Don’t Make These 6 Pricey Mistakes When Picking Custom Window Treatments

Choosing custom window treatments is an important investment that can enhance both the style and functionality of a home. However, without careful consideration, costly mistakes can happen, leading to poor choices in design, function, and budget. To make sure your window treatments are both beautiful and practical, it’s essential to avoid common pitfalls. 

Here are six pricey mistakes to watch out for when selecting custom window treatments in Bethpage, NY.

6 Costly Mistakes to Avoid with Custom Window Treatments

1. Neglecting to Measure Accurately

When it comes to custom window treatments, one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make is neglecting to measure their windows accurately. Ill-fitting window treatments not only compromise the overall aesthetic of the room but also affect its functionality. Taking precise measurements ensures that the window coverings fit perfectly and enhance the space as intended.

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

A slight miscalculation can lead to curtains that are too short, blinds that don’t cover the entire window, or shades that let in too much light. These errors are often costly to fix, as they require either alterations or a complete re-order.

Window treatments should enhance the appearance and functionality of a room, and to do that, they need to fit seamlessly. Inaccurate measuring can disrupt this balance, leaving homeowners with an unattractive and ineffective result.

Common Measurement Mistakes

Here are some of the common mistakes that occur during the measurement process for custom window treatments:

• • Only Measuring the Glass Area: Many assume that they only need to measure the glass portion of the window. However, for most custom window treatments, the measurement should include the frame or additional wall space.
    
  • Not Considering Mounting Style (Inside or Outside Mount): Whether the window treatment will be mounted inside the frame or outside it affects the measurements. Each style requires a different approach to ensure proper fit and coverage.
    
  • Forgetting to Measure Multiple Windows Separately: Even if windows appear to be the same size, small differences can exist. Measuring each window individually is crucial, especially when ordering custom window treatments.

2. Overlooking the Room’s Lighting Needs

Choosing custom window treatments without considering the room’s lighting requirements can lead to discomfort and inefficiency. It’s crucial to evaluate how natural light affects each space to select the most suitable options.

Selecting the Right Materials and Styles

Custom window treatments come in various materials and styles designed to manage light effectively.

• • Sheer Curtains: Allow ample natural light while providing minimal privacy—ideal for living areas needing brightness.
    
  • Light-Filtering Shades: Soften incoming light, reducing glare without darkening the room completely.
    
  • Blackout Drapes: Block nearly all light, perfect for bedrooms or media rooms where darkness is essential.
    
  • Adjustable Blinds and Shutters: Offer precise control over light levels and privacy, suitable for spaces with changing needs.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

Custom window treatments can improve a home’s energy efficiency by regulating indoor temperatures. Properly selected treatments can also reduce energy consumption leading to lower utility bills and a more comfortable living environment.

• • Insulating Shades: When it comes to energy efficiency, cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are a smart choice. Their unique design features air pockets that act as insulators. These shades have some of the highest R-values of all window coverings, meaning they’re great at blocking out excess heat in the summer. This makes them perfect for keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the year.
  • Reflective Materials: Certain custom window treatments, such as blinds or shades with reflective backing, are designed to reflect sunlight away from the windows. This keeps spaces cooler by minimizing the amount of heat entering the room, which can be particularly beneficial in sun-exposed areas of the home.

3. Choosing the Wrong Material for the Environment

When selecting custom window treatments, it is crucial to choose materials that are suitable for the specific environmental conditions of each room. Having the proper materials not only enhances the longevity of the window treatments but also improves their functionality and appearance in the long run.

Understanding Environmental Factors

Each room in a home presents different environmental conditions that can impact the performance of custom window treatments. Areas like bathrooms and kitchens tend to have higher levels of humidity, while living rooms or bedrooms with large, south-facing windows are often exposed to intense sunlight. 

• • Humidity: High humidity can cause fabrics to warp, mildew, or deteriorate more quickly, especially in areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
    
  • Sun Exposure: Constant exposure to direct sunlight can cause materials to fade, discolor, or weaken over time.

Materials That Perform Well in Humid Environments

When installing custom window treatments in rooms with high moisture levels, selecting moisture-resistant materials is key. These materials are designed to withstand constant exposure to humidity without deteriorating or developing mold and mildew.

• • Faux Wood Blinds: While real wood can warp in humid environments, faux wood blinds offer the same aesthetic appeal without the risk of moisture damage.
    
