Though stores like Lowes and Home Depot carry window coverings from major manufacturers, they usually carry the lower end of the product line. “That means lower-quality materials and a smaller selection,” says Rebecca San Diego of Rebarts Interiors. “To use clothing stores as an example, think about Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. The same company owns them all, but they’re in different categories. Banana Republic is the high end, Old Navy is the low end and Gap is in the middle. All three are good, but only one has the quality of Banana Republic,” she explains.
Moreover, she says, large home improvement stores often limit you to a relatively meager selection of colors, styles and materials. There’s also the question of expertise. Having no other priorities or distractions, a window covering company is likely to offer a level of skill and experience that a big-box store like Home Depot can rarely match. “Home Depot employees might have difficulty answering anything but the most basic technical questions, forcing you to deal directly with the manufacturer,” says Ms. San Diego.
Ms. San Diego recommends you choose a window covering company that sells products from—and is backed by—a major manufacturer. Free installation should be part of your window covering package, she says. She also warns about operators who tack on added fees or devise ways to pad their fees—for example, charging by the window.
