How Much Do Different Window Treatments Cost?

Curtains, shutters and shades, oh my! The sheer number of window covering ideas and options can feel overwhelming, whether you're styling a single room or fitting your entire home with new window coverings. Even narrowing down to a general type still leaves you with decisions including the color, material, size, pattern and extra features, like smart blind control.

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Costs of Window Treatments

The main window treatment options are blinds, curtains, shades and shutters. Within each category, you'll find major differences in the costs of window treatments, due to the materials used and the quality of construction. The general cost of window treatments ranges from $30 to $600 (CAD 41 to CAD 821) per window, which is quite a wide range. Below is a breakdown of common options within each category and what you might expect for the costs.

Blinds

Window blinds let you control the light by adjusting the rigid slats that make up this covering option. You can either lift the blinds or adjust the slats to let in some light. You can expect to pay between $30 and $200 (CAD 41 and CAD 274) for each window, if you stick to basic blinds. However, you can spend as much as $600 (CAD 821) per blind for upgraded options.

The material is a major factor in how much blinds cost. Here is a general guideline for blinds installation cost by material:

• Wood blinds: $200 to $600 (CAD 274 to CAD 821)

• Faux wood blinds: $150 to $400 (CAD 205 to CAD 548)

• Fabric blinds: $180 to $500 (CAD 246 to CAD 684)

• Aluminum blinds: $100 to $300 (CAD 137 to CAD 411)

Curtains

Perhaps one of the most varied options for your home is curtains. You'll find everything from sheer, lightweight curtains to heavy, blackout drapes to satisfy your needs. Curtains typically range between $50 and $500 (CAD 68 to CAD 684) per window for standard selections and $300 to $4,000 (CAD 411 to CAD 5,475) for custom curtains or drapes.

The fabric type comes into play when determining the cost of curtains. Everyday fabrics, like cotton, tend to fall at the lower end of the range, while luxury fabrics, like silk and linen, are more expensive. Here are some sample curtain prices:

• Cotton or cotton blend: $10 (CAD 14) per panel or more

• Linen, silk, brocade and luxury fabrics: $20 to $150 (CAD 27 to CAD 205) per panel up to $1,000 (CAD 1,369) or more

Other cost factors include:

• How sheer or light-filtering the material is

• The size of the curtains

• Detailing, like beadwork or fringe

• The header type

• The quality of the fabric

• The curtain rods you choose

Shades

Unlike blinds, which use rigid slats, window shades are typically made of softer materials that roll or fold up when you want to let light in. They're typically solid without gaps like slatted blinds, which means you'll need to open them to let in light. However, shades come in a range of light filtering levels to give you more control.

Typically, shades will fall between $60 and $600 (CAD 82 to CAD 821) per window for standard options. If you go with custom-made shades, the costs of window treatments increase to $250 to $2,650 (CAD 342 to CAD 3,627) for each window. Motorized blinds are also popular and come with a price tag between $350 and $1,000 (CAD 479 to CAD 1,369).

The pricing for shades often relies heavily on the specific type. Examples of shade pricing include:

• Roman shades: $100 to $600 (CAD 137 to CAD 821) per window

• Roller shades: $70 to $450 (CAD 96 to CAD 616) per window

• Solar shades: $60 to $520 (CAD 82 to CAD 712) per window

• Cellular blinds: $70 to $350 (CAD 96 to CAD 479) per window

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Shutters

While plantation shutters still come with a wide price range, the lower end starts higher than it does for other window treatment types. They often cost between $150 and $800 (CAD 205 and CAD 1,095) per window to install.

Pricing often depends on the material. Here is sample shutter pricing:

• Wood: $200 to $400 (CAD 274 to CAD 548) per window

• Vinyl: $100 to $200 (CAD 137 to CAD 274) per window

• Composite: $150 to $300 (CAD 205 to CAD 411) per window

Wood is the most expensive material for shutters. It offers the natural wood beauty, but it doesn't hold up as well in moisture-prone areas and is often heavy, making it more difficult to install.

If you're looking to save money, consider composite or vinyl shutters. Both of these options are generally lighter, making them easier to install, and they hold up better in humid areas.

Customized shutters will cost more, regardless of the material. For example, if you choose a custom color or finish instead of opting for standard ones, you could pay an extra $50 to $100 (CAD 68 to CAD 137) per window.

What Type of Window Treatment Is Best for My Windows?

The best types of window treatments for your home depend largely on your preference. Of course, your budget plays a role, so it helps to be familiar with affordable window coverings. But you can find affordable window treatments in all of the categories. Some details to consider include:

• Opening method: Consider whether you prefer a curtain you can slide open horizontally or a blind or shade that you open vertically. Shades give you different options, including leaving the treatments closed but opening the slats.

• Soft vs. rigid: Fabric window treatments typically offer a softer look in your home, so you might prefer fabric blinds or curtains if that is your preferred look. Rigid shades and shutters offer clean lines.

• Fabric and color options: You'll find more variety in options like curtains and shades, which are made out of different materials. Curtains tend to have the most options for colors and patterns. Others prefer the simplicity of white or wood-tone blinds or shutters to keep the window treatments neutral.

• Energy efficiency: If energy efficiency is important to you, consider options like thermal curtains with a blackout lining, solar shades or cellular shades.

• Moisture resistance: For bathrooms and kitchens, moisture resistance is an important factor. Real wood is often susceptible to warping and other moisture damage. Curtains can also get musty or grow mold in damp environments. Faux or composite materials often provide greater moisture resistance.

• Layered options: You also have the option to use two or more window treatment types together. Layering drapes and blinds with a valance, for example, incorporates multiple textures and offers more flexibility for light control.

How Much Does It Cost to Have Window Treatments Professionally Installed?

Professional installation fees typically costs between $20 and $250 (CAD 27 to CAD 342) per window. The main difference is the complexity of the installation job. You might prefer to leave the installation to a pro if you're investing in high-end, custom window coverings. Motorized blinds can also be difficult to install on your own because they require precision installation to work properly.

However, if you're going with basic window coverings, a DIY install will save you significantly on the costs of window treatments. DIY window treatments paired with discount blinds and shades is an affordable option. It's important to take accurate measurements and understand how the measurements work for different types of window treatments. You'll also want a good drill to predrill the holes and a level to make sure your window treatments are even.