Made to measure vs ready-made blinds: The real cost difference

The assumption that ready-made blinds are always the cheaper option is one worth challenging. When you factor in waste, fitting time, material quality and longevity, made to measure blinds regularly prove the better choice, and the better value.

At Saxon Blinds, we’ve manufactured and installed bespoke custom blinds since 2000. Our range of made to measure window coverings spans roller blinds, venetian blinds, vertical blinds, pleated blinds, blackout systems and more, all built to your exact specifications. We offer blinds in standard sizes where appropriate, but for the majority of projects, made to measure is our recommendation.

Made to measure blinds vs ready-made blinds: What’s the difference?

Made to measure blinds

Made to measure blinds are manufactured to your exact window size, shape and specification. Fabric, hardware and operation are chosen for your installation, not a standard shelf size. For commercial buildings where windows are rarely uniform, this matters significantly.

Our made to measure service includes:

• A precise fit for any window, including arches, slopes and extra-wide spans
• A wide variety of materials, including blackout and branded fabrics, all flame-retardant as standard
• Manual, motorised or smart home integration
• Any colour, powder-coated fascias to RAL specification
• A range of styles to suit your aesthetic and functional requirements

Ready-made blinds

Ready-made, or shelf blinds, are produced in standard sizes and sold as a finished product.

For a single standard window in a low-demand setting, they offer a straightforward short-term fix.

The trade-off is fit, material quality and lifespan. In commercial environments with daily use, fire safety requirements and specific light control demands, off-the-shelf window shades rarely hold up.

Should I choose made to measure or ready-made blinds?

Made to measure blinds can sometimes carry a slightly higher upfront price tag, though you shouldn’t be put off by this, as the value is very different in the long run.

Waste, remedial fitting visits, early replacement and lost energy savings all add to the real cost of a poorly fitting blind.

When total cost of ownership is considered, made to measure consistently wins.

Cost: the fuller picture

• Waste: Shelf blinds that don’t match your exact window size need trimming, adapting, returning or replacing
• Fitting time: Poor-fitting blinds take longer to install and may require return visits
• Lifespan: Ready-made blinds use lighter materials and wear out faster than commercial-grade custom solutions
• Energy costs: Research from the University of Salford’s Energy House Labs has found that certain types of blinds, namely roller blinds fitted with zip side channels, can reduce heat transfer by up to 33% through windows

Convenience

Our process is designed to support you at every step of the way:

1. Consultation: We discuss your unique needs and recommend the right solution
2. Bespoke design and quote: Tailored specification and timeline
3. Manufacturing: The majority of our blinds are produced in-house and made-to-measure
4. Delivery and installation: Professional fitting with minimal disruption

Sustainability

For projects requiring a BREEAM or WELL rating, made to measure custom window treatments are essential. Our solar shading systems reduce heat loss through windows by up to 33%, and our range includes recycled and sustainable options. Manufacturing to exact measurements also reduces material waste.

Overall value

Custom window coverings built to your specification, from higher quality materials, with professional installation deliver consistent performance from day one. We back every blind with a five-year warranty as standard, giving you genuine peace of mind.

For large-scale commercial installations

At commercial scale, made to measure is the only practical route. Schools, offices, hospitals and hospitality venues typically require:

• Non-standard window dimensions
• Flame-retardant fabrics
• High-frequency daily use performance
• Specific blackout or light control needs

Off-the-shelf products are often quite generic, made to tick several boxes rather than specialise in your field. That’s why we recommend made-to-measure if this is your area.

Why we always recommend made-to-measure blinds

Across our twenty years-plus of manufacturing and installing shading systems, we’ve always recommended made-to-measure, simply because a blind that fits correctly outperforms one that doesn’t, across every measurable factor.

Key advantages:

• Better light control: A precisely fitted blind gives genuine control over the amount of light entering a space, from full blackout to diffused daylight
• Perfect fit for any window: Arched, sloped, triangular, extra-wide: our expert team manufactures for them all! We’d recommend shaped vertical blinds for this type of application.
• Higher quality materials: Commercial-grade fabrics and hardware built for your installation
• Long-term energy savings: Properly fitted blinds make a material difference to thermal performance and energy costs
• Safe window coverings: Our gear-operated roller blinds are “safe by design” under BS EN13120, eliminating hanging chains and meeting child safety standards
• Aesthetic appeal: From corporate branding to personal style, choosing a made-to-measure blind makes it easy to incorporate branding.

What made to measure blinds are available?

We manufacture a comprehensive range of bespoke custom window treatments. Every product below is built to your exact measurements.

