Quality is everything when it comes to integral blinds, and they are quickly becoming a popular addition to modern aluminium doors and windows.
There’s a lot of information in the industry surrounding integral blinds, and it can be hard to decipher the factors that should be considered when choosing a supplier.
We’ve put together a handy guide you can follow to ensure you find the correct integral blind supplier and manufacturer for your project or development.
The guide will include the following factors:
- Research Brand Reputation, Scale and Accreditation
- Understand Cost vs Quality
- Request to See Samples in Person
- Check Lead Times
Research Brand Reputation, Scale and Accreditation
Many companies and integral blind providers will promote that they sell and manufacture the ‘best’ integral blinds on the market. However, although this may be true to some extent, it’s important to still do the research behind the company that’s providing the blinds.
Consider looking at their:
- Size
- Scale
- Reputation
- Recent and valuable accreditations
- Case studies
- Google reviews
- Search their company name on local Facebook / LinkedIn groups
- Customer ratings
- Applicable hashtags / branded hashtags – explore the posts associated with them
And more…
Don’t let this slide (just like our seamless integral blinds), this is one of the most important points on the list. In some cases, the more reputable a brand is, the higher the prices.
However, quality does override everything and needs to be at the forefront. Integral blinds are an enhancement to a door, not as part of the design, but an added extra. So, ensure the supplier and manufacturer you choose meet your expectations accurately.
Understand Cost vs Quality
You get what you pay for – and this is said for integral blinds too. The cheaper the blind, the less reliable it will likely be for years to come.
Most integral blinds designed for aluminium windows and doors have a product warranty of up to 10 years. This is impressive, but this is only presented with expert manufacturing.
Integral blinds are an investment and contribute to the overall value of a property. Although they’re an added extra, they are more than just an aesthetic addition. They enhance the thermal and acoustic performance of windows and doors, they are maintenance-free (in comparison to external blinds and curtains), have a multi-use operation and more.
So, do your research. Weigh up different suppliers, understand their pricing and compare the products.
Request to See Samples in Person
Once you’ve done your brand research, and understood the differences between cost and quality, it’s time to look at samples and test them out. Most suppliers and manufacturers will have samples you can request or look at.
Although the samples are only a rough estimate, they’re a good indication of how the integral blind will work, look and feel. Integral blinds come in a variety of bespoke designs and styles, seeing samples is crucial.
Products can look different online from what they do in person. Request a free showroom visit, ask all the questions you have and experience the products for yourself. This is detrimental to the product selection process. Skipping this part of the process will generate delays later down the line.
Check Lead Times
Researching lead times is another part of identifying the right supplier and manufacturer for your integral blinds. Lead times are detrimental and may affect the critical path of a project.
As you’ll know, lead times need to be made clear to the client as early on in the project as possible. They affect budgets, processes and the logistics of any project. Don’t be hesitant when asking about lead times, they are important and a reliable and trusted supplier will be transparent with you.
This is especially important if you’ve upsold integral blinds to a client. They might be concerned about whether this will impact the project timeline. Having an open and transparent relationship with your supplier ensures that you can provide realistic timelines to clients.
There are a few factors that will impact the price and expected lead time, these include:
- Colour
- Size
- Operation preferences: manual, magnetic or fully electric models
- Overall order value and quantity
Ensure you mention these preferences throughout the consideration process. But don’t let this impact the choice your clients make, the bespoke requirements are important, and the added touches do make all the difference to the performance and aesthetics of a product.
How to Get a Quotation for Integral Blinds, Get in Touch for a FREE Quote Today!
No matter the specifications of your project, you’ll receive a quote within 24 hours. Contact us today for more information and your no-obligation quotation.
Additionally, book an appointment and come and visit our showroom for yourself. See the products for yourself and ask all the questions you have, and a specialist member of our team will be on hand to assist.
We’re aluminium specialists that help builders, architects, and property developers reframe their projects with excellent service, expertise, and exceptional results.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
