If you’re a homeowner in Oconomowoc, WI or nearby areas, you’ve likely explored window treatments to enhance privacy, control natural light, and elevate your home’s interior design. One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to choose custom window coverings or ready-made window coverings. While both options serve the same essential purpose—covering your windows—they differ in quality, fit, functionality, and appearance.
At Window Designs by Landy Brown, we offer a full range of premium window treatments, including Blinds, Draperies, Shades, Shutters, Bedding and Pillows, and Motorized Coverings. This guide will help you understand how custom solutions compare to off-the-shelf alternatives, especially if you’re searching for window treatment options in Oconomowoc and the surrounding Lake Country area.
What Are Ready-Made Window Coverings?
Ready-made window coverings are pre-manufactured, mass-produced treatments that come in standard sizes and are typically sold in department stores, online, or at big-box retailers. These include basic blinds, curtain panels, roller shades, and even some budget shutters. They’re often a go-to choice for quick installations or temporary solutions.
What Are Custom Window Coverings?
Custom window coverings are tailored to your specific window measurements and designed to meet your style, performance, and functional needs. Whether you’re outfitting a unique arched window, needing extra insulation, or looking for advanced motorization, custom solutions provide a tailored approach not possible with ready-made window coverings.
Fit and Precision
Custom Window Coverings: Perfect Fit Every Time
Homes in Oconomowoc, WI, especially lakefront or historic properties, often feature unique window shapes and sizes. Custom coverings are crafted to match these dimensions exactly, offering a seamless, integrated appearance. Whether you’re working with oversized picture windows or small, high-set bathroom windows, custom treatments will look intentional and cohesive.
Ready-Made Window Coverings: One-Size-Fits-Some
Because ready-made window coverings come in fixed sizes, they rarely provide a snug fit. Gaps at the top, bottom, or sides are common and can let in unwanted light or compromise privacy. This is especially problematic for bedrooms and media rooms, where light control is essential.
Design Options and Style Variety
Custom: Unlimited Style Choices
When you choose custom coverings from Window Designs by Landy Brown, you’re not limited to a handful of fabrics or colors. We offer thousands of options for Blinds, Draperies, Shades, Shutters, and Motorized Coverings, so you can achieve the exact look you want—whether that’s formal, modern, rustic, or minimalist.
Custom drapery, for example, can be designed with specific pleats, trims, and lining types. Custom shades can be layered with coordinating valances or paired with motorization for added convenience.
Ready-Made: Limited Selection
While ready-made window coverings may include trendy colors or patterns, your choices are limited to what’s on the shelf. Matching treatments across rooms—or even multiple windows in the same room—can be challenging. And if your taste leans toward the sophisticated or unique, ready-made options may feel generic or mismatched with your home’s décor.
Quality of Materials and Construction
Custom: Built to Last
Custom window treatments use premium materials and expert craftsmanship. Whether you’re ordering wood blinds, woven shades, or plantation shutters, each piece is constructed with durability in mind. At Window Designs by Landy Brown, we work with trusted manufacturers who offer warranties and stand behind their products.
Ready-Made: Mass-Produced Materials
Ready-made window coverings are designed for cost-efficiency, not longevity. That often means lighter-weight fabrics, plastic hardware, or inferior stitching. Over time, these materials may warp, fade, or break, leading to more frequent replacements.
Light and Privacy Control
Custom: Precision Light Management
In rooms like bedrooms, nurseries, or media rooms, blocking out light is crucial. Custom coverings can be designed with blackout linings, top-down/bottom-up functionality, or dual-layered shading systems. This level of control is rarely achievable with standard ready-made window coverings.
Ready-Made: Compromise Required
The standard sizes and features of ready-made window coverings often allow light leakage. Basic roller shades or curtain panels may not offer room-darkening benefits. For homeowners in Oconomowoc who value rest, privacy, and energy efficiency, that can be a serious drawback.
Motorization and Smart Integration
Custom: Full Home Automation
Today’s homeowners are increasingly interested in smart technology. With custom coverings, motorization is seamlessly integrated into the design. Using a remote, wall switch, or app, you can open or close your Motorized Coverings based on time of day, weather, or your personal schedule.
At Window Designs by Landy Brown, we specialize in automated solutions for both new construction and retrofit projects throughout Oconomowoc and surrounding areas.
