Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for custom blinds, shades, curtains, measuring, appointments and online ordering.
Use this page to compare service options, understand product types and prepare for a local or virtual consultation.
If you need measuring help, start with our How to Measure guide.
Three ways to work with us
Choose the support level that fits your project.
- Local appointments: available near Jacksonville and Northeast Florida service areas.
- Virtual appointments: available across the USA for product, measurement and ordering guidance.
- Online self-measure orders: use our measuring guide, send details and order remotely with support.
Services and appointments
How consultations, virtual appointments and online ordering work.
What services do Matching Blinds, Matching Shades and Matching Curtains provide?
We help customers choose custom blinds, shades and curtains for homes, townhomes, condos, offices and rental properties. Our service options include local appointments near Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, virtual appointments across the USA, and online sales for customers who prefer to measure and order with guidance.
Do you offer local appointments near Jacksonville, Florida?
Yes. We provide local appointment support around Jacksonville and nearby Florida service areas including St. Augustine, St. Johns, Mandarin, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra and Palm Valley. During a local appointment we can review window style, mount type, privacy, light control, fabrics, colors and product fit.
Can I buy online if I am outside Florida?
Yes. Customers anywhere in the USA can use our online sales and self-measure process. You can review product options, send measurements and photos, and schedule a virtual appointment if you want help confirming the best blind, shade or curtain style.
What is a virtual appointment?
A virtual appointment is a video or phone consultation where we help you choose products remotely. It is useful for comparing roller shades, blackout blinds, privacy shades, curtains, room-darkening options, motorized controls and measurement details before ordering.
Is the second appointment step mandatory after I request a consultation?
No. If you submit a consultation request and skip the date/time step, we still receive your request. Our team can contact you later to arrange the best next step, whether that is in-home, virtual or self-service guidance.
Products and styles
Choosing between blinds, shades, curtains and common window treatment types.
What types of custom window treatments do you offer?
We offer a broad range of made-to-measure window treatments, including roller blinds, roller shades, zebra shades, Roman shades, Venetian blinds, wooden blinds, vertical blinds, blackout blinds, privacy blinds, motorized shades, curtains and drapery-style solutions. Availability can vary by product line, room type and installation method.
What is the difference between blinds, shades and curtains?
Blinds usually use slats, vanes or structured panels to control light. Shades are typically fabric-based and lift, roll or fold. Curtains use hanging fabric panels for softness, privacy and decorative layering. Many homes use more than one type, such as roller shades under curtains or privacy blinds in bedrooms.
What is the difference between roller shades and solar shades?
Roller shades use fabric that rolls neatly onto a tube and can range from light-filtering to blackout. Solar shades are designed to reduce glare and UV exposure while preserving some view-through during the day. For nighttime privacy, a privacy or blackout fabric is usually better.
Are blackout blinds and blackout shades good for bedrooms?
Yes. Blackout blinds and blackout shades are popular for bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms and any space where room darkening matters. For the best result, mount type, side gaps and fabric choice should be reviewed together because even blackout fabric can allow light around the edges.
Can people see inside through zebra shades at night?
Zebra shades can provide strong privacy when the opaque bands are aligned in the closed position. When the sheer bands are open, they allow filtered light and some visibility. For nighttime privacy, close the bands fully or choose a stronger privacy or blackout option.
Do you offer options for high ceilings, large windows and wide patio doors?
Yes. Large windows, tall windows and patio doors often need special attention to weight, controls, fabric width, brackets and access. Vertical blinds, roller shades, panel-style solutions, motorized shades and curtains can all be considered depending on the opening and design goal.
Do you offer motorized blinds and smart shades?
Yes. Many blinds and shades can be specified with motorized controls. Depending on the product, options may include remote control, app control, scheduled operation or smart-home compatibility. We can help choose a control option that fits the room and daily use.
Are cordless or motorized options safer for homes with children and pets?
Cordless and motorized options can reduce dangling cords and are often preferred for homes with children and pets. We can help identify safer control styles for bedrooms, playrooms, family rooms and frequently used living areas.
Measuring and ordering
Self-measure help, inside mount, outside mount and order preparation.
How do I measure for custom blinds and shades?
Start by choosing inside mount or outside mount, then measure each window carefully. Use a firm metal tape measure, record width first, then height, and measure in multiple places. See our How to Measure for Custom Blinds and Shades page and download the printable PDF worksheet.
What is inside mount?
Inside mount means the blind or shade fits within the window opening. It gives a clean built-in look, but the window frame must have enough usable depth. Handles, locks, cranks, tile and trim can affect whether inside mount is the right choice.
What is outside mount?
Outside mount means the product covers the opening from the wall, trim or another flat surface. It is useful for shallow windows, uneven openings, extra privacy, stronger light control or when you want the treatment to make the window look larger.
Should I take my own deductions from the measurements?
No. Record the actual field measurements and clearly mark the mount type. Final allowances depend on the product, mount style and hardware. If you are ordering online, we can review your measurements and photos before production.
Can I upload photos to help with product selection?
Yes. Photos are helpful for unusual windows, arches, patio doors, tile, deep trim, handles, crank windows, shallow frames and large openings. They help us recommend a better product type and reduce avoidable fitting issues.
How accurate do my measurements need to be?
Custom window treatments should be measured carefully, usually to the nearest 1/8 inch. Measure every window separately, even if two openings look identical. For difficult openings, request a local appointment or virtual review before placing the order.
Installation, delivery and support
What happens after selection and how we support each order.
Do you provide installation?
For local appointments near Jacksonville and nearby Florida service areas, installation options can be discussed as part of the consultation. For online orders outside the local area, we can provide product and measurement guidance, and customers may install themselves or use a local installer.
How long does a custom order take?
Lead times vary by product type, fabric, control option and order size. After we understand the product and measurements, we can provide a more accurate timeline. Motorized products, specialty fabrics and large multi-room orders may require extra time.
Can custom blinds and shades help with Florida heat?
Yes. The right window treatment can reduce glare, improve comfort and help protect furniture from strong sun. Solar shades, blackout shades, cellular-style products, lined curtains and layered treatments can all be useful depending on the room, window direction and privacy needs.
Why choose custom instead of ready-made blinds from a store?
Custom blinds, shades and curtains are made for your exact window sizes and design goals. Compared with ready-made products, they usually provide better fit, cleaner proportions, more fabric choices, better control options and a more finished look.
Can you help with one window, or only full-home projects?
We can help with a single problem window, a room refresh or a full-home project. Many customers start with one space, such as a bedroom, living room, kitchen, office or patio door, then expand once they are comfortable with the product choice.
Brands and website
How our three domain names and brands work together.
Why do I see Matching Blinds, Matching Shades and Matching Curtains together?
Matching Blinds, Matching Shades and Matching Curtains are connected brands using one shared product and service platform. This lets customers browse by the wording that feels most natural - blinds, shades or curtains - while still receiving one consistent service experience.
Do the three websites offer different products?
The websites are designed around different customer search terms, but the service team and product guidance are connected. Matching Blinds focuses on blinds, Matching Shades focuses on shade-style products, and Matching Curtains supports curtain and drapery-style needs.
Where should I start if I am not sure what I need?
If you know your product type, start with the related range page. If you are unsure, start with the Service Areas page, review the measuring guide, or request a consultation and we will help narrow the choices.
Still deciding?
Tell us about your rooms, windows and goals. We can help compare privacy, blackout, light-filtering, motorized and curtain options before you commit.