Builders
Window furnishings for a new build
Most people leave window furnishings until the end. A few decisions made early save money and open up options later.
·5 min read
Why timing matters
Window furnishings are usually one of the last things installed, so it is natural to leave the thinking until then. The trouble is that a handful of decisions are dramatically cheaper before the plasterboard goes on, and effectively impossible afterwards.
You do not need to choose fabrics at frame stage. You do need to know roughly what you want, so the build can accommodate it.
Decisions worth making early
- Power for motorised blinds. A power point in the right place at wiring stage costs very little; retrofitting it later means opening a wall.
- Curtain pelmets and recessed tracks. A recessed pelmet built into the ceiling looks far better than a surface-mounted track, and has to be planned before the ceiling is finished.
- Wall space for curtain stack-back. If curtains are planned, the wall beside the window needs to be free — not occupied by a light switch or a doorway.
- Headbox provision for outdoor blinds. Where the blind rolls up needs somewhere to mount, and that is easiest to accommodate at design stage.
- Window reveal depth. A deeper reveal opens up neat inside-mount options for shutters and blinds.
A rough timeline
At design or pre-construction, flag anything structural: recessed pelmets, headbox provision, power for motors. At lock-up, when windows are in and dimensions are real, is the right time for a measure and quote — early enough to order, late enough to be accurate.
Installation happens after flooring and painting are complete. Measuring before the windows are in is guesswork, and measuring off plans is a common source of expensive errors.
Builders and multiple homes
For builders and developers running several homes, a consistent specified range across the project simplifies ordering, keeps costs predictable and makes installation scheduling far easier to coordinate with other trades.
That is what a builders range is for — a defined set of products and finishes that work across a project rather than being specified from scratch each time.
Good to know
Common questions
When should I measure for blinds in a new build?
After the windows are installed, typically around lock-up. Measuring from plans is risky because real openings differ from drawn ones. Installation itself happens once flooring and painting are done.
What should I tell my builder about window furnishings?
Flag three things early: whether you want any blinds motorised, so power can be run; whether you want recessed pelmets, which affect the ceiling; and whether outdoor blinds are planned, which affects where a headbox can mount.
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