Blinds, Shades and Shutters - suggestions and supplier

I'd like to get some some cellular-type shades for my living room and kitchen window sometime soon as a tv will be going up on the living room wall.

I want the shades to offer the option to completely block any light coming from the screen (or room in general), I don't want to advertise the large screen size as I don't live in a great neighborhood.

I was inspired by the window shades on a friend's motor yacht, where the cellular shades used a combination fabric treatment, one half blocked all light, the other half was your typical cellular material that allows translucency. You could pull them up or down depending on how much light and privacy you needed in the boat cabin.

I secured a quote from Lowes for this type of shade coming from Levolor.

At $275 per window, I'm cringing at this price from Lowes. There are four windows that will need this treatment.

I'd like to know if anyone can suggest a cheaper online provider solution. I plan on installing everything so that's not an issue.

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

This is afterall, a specialty shade and it's like having 2 shades in one, so more work to make. You also don't mention the size of your windows/shades and if it's to be custom or a readymade.
Any rate, doubt you'll find anything cheaper than at the big box stores and they're probably a cheaper quality. What you could do is find a better quality somewhere else for the same price.
You can always buy room darkening roller shades that are very cheap and hang some sheer panels on a rod. This will do the same thing at a much cheaper price! :D

The problem with room darkening roller shades is that they curl on the edges allowing the light from the screen to be seen outside. The only way to overcome this is to mount the shades on the outside of the window frame. Cellular shades is the best way to go.

Yes, I realize that, but he doesn't want to spend the money, and he was looking for a cheap alternative, which is what I gave him.

To find out what is available and the alternates for your situation are use the manufacturers web sites that do a good job of showing what is available or possible.

Once your get things sorted out then there a few places to get what you need at prices much lower than the local "curtain hangers" or the big boxes and it can be equal to what you get elsewhere in addition to faster delivery.

I have had good luck with Justblinds by going on line to order, but the telephone also gets you to people if you have questions.

In my first trial, I ordered a split (two panels) mini-blinds for my over-size sliding door. I was able to specify the color from too many selections. I also was able to specify the location of each ot the two separate locations(left or right) for the wands and separate locations (left or right) for the cords. - That is a lot of combinations!

The price was about $100 cheaper than HD with faster delivery to my door. The looked strangely like they came from a national manufacturer (name not provided). All hardware was there along with good instructions plus a friend on the phone if necessary (the phone was not needed because everything was correct and complete).

My second trial was a vertical fabric blind to be installed on the ceiling with no valence wanted (an interior application to control air circulation seasonally). I had a custom width and a custom length because I wanted to hold it up off the floor for ventilation purposes. It was 60 1/2" wide by 90" high. Again, there were many choices of colors and fabrics. I reverted to the phone and got good suggestion on the installation because I had some clearance problems.

I ordered the custom vertical fabric blinds (about $68.00 delivered) and they were delivered one day earlier than promised. Everything was there plus an additional panel for errors or as a spare and it was put up in 10 minutes. they also included the valance in case I changed my mind.

After that, I was sold on the company unless what I needed was so outlandish that it would take a crew to install and modify something that worked.

Dick

These double roman shades from JCPenney may be a much cheaper alternative...Spencer II Roman Shades (http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=60156&CatID=60442&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=15553dc&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=60156%7c60194&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=8&CmCatId=60156|60194|60442#reviews)

Goodluck!

I've studied some of the links and suggestions, thanks for your tips.

Interestingly I found a new and improved version of a day/night shade by Levolor that makes my $274 quote seem cheap. The new version costs about $480.

I'm still examining the options, but thanks again.