Venetian blinds

Horizontal slat blinds offering precise light control and a clean architectural finish. Available in aluminium, real wood and faux wood blind materials. Operated via manual cord or motorised tilt.

Key benefits: Low maintenance, wide variety of materials, suitable for offices and commercial spaces.

Vertical blinds

Fabric louvres suspended from a top track. They’re consistently found in commercial environments because they’re simple, practical and cost-effective.  a practical, cost-effective solution for large windows and sliding doors.

Key benefits: You can shape the track easily around curved windows or facades. Strong light control, moves from left to right unlike up-and-down solutions.

Pleated blinds

Concertina-fold fabric blinds that compress neatly when open. Effective for roof lights, skylights and complex geometric window shapes. Available in manual or 12V Somfy motorised operation.

Key benefits: Thermal cellular fabric for energy efficiency, suitable for BREEAM specifications, can be manufactured for triangular and pentagonal frames.

Roller blinds

A single fabric panel rolling around a barrel at the top of the window, one of the most widely specified window shades across commercial and domestic projects. Available in blackout, solar and flame-retardant fabrics.

Key benefits: Chain, gear or motorised operation, consistent performance, suitable for schools, offices, hospitality and the comfort of your home. It’s easy to brand, because when fully closed, it’s an uninterrupted area of fabric.

Extra wide roller blinds

Engineered for large-scale glazing. Single units span up to 5 metres wide; coupled systems reach up to 8 metres.

Key benefits: Heavy-duty 52mm-75mm aluminium profiles, Zoomtech zero-deflection barrel technology, compatible with Somfy motorisation.

Digitally printed roller blinds

High-resolution graphics or brand imagery printed onto commercial-grade blind fabric, popular in schools, corporate offices and hospitality venues.

Key benefits: Non-fade fabrics, flame-retardant as standard, manual or motorised operation, fully bespoke to your brief.

Custom vertical blinds

Fully bespoke vertical blind systems for complex commercial installations, including shaped track configurations for non-standard glazing.

Key benefits: Motorised automation for multi-blind control, shaped profiles for curved or angled windows, specified to meet fire safety and light control requirements.

How can blinds from Saxon Blinds be operated?

Manual blinds

Operated via chain, cord, wand or crank handle. Reliable, straightforward and requiring no power supply. Our gear-operated and wand control roller blinds eliminate hanging chains entirely, complying with BS EN13120 child safety standards.

Motorised blinds

Integrated Somfy motors with control via handheld remote or wall switch. Battery-powered options span up to 3.5 metres with no wiring required, ideal additional features for retrofit projects.

Smart blinds

Our smart home integration uses Somfy’s Tahoma Switch platform with wireless RTS and Zigbee 3.0 protocols, allowing all blinds to be controlled from a single app alongside other building services, perfect for smart home projects and automated commercial shading.

Why trust Saxon Blinds for made-to-measure blind supply and installation?

• In-house manufacturing for quality control, faster lead times, tighter specs
• Nationwide installation with a focus on London and the Home Counties, the Midlands, and Northamptonshire
• Accreditations BBSA member, CSCS registered, PASMA Tower Trainer, Enhanced DBS checked
• Somfy partnership, we’re leading experts in blind automation
• Google rating of 4.8 from our real clients, thank you to everyone who has left one!
• Free design consultations, no obligation survey, specification and quote

Our expert team regularly work with facilities managers, architects, main contractors and school estates teams, providing reliable execution from first contact to final installation.

Call us on 01604 603111, email sales@saxonblinds.co.uk or visit Saxon Blinds Ltd, 7 Magee Street, Northampton, NN1 4JT. Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00. Free design consultations available.

Frequently asked questions

Are made to measure blinds always more expensive than ready-made?

Not when total cost is considered. The higher initial cost is offset by better materials, longer lifespan, correct fit and energy savings. Across a commercial project, made to measure custom blinds consistently offer greater value than shelf blinds.

Can you accommodate non-standard window shapes?

Yes. We regularly produce perfect blinds for arched, sloped, triangular and extra-wide windows. If your window falls outside exact specifications, made to measure is the only practical solution.

Do made to measure blinds improve energy efficiency?

Correctly fitted blinds reduce heat transfer by up to 33%, directly lowering energy bills. Our range includes thermal fabrics and solar shading options, a measurable benefit across large commercial buildings with significant glazed areas.

What sectors do Saxon Blinds work with?

We work across schools, offices, public sector buildings, hospitality venues, healthcare facilities and smart home projects, delivering a range of benefits tailored to each environment’s unique needs.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes. We offer free design consultations as standard, covering survey, specification and a full quote with no obligation.