Discount Blinds are not the same as ‘cheap blinds’.

‘Cheap Blinds’ by definition are blinds that are made to be cheap, which normally means mass production, cheap materials, cheap labour, ect.

Discount blinds on the other hand are still a high quality product, they are just discounted for one reason or another, for example during a sale or stock clearance.

What this means is if you are on a tight budget, which I understand a lot of people are during the ‘recession’ you can essentially get hold of the high quality blinds you are accustomed to at the same price as the low quality ‘cheap blinds’ you would usually avoid.

How you say? Simple, search for the discounts and sales!

It is important to understand that you are not the only one feeling the heat of the credit crunch, businesses are feeling it too and they are lowering prices and holding sales left, right and center!

This may sound cynical, but a lot of businesses are also going bust as well, and they have a lot of extra stock they quickly need to get rid of to recuperate at least some money. I’m willing to bet you can get a great discount on that stock!

I’m guessing you have a retail brand you know well, trust and buy from each time? It may be Hillarys, Web-Blinds, Blinds Supermarket or one I haven’t even heard of. But the key to finding the most discounted blinds is to not stick with one retailer but to compare the market, which is relatively easy with a simple Google search.

Another thing to look out for is promotions like ‘price beater’ or ‘price match’ where companies guarantee to beat the quote you’ve been given. This is always worth going for, you have nothing to lose after all!

One last thing to remember is that nearly all sites have discount codes, if you do a google search that looks something like “Web Blinds Discount Code” you may be surprised with what you find

Good luck finding those discounts!

As you have probably figured out, traditional window blinds/coverings will not work as velux windows are on a horizontal slant, close to 45%. Because of this if you tried installing a regular blind it would just hang vertical and be completely useless. Luckily VELUX has brought out their own range of blinds – VELUX Window Blinds.

VELUX Window Blinds are specially created by VELUX themselves to work with their windows, this means you are guranteed a high quality, lasting product. They also have a huge choice of blind types and fabrics available, including the always popular pleated and roller ranges.

Now, if you are looking at your skylight window and thinking: “How the hell am I going to reach that, let alone operate a blind” then luckily I can tell you VELUX have already thought of this. There are currently two options: a long reach pole or a remote control blind option. Both ways do a very good job but the remote control option is slightly more expensive but is easier to use, it even features a solar powered battery so you won’t have to worry about wiring or replacing batteries.

One of the great things about VELUX blinds is that you won’t need to measure the windows, VELUX windows have a plate on them which contains a code, that code can then be used to find a blind that fits your window.

Unfortunately VELUX blinds can be quite expensive, especially if you have a large window. In fact if you go to VELUX direct the prices will be shocking, fortunately VELUX Window blinds are available through official velux suppliers such as Web Blinds for far lower prices.

Blinds made easy are a blinds manufacture and supplier based in Bolton, first founded in 1982, over 26 years ago, they now employ a staff of over 20 people. Many of the staff have been with the company since the beginning which shows great employee retention. Between the staff they have accumulated over 300 years joint experience.

Their factory is positioned at the end of the M60, from the look of it they only offer to supply blinds rather than offer a survey and install service. Although if you are local you could ring up and enquire.

Guarantee

One of the first thing that strikes me when I visit the Blinds Made Easy website is the massive five year guarantee. Most suppliers offer a twelve month or two year guarantee so when I saw the five year guarantee notice I was inclined to click it for further information.

Blinds Made Easy promise to create your blind correctly the first time or they will repair or replace it without any argument. The five year guarantee protects you against mechanical fault or excessive shading, the company claim they can offer this due to high quality material suppliers and excellently trained members of staff.

Upon further inspection I was slightly confused because when you click on wooden blinds you are only offered a one year guarantee, and it isn’t clear as to why, instead it just sends you to the five year gurantee page.

Delivery

On most blind types the delivery is rather reasonable, most venetian blinds are dispatched in 3 working days which is a decent turn around time. The real shock came when I went to the roman blinds section, the delivery time is around 3 weeks! I can’t understand why they take this long to produce when other retailers can do it in around 5 working days.

