Custom Window Coverings: Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing and ordering custom blinds, shades, or curtains from Linen Chest is hassle-free. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to make the best choice for your windows:

1. Gather Inspiration: Start by collecting inspirational photos that showcase the colours, textures, styles, and lighting that resonate with your vision. This step will help our experts understand your aesthetic preferences and narrow down the best options for you.

2. Contact Us: You can connect with our expert window blind specialists by phone at 1-800-363-3832 ext. 231, visit your local Linen Chest store, or submit a request through our quick and easy online form.

3. Meet with an Expert: One of our decorators will promptly contact you to schedule an in-house consultation at your convenience. Your custom blind expert will assess your needs, decor style, budget, preferences, and the shape and size of your window. All consultations are free, offering clients the expertise of a local window covering expert in their home without any purchase obligation.

4. Get Personalized Recommendations: Your decorator will present physical samples you can touch and experiment with to see how they fit into your space. We believe seeing and interacting with the materials is crucial to making an informed decision. Additionally, your decorator will introduce you to various compatible operating systems, ensuring that your blinds are aesthetically pleasing but also functional and user-friendly.

5. Place Your Order: Once you’ve made your selection, your window blind specialist will place the order for you and help set you up with our 0% financing if you choose to do so. Custom blinds are usually ready to be installed 4 to 6 weeks after placing the order.

6. Confirm Measurements (if needed): In some instances, such as dealing with high windows or ceiling windows, an appointment with one of our professional installers may be required to confirm the exact measurements to ensure a seamless installation.

7. Get Your Blinds Installed: If you opt for professional installation by our seasoned experts, your decorator will contact you within 4 to 6 weeks after placing the order to schedule the installation date. Our installation experts ensure a flawless fit and finish for your custom blinds. Although it is highly recommended that your coverings are professionally installed for the best results, you can also choose to install them yourself. You will receive a precise and detailed digital guide to make your blinds’ installation, operation and maintenance as seamless and easy as possible.

Expertise: specialists are well-trained and experienced in window coverings. They will guide you through the selection process, offering insights and advice to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your needs. Our custom windows specialists are experts at identifying the right product, mechanism and style to fit specific needs, whether it be lighting, privacy, or anything else that will suit your needs to be the best fit and maximize the value of the investment. Our skilled professionals can handle the installation to ensure your blinds are fitted securely and precisely for a seamless look and safer space. Our motorized blinds, ripplefold curtains, or solar shades that automatically adjust during the day to filter incoming sunlight will seamlessly make your vision a reality.

Extensive Selection: Linen Chest offers one of the most comprehensive options for custom window coverings, so you know you get the best possible choice for your home. We strive to provide as many options as possible to cater to all budgets, needs, and unique tastes. From zebra blinds and shutters to ripplefolds and motorized curtains, our product range offers options with great value at various price points, making us your one-stop destination for home decor needs. Without a vast selection of blinds and draperies, you can easily pick the best blinds for you and complement them with a curtain to elevate the style and look of the room.

Competitive & Transparent Pricing: As a privileged partner of Hunter Douglas, Linen Chest has access to an expanded range of window covering styles at a competitive cost without compromising quality. You can trust that you’re getting excellent value for your investment. Our pricing is straightforward. There are no hidden fees or surprises, ensuring that you clearly understand the costs associated with your custom window coverings. You are also always covered by our 1-Year Lowest Price Guarantee. We guarantee the lowest price, so there is no need to second-guess your decision to purchase with Linen Chest. We are so confident we are the lowest that we always match any price from competitors on the same product.

1-Year Lowest Price Guarantee: We stand by our prices so you can confidently shop. If your custom window coverings are available at a lower price at Linen Chest or from a competitor within 365 days of your purchase, we’ll match that price.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: your satisfaction is our top priority. Your dedicated expert is with you every step of the way, staying in touch and readily available throughout the process. You can contact your Linen Chest expert directly if any concerns arise. Enjoy peace of mind with a 30-day warranty on operating mechanisms, ensuring the right fit for your needs.

