Frequently asked questions about blinds and shades
Straight, answer-first information on choosing, motorizing, measuring, and caring for your window coverings — drawn from what Metro Vancouver homeowners actually ask us. Can't find yours? One call reaches the team that builds and installs your blinds.
Buying custom blinds and shades
Where can I buy custom blinds in Vancouver?
Buy them direct from HT Blinds — Vancouver's factory-direct window coverings manufacturer. We build custom blinds and shades locally and install them with our own crew, so there's no dealer markup and one team is accountable from measure to install.
Is HT Blinds a manufacturer or a reseller?
A manufacturer. We build custom blinds and shades in our own facility and install them with our own crew — we're not a dealer reselling another company's product. That's the factory-direct difference: no middlemen, no markup, no handoffs.
What blinds and shades does HT Blinds make?
We make roller shades, blackout shades, zebra shades, honeycomb shades, sheer horizontals, faux wood blinds, and vertical blinds — all custom-built in Vancouver. Roller shades are our most popular product, and any of them can be motorized.
Can I get made-to-measure custom blinds?
Yes — every product is made to measure. We build to the exact size of your window, so there's no off-the-shelf compromise on fit. Measure yourself with our guide or book a free in-home measure.
Can I order custom blinds online?
Yes — you start your custom order online by requesting a quote with your window sizes, and we build it locally in Vancouver. Prefer a hand? We offer free in-home measurement and installation across Metro Vancouver.
Choosing the right product
Can roller shades be made blackout?
Yes. Roller shades come in blackout fabric for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms, and we size them for a precise fit that minimizes light gaps. Solar and light-filtering fabrics are available for living spaces.
What are zebra shades?
Zebra shades have alternating sheer and solid fabric bands that you shift to move between filtered light and full privacy. They give a modern, layered look and work in living rooms, bedrooms, and offices.
Do blackout shades block all light?
Blackout fabric blocks light through the shade itself, and custom sizing minimizes the gaps at the edges where light sneaks in. For the darkest result, an outside mount or side channels cover the window opening more fully.
Are faux wood blinds good for kitchens and bathrooms?
Yes — faux wood blinds resist warping, cracking, and fading, so they hold up in kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-humidity rooms where real wood can't. They give you the look of wood without the maintenance.
Do faux wood blinds come cordless?
Yes. Faux wood blinds are available cordless for a clean look and child-safe operation. We size every blind to your window for a precise fit.
Are vertical blinds good for sliding doors?
Yes — vertical blinds are the practical choice for sliding doors and wide window walls, stacking neatly to one side for full access. They come in fabric, vinyl, and faux wood vanes.
Are honeycomb and cellular shades the same thing?
Yes — honeycomb shades and cellular shades are two names for the same product. The fabric forms honeycomb-shaped cells that trap air for insulation, which helps with energy efficiency.
Do honeycomb shades help with insulation?
Yes. Honeycomb shades trap air in their cells, adding a layer of insulation that helps keep heat in during winter and out during summer. Double-cell styles insulate more than single-cell.
Motorization and smart shades
What are motorized blinds?
Motorized blinds are window shades that raise, lower, and tilt with a built-in motor instead of a cord — controlled by remote, app, voice, or schedule. HT Smart Shades come in battery, DC, and AC motors and work with Matter, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and Control4. We build them locally in Vancouver and install them with our own crew.
Are motorized blinds quiet?
Yes — our DC motors run near-silent, and battery and AC motors are quiet enough for bedrooms and media rooms. Motor noise is one of the most common concerns we hear, so we match the motor to the room before we build.
Can motorized blinds be added without new wiring?
Yes. Battery-powered HT Smart Shades and Somfy's Zigbee wire-free line install on any existing window with no electrical work — ideal for condos, rentals, and renovations. DC and AC motors are the wired options for new construction and whole-home automation.
Do motorized blinds work with a smart home?
Yes. HT Smart Shades connect to Matter, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Control4, so you can run them by app, by voice, or on a schedule that follows the sun. We match the motor and protocol to your system before we build.
Does HT Blinds carry Somfy shades?
Yes. We're a local manufacturer — we buy Somfy motors direct and build the shade around them, then install and program with our own crew. We carry Somfy's Zigbee wire-free, DC, and AC lineup, plus the established RTS system.
Is HT Blinds a Lutron dealer in Vancouver?
Yes. HT Blinds is an authorized Lutron dealer serving Metro Vancouver. We build custom roller shades on Lutron Sivoia QS Wireless and Sivoia QS drive systems and install them with our own crew.
Measuring, installation, and service areas
Do you measure and install, or can I measure myself?
Both. We offer free in-home measurement and installation by our own crew, or you can measure yourself with our guide and we’ll build to your sizes. Either way, everything is made locally.
Does HT Blinds install the blinds it makes?
Yes — our own crew installs every order, and the same team services it afterward. No subcontractors. We install across Vancouver, North and West Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and the rest of Metro Vancouver.
What areas do you serve?
We serve all of Metro Vancouver — Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, White Rock, and Delta. We build locally and install across the region with our own crew.
Care, service, and warranty
How do I maintain my blinds?
Dust them lightly every week or two and spot-clean marks with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, blotting rather than scrubbing. Regular gentle dusting is the single best thing you can do to extend the life of your blinds. Keep motors, batteries, and remotes dry.
What's the best way to clean blinds, and what products should I use?
Use a soft cloth or a vacuum brush on low suction for dusting, and a damp cloth with mild dish soap for spots — skip harsh chemicals, solvents, and bleach. Let the fabric dry fully before rolling or raising the shade.
Which window treatments are easiest to clean?
Roller shades and faux wood blinds are the easiest to keep clean — roller shades wipe down in one pass, and faux wood resists moisture so it suits kitchens and bathrooms. Honeycomb and sheer shades need gentler, more frequent dusting because their structure traps dust.
My roller blind won't roll up smoothly — what should I do?
Clear dust from the roller and brackets first — a dragging shade is usually buildup, not a lack of lubricant, and motorized or chain mechanisms shouldn't be force-oiled. If it still binds, our team services what we build; start a request on the Request Service page.
What if I have a warranty or service issue?
Submit a request on our Request Service page (/request-service), or call 604-593-5450. Every product is covered by the HT Worry-Free Warranty, and service requests are handled by the same team that built and installed it.
Still have a question?
If your question isn't here, reach out — one call reaches the team that builds, installs, and services your blinds, and we'll get you a straight answer.