The delivery charge is a standard £4.95 for orders within the UK, there is no mention of free delivery for orders over £x amount.

Order Tracking

A unique selling point of the Blinds Made Easy website is that they offer an easy to use order tracking system, which is something I haven’t seen before. You simply enter your Name, Reference number and postcode and it presents you with the information from City Link, the delivery company. This can be very useful as it saves you time phoning them.

Opening Times

The hours in which you can ring up or email are great. Instead of the standard, yet inconvenient Monday to Friday, 9 til 5, they offer a lot more. You can ring up any time between 9am and 9pm on a weekday, or 11:30am to 4:30pm on a Saturday.

Product Range

In terms of blind types they don’t offer all the different types that are available, for example they don’t have any pleated blinds on the website. Within the types they do offer they seem to have a solid collection of colours and styles. The colours seem very modern and are nicely grouped into styles.

Contact

Website: Blinds Made Easy

Email: info@blindsmadeeasy.co.uk

Phone: 01204 854112

The Hillary’s website leaves a huge gap in the fact that it doesn’t not sell any products online, so you can’t buy them and fit them yourself. The Web-Blinds site fills this gap by offering just supply only blinds, and at much reduced rates too!

In case you do decide to measure your window yourself, buy from Web Blinds and install the blinds yourself they have a series of instructions to guide you through the process.

Blind Types

Web Blinds’s offer pretty much every blind type available in every colour available, just as Hillary’s do, one product they offer which Hillary’s don’t is the cheap ready made blinds which may be a valid option for you.

Ready Made Blinds

Ready made blinds offer an inferior look compared to made to measure blinds, but if you are on a tight budget they are a low cost, functional solution. Keep in mind that unless you are DIY minded you will not be able to modify the blinds and you will be stuck with a mis shaped product. Either if you are experienced in DIY one mistake could ruin the blinds and cost you a lot of money, so be wary.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are great for all different purposes, the aluminium collection are perfect for bathrooms and kitchens while the wooden collection offer a natural look which is perfect for bedrooms and living rooms.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are ideal for when you want to keep prying eyes out, the tilt also allows you to control light better roman or roller blinds.

VELUX Blinds

Web-Blinds state that their skylight range is specifically designed to fit VELUX windows, whether this means they are geniunly VELUX blinds or not is unclear, however I presume they aren’t. If you are unsure it is always best to contact the supplier.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are a great alternative to curtains, also they are available at reduced prices if you choose the unlined option, blackout lining is available at an extra cost too.

Woodweave Blinds

Woodweave blinds offer a unique look which blends in with most decor, web-blinds also claim there woodweave blinds are made from renewable materials which is a plus.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds are most popular for use in conservatories, their versatility allows them to be tailored for awkward shaped windows. They are also exceptionally good at reducing solar glare and the damaging effects of the sun.

Service

Web-blinds only supply the blinds, if you are looking for a full service you will need to visit their sister site Hillary’s.

Other Products

Design Your Own Blind

If a standard blind is not stylish enough for you then Web-Blinds offer a digital printing service which allows you to choose an image from their gallary or upload your own and have it printed on a roller blind

Replacement Louvres

A great way to jazz up your room without purchasing new blinds is to only purchase new louvres, this allows you to have all the advantages of a new blind at a much lower price! Louvres start at around £3 each.

Contact

Website: Web-Blinds

Contact: Contact Us Page

Phone: 0800 169 3938

Swift Blinds are a blinds company that offer something more than the others, not only do they manufacture supply and install blinds, they also specialise in curtains.

Based in Huddersfield, Swift Blinds work from their huge showroom which boasts over 2000 sq ft of space. Local domestic customers are free to visit their showroom and view their huge range of product types and styles.

Swift Blinds do not only work with domestic customers, they are also suppliers to nationwide trade customers who they supply to on a day to day basis. With the help of 50 employees they manufacture the products in their two local factories.

Blind Types

Roman

Roman blinds are made from one single piece of fabric that when un-needed is folded up at the top of your window, and when is use folds out to cover the window.

Venetian

Venetian Blinds are an extremely versatile product, with colours and materials suitable for nearly all applications. Venetian blinds are usually made from aluminium.

