The Window Coverings Buying Process

Do you need blinds, shades, or curtains for your Portland home and don’t know where to start? First-time homebuyers and homeowners with unique windows often don’t know how to find the window coverings they need for their home. Fortunately, we’re here to help!

In this month’s post we’ll walk you through the proven process we use to help homeowners find window treatments they’ll love!.

So You’ve Decided You Need Window Coverings…

Common reasons for buying window coverings:

• You’re remodeling your home
• The existing window coverings have been damaged
• An upgrade to “smart” window coverings
• You’re building a new home

While every project will have a different budget, investing in window coverings for your home will pay off. You will likely only buy window coverings every 10-15 years, so make sure any window treatments you invest in will last – both aesthetically and functionally.

Beautiful, high-quality blinds, shades, and curtains are an important part of any home. Invest accordingly.

Contact Us For a Consultation

Once you’ve determined you need window coverings, the next step is to find a window treatment that’s right for you.

Start by giving us a call at (503) 783-1838, contacting us online, or visiting us at one of our showroom locations.

During our initial meeting, we’ll get a sense of your goals and what you’re looking for in your window coverings solutions. We’ll talk about:

• Goals: What type of solution are you looking for? What type of home do you have and what are you trying to achieve with your window coverings purchase?
• Style: We’ll ask for pictures of your space so we can get a feel for the general style and color of your home.
• Scope: How big is your project? A whole home or just one or two rooms? What is your budget?
• Schedule: When are you available for a complimentary at home consultation?

Since our window treatments are custom-made and priced based on the exact specifications of your home, we can’t offer a quote over the phone. Fortunately, we are happy to come to you so we can measure and offer you a complimentary consultation.

Complimentary In-Home Consultation

Once we’ve had a chance to speak, we’ll figure out the best time to come out to give you a complimentary at-home consultation and quote. Your consultation includes:

A Home Walk Through

Our interior designers are trained and experienced in helping Portland homeowners find the perfect window coverings for their home.

We’ll come out and walk through your home, answering any questions you have and offering our input. We’ll evaluate your needs and, based on your goals and our experience, offer a solution we think best fits the aesthetic and functional needs of your home, including:

• Privacy concerns
• Temperature control
• Light control
• Lift System or Operating Mechanism

Help Deciding Between Shades, Blinds, and Curtains

Some homeowners will already know exactly what they want. That’s great! That said, we also love working with homeowners who don’t yet know what they want.

If you’re unsure what kind of window covering you need, we can help with that too. Generally, window coverings are broken into two categories:

Hard Treatments

• Blinds: Typically have slats that help you control light and privacy. These can be completely lowered while still allowing light in.
• Shades: Generally made from only one piece of material. Raises and lowers much like blinds, but does not have slats.

Soft Treatments

• Curtains and Drapery: Made from a single piece of fabric. These will usually come in pairs and can be stationary or functioning. Stationary curtains/panels serve to soften window edges, enhance a view and provide sound absorption. Functioning curtains/drapery move from side-to-side as opposed to up and down.

The soft treatment process is generally involves a more intimate experience between the customer and designer. This is a much more custom product requiring more upfront research and design.

Show Samples and Materials

Knowing what window coverings to go with can be a hard decision. To ensure you get the perfect window coverings, we’ll go over many different styles, fabrics, and color options for your space.

For soft treatments, we’ll bring with us samples of drapery fabric and hardware we think would be perfect for your home. We’ll work with you to put together practical and lovely window treatment designs.

All of our materials are reliable, durable, and beautiful, and will help accentuate your home’s style.

Take Measurements For Quote

Finally, we’ll measure your home to ensure we have the exact specification on the windows getting covered. We want your blinds to look impeccable, and we know that starts with correct measurements.

Once the design is determined and the fabric selected, we’ll take measurements and pictures to ensure perfect fit.

Based on this information, we’ll give you a complimentary quote for you to review. We’ll also answer any questions you have and make sure the quote is as transparent as possible.

Note: More complicated quotes for soft treatments can take up to 48 hours.

Prepare Your Window Coverings

Once you have decided on the perfect window coverings for your home and you move forward with the order, we will start production of your project. The process begins once we have your signed order and down payment (generally half the cost).

Your window coverings will be cut custom to your exact specifications and made right here in the USA. Drapery/curtains/panels are made here in the Portland area.

How long production takes will depend on the exact order.

For hard treatments, the window coverings will arrive in our warehouse 2-3 weeks after ordering.

For soft treatments, production will take up to 11 weeks. Fabric is ordered from mills around the world and sent to a local Portland workroom for production. Hardware is ordered specifically cut-to-measure for your unique space.

We will always give you a firm deadline on when you can expect installation. Plus, we will always be here to answer questions on the timeline of your order.

Hunter DouglasTM Window Coverings

Portland Window Coverings is proud to be an exclusive dealer of Hunter DouglasTM window coverings. Our exclusivity allows us an unmatched ability to offer recommendations and advice given our familiarity with their window treatments. Our designers are Hunter DouglasTM experts.

Hunter DouglasTM window coverings offer:

• World renowned style, privacy, and light control
• Increased energy efficiency, saving you on heating and cooling costs
• American made, technologically advanced designs
• Child safe, easy-to-use functionality
• Lifetime warranty on all materials and components

Installation

When your window coverings are ready, we’ll have our trusted installers contact you to set-up a time that works for you. Once you have paid the remainder of the cost they’ll come to your home and expertly install your window coverings.

Our installers are window covering installation experts and are always licensed and bonded. They know the care and precision necessary to properly set-up and install your window coverings.

You can expect a Portland WIndow Coverings representative to be present during the entire installation of soft treatments and larger hard treatment projects, answering any questions you have during the process. Portland Window Covering’s Project Manager will always be on call to answer questions you or the installer have on the coverings or installation process.

After Installation

After the installation the installer will submit a Post Installation Recap form summarizing the installation and any issues or problems that need to be addressed.

We remain available to answer any questions you have on your brand new window coverings. We’d love to chat about any care and maintenance concerns you have, as well!

Warranty on Materials and Components

Portland Window Coverings honors all Hunter DouglasTM warranties on materials and components. Defects in materials, fabrics, and workmanship will always be 100% covered.

Are Ready to Find the Perfect Window Coverings For Your Home?

Portland Window Coverings can help you find the the perfect window treatments for your home that you’ll love and will last. Our designers are experienced and can help turn your dreams into reality.

Give us a call at (503) 783-1838, contact us online, or visit one of our stores to set up your complimentary at home consultation and quote.