What custom blinds actually cost in Canada. Starting prices by blind type, what pushes the final number up, and how to get the best value on window treatments.
The real cost of custom blinds in Canada
"How much do blinds cost?" is the first question most homeowners ask, and the hardest to answer in one sentence. The price depends on window size, product type, fabric, operating mechanism, and how they're installed. Two windows in the same house can be a few hundred dollars apart.
So here's how we'll handle it. Below are the starting points for each product, meaning what a straightforward window in a standard fabric begins at. Where you land above that comes down to the variables in the next section, and the only honest way to get your number is a free in-home measure. What we won't do is publish a tidy range and then quote you something different at the door.
These starting points reflect the Canadian market as we see it across the Greater Toronto Area, from a company that buys factory direct. They aren't the inflated MSRP from a big box store, and they aren't the suspiciously low numbers from online-only sellers who leave the measuring and installing to you.
Starting prices by blind type (per window)
A standard window here is roughly 36" x 48", a common GTA size. Larger windows use more fabric and cost more.
Roller blinds
The most affordable custom option: from $80 per window.
Roller blinds give you the best value if you want a clean, modern look without a large investment. Blackout and solar screen fabrics sit above the entry price, since a coated or woven performance fabric costs more to make than a plain one.
Vertical blinds
From $100 per window. Priced by width, which keeps them economical on the wide windows and patio doors where most of them end up.
Cellular/honeycomb blinds
From $120 per window. The honeycomb structure costs more to manufacture, and it's the part that does the insulating work through a Canadian winter.
Zebra blinds
From $150 per window. The dual-layer design costs more to build, but you're getting the function of both a sheer and a solid blind in one product.
Custom drapery
From $300 per window. Fabric, lining, and workroom hours all scale with the size of the panel, so drapery climbs further above its starting point than the blinds above do.
Motorization
You can motorize any of the above: from $150 per blind, on top of the blind itself.
Motors run on a radio remote as standard. The optional wifi hub is what adds app control, voice through Alexa or Google, and schedules; it starts around $50 and one hub covers a group of blinds rather than one per window.
Battery motors are the norm for residential work. They recharge over USB-C, run roughly 8-12 months per charge, and need no electrician. Hardwired motors are reserved for new construction or major renovations.
Factors that affect your final price
1. Window size
This is the biggest price driver. Custom blinds are priced by square footage of fabric. A floor-to-ceiling condo window (say, 48" x 96") uses roughly twice the fabric of a standard window and costs proportionally more.
GTA-specific note: Toronto condos with floor-to-ceiling glass cost noticeably more per window than a standard suburban window, on size alone, before you've chosen a single fabric.
2. Fabric selection
Within each blind type, fabric is what creates the widest spread. Roughly in order:
3. Operating mechanism
4. Mounting hardware
5. Number of windows
Whole-home orders are priced better per window than a window here and a window there. We don't publish a discount ladder because the number depends on the mix of products and sizes, so ask when you book the measure.
Either way, this is one of the strongest arguments for doing your whole home at once rather than room by room.
6. Installation
We always recommend professional installation. Improper installation can void the warranty and lead to operational problems.
What about the whole house?
We get asked for a whole-home number constantly, and we've stopped publishing one. Multiplying a made-up average by your window count produces a figure that's wrong for almost everybody: a 4-bedroom detached with two-storey foyer glass and a 4-bedroom with standard bedroom windows are not the same job.
The useful way to think about it is per window, working from the starting points above. A one-bedroom condo doing zebra blinds throughout starts from $150 a window and rises with the size of the glass. Add motorization only where you'll feel it and you've added from $150 to those specific windows, not to all of them.
Then book the free in-home measure. We count the windows, measure them, price the actual fabrics you picked, and hand you one number with measurement and installation already in it.
Where to buy: comparing your options
Big box retailers (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.)
Pros: Convenient, can see some samples in person, occasional sales
Cons: Limited custom sizing, generic fabric options, installation usually extra, staff not specialized in window treatments
Online-only retailers
Pros: Often lowest upfront price, convenient ordering
Cons: No samples in your space, measuring errors are your problem, quality inconsistent, returns expensive, no local installation support
Custom blind specialists (like Blinds Planet)
Pros: Expert advice, free in-home consultation with samples, professional measurement, factory-direct pricing, installation included, warranty support, local service
Cons: Requires scheduling a consultation appointment
The real price comparison
The sticker price from a custom specialist often looks higher than online retailers. But factor in:
The total cost ends up being comparable, with much better results.
Tips for getting the best value
1. Do your whole home at once
Whole-home orders are priced better per window, and it adds up fast. You also get consistent appearance and matching fabrics throughout, which is hard to recover if you buy room by room over three years.
2. Mix product types by room
You don't need premium zebra blinds in every room. Try:
3. Take advantage of seasonal sales
Most custom blind companies run promotions during:
4. Ask about factory direct pricing
Companies that source directly from manufacturers (rather than through distributors) can offer 20-40% savings. Blinds Planet operates on a factory-direct model.
5. Get multiple quotes
Get at least two or three quotes from different suppliers. Compare not just price, but what's included (measurement, installation, warranty, fabric quality).
What about "free blinds" offers?
You've probably seen ads for "free blinds" or "buy 2 get 1 free." Here's how those usually work:
Promotions aren't inherently bad, but always compare the total out-the-door price, not just the headline.
Getting your quote from Blinds Planet
Our pricing is transparent and straightforward:
The quote you receive is the price you pay. No surprises at installation.
Contact us at (416) 890-4554 or request a free quote online. We'll schedule a consultation, bring relevant samples, and provide a detailed quote for your specific windows.
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About the Author
Sarah Mitchell
Window Treatment Specialist
Sarah Mitchell is a window treatment specialist with over 30 years of experience in the window coverings industry. As part of the Blinds Planet family legacy since 1992, she helps homeowners select, customize, and install the perfect blinds for their spaces.
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