Custom Blinds in Windsor, Ontario: A Local Buyer's Guide
Windsor homes range from century-old brick houses in Walkerville to riverfront condos and new builds on the east side. The right blind depends a lot on which of those you live in.
In short
- Older homes often have out-of-square frames and shallow sills, so careful measuring is as important as the product.
- Hot, humid summers make heat and glare control the priority on south- and west-facing windows.
- Riverfront and high-floor windows suit screen shades that keep the view.
- Free in-home visits cover every Windsor neighbourhood, plus LaSalle and Tecumseh next door.
On this page
- What makes Windsor homes different
- Older homes: measure carefully, mount wisely
- Heat, humidity and glare
- Riverfront condos and high floors
- Newer homes on the east side
- What Windsor homeowners choose most
- Motorized and smart blinds in Windsor homes
- A room-by-room starting point
- How a free in-home visit works
- Common questions
What makes Windsor homes different
Windsor's houses span more than a century. Walkerville and the older streets around downtown have brick homes with tall, narrow double-hung windows, deep trim and plaster walls. Postwar neighbourhoods are full of bungalows and back-splits with wide picture windows. Newer subdivisions on the east side, such as East Riverside, have open-concept main floors, two-storey great rooms and big patio doors. Along the river, condos and apartments look north across the Detroit River to the Detroit skyline.
Each of those needs something different, which is why we measure every window ourselves rather than working from a customer's tape measure. For more detail, see our guides to older Windsor homes and Windsor condos and apartments.
Older homes: measure carefully, mount wisely
- Out-of-square frames. Windows in older homes are often a few millimetres wider at the top than the bottom. For an inside mount we take the narrowest width and check the diagonals, so the blind clears the frame without a big gap.
- Deep original trim. Beautiful trim is worth showing. Inside mounts keep it visible when the frame is deep enough; when it isn't, an outside mount fixed to the top of the trim can look deliberate rather than added on.
- Plaster and old wood. Lath-and-plaster walls and century-old framing need different anchors from new drywall. We bring the right hardware.
- Tall double-hung windows. Roman shades and zebra blinds suit their proportions. Drapery mounted high makes the ceilings feel even taller.
- Radiators under windows. Keep fabric clear of the heat. Inside-mounted shades that stop at the sill work better than long curtains here.
Heat, humidity and glare
Windsor summers are hot and humid, and west-facing windows take the strongest sun in the late afternoon, when the house is already warm. Screen shades cut glare and heat while keeping the view, honeycomb shades add insulation, and motorized shades can lower themselves at 2 p.m. before the room heats up. Our guide to south- and west-facing windows goes into detail.
For bathrooms and kitchens, choose moisture-resistant roller fabrics over natural fibres. They won't sag or mark in humid rooms and they wipe clean.
Riverfront condos and high floors
Riverfront windows face north, so they get gentle, indirect light most of the day and strong evening sun on the west side in summer. The view is the point, so we usually suggest screen shades with a low openness factor in a darker colour, which keep the skyline sharp and cut reflections on TV screens. Bedrooms usually add a blackout shade on a second bracket. Before you order, check your condo's rules about what colour may face the street.
Newer homes on the east side
New builds bring more glass: two-storey windows, arched transoms and wide sliding doors. Motorized shades make tall windows practical, and choosing one cassette colour for the whole house keeps an open-concept floor looking calm. If you're still building, read blinds for new homes for the timing that saves the most money.
What Windsor homeowners choose most
- Zebra blinds in living and dining rooms, for light control through the day. See zebra blinds: pros and cons.
- Blackout roller shades in bedrooms.
- Screen shades on patio doors and view windows.
- Motorized shades on anything too tall or too wide to reach comfortably.
Motorized and smart blinds in Windsor homes
Motorized shades are the fastest-growing part of our work in Windsor, from great-room windows on the east side to river-view condos downtown. We install smart motors with 2 Nm of torque, which work with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, and low-voltage hardwired systems for homes run by Control4, Crestron or Savant. We motorize every type of blind, shade and curtain we sell. Every motor and its programming is covered by our full 3-year in-house warranty. See our smart motors.
A room-by-room starting point
| Room | A good first choice |
|---|---|
| Living room | Zebra blinds, or screen shades for a view |
| Kitchen | Zebra blind over the sink, screen shade on the patio door |
| Primary bedroom | Blackout roller shade, with drapery if you like softness |
| Kids' rooms | Cordless or motorized blackout shades |
| Home office | Screen roller shade, 3% to 5% openness |
| Bathroom | Top-down/bottom-up or moisture-resistant roller shade |
How a free in-home visit works
Book online or call 226-788-4283 for a time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., any day of the week. We bring fabric samples and motor demos to your home, look at each window with you, take exact measurements and leave you with a written quote. There's no obligation and no pressure. If you go ahead, our own team installs everything and sets up any motorized shades with your phone or smart home. Read what to expect at the consultation.
Common questions
Do you charge to measure in Windsor?
No. The in-home consultation and measuring are free across Windsor and the surrounding towns, with no obligation to buy.
Do you have a showroom in Windsor?
Our showroom is at 49 King St in Harrow, about 40 minutes from downtown Windsor, and visits are by appointment. Most Windsor customers prefer the in-home visit because they can see samples in their own light.
Can you replace the builder blinds in our house?
Yes. We remove the old blinds and install made-to-measure ones. Let us know at booking so we can plan for it.
Do you install motorized blinds in Windsor?
Yes. We install smart motors with 2 Nm of torque and low-voltage hardwired systems for Control4, Crestron and Savant across Windsor, with a full 3-year in-house warranty on every motor and its programming.
