2026 Cost Ranges by Treatment Type
National cost guides give a useful baseline before you get a local quote. According to HomeGuide’s 2026 window treatment cost guide, window treatments average $30–$600 per window installed, while Angi’s 2026 data puts typical full projects at $167–$1,874 with an average around $1,020. Custom work runs higher: HomeGuide reports custom shades at $250–$2,600 per window.
Typical South Florida ranges, based on those national benchmarks (custom sizing, coastal-grade fabrics, and professional install tend to land South Florida projects in the middle-to-upper part of each range):
| Treatment | Typical installed range (per window) | Source baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Roller shades | $150–$600 custom ($70–$450 national) | HomeGuide |
| Zebra (dual/banded) shades | $250–$700 | Priced comparably to premium rollers; national guides group them with layered shades |
| Roman shades | $200–$800 ($100–$600 national) | HomeGuide |
| Custom drapery | $300–$1,500+ per window ($50–$500 national for standard curtains; custom drapes can exceed $5,000) | HomeGuide, Angi |
| Plantation shutters | $200–$900 per window ($150–$800 national; $20–$45/sq ft) | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Motorized shades/blinds | $400–$1,200 per window ($300–$1,000 national, avg ~$650) | HomeGuide |
Luminux Designs pricing: the table above reflects industry benchmarks, not our quotes. Every Luminux project is quoted after a free in-home measure, so your number reflects your actual windows, fabrics, and options.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
Each factor below works independently, so you can mix and match to hit a budget.
- Window count and size. Pricing is per window, so a 12-window home costs roughly triple a 4-window condo. Oversized sliders (common in South Florida, often 8–12 feet wide) can count as two or three standard windows’ worth of material and may require heavier-duty hardware.
- Motorization. Adding a motor typically costs $125–$300 per window for battery-powered units; hardwired motors run $175–$250 plus $200–$500 in electrician fees per national 2026 guides (Bloomin’ Blinds 2026 guide).
- Fabric and material grade. Solar screen fabrics, blackout liners, designer drapery textiles, and real wood versus composite shutters each move the number meaningfully.
- Hurricane-season considerations. Interior treatments are not hurricane protection, but many South Florida buyers coordinate them with impact glass or shutters. Impact windows change measurement depth and mounting options, which can affect labor.
- Condo and high-rise installs. Expect added logistics: elevator reservations, certificate-of-insurance (COI) requirements from the building, and concrete or steel-lintel drilling. These add labor time versus a single-family install. Luminux handles COIs for buildings in Broward and Miami-Dade.
Florida-Specific Factors That Change the Math
South Florida is a harsher environment for window treatments than almost anywhere in the country, and it changes what “cheap” really costs.
- Heat and UV. Miami-area windows take intense year-round sun. UV-stabilized fabrics and solar shades (typically 1%–5% openness factors) protect flooring and furniture; budget-grade fabrics fade and turn brittle in a few seasons.
- Humidity. Real hardwood shutters and some natural fabrics can warp or mildew in humid rooms. Composite shutters and synthetic performance fabrics cost similar or slightly more up front and last far longer here.
- Salt air. Waterfront and oceanfront homes should specify corrosion-resistant hardware (stainless or coated components), especially for exterior-adjacent rooms and balconies.
- Energy savings. Cellular and solar shades reduce solar heat gain, which matters when A/C runs ten months a year.
Motorized vs. Manual: The Real Math
Motorization adds roughly $150–$400 per window all-in at typical 2026 pricing. It earns its keep in three situations: windows you cannot reach (stairwells, two-story living rooms, behind furniture), homes with many windows you adjust daily (one scene command versus 15 wands), and rentals or second homes where scheduled movement adds security while you’re away. For two or three easily reached bedroom windows, manual is usually the smarter spend. Battery motors avoid electrician costs; hardwired makes sense in new construction or major remodels.
What a Professional Install Should Include
A legitimate custom quote in South Florida should include: an in-home consultation with physical samples, precise measurement (the installer, not you, takes responsibility for fit), custom fabrication lead time in writing, mounting hardware rated for your wall type (concrete block is standard here), haul-away of old treatments, on-site programming of any motors and app setup, and a written warranty.
Red Flags When Comparing Quotes
- A price quoted sight-unseen over the phone for “custom” work.
- No mention of who is liable if measurements are wrong. With true custom, the company that measures should own the fit.
- Quotes that omit installation, valances/cassettes, or motor charging accessories, then add them later.
- No physical address or local presence — warranty service matters more than a small price difference.
- Pressure tactics: “50% off today only” usually means an inflated list price.
- No proof of licensing/insurance, which most condo boards will require anyway for building access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do custom window treatments cost per window in South Florida?
Plan on roughly $150–$1,200 per window installed depending on type: roller and zebra shades at the lower end, plantation shutters and drapery higher, motorized products from about $400 up. National 2026 averages run $30–$600 per window (HomeGuide); custom coastal-grade work typically lands above the midpoint.
How much does motorization add to the cost?
Battery-powered motorization typically adds $125–$300 per window; hardwired motors run $175–$250 plus $200–$500 in electrician fees per 2026 industry guides. All-in motorized shades average about $650 per window nationally. Luminux quotes motorization per project after a free in-home measure.
Are plantation shutters worth it in a humid climate like Miami?
Yes, if you choose the right material. Composite (poly) shutters resist warping, mildew, and salt air far better than budget hardwood and cost $150–$800 per window installed per 2026 guides. They also add resale appeal because they convey with the home and suit South Florida architecture.
Do window treatments protect against hurricanes?
No. Interior blinds, shades, and drapery are not storm protection and no honest company will claim otherwise. Hurricane protection comes from impact glass or code-approved shutters. Interior treatments complement them by managing light, heat, and privacy — and impact windows can affect how treatments are mounted.
How long does a custom window treatment project take?
Because each piece is fabricated to your window’s exact dimensions, there is a fabrication lead time between measurement and install — we put yours in writing with your quote. Installation itself usually takes a few hours for most homes and about a day for large or fully motorized projects.
Is a free in-home consultation really free?
At Luminux Designs, yes — a designer brings samples to your home in Broward or Miami-Dade, measures every window, and provides a written quote with no obligation. You should be wary of any company that charges for measuring but credits it “only if you buy.”
Why are custom treatments more expensive than big-box blinds?
You’re paying for exact fit on non-standard South Florida windows and sliders, coastal-grade fabrics and hardware, professional measurement liability, expert installation into concrete block, and a real local warranty. Big-box stock sizes leave light gaps, fade quickly in Florida sun, and put fit risk on you.
Ready for a real number?
Book your free in-home design consultation with Luminux Designs — serving Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and Miami-Dade from our Doral studio.