When it's time for new blinds or shades, the home improvement store down the street is an easy first stop. But custom window treatments are a big purchase with a lot of decisions: measurements, materials, light control, privacy, lift systems, and colors. Where you buy makes a real difference in how confident you feel about getting those decisions right.
Blinds Chalet is a small, family-owned company that has focused on one thing since 2006: custom window coverings. Here's how buying from us compares to shopping at a big box store.
Blinds Chalet vs Big Box Stores at a Glance
| Blinds Chalet | Typical Big Box Store | |
|---|---|---|
| Who helps you | Window covering specialists who work only with blinds, shades, and shutters | Associates who often cover many products across a department |
| Getting help | Phone, live chat, and email with a dedicated team | Depends on store staffing and the time you visit |
| Selection | Blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, and specialty products, all custom made | In-stock blinds cut to size, plus a smaller special-order selection |
| Pricing | Private label products from leading manufacturers at lower prices, plus a price match guarantee | Pricing varies by brand and promotion |
| Samples | Free samples of any product mailed to your home | Sample books or swatches in the store |
| Measuring | Step-by-step instructions, expert help, and Guaranteed to Fit protection | Varies by store and service |
| Delivery | Free ground shipping to your door in the contiguous U.S. | Pick up in store or delivery options and fees vary |
Personal Help From a Family-Owned Company
At a big box store, the associate helping you may be responsible for paint, flooring, and hardware too, and finding someone available when you need them can be hard. Custom window treatments deserve more attention than that.
Blinds Chalet is still family-owned and operated, and our goal is to be the most helpful window covering company online. Our team works with blinds and shades every day. We'll help you understand the differences between products, choose the right light control and privacy level for each room, pick a lift system that's safe for your family, and make sure your measurements are right before you order. You'll have everything you need to feel comfortable with your decision.
And our help doesn't end when your order ships. If you have a question about installation or your order, our customer care team is here for you. Contact our design team by phone, live chat, or email.
Save With Private Label Brands From Leading Manufacturers
Many of our blinds and shades are private label products made by the same leading manufacturers behind well-known national window covering brands. You get the quality and construction you'd expect from a name brand, without paying extra for the name on the label.
Truly Custom, Not Cut Down
Many in-store blinds are stock sizes cut down to fit your window, which can leave extra slats stacked at the bottom or limit your color and option choices. At Blinds Chalet, every blind and shade is custom made to your exact measurements and options, so it fits your window the way it should with nothing to remove or adjust.
Our wood and faux wood blinds are made with details that make a difference, such as kiln-dried basswood slats, metal headrails and components, hidden valance clips, and valance returns on both inside and outside mounts. Features vary by product, so check each product's details. Compare materials in our real wood vs faux wood blinds guide.
A Larger Selection for Every Room
Big box stores can only carry what fits on their shelves. We offer a much wider range of custom window treatments, including blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, motorized and smart home options, and specialty products for RVs, skylights, and patios. Not sure where to start? Read our step-by-step guide to choosing window blinds and shades.
See It at Home With Free Samples
Colors and fabrics look different under store lighting than they do in your home. Order free samples of any product and see them at your own windows, in your own light, next to your own furniture and walls, before you decide. No extra trips to the store.
Order With Confidence
- Guaranteed to Fit: Our measuring insurance helps protect your order if your blinds or shades don't fit. Follow our measuring instructions or ask our team for help.
- Free shipping: Free ground shipping on qualifying orders in the contiguous U.S., delivered to your door.
- Warranty: Every order includes a 3-year limited warranty, with optional 5-year coverage. See our guarantee details.
- Fast production: Need them quickly? Many express production blinds and shades are made in just a few days.
- Measuring and installation help: For very large or hard-to-reach windows, we can connect you with window treatment professionals for measuring or installation.
What Our Customers Say
"I purchased 5 faux wood blinds that would have cost me at least twice the price I paid at Blinds Chalet if I had purchased them from Lowes or Home Depot. Fast shipping and I received the blinds in perfect condition. I installed the blinds today and my wife and I love them."
Lorenz, Wooster, OH
"Placed order on a Monday, blinds were hanging in window on Friday. Super fast shipping. They look great and we paid LESS THAN HALF of what we got quotes for from Lowes for identical looking blinds."
Eric, Humble, TX
Since 2006, we've helped more than 350,000 customers cover over a million windows, and we're rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google. Learn more about Blinds Chalet or read customer reviews.
Blinds Chalet vs Big Box Stores FAQs
Is it cheaper to buy blinds online than at Home Depot or Lowe's?
For custom blinds and shades, it often is. Blinds Chalet offers private label products from leading manufacturers at lower prices than comparable name brands, with free ground shipping in the contiguous U.S. and a price match guarantee on identical items.
What is a private label blind or shade?
A private label product is made by an established manufacturer and sold under the retailer's own name. Many of our private label blinds and shades come from the same leading manufacturers behind national brands, so you get similar quality without paying for the brand name.
Can I get help choosing and measuring if I order online?
Yes. Our window covering specialists can help by phone, live chat, or email with choosing products, options, and measurements. We also provide step-by-step measuring instructions and Guaranteed to Fit measuring insurance.
Are custom blinds better than cut-to-size blinds from the store?
Custom blinds are built to your exact window measurements, so they fit properly without extra slats to remove. You also get more choices in colors, materials, and options like cordless lifts, motorization, and valance styles.
How can I see colors before I order?
Order free samples of any product on our website. They're mailed to your home so you can see them at your windows, in your own lighting, before you decide.
What happens if something goes wrong with my order?
Our customer care team is here after the sale to help with order, installation, or product questions. Every order includes a 3-year limited warranty, and Guaranteed to Fit helps protect you if your window treatments don't fit.
Ready to see the difference? Order free samples, browse custom blinds and custom shades, or talk to our team today.
