need to match a specific color to other items in your home decor, then purchasing sample colors prior to placing your order is recommended.
Also, consider the amount of light in the room where you plan to use the blinds. Light-filled rooms can tolerate darker colors for blinds. Less-lighted rooms will benefit from lighter-colored blinds.
How Long Will It Take to Receive My New Blinds?
Blinds purchased online are usually custom-made based on the measurements provided. Therefore, lead times are typically 1-2 weeks. Standard-size stock blinds will ship quickly, but have limited selection options.
Be sure to account for the cost of shipping when calculating the total price of the blinds – cheap blinds with high shipping fees may not be as affordable as they appear.
Typically, blinds arrive at your door packaged very well. Inspect your blinds when they arrive and notify the vendor of any damage immediately to avoid finding issues when you attempt to install the blinds.
What About Return Policies?
Since blinds are custom-made to the dimensions you provide, return policies will typically be more restrictive than those found with standard online purchases. If you incorrectly measured your window(s) and therefore received incorrect blinds, most online vendors will not accept the blinds back – they will state that they made the blinds to your specifications.
Typical return policies for defective/damaged goods will be honored. However, incorrect measurements by the buyer will rarely be accepted as valid reasons for a return, which is why it is so important to take accurate measurements.
Knowing the specifics of the return policy prior to ordering can help prevent unpleasant surprises down the road.
Are There Any Other Things I Need to Think About When Purchasing Online?
All blinds purchased online are designed to be installed by the homeowner using minimal tools – drill, screw driver, level, measuring tape, etc. Installation instructions will accompany your blinds when you receive them, and most online retailers will provide videos that demonstrate how to properly install the blinds.
If you prefer not to install your own blinds, please plan for the cost of hiring a professional to install the blinds when you are budgeting.
The complexity of the installation process varies greatly depending on the type of blinds you purchase. Roller blinds are the easiest to install. Venetian and Vertical blinds are slightly more complex, but still easy enough for most DIY enthusiasts to accomplish.
Getting Help When You Need It
Quality online retailers will provide customer support via telephone, Email, or chat to assist you with any questions you may have during the ordering process. Do not hesitate to contact the vendor if you have any questions about your measurements, suitable materials, or any other concerns.
You can also find answers to your questions through the FAQ sections and installation guides located on the vendor’s website.
The Final Analysis
Online shopping for blinds provides lower prices and more options than buying from a local store; however, shoppers will need to do more work to prepare their purchase compared to in-store shopping. The overall experience can be smooth if the shopper takes accurate measurements of all areas to be covered by the blinds, understands the mounting styles available (and how they are installed), and follows the retailer’s recommendations and guidelines.
Shoppers, especially new customers, who take the necessary time to measure correctly and carefully read the product description, generally report having a successful experience. However, those who rush into the purchasing decision or don’t bother to measure correctly will likely have trouble with their purchase. Because of the savings involved in online shopping for blinds, taking the extra time to ensure that you are measuring your windows correctly and reading the product information provided by the seller is an excellent investment of time. After making one successful online purchase of blinds, future purchases become automatic.