  • Vinyl or PVC Shades: These materials are durable and resistant to moisture, making them ideal for humid spaces where traditional fabrics may not hold up.
    
  • Aluminum Blinds: Lightweight and water-resistant, aluminum blinds are a smart choice for humid environments, providing longevity without sacrificing style.

UV-Resistant Options for Sun-Drenched Rooms

For rooms exposed to large amounts of direct sunlight, such as sunrooms or spaces with large windows, UV-resistant custom window treatments are essential. 

• • Solar Shades: These treatments are designed specifically to block UV rays while still allowing natural light to filter through. Solar shades help protect furniture and flooring from sun damage while maintaining a bright and airy atmosphere.
  • UV-Resistant Fabrics: Many modern window treatments are available in fabrics treated with UV protection to prevent fading and wear. These materials are perfect for rooms that receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
    
  • Wood or Faux Wood Shutters: Both natural and faux wood shutters provide excellent UV resistance and can be adjusted to control how much light enters the room. This option protects interiors from harsh sunlight that may cause color fading in the long run. 

4. Disregarding Privacy Needs

When selecting custom window treatments, privacy is often one of the most critical considerations, yet it is frequently overlooked. Not all window coverings provide the same level of privacy, and it’s essential to match the privacy requirements of each room with the appropriate treatment. 

Privacy Levels Vary by Treatment Type

Different types of custom window treatments offer varying degrees of privacy. While some options provide complete coverage, others are designed to allow more light and visibility. 

Here are a few common types of window treatments and the privacy they typically offer:

5. Focusing Only on Aesthetics

When selecting custom window treatments, it’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics. After all, window treatments are often one of the most noticeable design elements in a room. However, prioritizing style alone can lead to impractical decisions that may result in frustration over time. 

Risks of Prioritizing Style Over Function

While beautiful custom window treatments can elevate the overall design of a room, there are risks associated with choosing treatments based solely on appearance. These can include:

• • Limited Practicality: Some designs may look stunning but could lack essential features like light control or privacy, making them less functional in everyday use.
    
  • Difficult Maintenance: Certain materials or designs may be challenging to clean or maintain, which could be inconvenient, especially in high-traffic areas or homes with children and pets.
    
  • Incompatibility with Room Needs: A window treatment that looks perfect in a showroom may not be ideal for a specific room’s needs. For example, silk drapes may look elegant but may not stand up well to humid environments like bathrooms.

Practical Solutions for Combining Style and Function

The good news is that with custom window treatments, it’s entirely possible to find solutions that are both stylish and functional. Consider the following ideas:

• • Layering Treatments: Layering can offer a blend of style and practicality. For example, pairing sheer curtains with blackout shades or heavier drapes allows for versatile light control and privacy. The sheer layer lets in light while maintaining some privacy, and the opaque layer can be drawn for full coverage when needed.
    
  • Customized Motorization: Motorized custom window treatments can combine sleek design with ease of use. They offer a modern touch to any room while also providing convenience of use, especially for large windows or hard-to-reach areas.
    
  • Dual-Purpose Designs: Many custom window treatments are designed to serve multiple purposes. For example, cellular shades can enhance insulation while also offering light control and privacy. Choosing dual-purpose treatments allows homeowners to maximize both function and aesthetics.
  • Dual-Roller Shades: These innovative custom window treatments offer a blend of functionality and privacy by using two shades in one unit—one light-filtering and one blackout. This option allows for quick adjustments between full light and complete privacy without sacrificing visual appeal.

6. Skipping Samples or Mock-ups

Choosing custom window treatments without first seeing how they will look in the space is a common but costly mistake. Samples or mock-ups offer a way to visualize how a specific fabric, color, or design will integrate with the room’s existing décor. Without this, homeowners risk selecting materials that clash with their space or don’t provide the desired effect.

Why Samples Matter

When selecting custom window treatments, samples are essential for choosing the right option that aligns with the homeowner’s needs and preferences. They also offer a clear picture of how fabrics, colors, and textures will appear in the actual space, helping homeowners choose treatments that perfectly match their design goals.

• • Color Accuracy: Lighting in a room can change how a fabric or material looks. A sample allows homeowners to see the true color in different lighting conditions.
    
  • Texture and Feel: Certain materials might look perfect online but feel entirely different in person. Samples let homeowners evaluate the fabric’s texture and thickness.
    
  • Match with Existing Décor: Seeing the sample in the actual room helps ensure the custom window treatments complement the room’s furniture, paint, or wallpaper.