The Cost Of Replacing Window Coverings

For the average window covering replacement in 2023, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to upwards of $1,150 per window.

If you’re looking to replace your blinds and want the least expensive option, you can buy new coverings at a hardware store for less than $100.

For fully custom and professionally-installed window coverings, your starting cost will be closer to $150 per window but can get over $1,000, depending on the treatment type.

What Factors Affect The Cost Of New Window Coverings?

To accurately estimate the cost of your new coverings, you must consider the treatment type, material, opacity, window size, lifting mechanism and added customizations.

1. Type

The type is the biggest component that affects the cost of your new window coverings.

The most popular type of window coverings are blinds, shades, shutters and drapes, which all range in cost.

These price ranges are for a standard 35” x 72” window size.

How Much Do Blinds Cost?

The average starting cost of blinds is $100 - $200 per window. This ranges from aluminum blinds to vertical blinds.

Blinds are one of the most basic types of window coverings. They are typically made of aluminum, faux wood, wood and composite materials.

How Much Do Shades Cost?

The average starting cost of shades is $150 - $900 per window. This ranges from the solar shade style to banded shades.

Shades can provide a more elevated look than blinds for your window treatments, but they are still affordable. Shades can come in many styles and materials, like Roman, roller and cellular.

How Much Do Shutters Cost?

The average starting cost for shutters is $500 - $800 per window. This ranges from painted poly shutters to stained wood shutters.

Shutters are an extremely versatile window covering option, allowing you to have a simple and classic look or a Mediterranean-style interior.

How Much Do Draperies Cost?

The starting cost for drapes is $600 - $1,000 per window. This ranges from the lowest custom drapery option to pirouette-style drapes.

Drapes are the most expensive type of window covering. They provide elegance and chicness that blinds, shades and shutters can’t compete with, which reflects in their pricing.

As you see, window treatments have a wide range in pricing depending on their style. So, depending on your budget and goals for your new window coverings, choosing the right type will heavily impact the overall cost.

2. Material

After looking at the ranging costs for different window covering types, the next thing you should consider is the material.

Blinds, shades, shutters and drapes can all be made in a variety of materials that affect their cost.

Most types can be made of composite, faux wood, poly and real wood materials, to name a few. Draperies range in the quality of fabrics they can be made of, which will directly affect the cost.

Like most remodeling materials, the higher the quality, the more it will cost.

So, if you are looking for a high-quality window covering that will last in your home, it will cost more. But, if you want a short-term solution to fixing your coverings, a lower-quality material will cost less.

3. Opacity

The next factor that will affect the cost of your shades and draperies is opacity. But blinds and shutters are made of solid slats that open and close, so they do not have varying opacities.

The opacity of a shade, screen or drapery refers to how see-through it is. This determines how much sunlight is able to come into your home and the visibility of your covering.

The opacity also helps with sound control and insulation of your home.

The higher the opacity on a window covering, the more shade it provides and the harder it is to see through.

The highest opacity option for a window covering is a blackout version that does not allow any light to penetrate through the covering at all. This would be the most expensive option for opacity.

Think of opacity like thickness. The thicker the shade or drape, the more the material will cost, and the more your window covering will cost.

4. Size

Another large factor that affects the cost of your  treatment is the size of the window and the specifics of the shades.

Window Size

Just like with replacement windows, the bigger the window, the more your window coverings will cost you.

Your window coverings will cost more as the window size increases because more materials are needed to cover a larger window than a smaller window.

Window Covering Sizes

The size of your window coverings can also affect the cost.

For example, the slats of blinds can be made of varying widths. The wider the slat, the more your blinds will cost. The same goes for shutters and cellular shades.

5. Lifting Mechanism 

The lifting mechanism on a window covering refers to how you can open and close the covering. Window coverings mechanisms can be manual or automated.

Manual Lifting Mechanisms

This is the most common type of lifting mechanism and is the standard option on all window treatments.

On blinds, you have a tilt wand that allows you to open and close the slats. On blinds and shades, there is a cord that allows the entire window covering system to open and close, fully revealing the window.

Cordless lifting mechanisms are another type of manual lifting system. This type of lifting treatment allows you to lift and pull down the window covering smoothly by hand. These are recommended for homes with children and pets and add to the cost of your window treatment.

Automated Lifting Mechanisms

Automated lifting mechanisms can be added to almost any type of window covering. Whether you want to add it to your blinds, drapes or shades, an automatic lifting mechanism will allow you to open and close your coverings with just the click of a button.

Adding automation to your window coverings can start at around $300 for the system, on top of the cost of installing automation on each covering.

Automated lifting mechanisms are a great option for window coverings on tall windows, where young children can reach, or for homeowners who want to operate multiple windows treatments at once.

If you are interested in this accessory for your window coverings, remember it will add to the overall cost of your project.

5. Customizations

With any home improvement project, the final thing you must factor into your cost is any added customizations.

Window coverings allow you to let your inner designer out and create the perfect shading to reflect your style.

Some examples of things you can customize on window treatments  include:

• Overall material
• Slat size
• Color
• Lifting style and mechanism
• Solar screen additions
• Shading and drapery material 
• Shutter finish

It’s important to remember that every customization comes with a cost.

If you want to create custom window coverings to fit your home perfectly, remember to set aside room in your budget to do so.

Having Realistic Expectations For Your Window Coverings

Now that you know how much window coverings cost in San Antonio and what factors affect the cost, you can have realistic expectations for your window covering project and outline the right goals.

Upgrading your window coverings is a great way to elevate your home’s interior and improve its energy efficiency and privacy. 

New window coverings can cost anywhere from $100 to upwards of $1,000 per window in 2023. When outlining your budget for your new window coverings, remember these six factors most affect the cost:

1. The window covering type
2. Material
3. Opacity
4. Size
5. Lifting mechanism
6. Customizations

To ensure you have a successful window treatment project, you must outline your goals and your budget to have realistic expectations for the cost, quality and outcome of your new window coverings.

Ready To Upgrade Your Window Coverings With A Trustworthy Company?

Under Southwest Exteriors, Blinded by Delight has installed high-quality window treatments from Hunter Douglas since 2004.

We offer all types and styles of blinds, shades, shutters and draperies to fit any style. Along with our expert installation, your new blinds will elevate and protect your home — and last!

Ready to upgrade your window coverings? Schedule your commitment-free consultation today to get the look you love coming home to!