Custom Shades and Blinds for Every Iowa Home
Contact Us Today
for a
Free Consultation
Blinds & Shades Designed for Comfort & Control
Ames homes often feature generous windows that bring in natural light, but those same windows require coverings that manage privacy, temperature, and comfort year-round. Many families choose shades or blinds for their versatility, insulation, and ability to fit both traditional and modern Iowa homes. Whether it’s a tall set of living room windows, slim casements in a bedroom, or patio doors that open onto the backyard, our custom fabrication and professional installation ensure your blinds and shades fit precisely and look finished.
Shades or Blinds: What’s the Difference?
Homeowners often use the terms interchangeably, but shades and blinds offer distinct functions:
Shades are made from continuous fabric and excel at softening a room, controlling light, and providing strong room-darkening options. They come in many styles, from cellular to roller to Roman.
Blinds feature adjustable slats in wood, alternative wood, metal, or vertical designs. They allow fine-tuned light control and work well for windows, patio doors, and rooms that need durability.
Understanding these differences helps you select the right solution for each space. Many people use a mix of shades and blinds throughout the home, depending on privacy needs, natural light, and décor preferences.
Shades vs. Blinds Comparison
Feature | Shades | Blinds |
Material | Continuous fabric | Slats in wood, composite, metal, or vertical panels |
Light Control | Excellent for soft light and full room darkening | Precise tilt control for directional light |
Energy Efficiency | Strong insulation, especially with cellular construction | Moderate, depending on the material |
Best Uses | Bedrooms, living rooms, media rooms, large windows | Kitchens, high-traffic areas, patio doors, French doors |
Motorization Options | Full automation available across all shade styles | Motorized tilt and opening available on select styles |
Look & Feel | Soft, seamless, modern, or traditional | Clean, structured, and versatile |
Privacy | Continuous coverage for strong privacy | Adjustable privacy depending on slat angle |
Blinds Designed for Precision Light Control
Hunter Douglas blinds offer durable construction, precise light control, and a wide range of materials suited to Iowa homes.
Vertical Blinds: Ideal for tall windows, sliding-glass doors, and expansive glass areas. Choose from fabric, vinyl, aluminum, or panel-track systems depending on your needs.
Wood and Alternative Wood Blinds: Wood brings warmth and natural character, while composite options offer durability with a similar look. Both work beautifully in living rooms and bedrooms.
Metal Blinds: A wise choice for high-traffic areas due to their strength and versatility.
Smart Control Options: Select blinds are compatible with PowerView® Automation, allowing you to tilt slats or open and close panels using a remote, phone, or voice assistant. This automation also provides added security by allowing you to schedule movements, giving your home a lived-in look even when you’re away.
Shades Designed for Softness, Efficiency, and Style
Our custom shades offer a wide range of styles and performance benefits tailored to Iowa living.
Cellular Shades: Recognized for exceptional insulation due to their honeycomb construction, helping moderate temperatures during both winter chill and summer heat.
Roman Shades: Soft or crisp folds give timeless appeal with endless fabric choices.
Roller Shades: Simple, clean, and highly customizable with modern fabrics.
Woven Wood Shades: Natural fibers bring texture and warmth to any room.
Sheer Shades: Diffuse light beautifully and provide a graceful, modern look.
Vertical Shades: An excellent choice for expansive windows and patio doors when you want privacy without losing natural light.
All Hunter Douglas shade styles are compatible with PowerView® Automation. Schedule them to open for morning light, close during hot afternoons, or adjust throughout the day for comfort and privacy. Automated shades also enhance energy efficiency by positioning them to block heat or retain warmth at the right times.
Local Expertise, Personalized Process
Whether you choose shades, blinds, or a combination of both, Brackets follows a simple, personalized process that keeps your project stress-free:
1. Design Consultation: Begin with a free consultation at your home or visit the Ames showroom. We will learn your goals, review light conditions, and study your window shapes and sizes.
2. Recommend: You’ll see curated options from Hunter Douglas, Alta, and other trusted brands. Compare fabric swatches, slat materials, color samples, and operating systems with guidance from professionals.
3. Install: Once selections are made, Brackets handles all measurements and ordering. Our trusted installers will complete the installation with precision and care.
The Brackets support team will still be available after your project is complete for questions, product care, and adjustments. Plus, our installations are backed by a one-year warranty, in addition to applicable manufacturer warranties.
Why Brackets is the Trusted Choice for Shades and Blinds in Ames
Since 1996, Brackets has served Central Iowa as a family-owned business rooted in craftsmanship and personal service. Homeowners appreciate:
A team with decades of experience that understands local homes, architectural styles, and the challenges of Iowa weather
Installers who are certified and trained regularly, ensuring your shades or blinds are installed to manufacturer specifications for long-lasting performance
Products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and Brackets’ one-year installation warranty.
Visit Our Showroom
-1920x1280.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_HVtmeporhMUvJVHZnz6PwsSKKbzD)
Brackets Custom Window Coverings maintains one of only two showrooms in the region featuring full Hunter Douglas displays, allowing you to see and operate products before making a decision. Visiting our Ames showroom lets you:
Compare shades and blinds side by side
Feel fabric textures and examine slat materials
Try motorized systems and smart controls
Talk with product specialists who help simplify your decisions
The showroom is the only place in Ames where you can interact with such a wide range of Hunter Douglas and Alta products in one stop.
Alternatives to Shades: Other Types of Window Coverings
Sometimes, a window requires something different. While at our showroom or here on our site, you can also explore draperies that bring dramatic style and acoustic softness, and shutters that offer classic structure, durability, and easy care.
Service Area: Proudly Serving Ames & Beyond
Brackets serves homeowners in Ames, Ankeny, Huxley, Grimes, Boone, Story City, and surrounding Central Iowa communities within a 45-mile radius. Whether you’re refreshing one room or updating your entire home, our local team is here for you. See a full list of covered communities at the Service Area page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Upgrade Your Blinds and Shades?
Transform your Central Iowa home with custom shades and blinds designed for comfort, style, and reliability. Visit the Ames showroom or schedule a free consultation at your Central Iowa home. With Brackets, you get the right team, the right plan, and the right finish to deliver a custom window solution for how you live.
Contact Us