You are welcome to book consultations as frequently as you require, ensuring the perfect window coverings for each space, without any obligation to purchase. All in-home consultations are free if you are within 30 km of a store location, offering you the expertise of a local window covering expert in the comfort of your home.

Yes - we make custom blinds affordable with our 0% financing option*. This convenient choice lets you enjoy the benefits of your custom blinds immediately without incurring interest charges. You can quickly spread the cost over manageable installments with flexible payment plans. Our hassle-free application process means you can transform your windows without a significant upfront payment.

A lifetime limited warranty covers all custom window coverings bought at Linen Chest. This means the quality of your product is guaranteed for its entire lifetime, ensuring your satisfaction and peace of mind.

Custom-made products and special orders are excluded from the Linen Chest return policy.

Motorized window coverings are blinds, shades, or even curtains equipped with an electric motor. Combining electronic components and control systems allows you to open, close, and adjust your window coverings. Motorization adds convenience, benefits large or hard-to-reach windows, and can significantly improve accessibility for individuals with mobility impairments or disabilities. It offers a convenient and modern solution for adjusting the amount of light and privacy in a room without the need for manual operation.

Some motorization systems also allow for automation, enabling them to operate automatically based on certain conditions or pre-set schedules. For example, automated window coverings might open and close at specific times of the day to regulate natural light. This level of automation adds unparalleled convenience and transforms the home environment, offering a seamless living experience. Your window coverings adjust to your needs and lifestyle.

Depending on your preferences, budget and needs, motorized window coverings can be operated via:

• a motorized wand activated through a single gentle push or pull; • a remote control; • your smartphone; • a smart hub that connects all your home automations into one single system and allows you to control them by voice command.

Depending on the chosen option, you can program and activate your window treatments at the touch of a button or even through voice control."

Nearly all custom window coverings at Linen Chest can be motorized. It’s an incredibly convenient option for hard-to-reach or large windows where manual operation may be challenging.

Automated window coverings are motorized and equipped with Bluetooth technology to integrate seamlessly into your lifestyle. These smart blinds, shades and curtains can be programmed and scheduled in many ways; you can:

• group window coverings by type (ex., shutters), by room or by area (ex., east side of the house) to activate them all at the same time; • schedule them to fit your lifestyle (ex., gradually open in the morning to gently wake up with the sunrise); • set the mood with customized programs (ex. “Daytime privacy” to activate light-filtering components, “Nighttime” to activate blackout components); • and much more.

Learn more about automation solutions for window coverings."

Safety is our top priority. Linen Chest is fully committed to providing solutions for your home that are beautiful and functional but, most of all, safe. This is why our full selection of window coverings and operating mechanisms adhere to Health Canada’s safety regulations and have been curated with child safety in mind. Any mechanism utilizing cords or chains is designed with loops encased in protective sheaths and tightly secured within tension devices. These measures eliminate the risk of entanglement or strangulation and help provide a more secure environment for your loved ones. We also offer alternatives to corded window blinds with cordless and motorized options to provide peace of mind for you and your family. Having your window coverings installed by our professional installers is another excellent way to ensure they are 100% secure and function optimally.

Motorized window coverings eliminate the need for cords, reducing the risk of entanglement or injury. They can be controlled remotely via a wall controller, remote control, smartphone app or voice command, making them a safe and convenient choice for homes with children and pets.

The safest window coverings for children are those that contain one of the following features:

• coverings with cordless operation, such as cordless blinds or shades; • motorized window coverings that can be operated remotely without cords; • corded window coverings equipped with safety devices such as cord cleats or tension devices.

Your window covering expert will help you find the perfect solution during your consultation to find window coverings that enhance your home and bring you peace of mind.

Light-enhancing or light-filtering window blinds are a type of window treatment designed to allow some natural light to enter a room while providing privacy and reducing glare. They are made from materials of a certain sheer quality, allowing diffused light to pass through while obstructing direct outside views.

Room darkening blinds offer partial light reduction. They are designed to reduce incoming light without making the room pitch dark. They provide a moderate to high level of light reduction but do not completely block it out. They are ideal for creating a dimmer ambiance in a room. These blinds can provide different levels of room darkening, depending on the type of fabric or material chosen. Thicker, more opaque materials will offer a higher level of light reduction, while lighter fabrics may provide a more moderate decrease in light.

