Blinds.com is an online-first retailer focused on convenience, offering a vast selection of self-measured, DIY-installed window treatments at competitive prices. In contrast, Budget Blinds operates through a franchise model that provides a full-service, in-home experience with professional measurement, expert consultation, and installation included.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right window treatment company for your home.
Blinds.com: The Online Custom Window Treatment Leader
Blinds.com is a Home Depot-owned company specializing in a convenient, completely online shopping experience for custom window coverings. It targets DIYers and budget-conscious homeowners who are comfortable measuring their windows and want access to a massive selection of styles without leaving home. The brand's process is built on user-friendly online tools, free samples, and virtual design support.
- Product mix: A comprehensive selection of blinds, shades, shutters, and drapes. Popular categories include faux wood blinds, cellular shades, roller shades, and blackout curtains.
- Style/vibe: A broad range of modern, clean, and versatile designs that appeal to a wide audience. Their aesthetic favors contemporary looks and neutral palettes that fit easily into most decor schemes.
- Price point: Generally mid-range and affordable, with smaller window shades starting around $50. Prices vary significantly based on size, material, and features, but frequent sales provide excellent value.
- Quality: Quality varies by product line but is generally considered durable for the price point. Many products come with a 3- to 5-year warranty for peace of mind.
- Fit & Sizing: Customers measure their own windows using detailed online guides. Their SureFit™ Guarantee provides a free replacement if a customer makes a measurement error.
- Shopping Experience: The entire process is online. Customers can order free material swatches to see colors and textures at home and use virtual consultation services for design advice.
- Delivery & Assembly: Products are shipped directly to your home and are a DIY installation. Professional measuring and installation is an optional, added-cost service available in select locations.
- Sales: Blinds.com runs sales and promotions frequently, especially around major holidays, with discounts often ranging from 30-50% off.
Blinds.com is the go-to choice for homeowners who prioritize affordability, selection, and the convenience of a DIY online shopping model.
Shop Blinds.com: blinds.com
Budget Blinds: The Full-Service Window Treatment Expert
Budget Blinds is a national brand composed of locally owned franchises that provide a high-touch, personalized service. Their model is built on bringing the showroom to you with free in-home consultations, where a design expert measures your windows, shows you samples, and offers tailored recommendations. Professional installation is central to their service, ensuring a perfect fit and finish.
- Product mix: Custom blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery, with a strong focus on tailored solutions. They offer advanced products like motorized shades and smart home integrations.
- Style/vibe: Styles range from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary. The in-home consultation focuses on creating a cohesive, upscale look that is personalized to your home's unique aesthetic.
- Price point: Higher than online-only competitors due to the full-service model. Custom blinds typically range from $150 to over $500 per window, inclusive of consultation, measuring, and installation.
- Quality: Emphasizes high-quality craftsmanship and premium materials like real wood and high-end fabrics. Products are designed for longevity and backed by strong warranties that can vary by franchise.
- Fit & Sizing: Professional measurement is standard, eliminating customer error and ensuring a precise fit, even for complex or unusually shaped windows.
- Shopping Experience: An entirely in-person, consultative process. It's a hands-off experience for the homeowner, ideal for those who want expert guidance from start to finish.
- Delivery & Assembly: Completely handled by the local franchise. A professional installer delivers and installs the window treatments for a seamless experience.
Budget Blinds is designed for homeowners who value expert guidance, professional installation, and are willing to invest in a custom, full-service solution.
Shop Budget Blinds: budgetblinds.com
Blinds.com vs. Budget Blinds Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear price difference between the two brands that reflects their service models. Blinds.com is the more budget-friendly option, with products starting as low as $50 and frequent sales that offer significant savings. Its DIY approach removes the cost of professional measurement and installation.
Budget Blinds has a higher price point, with custom treatments often costing between $150 and $500+ per window. This premium covers the in-home consultation with a design expert, professional measurement, and flawless installation, offering a higher level of service and confidence for the investment.
Style & Aesthetic
Blinds.com offers a huge variety of styles that lean modern and versatile, making it easy for customers to find something that matches their taste online. With plentiful color and material options, shoppers have full control over the final look, which is great for straightforward design projects.
