Budget Blinds is now offering fashionable window treatments that are cord free

By Ken McEntee

A whole generation of young folks today may not recognize a corded telephone.

Soon, says Mark Florek, it may be the same for window coverings.

“Motorization of blinds, drapes and shades is taking off,” reveals Mark, who, with his wife, Jana, owns the local Budget Blinds franchise. “Our product reps are telling us that within five years there will be no more cords. The good news is that remote controlled window coverings are no longer priced as a luxury item like when they were first introduced. They are very affordable, and this is the direction the industry is going.”

Along with window coverings that open and close with the push of a button—or even the sound of your voice—Budget Blinds also is offering home integration systems that allow you to remotely turn on lights, close the shades and turn up the music using a mobile app—even when you’re at work or on vacation.

“There are apps that can detect when you’re almost home and open your blinds and turn on lights so you can walk into a bright home,” Jana says. “That’s nice, because it can be scary walking into a dark home.”

Technology, Mark says, is not only changing the way people use their blinds and drapes, but also how they control and monitor other home products and equipment.

“Motorization is wonderful for opening and closing high windows, but the elimination of cords is also safer for children,” Jana explains. “You can now use your phone to open and close your drapes. You can put a timer on your blinds to open or close them at specific times. The possibilities are endless.”

The possibilities also are endless for custom designing window treatments, Jana announces.

“We can go so far as to customize fabrics to any pattern or color,” she says. “You can select from six different fabrics and have your own custom pattern printed out on that fabric.”

Jana and her team in the Strongsville showroom make it easy for customers to choose the perfect drapes and blinds to complement their homes, she says.

But although the inviting showroom features an inspiring assortment of blinds, drapes, shutters and other window coverings—and decorative accessories—most of the planning happens right in your home.

“That’s where your windows are,” Jana reasons. “By bringing our selection to you, we can see how it will look in your own home, in your light. A fabric that you select in a showroom sometimes will not have the same color or appearance once it’s installed in your home. By coming to your home, we can be sure that we take accurate measurements and observe firsthand what you want and need, and what will work and what won’t.”

But Budget Blinds’ designers don’t simply measure your windows, Jana assures.

“We do a very comprehensive consultation,” she says. “We talk about colors and styles. We show customers things they may have never imagined before. I interview my customers about their lifestyles to be sure that we are selling and installing a product for their home that will be beautiful and functional—and one they are going to be perfectly happy with. And the best part is, that service doesn’t make us expensive. Our prices are competitive with, and often better than, what the big box retailers charge, but include our unique, personal touch.”

The reason Budget Blinds can offer so much at such a competitive price can be summed up in a word: leverage.

Because Budget Blinds is the world’s largest window covering company, it usually gets first look at the upcoming new products and advancements in the market—and can leverage the best prices and warranties for its clients.

“The exhibit space at the annual Budget Blinds convention is about the size of two football fields, with one booth after another,” says Mark, who does all of Budget Blinds’ installations. “That’s an indication of the remarkable selection of products we can offer to our customers.”

Along with the advantages of being affiliated with the world’s largest window covering company, Jana and Mark offer the neighborly service of local ownership.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Jana says.

Jana and Mark have been offering the latest window covering styles and trends since they opened their local Budget Blinds 14 years ago. In fact, Jana shares, they are now doing installations for the children of some of their first customers.

“Repeat customers and customer referrals make up almost half of our business,” she says.

The attentive service of a family business is one reason, she says.

“Having the owner of the company doing the installation instead of subcontractors is huge,” Jana insists. “Mark really cares about what he is doing. And, he is a genuinely nice guy and the customers love him.”

Budget Blinds is a catchy name, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

“There is sometimes a misconception that the word ‘budget’ means cheap,” Jana admits. “In reality, budget means that we have products that fit within your budget, regardless of how large or small that might be. We have a style for every home.”

To schedule a no-cost initial consultation, you can call 440-572-2480 or visit the Budget Blinds showroom at 14761 Pearl Road, in Strongsville. For more information, you can visit BudgetBlinds.com/Strongsville