Norman Blinds Vs. Hunter Douglas Window Coverings: What Are The Major Differences?

Jennifer Eggerton
by Jennifer Eggerton

Window blinds enhance the aesthetics of a room, reduce energy costs, and protect your privacy. Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas are two of the top names in window coverings, but how do they compare?

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas window coverings feature innovative designs that make life easier. Both are pet and child-friendly, and the warranties, maintenance, and installation are comparable. Norman Blinds are made in Dallas and Mexico. Hunter Douglas has manufacturing operations in 66 locations around the world. Hunter Douglas comes out ahead in styles, finishes, and fabrics.

Let’s take a closer look at Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas to help you decide which one is best for you?

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About Norman Blinds

Norman Blinds has its headquarters in La Palma, California, with manufacturing sites in Dallas and Guanajuato, Mexico. The company has been in business for more than four decades. Norman® Blinds has received several awards for their blinds and innovative design solutions. The company is “Best for Kids” certified by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association.

About Hunter Douglas

The Hunter Douglas brand began in 1919 when Henry Sonnenberg started a manufacturing and distribution plant in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 1933, he moved the operations to the Netherlands where he teamed up with Joe Hunter. The two developed an innovative technique for manufacturing aluminum products, and they were the first to bring Venetian blinds to the market. Today, Hunter Douglas has operations in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia.

Innovation

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas offer innovative designs for their blinds, shutters, and window coverings.

Special Features of Norman Blinds

  • PrecisionLiftâ„¢ Cordless: One-touch operation for accurate and fast operation
  • SmartRiseâ„¢ Cordless: Easily lower and raise the self-leveling shades
  • PerfectTiltâ„¢ Motorization: Use an app to control the shutters in your home
  • SmartDrapeâ„¢: Seamless indoor living with a shade that you can walk through
  • InvisibleTiltâ„¢: Adjust blinds without a tilt rod – seamless design
  • Prescription Wood Conditioning: Wood is treated to resist moisture based on the climate in your home city
  • SmartPrivacyâ„¢: Tight closure and concealed holes for the ultimate privacy

Special Features of Hunter Douglas Blinds

  • Powerview® Motorization: Control your blinds from your smart device, and set up a schedule for automatic operation
  • UltraGlide®: Retractable cords and wands – great for homes with children and pets
  • LiteRise®: Cordless operation of blinds and shades
  • Duolite®: Combines light diffusion and room darkening
  • Special Fabrics: Hunter Douglas makes all the fabrics for their window treatments
  • AERC Certification: First interior window coverings company to be certified by the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC)

Styles and Colors

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas offer a variety of window coverings for your home.

Norman Blinds Styles and Colors

  • Shutters: Custom, hand-crafted shutters made with engineered, hybrid, and solid hardwoods in 27 standard colors, 24 wood finishes, and custom colors
  • Blinds: Made with faux wood, solid hardwood, aluminum, and vinyl blinds in 48 colors
  • Shades: Standard, roller, honeycomb, and Roman shades made with almost 100 high-quality textiles

Hunter Douglas Styles and Colors

  • Shutters: 3 styles made with hardwoods, Polysatinâ„¢, and hybrid materials in 15 painted and 21 natural wood grain finishes
  • Blinds: Wood and metal blinds available in 60 solid and wood grain finishes
  • Shades: Honeycomb, roller, solar, and Roman shades available in more than 100 Hunter Douglas fabrics

Specialty Shapes

Not every window is a standard size or shape. Norman Blinds has products for rectangular windows, sliding glass doors, French doors, wide windows, hard-to-reach windows, tall windows, and specialty shapes. Hunter Douglas offers these same designs, as well as blinds for bay and corner windows, angles, and arches.

Installation

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas products come with instructions and hardware to install your blinds. Installation takes about one hour, and it is easier with two people. If you are replacing the blinds in your home, use the same mounting holes. For new blinds, use a drill to make the mounting holes. Helpful videos and instruction manuals are available on both manufacturer websites.

Maintenance

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas blinds are easy to clean. Wipe wood and metal surfaces with a damp cloth. Professionally dry clean fabric shades. Replacement parts are available on the manufacturers’ websites.

Price

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas window coverings are available through stores with certified experts. Search for a store near you on the company’s website. Depending on the style and finish, Norman® blinds cost $45 to $165 per blind. The price of Hunter Douglas blinds ranges from $20 to $26 per square foot.

Warranty

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas offer limited lifetime warranties on their products. The coverage includes defects in materials and craftsmanship. Claims can be made through the manufacturer website.

Warranties do not include damage caused by normal wear and tear, incorrect installation or measurements, improper use or handling, or fading.


Related Questions

What are the most common types of window blinds?

There are five basic types of window blinds. The most common style is horizontal blinds that fit inside the window frame. Horizontal blinds are made from aluminum, vinyl, wood, and faux wood. The blinds are opened manually with a cord, plastic wand, or motor.Vertical blinds have slats that extend from just above the window frame to the floor. You control light and privacy with a cord, wand, or motor. Vertical blinds are used for windows, French doors, and sliding glass doors. The disadvantage of vertical blinds is that they are hard to clean.A roller blind is made from a piece of fabric that unrolls from a bar at the top of the window frame. A weighted bar at the bottom keeps the blind closed.Roman shades are similar to roller blinds, except that they have horizontal stabilizer bars along the shade. When you close a Roman shade, the fabric folds neatly. The aesthetic of Roman shades is why they are considered one of the most elegant window coverings.Perfect fit blinds are pleated pieces of fabric that attach directly to the door or window rather than a rod. Because the shade fits against the glass, perfect fit shades are great options for doors in high traffic areas and windows that tilt to open.Of these options, horizontal and vertical blinds are the most affordable. Roman shades and perfect fit blinds are more expensive, but create an exceptional design aesthetic.


What size blinds do I need?

Blinds are mounted either inside or outside the window frame. For an inside mount, measure the width and height of the frame. Take seven measurements.

  • Horizontal at the top
  • Horizontal in the center
  • Horizontal at the bottom
  • Vertical on the left
  • Vertical in the center
  • Vertical on the right
  • Diagonal

Use the longest horizontal and vertical measurements plus the diagonal length for your blinds.

For an outside mount, measure the horizontal length at the top of the window frame. Add 1 1/2” to 3” to the length based on the amount of light that you want to block with the blinds. Shorter widths let more light into the room. For the length of your blinds, measure from the window sill to approximately 1 1/2” above the top of the window frame.

What is the best type of blinds for a bedroom?

The best type of blinds for your bedroom depends on how much light you want to block. If you want to block all the light, choose black-out blinds. Metal, vinyl, and fabric blinds let in some light.

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What Did We Learn?

Norman Blinds and Hunter Douglas offer high-quality blinds, including specialty shapes. Blinds from both companies have innovative features, such as motorized controls, pet- and child-friendly designs, and smart device apps. Warranties, price, and maintenance are comparable.

Hunter Douglas comes out slightly ahead of Norman Blinds in a few areas. The company offers more finishes and makes its own fabrics for shades, sheers, and drapery. Hunter Douglas blinds are more expensive than Norman blinds.

Jennifer Eggerton
Jennifer Eggerton

Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.

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