After reading this thread, I went ahead and tried out MyBlinds 2.5" Plantation Shutter Style blinds. First off, they are the heaviest blinds I've ever owned at almost 20 lbs each. The kitchen window is 60"W x 48"L, and the study window is 72"W x 37"L. I had a heck of a time trying to install them because of their weight, and the awkward position of reaching above my head, and forward over the kitchen sink to install them after the brackets were in place. After exhausting my arms, trying to keep my balance and lifting, and getting the entire rail lined up, I finally remembered that I ordered routless blinds, and that I could remove the slats. That was definitely one of my smarter choices! After all was said and done, the blinds looked beautiful, but I'm not sure how much lifting and lowering those little strings will take. Time will tell. I always "assist" the bottom, with my left hand, when I lift the blinds, with my right hand. It's kind of a pain and I'm still not sure how I feel about these blinds as far as build quality, but for now, they're very pretty. Because of how heavy they were, I procrastinated and just installed the blinds for the study this weekend. Unfortunately, two of the slats were chipped, so I have to go back to Home Depot and get them to order two more slats. As gorgeous as they are, they definitely aren't worth what Home Depot is charging for them and I wouldn't pay that again for these blinds. However, after receiving these blinds, I took notice of the manufacturing info. They were custom made in Mexico by M&B Window Fashions. As it turns out, these blinds cost half Home Depot's price, all over the internet, under the M&B Windows Fashion name. At Home Depot's double price, Hunter Douglas and Home Depot must be making a huge profit.

Thanks for the good information and advice. I checked with the sales rep who measured. She says the window depth of 3-3/4” is deep enough to accommodate the 4” vanes and the extension past the opening won’t be noticeable. So glad to know you are pleased with your purchases. Makes it easier for me to make my decision.

Thank you, Patricia. This is a large window in a studio apartment that is occupied part time. It is the only window in the unit and gets direct sunlight most of the day. So the unit can get quite warm, but more importantly for us is that our furniture is starting to fade (we have had Hunter Douglas Honeycomb shades for the last 6 years). We want to install the room darkening (0% opacity) shade so we can close it up completely and protect our furniture and flooring when we are not there and for privacy at night. The second shade (5% opacity) that we are looking at would be for use during the day when we are there and need to cut the sun's rays (still to protect the furniture) without obliterating our view. Because of the strong sun through this window (almost all day long), we were advised not to go with greater than 5% opacity. We are okay with the idea of 5% opacity if it is in one of the darker colors (since we can see the view through those), but are wondering how one of the darker colors will look when closed during the day in the rest of the space whose walls are a cream/antique white color. At night, it could be up so you don't necessarily see the dark color against the light colored walls. Have you used the 10% solar shades in rooms that get strong direct sunlight most of the day? Which colors have you used? Would you have any tips on how to choose the color? Thank you again!

HAVE you asked where the difference came from? That could be as simple as your choice of fabric! ASK!!! We certainly have no way of knowing. We don't know the size of the windows, we don't know anything. But there is a huge variance in pricing, depending fabric selection, veins, al of it. Including width of the window and length. Jeesh. Get all the estimates you want. but there needs to be certainty in every aspect of pour selection, to do that. Apple to apples, not apples and a banana. "Decent sized" makes about as much sense as "standard window". There simply IS no such thing.