Ever hear the term “cut down window blinds” or “ready made blind”? Well those types of blinds are similar and sometimes confused with each other. Let’s face it, not all of us are window treatment experts and that’s completely understandable. They are technically the same but I’ll explain the difference. A ready made blind is generally a blind made to a common size. For example, 36” x  36 ”. This is the most cost effective blind out there.

A cut down blind is a ready made blind cut down to a specific size like 36” x 24 ½” . Since the slats are cut, the ends are usually not treated with anything so the durability suffers .They are a little more costly but in reality the same product. You are basically paying the retailer for labor.

The biggest Pro of this blind is its cost. Whether you choose ready made or cut down blinds, they will be your most budget friendly option out there. Now that you know its biggest benefit, the biggest negative to this choice is obviously durability. They are prone to warping, swelling, and maybe even rotting. While this type might be a cheap alternative to custom blinds, it can get expensive in the future.

An additional con of this type of window blinds is that you are limited when it comes to colors and stains available. This is a bigger turnoff for some people since they’re only available in standard colors.

Now that I’ve discussed the ready made blind, lets move on to custom made blinds. They really live up to their name since they are made to your exact window measurements. This is especially helpful on windows that are of uncommon dimensions.

Since this type is never cut down, the ends of the slats aren’t exposed and are treated just like the rest of the slat. This makes a huge difference when it comes to durability. This is its main pro. They can last you years if taken care of properly. One set of these can last you two or three times as long as cut down blinds would! This will no doubt make up for some of the price difference. However, my favorite benefit of custom made blinds is that they are available in lots of great colors and stains.

They are made to fit almost any style which allows you to add a personalized touch to your home. This is especially important since most homes aren’t decorated in standard colors. The biggest negative to this style is however, its price. They are generally twice the price of ready made blinds. This difference as mentioned early can be made up with its durability and style.  So now that I’ve outlined some pro’s and con’s , take some time and decide what style is best for you! For more window treatment ideas follow us.