In-Home Consultations Only
PowerView® Automation
Program your window treatments so that they adjust themselves automatically, creating the perfect room ambiance morning, noon and night.
Sheer Shades
Learn more about Hunter Douglas custom window sheers, including our shadings and privacy sheers. Innovative, light-diffusing sheers. Your trusted source for window treatments.
Cellular Shades
Cellular honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas. An energy-efficient design that traps air in distinct pockets to help keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Roman Shades
Custom-made fabric Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas, combining the look of soft folds with the ease and convenience of a shade. Custom-crafted.
Roller Shades
The Hunter Douglas roller shades & solar screen shades collections offer excellent light control and a clean, stylish look in a range of fabrics and materials.
Woven Shades
For a warm, natural look our Hunter Douglas Woven Wood Shades collection of window treatments transforms sunlight into captivating design statements. Choose yours today.
Vertical Shades
Find the right custom vertical shades for any room in your home. Search our most popular window shades.
Wood Blinds
From controlling light to their stylish, sleek look, wood blinds have been a favorite among homeowners for decades.
Metal Blinds
Find the perfect metal blinds for any room in your home. From controlling light to their stylish, sleek look, metal blinds have been a favorite among homeowners.
Vertical Blinds
Discover Hunter Douglas customized vertical blinds featuring elegant styling and translucency in a large selection of colors, treatments, and textures. Lifetime guarantee.
Shutters
Hunter Douglas custom window shutters provide superior light control and privacy with classic styles, long-lasting finishes, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Drapery
Choose from timeless and on-trend fabrics, including lofty textures and alluring jacquards, artisanal embroideries and luminous sheers.
Light Enhancing
Enjoy the beauty of natural light and make any space more captivating, with the following light-enhancing shades.
Room Darkening
Want a darker room for better sleep or optimal movie binging? These shades and drapes help block light at the window.
Energy Efficient
Live comfortably and save energy with these shades. Designer to keep a room warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Door Coverings
Manage natural light and add privacy with these window treatments that work well for sliding-glass and patio doors.
Sound Absorption
Create a quieter, more relaxing room with these window treatments, which help absorb sound, reducing exterior noise.
Top-Down Bottom-Up
For privacy and natural light, position shades from the top, bottom or both. These shades have this feature available.
Products
Motorized Window CoveringsMotorized Window Coverings
Enjoy the convenience of motorized window coverings.
Window Covering Measuring & Installations
Our measuring and installation service will ensure an exact fit for your window coverings.
About Us
Benchmark Shutters & Shades is a family owned, locally operated business specializing in interior window coverings for your home or business.
Raleigh, NC
For almost two decades, Benchmark Shutters & Shades has brought exceptional window treatments to homes across Raleigh, NC, and the surrounding communities.
Durham, NC
We all come to a point with our homes when we decide that the window treatments need to be updated.
Chapel Hill, NC
At Benchmark Shutters & Shades, we can’t wait to help you transform your home by upgrading your window treatments.
Apex, NC
Since 2005, Benchmark Shutters & Shades has brought superior window treatments to homes and businesses throughout central North Carolina.
Blinds & Shades by Room
Bathroom Bedroom Home Office Kitchen Living Room Media Room Nursery & Kids RoomBlinds & Shades by Window Shape
Angled Windows Arched Windows Bay, Bow, Corner Windows French Doors Sidelights Sliding Glass Doors Skylights Large Windows Panel-Track Blinds Picture WindowsBlinds & Shades by Function
Automated Blackout Energy Efficient Light Filtering Child and Pet-Friendly Cordless Energy-Efficient ShadesAll Design Ideas
See current and past decorating ideas from our 'Fresh Ideas' Newsletter.
Bathroom
See window covering solutions for privacy and moisture-resistance.
Bedroom
See window covering solutions for privacy and room darkening.
Home Office
See window covering solutions for light filtering and glare control.
Kitchen
See window covering solutions for a variety of needs and kitchen styles.
Living Room
See window covering solutions for light filtering and UV protection.
Media Room
See room darkening window treatments for your media room.
