Want to spruce up your home’s interior with fresh, new 1-inch slat blinds but don’t know if you have enough budget for these durable, kid-safe beauties? Go ahead with your micro window treatments plan. They aren’t costlier!
Mini blinds, also referred to as aluminum blinds, are one of the most affordable, trendiest, and easiest to use window treatments for modern homes. These functional and attractive window covers range in price from as low as $17 to $73, with an average of $45. This typical price range is based on size, type of material, control options, and other factors.
If you add motorization when purchasing a new set of mini-slat blinds, you’ll need to pay an extra $200.
Typical Price Range of Mini Blinds
- Minimum Price: $17 (for blind measuring 18 x 24” in width and height)
- Maximum Price: $73 (for blind measuring 72 x 72” in width and height)
- Average: $45
1” slat window coverings are a solid investment. In addition to visual interest, they serve various practical purposes, like energy efficiency and regulation of light, privacy, and visibility.
Plus they come with a kid-friendly cordless lift option, which makes these budget-friendly window covers safe for home with young children and pets.
When Do You Need to Install Mini or Micro Blinds?
Do you have smaller windows in your room? You don’t need enormous slats for light control or privacy. Choose micro blinds or mini blinds with 1” or ½” slats for better light filtration and privacy control. Plus they are a low-priced alternative to big slat blinds or fabric roller shades.
Factors in Calculating Mini Blinds Cost
1. Quality of Material
The type and quality of material you choose for your new mini blinds will affect the total price. Various material choices include vinyl, wood, faux wood, aluminum, plastic, leather, faux leather, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
A water-resistant vinyl blind is the cheapest option, costing less than $10 for a small window. And the costliest one among them is wooden, costing $150 to $200. Similarly, for a pure, better quality material, you’ll have to pay more.
2. Size
Size is one of the biggest factors affecting the price of window shades. The cost increases from $40 to $73, as you increase the size from 30 x 48” to 72 x 72”.
3. Type of Mini Blind
Two types of mini blinds are trending on the market, 1 Inch Cordless Privacy Mini Blinds, and 1 Inch Cordless One Touch Mini Blinds. Here one touch option costs over twice as much as the simple cordless one, i.e. $38 and $17, respectively.
If you choose a cord-free option, you won’t have to pay extra to make your blinds child-safe. A cordless style is fully compliant with the CPSC’s New Federal Safety Standards for Custom Window Coverings.
4. Number of Sets
How many windows do you want to hang small-slat blinds on? The total number of blinds you buy will affect the price. As you decide to treat more windows, the cost will go on multiplying.
If a single blind measuring 36 x 48” (w x h) costs $40, four sets will cost $160, unless you get a discount offer on multiple purchases.
5. Labor Costs
- Measurement: Can you measure for your new window coverings? Learn the how to measure guide to get started. If not, you’ll need to hire a professional to record exact values for height, width, and depth (for an inside mount). Labor charges run between $30 to $100 per hour.
- Installation: A sleek look and perfect functionality are dependent on the accurate installation and operation of your blinds. If you are a DIYer, you can follow the step-by-step installation instructions to fix the blinds inside or outside the window frame. Otherwise, you’ll need to hire a professional installer and pay around $400 for eight windows found in most homes.
6. Product Brand
Some mini blind brands like “Affordable Blinds” offer huge discounts (up to 70%!) on their premium quality products, making your favorite window covers unbelievably inexpensive. Plus, there are free offers and warranties, free samples, free shipping, a free lifetime warranty, and 110% best price guarantee.
Additional Cost Considerations
- Customization: Want to give a personal touch to your blinds? Custom window coverings are almost always costlier than the ready-made ones. Customization charges range from $20 to $100. However, at online stores like Affordableblinds.com, there are no additional charges for personalized style and color.
- Automation: Motorized battery powered blinds are much costlier than their manual counterparts. For that additional cost, you’ll enjoy opening or closing your blinds with a remote, your voice command, or a smartphone app. They can be programmed to open and close at pre-scheduled times or in response to heat or light requirements in the room.
- Liner and Layering: Modern mini blinds with strong, sturdy slats can be tightly closed to provide sufficient privacy and insulation. That privacy and temperature regulation can be improved by adding a privacy liner or pairing it with a heavy-fabric Roman shades. The second option will also create a blackout or room darkening effect. Liners and additional blinds for layering will add extra $50 to $300 to the total cost of mini blinds.
- Waterproofing: If you want to install your micro-slat blinds in high humidity areas like kitchen and bathroom, choose moisture-resistant materials, like vinyl and PVC to inhibit mold or bacterial growth. These synthetic materials are cheaper than wood.
Alternatives to Mini Blinds
- 2” Faux wood blinds
- Traditional vertical blinds
- Venetian blinds
- Woven wood bamboo shades
How much should you spend on blinds?
On average, you should spend around $60 on a standard size blind, measuring 48 x 60” in width and height and 1” in slat size. Measurement and installation costs would add about $40, taking the total cost to $100. If you have 8 windows in your home, you should expect spending approximately $800.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive blinds?
Cheaper blinds are manually operated and they are made from cheap plastic, metal, and other low quality materials which break, warp, and wear out easily when exposed to the harsh sun. In contrast, more expensive blinds are motorized and made from high-quality, durable materials, like premium fabrics, metal alloys, and hardwood. They can resist fading and wear and tear for several years.
How long do mini blinds last?
Durable mini blinds last for 4 to 6 years under optimum conditions. If you have installed in high-traffic areas like kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, where they need to be frequently adjusted for light regulation, their lifespan gets reduced to 2 to 4 years.
What type of blinds are most expensive?
Motorized or electric blinds made of wooden slats are most expensive, as both automatic control and real sustainably sourced wood contribute to their costliness. They offer more value than faux wood blinds.
Need More Help?
If you need expert advice on cost-effective mini blinds and their measurement and installation costs, contact our professionals using 24/7 live chat or give us a ring at (800) 863-6109.