Vertical

Originally used in office environments, vertical blinds have made their way into the home as well. It’s not surprising either, with the huge range of options available.

Wood

Real wood blinds are usually in the premium ranges, they are normally the Venetian blind type. Many different wood colours are available such as oak, teak and driftwood. Woven wood blinds are sometimes an option too.

Pleated

Pleated blinds are most popular for use in conservatories, although they are also an affordable solution for around the house. They use a zig zag shape which adds a unique finishing touch to any room.

VELUX

VELUX is the leading manufacture of roof and skylight windows, luckily there is an array of blinds available specifically for VELUX windows, so you should have no problem finding a blind to match your room.

Conservatory

Conservatory blinds are the perfect finishing touch to what can be a very expensive addition to your home, the conservatory. Most conservatories require special blind types due to the plethora of different shapes and sizes of windows.

Luxaflex

Luxaflex blinds are known in the industry as being the leader in high quality blinds, they specialise in Venetian, vertical and roller blinds.

Commercial Blinds

As well as offering the above blind types for domestic purposes, they also have special ranges for commercial clients. Such as flame retardant fabrics and glare control ranges.

Other Products

Curtains

Swift Blinds offer a range of curtains, polls and tracks. They also offer accessories if required.

Paint and Wallpaper

As with most of their products there isn’t much information on the website about their wallpaper or paint, so if you are interested you will have to enquire.

Contact

Website: Swift Blinds

Email: info@swiftblinds-curtains.co.uk

Phone: 0800 5427767

Instead Hillary’s sell blinds online through their sister sites, blinds-supermarket and web-blinds. Why they have multiple sites I will never know, added confusion for us?

Undoubtedly the biggest retailer and manufacturer of blinds, Hillary’s began in 1971 and since then they have expanded into the huge company they are now. Boasting a turnover of excess of £90,000,000 and manufacturing nearly 30,000 blinds per week, Hillary’s have truly secured their place at the top.

Hillary’s Blinds do not only work with domestic customers, they also recently opened up their contract division which aims to fulfil the needs of commercial customers.

Blind Types

Choose from various styles of window blinds that match your style and enhance the look of the whole room.

Hillary’s offer pretty much every blind type available in every colour available, including their special ‘blind of the month’ where they feature one blind type a month.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are the ultimate in luxury, they are available in a range to suit all budgets and tastes. They are ideal for bedrooms because of their soft effect.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian Blinds offer the sleek, cool look you have always dreamed of. They are perfect for creating a modern effect.

Vertical Blinds

With over 200 fabrics choices you will probably end up having a hard to choosing which one to go with! Fabrics range in properties greatly, from fire retardant to pvc.

Wood Blinds

If you are looking to compliment your wooden flooring then wooden blinds are a god send. They provide a natural class effect that will never go out of style.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds are most popular for use in conservatories, their pure simplicity makes them a great option for any room though. Another feature of pleated blinds is their ability to keep excess heat out.

VELUX Blinds

VELUX is the leading manufacture of roof and skylight windows, luckily there is an array of blinds available specifically for VELUX windows, over 150 in fact.

Conservatory Blinds

I would go as far as saying Hilary’s specialise in conservatory blinds, or at least they put a lot of emphasis on it on their website. No matter what shape or size they will be able to manufacture a blind to suit.

Commercial Blinds

As well as offering the above blind types for domestic purposes, they also have special ranges for commercial clients. Such as flame retardant fabrics and solar control ranges.

Service

Hillary’s offer a full free service, which includes advice from the first contact, all the way through to quoting and fitting the blinds you purchase from them.

Hillary’s are said to offer some of the best customer service available, although they will definitely charge more than the 3 for £99 sole traders you see around.

Other Products

Shutters

Fitting in with the theme of window coverings, Hillary’s also offer wooden shutters. Shutters are very similar to blinds as they can be adjusted to allow more or less light into the room.

Awnings

You don’t like being dazzled by the sun when your inside, so why should you suffer when your sat out in your garden? Awnings provide the perfect shading solution outdoors.

Contact

Website: Hillary’s

Contact: Arrange an apointment

Phone: 0800 916 6524