Nursery & Kids Room
See child-safe window coverings for baby nurseries and kids rooms
Angled Windows
See blinds and shades for angled, sloped, and triangle-shaped windows.
Arched Windows
See blinds and shades for arched, half-circle or half-moon windows.
Bay, Bow, Corner Windows
See blinds and shades for bay, bow and corner windows.
French Doors
See shutters, blinds and shades for French Doors.
Sidelights
See blinds and shades for sidelight windows.
Sliding Glass Doors
See blinds and shades for patio and sliding-glass doors.
Skylights
See blinds and shades specifically suited for skylights.
Automated
See all options for automated blinds and shades.
Blackout
See our options for blinds and shades that best control light.
Energy Efficient
See blinds and shades that help save energy at the window.
Light Filtering
See blinds and shades for light filtering and UV protection.
Child and Pet-Friendly
See blinds and shades that are safer for children and pets.
Hunter Douglas Products
More Products & Services
Products
Inspiration & Solutions
Interior Design Ideas
Blinds & Shades by Room
Blinds & Shades by Window Shape
Blinds & Shades by Function
Best Upgrades for Blinds
There’s a lot to love about blinds, and the staying power of their design over the years speaks to both their versatile functioning and classic aesthetic. Blinds can be tailor-fit to custom window shapes and cut-outs, they can be fabricated in a wide range of sizes and colors, and their smart design allows for natural ventilation, privacy, and light control all at once.
While the treatment is great in its classic design, modern builders have added options for homeowners interested in this window treatment that can improve control, efficiency, and user enjoyability. Here’s a list of some of the best upgrades for blinds in the Hunter Douglas collection that could be of great benefit to your home.
Upgrades for Easier User Control
For the ultimate user convenience, the best upgrades for blinds are in the realm of motorization. Motorized blinds are easier to control, even on hard-to-reach blinds, with smart operating systems like PowerView® Automation. With multiple user interfaces (handheld remote, wall panel, online app, or integration in smart home programs), PowerView lets homeowners customize the operation and functionality of their blinds to suit their individual household needs.
After all, you interact with your window treatments every day, so investing in upgrades for blinds that make that interaction easier, faster, or more convenient is a benefit you can enjoy daily.
Upgrades for Improved Energy Efficiency
In addition to making blinds easier to use, motorization can help make your blind’s performance more efficient, which is another reason it’s one of the best upgrades for blinds. Take advantage of preprogrammed scheduling options on operating systems like PowerView Automation to optimize your window treatment’s movements.
Schedule your motorized blinds to be responsive to the changing sunlight throughout the day to better harness (or block) solar light and heat. Controlling those natural elements helps to create a more stable interior environment and can lessen monthly bills by lowering the need for artificial alternatives. PowerView is available on all three models of Hunter Douglas Venetian blinds as well as select styles of vertical blinds.
Upgrades for Better Light Control
If you’re looking for better light control, especially in bedrooms, the best upgrades for blinds are those that enhance room-darkening abilities. The de-Light™ system helps turn blinds from room-darkening treatments to blackout blinds by decreasing or eliminating cord holes.
This drastically lowers light leaks through blind slats, making rooms darker. The de-Light upgrade is compatible with all three types of horizontal blinds by Hunter Douglas (Parkland® Wood Blinds, EverWood® Faux Wood Blinds, and Modern Precious Metals® Mini Blinds).
Upgrades for Flexible Aesthetics
Modern blinds come with various customizable options, both relating to the functional use of blinds (like motorization) and the visual appeal. Decorative tapes in a variety of patterns and colors can personalize blinds and allow homeowners to craft their treatments to fit with existing décor. Complementary window décor pieces like a cornice or side panels can also add diversity to the look of blinds for unique multi-layered window fashions.
Upgrade Your Windows, Upgrade Your Life
Learn more about the best upgrades for blinds and how they can work in your home by contacting Benchmark Shutters & Shades. Let their helpful team walk you through the process of getting new blinds with their in-depth product knowledge and customized care tailored to your individual needs. Benchmark Shutters & Shades serves residents in central North Carolina, including the towns of Raleigh-Durham, Chapel Hill, and Apex, NC. Request a consultation today.