My quest for window blinds: A mild rant

[Bateluer]

Back in the summer, I had my metal framed windows replaced with nice vinyl, low-e models. Since then, I've only put curtains on a few select windows, such as my computer room and my bed room. The rest of the windows remain completely uncovered. I intended to buy blinds for each window slowly, as my budget permitted.

Unfortunately, it seems I have ran into a problem: sizes. I've been able to match the widths of most of my windows, however, the length eludes me. For example, the windows in my kitchen at 22.5" wide by 46" long, and 58" wide by 46" long. I found blinds that match the widths of the 22.5" windows, but they are either 42" long, 64" long, or 72" long. Looking at these cheap blinds, I don't think you can just cut off the extra inches. Do I just have non-standard sized windows, or should I just say 'fvck it' and call in some professionals for some more custom, prettier looking work?

 

[0roo0roo]

go to home depot etc. they will get whatever size you wish.
to order of course.

 

[keird]

Custom sized blinds are pretty easy to find. Look at Lowes or Home Depot's sites.

 

[Bateluer]

go to home depot etc. they will get whatever size you wish.
to order of course.

I browsed through Home Depot this morning, didn't see that matched what I measured on their floor, though I suppose you are right, they may have to order them.

Edit - Not that I mind my neighbors looking in my kitchen windows, might actually be a theft deterrent seeing as how there isn't a single piece of furniture in those rooms yet.

 

[mjrpes3]

invest in nice wood plantation shutters if you have the budget. nice looking and will add overall value to your house.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Uhh.. blinds can be shortened. It took me like 15 minutes or so to follow the directions and pull out the extra slats in 2 sets I ordered recently.

 

[Kalmah]

I came in here thinking that you where using 'Windows Blinds' to customize your computer desktop... so natural I was going to laugh at you. My joy has been taken away.

 

[IronWing]

Uhh.. blinds can be shortened. It took me like 15 minutes or so to follow the directions and pull out the extra slats in 2 sets I ordered recently.

Yep. Just cut 'em off and tie the ends.

 

[Modelworks]

Band saw + blinds = any size you want

 

[Joemonkey]

What about http://poseysupply.stores.yahoo.net/23x48vinminb.html and http://poseysupply.stores.yahoo.net/58x48vinminb.html ? I've ordered plenty of odd sized blinds from this place, they're cheap but shipping can be a pain.

 

[alkemyst]

home depots down here can cut to fit their stock sizes. My parents went with the high end plastic (looks like wood, fraction of the price and when cut the ends are cleaner).

Funny thing was is another interior design company actually did the same deal with a neighbors house that had about 1/3 the windows. They paid about 10x what my parents did.

My parent's window treatments are so well fitting they look made to order.

 

[Bateluer]

What about http://poseysupply.stores.yahoo.net/23x48vinminb.html and http://poseysupply.stores.yahoo.net/58x48vinminb.html ? I've ordered plenty of odd sized blinds from this place, they're cheap but shipping can be a pain.

This looks promising.

 

[Strk]

You can get the width cut, not the length. And having a set of blinds longer than the window is normal, as there is no such thing as a standard window size.

 

[Mrvile]

I came in here thinking that you where using 'Windows Blinds' to customize your computer desktop... so natural I was going to laugh at you. My joy has been taken away.

Me as well

 

[alkemyst]

You can get the width cut, not the length. And having a set of blinds longer than the window is normal, as there is no such thing as a standard window size.

There are standard sized windows and blinds though.

You can get length cut by just removing slats and cutting the strings...most but not all blinds can do this.

 

[Strk]

There are standard sized windows and blinds though.

You can get length cut by just removing slats and cutting the strings...most but not all blinds can do this.

I'm talking about what he can get done at the store.

And like I said, there is no such thing as a standard-sized window.

 

[alkemyst]

I'm talking about what he can get done at the store.

And like I said, there is no such thing as a standard-sized window.

i know what you are saying, but there are indeed standard sized windows and stores carry those sizes.

Most have old homes though so the 'standards' were never developed for them.

 

[Strk]

i know what you are saying, but there are indeed standard sized windows and stores carry those sizes.

Most have old homes though so the 'standards' were never developed for them.

Yeah, but the problem is, having worked in with windows, people don't know the difference. To them, it's still just a "standard window," which means nothing.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

as they said, blinds generally can be shortened for length.

 

[FoBoT]

that is how it works
cheap = standard sizes
expensive = custom fit to your windows

you can't have it both ways

 

[DrPizza]

that is how it works
cheap = standard sizes
expensive = custom fit to your windows

you can't have it both ways

Cheap = standard sizes
Expensive = cheap + someone else followed the directions to shorten them for you.

There are usually directions that come with the blinds for shortening them. It's not as simple as just cutting the strings, but it doesn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes to custom size them for your window.