Budget Blinds tailors the aesthetic directly to your home. During an in-home consultation, a designer helps you choose materials, colors, and valances that create a cohesive, polished, and often more high-end appearance. They excel at custom solutions that might be hard to visualize or execute through an online interface.
Quality & Materials
Both companies offer quality products designed to last. Blinds.com provides a wide selection of materials, from durable faux wood to energy-efficient cellular fabrics, with quality levels that correspond to different price points.
Budget Blinds tends to focus on premium and high-end materials, with quality control being a central part of their professional service. Their emphasis on craftsmanship, combined with professional installation that ensures proper long-term function, gives their products a reputation for durability.
Fit & Sizing
Fit is one of the biggest differentiators. With Blinds.com, accuracy is in your hands. You are responsible for measuring your windows, though their online guides are comprehensive and their SureFit™ Guarantee offers a safety net for any mistakes. This is a great system for standard windows and confident DIYers.
Budget Blinds eliminates all guesswork. A professional comes to your home and takes precise measurements, guaranteeing a perfect fit. This is particularly valuable for large, arched, bay, or other challenging window shapes where precision is critical for a high-quality finish.
Shopping Experience
The shopping experiences could not be more different. Blinds.com offers ultimate convenience for the at-home shopper. You can browse, order samples, and buy your custom blinds at any time of day, all from your computer. The process is fast, efficient, and requires no appointments.
Budget Blinds offers a traditional, high-touch retail experience. The process requires scheduling an in-home appointment but rewards you with personalized attention, expert advice, and a completely hands-off process for measuring and installation. It is ideal for those who feel overwhelmed by choices or have complex needs.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on your budget, your comfort with DIY projects, and the level of service you prefer.
Choose Blinds.com if:
- You are on a budget and want to maximize value.
- You feel confident measuring your own windows (and are happy to have the SureFit guarantee).
- You prefer the convenience of ordering online without scheduling appointments.
- You are a renter looking for affordable and stylish options that you can install and remove yourself.
Choose Budget Blinds if:
- You want a full-service experience where an expert handles everything for you.
- You have custom-shaped, oversized, or hard-to-reach windows.
- You are making a significant investment in your home and want perfect results guaranteed.
- You value in-person design advice and want to see how materials look in your space with professional guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blinds.com or Budget Blinds cheaper?
Blinds.com is significantly more affordable. Its online-only, DIY model cuts out the costs associated with in-home professional services like measuring and installation, passing those savings onto the customer.
Which has better quality window treatments?
Both offer high-quality products, but Budget Blinds often has a higher perceived quality. This is due to its focus on premium materials and the fact that professional installation ensures an optimal fit and flawless function, enhancing longevity.
Do you have to measure your own windows for Blinds.com?
Yes, in most cases you measure your own windows. Blinds.com provides very detailed and easy-to-follow guides and videos to help you get it right. They also offer a SureFit™ Guarantee as a safety net in case you mismeasure.
Does Budget Blinds offer a free consultation?
Yes. The core of the Budget Blinds business model is a free, no-obligation, in-home consultation where a local design professional comes to your home to help you choose your window treatments.
Which is faster, Blinds.com or Budget Blinds?
Blinds.com is generally faster. You can order online at any time, and products typically ship directly to you within a few weeks. The Budget Blinds process takes longer due to the need to schedule a consultation and a separate installation appointment.
Who installs Budget Blinds products?
A trained, professional installer from your local Budget Blinds franchise handles the entire installation process. This is a core part of their service package and is included in the final price.
Are motorized blinds available from both companies?
Yes, both brands offer motorized blinds and shades. However, Budget Blinds specializes in more complex and integrated smart home automation solutions, and their experts can provide tailored recommendations and installation for these systems during the in-home visit.
Which brand is better for renters?
Blinds.com is generally a better choice for renters. The lower price point makes it a more accessible investment for a non-permanent residence, and the DIY installation is easier to manage (and potentially remove) when it's time to move out.
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