Why New Construction Homes Always Get the Windows Wrong (And How to Fix It)
- Scott Pulus
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
You just closed on a new construction home in Michigan. The lot is picked, the floor plan is set, and you're deep in decisions about cabinet hardware and countertop edges. Window treatments? That's a later problem.
Then move-in day arrives. And suddenly every room feels unfinished, exposed, and oddly institutional - because the builder left you with nothing. Just glass, trim, and a clear view straight into your living room.
This is one of the most common (and most stressful) parts of new construction homeownership. You're not replacing outdated blinds. You're starting from zero, in every room, all at once. Here's what most people get wrong - and how to get it right.
The Problem with Builder-Grade (or Builder-Nothing)
Production builders in Michigan typically offer two options: a basic blind package that looks exactly like what it costs, or nothing at all. Even if you opted into the upgrade package, the result is usually the same - white 2-inch faux wood blinds on every window, from the primary bedroom to the kitchen sink. Functional? Barely. Beautiful? No.
The real challenge with new construction is that you have no reference points. In an existing home, you feel what the room needs. You know which windows get afternoon sun, which bedrooms need blackout, where the neighbors can see in. In a new build, you're making educated guesses before you've lived there a single season. That's where working with a professional makes all the difference.
Why Inspection Day Is the Best Time to Call Us
One of the most valuable things we do for new construction clients is show up early - ideally at your final walkthrough or before closing.
An empty house is actually the ideal environment for window treatment planning. No furniture to work around, no distractions. We can see every window clearly, assess the light, evaluate privacy exposure, and map out a room-by-room plan before you're living in chaos. We take measurements, discuss phasing options if you want to spread out the investment, and help you prioritize so the whole process feels manageable instead of overwhelming.
How to Phase a Whole-Home Install
You don't have to do everything at once - and most people shouldn't.
Phase 1 - Privacy and Function First Start with bedrooms, bathrooms, and any street-facing windows. These are the rooms where you feel the absence of treatments most immediately. Roller shades, cellular shades, or shutters here give you privacy and light control from night one.
Phase 2 - Living Spaces The great room, kitchen, and dining area come next. These rooms often benefit from layering - a functional shade paired with drapery panels - but the design decisions carry the most weight here. Taking a few weeks to live in the space before committing is smart.
Phase 3 - Finishing Touches Guest rooms, offices, and bonus rooms can follow. Lower urgency, but still worth doing right.
If there's a gap between move-in and your first install, grab inexpensive temporary paper or pull-down shades from a home improvement store for the most critical windows. They're not a long-term solution, but they beat sleeping in a fishbowl.
If Motorization Is on Your List, Prewire Before the Drywall Goes Up
This is the tip that custom builders and their clients almost never hear until it's too late.
If there's any chance you'll want motorized window shades - and in a new custom home, there probably should be - the time to address it is during framing, before a single sheet of drywall goes up. At that stage, running low-voltage wiring to your window locations is a minor line item. After drywall, it's a construction project.
Hardwired motorized shades are cleaner than battery-powered alternatives, more reliable over time, and eliminate the need for visible power cords or periodic battery changes. They're also the preferred choice for whole-home automation integration. And the good news: you don't need to have your shade style or fabric selected yet. That decision can come later. What matters right now is that the rough-in wiring is in place so the option doesn't close.
We work directly with custom builders and electricians during the framing stage to ensure wiring is positioned correctly for your specific window layout. Our motorized shades connect to virtually any smart home system - Control4, Lutron, Savant, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and more. Whatever direction your home automation takes, we can integrate with it.
If you're in the middle of a custom build in Michigan and this is the first time you're hearing this, call us now. This is exactly the conversation that needs to happen before it's too late to act on it.
FAQ: Window Treatments for New Construction Homes in Michigan
When should I order window treatments for a new construction home? Ideally 6–8 weeks before your closing date. Custom treatments take time to fabricate, and starting early means they'll be ready on or shortly after move-in. If you're already past that window, we can help you phase the install to cover what matters most first.
Can I get treatments installed before I move in? Yes, and we recommend it for the primary bedroom and any street-facing windows. We can coordinate with your builder for access during the final weeks before closing. An empty house is honestly the easiest environment to work in.
What should I order first? Blackout treatments for bedrooms and privacy shades for bathrooms and street-facing windows are always the starting point. Living spaces and kitchen are next, followed by secondary bedrooms and auxiliary rooms.
Do I need my furniture picked out first? Not necessarily. We can work from your floor plan, finish selections, and overall design direction. In new construction we're often making decisions alongside your other interior choices - not after them.
Should I prewire for motorized shades before the drywall goes up? Yes - and this is one of the most important decisions you can make during a custom build. Prewiring at the framing stage is inexpensive. Retrofitting after drywall is not. You don't need to have your shade style or fabric selected yet - those decisions can come later. You just need the rough-in wiring in place so the option stays open. See the full section above for everything you need to know.
What are the best options for new construction homes? Some of our most popular choices for Michigan new builds: motorized roller shades for large open-concept spaces, cellular shades for energy efficiency during cold winters, plantation shutters for a timeless look, and layered drapery panels in living and dining rooms. We'll recommend based on your specific layout, light exposure, and lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
New construction is exciting, but the window treatment piece is almost always an afterthought - and it shows. The homes that feel truly finished from move-in day are the ones where the windows were planned for, not patched together after the fact.
If you're building or have recently moved into a new construction home in Michigan, we'd love to walk through it with you. We serve homeowners throughout Metro Detroit, Oakland County, Macomb County, and surrounding areas.
Schedule your free in-home consultation and let's get your windows right from the start.
Perr Daht Window Fashions & Design - Custom window treatments for Michigan homeowners. Motorized shades, plantation shutters, cellular shades, drapery, and more.
