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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BRAND NAMES FOR
YOUR WINDOW COVERING S

AUTOMATIC BLINDS, CALGARY, COCHRANE, CONSULTATIONS, CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY,
GRABER, HUNTER DOUGLAS, MAXXMAR, MOTORIZED BLINDS, POWERVIEW, REMOTE CONTROL BLINDS, SPECIALTY BLINDS,

WINDOW COVERINGS

By Kirstin Sundgaard, B.A., CID

Today’s consumers have many options when it comes to choosing a similar commodity; such as a
Lexus or Kia in the automotive industry, Nike or New Balance for running shoes, or Levi’s or
Guess for jeans.  Your window coverings, such as blinds, shades, drapes and shutters, are much
the same, whether it be Hunter Douglas or Graber. They may seem similar at 몭rst glance, but
there are signi몭cant di몭erences in features, selection and price.

Just as a clothing boutique provides a certain style or branding, so does a window covering
specialist. However, we do not purchase window coverings as often as a favourite seasonal
blouse. So, when we do make this purchase, it is important to understand or work with someone
who can properly advise you of your best options for your window coverings.

As a local Cochrane & Calgary window covering dealer, I have speci몭cally chosen several
manufacturers with whom I work closely. This provides my clientele with the right product and
features for their shades and blinds.  Your custom window coverings are an investment and it is
important to me, as a dealer and consultant, to help you make your purchase with con몭dence
and trust.  Providing this approach is crucial for me, so I can best understand your needs and
price point. This allows me to guide you in the right direction for your needs.

Hunter Douglas, Graber & Maxxma r

I have several manufacturers at my 몭ngertips – Hunter Douglas, Graber and Maxxmar – all of
which provide you with excellent quality, warranty and variety of products.  Although they have
similar products such as cellular, roller shades and shutters, what are the di몭erences and how do

similar products such as cellular, roller shades and shutters, what are the di몭erences and how do
you, as a consumer know which brand or mixture of brands to install in your home?
Let’s consider some of our options.

Hunter Douglas Silhouette® & Alternatives

You are interested in a Hunter Douglas Silhouette®; however, you are unsure of the di몭erences
and if your budget allows for this gorgeous product.  You love their beautiful S-curves and the
sheer option that di몭uses the light so beautifully and understand that many other manufacturers
have look-a-likes.

The Hunter Douglas Silhouette has a gorgeous fabric with a large 4” vane.  This is your 몭rst home
and not sure what other expenses may arise, so we discuss considering your other options. 
Maxxmar and Graber also have a similar product line and you 몭nd that Graber has a vane size
very close to Hunter Douglas’s and a fabric that is acceptable.
However, we have compared the fabric gaps on the side for this manufacturer and you are
hesitant given the large bay window streetside and possibility of lack of coverage at a sharp angle
to the street. Maxxmar now comes into play as there is a tighter fabric gap on the side but the
larger vane size is not an option.
After comparing sample pricing for one window, you decide to have the gorgeous Hunter Douglas

Silhouette® in the large Bay window and then ponder which manufacturer – either Graber or
Maxxmar to install in the other rooms.  You now have met your budget and have exactly what
you were wanting in the room that you use the most!  It is a perfect compromise for your 몭rst
home.

Roller Shades

Perhaps your style is more modern; very streamlined and contemporary. Furthermore, you are
looking to achieve a clean product that is virtually maintenance free. Roller Shades seem to suit
what you are looking for perfectly.

You 몭nd that roller shades are available everywhere, so what are the di몭erences?

You have found a fabric that you love in the Graber Roller Shades collection, however you were
hoping for a very square cassette to house the roller and this one is slightly rounded.  You could
live with it as the fabric is perfect, but you are curious about other options.

All the manufactures have the 몭at fascia, but you want something fabric covered. In this case, we
look at Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades and you 몭nd their square cassette more
appealing.  The wide selection of fabrics allows you to 몭nd one that is suitable. However, one
large window needs to be split into two rollers at the screen because the fabric is not wide
enough and Graber’s fabric will work as one unit.

PowerView® & UltraGlide® Motorization

You also love the idea that Graber has a motorized wand for the windows that are a bit too high
to reach for the cordless option.  Hunter Douglas’ selection would have to be fully motorized with
PowerView® or with the UltraGlide®. You want to make sure to keep it simple for the various
users raising the shades.    You opt for the slightly rounded cassette with the smart motorized
wand in the Graber collection.

Honeycomb & Cellular Shades

Do you prefer a more insulative product like the Honeycomb / cellular style?  Once again, these
are a very popular product line due to their insulative values, room darkening capabilities and
cordless options.    We discuss the di몭erences in all three manufacturers and 몭nd that they are
very similar.

UltraGlide®

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Hunter Douglas has the UltraGlide® Retractable Blinds system, which solves the issue of the
higher windows without motorization. But Graber and Maxxmar both have motorized wand
options. You are looking for consistency in your home and wanting the same fabric and
manufacturer. However, you are willing to mix up the operating systems according to the best
function in each particular room.  You decide to go with the fabric that you like the best. This
makes your decision easy, since you found one that you like and everything else falls into place!

Prefer Unique Look & Function?

There are a few products that do not have look-a-likes. So, if you love the look and function of this
product then the decision is made for you. For example, three products like this are the Hunter
Douglas Pirouette®, the Hunter Douglas Sonnette® and the Hunter Douglas Solera®.

The Pirouette® is a modern take on the traditional roman shade on a roller tube. It has a sheer
option when the pirouettes are in their open position.  The Pirouette is a popular choice to make
a bolder statement in a contemporary or transitional space.

The Solera® is a larger pleated honeycomb style shade that stacks at the top of the window. It
has layered folds that creates a valance look for your window.

The Sonnette® is an insulating roller shade that o ers an excellent price point for an
insulating product line. It also o ers lots of operating mechanism options. These are
proprietary products from Hunter Douglas. So, if this is the function and style you are
looking for, the option just comes down to which fabric you love the best!

In Summary

Your Cochrane and Calgary area home is an extension of your personal style; we want our homes
to be peaceful and beautiful spaces for our hectic lives to unwind in.  Window coverings certainly
play a role in personalizing our windows.
With so many di erent products, styles and manufacturers, it is important to understand
what the di erences are. But the best part is that you do not need to do all this research
– it is overwhelming and daunting.  Call in a window covering professional whose job it is to know
these di erences. They can help provide all of the insight needed for your window coverings
project.
Contact Kirstin at Blind Infusion today for all of your custom window covering needs in the
Cochrane and Calgary area. From initial consultation, product selection and professional
installation, we are dedicated to providing outstanding selection and value.

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

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