Ready-Made: Rarely Motorized
Ready-made window coverings almost never include motorization. In cases where they do, the technology is often limited, unreliable, or incompatible with home automation systems. If convenience and smart features are important to you, custom is the clear choice.
Energy Efficiency and Insulation
Custom: Designed for Wisconsin Winters
Homes in Oconomowoc endure cold winters and humid summers. Custom shades, shutters, and drapery can be crafted with insulating fabrics, cellular designs, or thermal linings to enhance energy efficiency. That translates to lower utility bills and a more comfortable home year-round.
Ready-Made: Minimal Insulation
Most ready-made window coverings offer minimal energy-saving benefits. They often hang loosely, allowing air to seep in or out. For homeowners focused on sustainability or cost savings, custom treatments offer a more practical long-term investment.
Integration with Bedding and Pillows
At Window Designs by Landy Brown, we go beyond windows. One major advantage of custom solutions is the ability to coordinate your window treatments with matching bedding and pillows. This unified look is especially appealing for master suites, guest bedrooms, and vacation homes around the Oconomowoc area.
Ready-made window coverings rarely offer matching accessories, which makes it harder to achieve a cohesive interior design.
Installation and Support
Custom: Professional Installation Included
When you choose custom coverings from us, we handle everything—from design consultation to measurement to installation. We ensure your shades, blinds, shutters, or drapes are mounted securely and function flawlessly. Our team also walks you through the use and maintenance of your new coverings.
Ready-Made: DIY or Outsourced
Ready-made window coverings typically require self-installation or hiring a third party. Measurements may be off, mounting hardware can be confusing, and adjustments may be necessary to make them fit. This can lead to frustration, added costs, and a sub-par result.
Longevity and Warranty
Custom: Long-Term Value
Custom window treatments are a long-term investment. Many products come with extended warranties and service plans. With proper care, they can last 10–20 years or more.
Ready-Made: Shorter Lifespan
Because they use cheaper materials and are not made to fit precisely, ready-made window coverings tend to wear out more quickly. Even with careful use, you may need to replace them every few years.
Cost Considerations
Ready-Made: Lower Initial Price
One advantage of ready-made window coverings is their affordability. They’re ideal for temporary spaces or rental properties where long-term use isn’t necessary.
However, many homeowners in Oconomowoc discover that replacing poorly fitting or worn-out coverings every few years adds up—often costing more in the long run than investing in custom treatments up front.
Custom: Better Value Over Time
Custom window coverings come with a higher initial price tag, but the return on investment is clear. With better fit, quality, insulation, and visual appeal, they improve home value and satisfaction. Plus, you won’t find yourself shopping for replacements anytime soon.
Ideal Use Cases
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| New construction or remodel | Custom |
| Odd-shaped or oversized windows | Custom |
| Quick fix for rental property | Ready-Made |
| Integrating motorized smart home tech | Custom |
| Strict budget, short-term use | Ready-Made |
| High-end design or personalized style | Custom |
| Matching window treatments + bedding | Custom |
Serving Oconomowoc and Beyond
If you live in Oconomowoc, WI, or surrounding areas like Hartland, Delafield, or Pewaukee, Window Designs by Landy Brown is your trusted local source for high-quality window treatments. We offer free in-home consultations, take precise measurements, and provide full-service installation for Blinds, Draperies, Shades, Shutters, Bedding and Pillows, and Motorized Coverings.
Skip the trial and error of ready-made window coverings. Let us help you design a solution that enhances your home’s beauty, comfort, and value.
Final Thoughts: Which is Right for You?
Ready-made window coverings may appeal to homeowners looking for fast, affordable solutions—but they rarely offer the fit, quality, or functionality needed for long-term satisfaction. Custom window coverings, on the other hand, provide tailored performance, durability, energy efficiency, and design flexibility that’s hard to beat.
For residents of Oconomowoc, WI and surrounding Lake Country areas, the smart choice is clear: invest in treatments that are made to last and designed just for you.
Let’s Get Started
Call Window Designs by Landy Brown at (262) 490-1541 or email Landy@windowsbylandy.com to schedule your free in-home consultation. Discover how custom window coverings can completely transform your space—and why they’re worth every penny over basic ready-made window coverings.
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