Solar shades

There are only a few major brands, so figure out what exactly you want and then see who does them in your area. It is two stage process, they come in to measure and then install. It is very basic, so anyone can do. Usually you get a free consultation, but they will try and pressure sell you immediately after, so know what you want and know what you should pay. Higher end place: http://www.horizonyc.com You can also just use shade store for cheaper options and less service.

Do you know exactly what you want? Or do you need some design input? If you know what you want: palette, percent openness of the material, etc, then try Budget Blinds Manhattan (if you're in Manhattan... they're a franchise). I'm working with them now for 10 windows. They send an installer to measure and help you make selections... definitely not a designer. Final install doesn't happen until next week but they've been good so far. I had them install temporary Redi-shades while we've been waiting for the order to come in. Their quote came in lower for the same exact products.

If you need design help then I'd try Metropolitan Window Fashions. They'll send a designer who will help guide through all the product choices: valance or no valance, cassette headrail, etc. Slightly more expensive but probably worth it if you need some guidance.

I used the Shade Store. They have many shades/colors and variations on solar shades. I measures myself (checking and rechecking) and placed the order in one of the NYC stores although I could have done it online. They have samples in store and if you order samples online, they USPS Priority mIl them to you. I wanted something lightish color, with medium amount of balance between blocking light and giving privacy. Not cheap but I love my solar shades.

I just went to Budget Blinds in NYC. They brought samples to show the various types of solar shades since you have to determine how much light you want to block out in each room. Fortunately, they had installed solar shades in other apartments on my side of the building so they could help me pinpoint what would suit my needs. I had seen those apartments, not realizing Budget Blinds did the job. They had installed various valance/headrail options, so I knew what I did and did not want. Although the installer is not a designer, he is meticulous about his measurements and installation.

I used them for regular blinds in my last apartment. They were up for 9 years when I left and looked as good as new.

PS: They make their own blinds and shades in Minnesota to keep the costs down. You can see the factory in an episode of "Undercover Boss". They cover the tri-state area.

I've used Hunter Douglas (through Janovic Plaza). We also tried a local manufacturer called Eli (also through Janovic) but they messed up our order and wouldn't make things right so I would not recommend using them. We do like the Hunter Douglas stuff, though keep in mind many of the sun shades are made of vinyl so there can be a smell for a while (like a new shower curtain) that needs time to off-gas.

I find that 3% to 5% openness seems to work well to keep out the glare while still allowing you to see outside. If you don't get direct sun you could also try a 10%, which is less opaque.

serenashades.com: measure yourself, they mail it to you. Free return with full refund if you are not happy. RF or Ir remote control.

Much thanks everyone!

A salesman from Janovic insisted the style of blinds I wanted could not be used with my windows. When I pointed out other apartments in my building with the blinds I wanted, easily seen from my windows, he became rude and abusive. Apparently what he wanted to sell me was double the cost of what I wanted. I asked him to leave and called Janovic immediately. Since they were indifferent, I had other companies come out to my apartment for quotes. None of them suggested the blinds that the Janovic salesman recommended. That's how I found Budget Blinds.

The reason I didn't measure and install the blinds/shades myself was that they had to be installed into a cement and metal pillar over the window. I didn't have the tools or skills for this type of installation.

I've used the Shade Store here in NYC. They were great. Had samples of everything. A little pricey but worth it.

Scratch Budget Blinds. I will never do business with them again.