Blackout window coverings provide maximum light blockage. They are designed to block out almost all incoming light, creating complete darkness in a room when they are fully closed. They eliminate external light sources, making them ideal for bedrooms, home theatres, and nurseries. Their thicker, opaque materials can help regulate the room’s temperature by preventing heat from entering or escaping.

The LightLock® system, when combined with Duette® Shades, is the ultimate blackout window covering option. Engineered to either absorb or deflect virtually all incoming light, it is the best way to keep light from seeping into the room and achieve unparalleled darkness.

• a blackout liner can be sewn or attached independently to your window coverings to help block exterior lighting; • opting for a shade compatible with the DuoLite® system that combines a sheer fabric to filter light into a single shade and a blackout fabric to block it out; • pair your custom shades or blinds with blackout draperies to add an extra layer to help achieve total darkness.

Precise Fit: All custom window coverings are tailored to fit your windows precisely. This snug fit minimizes gaps and ensures no drafts can sneak in, effectively sealing your windows against air leaks. The heat stays in the winter, and the cold in the summer.

Materials: You can opt for room-darkening fabrics to block heat gain or fabrics with high insulation properties that help maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reduce energy consumption, and lower utility bills.

Insulating Design: Some window coverings, such as cellular shades, are significantly better at helping insulate windows. Their structure creates pockets of air that act as a barrier to trap air and contribute to insulation. They help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems."

The best options for window insulating blinds are cellular shades (or honeycomb shades). They are designed with a unique structure that creates pockets of air between the layers of fabric. This creates a barrier, trapping air and providing excellent insulation.

Roman shades are also great at enhancing window insulation; layers of fabric create an insulating barrier to slow the transfer of heat through the window. In cold weather, this helps keep warm indoor air from escaping, while in hot weather, it prevents outdoor heat from entering, effectively improving energy efficiency year-round.

To maximize sound absorption with window coverings, you’ll want to choose materials and designs that have enhanced acoustic properties. Here are some of the best window coverings for this purpose:

Heavy Drapes or Curtains: Thick drapes or curtains from dense fabrics like velvet or suede can help absorb sound. Ensure they reach from floor to ceiling and wall to wall so there are no gaps for sound to escape through.

Cellular Shades (Honeycomb Shades): Cellular shades have a honeycomb-like structure that traps air, creating a barrier that can help reduce noise. Choose shades with thicker fabric and more substantial cells for better sound absorption.

Shutters: Solid wooden or composite shutters can help sound insulation when closed tightly. However, they may not be as effective as the other options.

Tip: Combining several of these options can yield the best results.

Yes. Linen Chest’s window coverings service can customize window treatments to fit doors of any size or style, including sliding glass, French, patio, and entry doors with windows. Options like roller shades, roman shades, and curtains can be customized to fit the size and shape of the glass panels while maintaining the door’s aesthetics.

The most popular options for door coverings are:

Vertical Blinds: One of the most common choices for sliding glass doors. They provide suitable privacy and light control with their tilting vanes.

Roller Shades: Simple and versatile, they can be rolled up completely when not in use, allowing for an unobstructed view. You can choose light-filtering, room-darkening or blackout options based on your needs.

Roman Shades: Roman shades offer a more elegant and decorative look. They come in various fabrics and styles, offering light control and privacy.

Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades: These provide excellent insulation and come in various opacities. They are suitable for both privacy and energy efficiency.

Sheer Curtains: Sheer curtains can be used for a softer, filtered light effect. They are less effective at providing privacy but can be paired with other window coverings for a layered look.

Shutters: These offer a classic and timeless look. They provide excellent light control and privacy.

When choosing door coverings, consider factors such as:

• the size and type of door; • the frequency of use; • the direction it opens (inward or outward); • your privacy and light control needs; • the door’s location (you may want to coordinate with nearby windows for a cohesive look).

Our window covering experts can assist you in finding the ideal solution tailored specifically for your doors.