I ordered the shades on 11/25/13, paying most of the bill up front. I was told it would take 3 to 4 weeks to receive the order and have been corresponding with the owner of the franchise repeatedly since 12/23 since the order did not arrive. I have been given all sorts of time frames for installation that have all passed. Last week, I was told that they had just shipped and that they were checking the tracking information to set up an installation date. On 1/14 I received a package of shades from Springs Window Fashions, so I contacted the owner again to find out if these were my Budget Blinds' shades. She said that she's sold the franchise and that her installer works 2 days per week for her now finishing up her orders. He can't install the shades until 1/28 the earliest. She has not responded about who will be accountable if they were not manufactured properly, etc. I contacted Budget Blinds headquarters and they said they're not responsible since they just sell franchises.

jelj: sorry to hear about your experience. Which franchise was it? It's the exact opposite experience I had with the Manhattan franchise. We placed our order on 12/10 for 10 shades with an eta of 5 weeks. They came 2 weeks later to install temporary Redi-shades and the real shades came in the mail last week. We had final installation this Tuesday. The installer, Stephen, is great and the installation went very smoothly. They've always been very responsive via email (not so much by phone), and they've always been punctual. Stephen has been by 3 times: to measure, to put up the redi-shades, and final install, and rather than giving me a window of time where I would have to wait around, he just called me when he was finishing up his last appointment and had me meet him at the apartment. He ended up having to wait for me to arrive. He was always very pleasant and knowledgeable. Each Budget Blinds is a franchise, and the installers are sub-contractors and so I'm not surprised there's a huge range in quality of service. I hope your order/install gets worked out asap!

Budget Blinds Headquarters emailed me saying they would try to resolve the problem. The shades are being installed on Monday.

Steve installed blinds for me about 10 years ago and I was delighted to see that he did the measuring and recommendations for the solar shades. Unfortunately, he only works for them on Mondays and Tuesdays now. the

I need these shades ASAP since we do consulting work from our home necessitating long hours on the computer. We had blinds on the windows, but contractors tossed them by mistake after they took them down. We figured we only had a week or so of inconvenience.

Think about this. We ordered our shades 15 days before you and received them at the same time we did. However, your installation was done before us. I was stalled and stalled and stalled on responses to my emails and phone calls. Makes me even madder. We were going to have blinds and shades installed at my daughter's apartment. NOT WITH BUDGET BLINDS.

I believe aboutready's husband had a good experience with solar shades.

Steve from Budget Blinds installed the shades today. It took 3 hours since the pillars over my windows are bowed. Top notch job! They're given me a discount for the inconvenience.

remove your foot from your mouth?

Jelj13, never mind fieldschester/huntersburg, and thank you for updating us. It looks like a good place to buy blinds.

It is, it isn't. Flutistic, thanks for interpreting.

Still wouldn't buy from Budget Blinds again. The only reason my installation was bumped up and I received the discount was that I called their headquarters and complained. I did business with them again because Steve was still working for them. Since my windows are not "true", I knew the measurements and installation would be tricky. Otherwise, I could have just ordered online.

I'm confused

I had both Horizon Window Treatments on 24th and NY City Blinds on 78th price out the solar shades for my windows. Their quotes were virtually the same, however Horizon wanted 1/2 down before they came out to measure. I went with NY City Blinds because they did not require money down prior to measuring. They showed up when they said they would and I have no complaints with the final product.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Frank Demattia. I purchased Budget Blinds of NYC from the original owner. I have been in the business for over 10 years as my father owns Budget Blinds of Queens. I am young and have new design ideas. I love designing and I have a passion of making sure the customer is ecstatic. We kept Steven as installer because he is fantastic!

I apologize for the bad experience during the transition! But things will be different under my watch!

Thanks!
Frank Demattia

Hello,
Just received solar shades for one window in my apartment-- a test run!!
Purchased online-- great price.
Can anyone recommend someone to hang it at a resonable cost. I thought
I would be able to hang it myself after viewing several online video. However,
this arrived without screws or instructions...
-- Jason can you give me Stephen's contact?-- you seem very pleased with his
service

Jem, you just screw the hardware into ceiling and then they click in. You just need to figure out what you're screwing into so it can support weight. Is a five minute job.

Bro. you can watch the guidelines in the various video to install it properly. However, you can also get help Inside mount shades are straddling within the window frame and will require a minimum depth for proper installation. Outside mount shades can be mounted at varying widths and heights above and outside the window frame depending upon the look you require.
https://paperwindowshades.com/