Buying Tips for Blinds

I need to get blinds for my windows and it appears that I need to have them professionally measured/ordered. I want to get energy efficient one because, if I am forced to spend money on them, I want to make sure they will save me $$$ on my heating/AC bills. Can anyone give me tips, such as places to shop, brands to buy, etc.?

TIA.

Message edited 11/12/2008 8:12:26 PM.

Re: Buying Tips for Blinds

we got all our blinds at home depot & they were VERY helpful!! they will cut all the blinds for you and give you the excess blind material if you want it

Re: Buying Tips for Blinds

We saved money by measuring our windows ourselves. We measured in 3 spots inside our window frame.... the very top, the center, & the very bottom. If the measurements are all equal, then great. If they were off a little, we bought treatments in the smallest measurement.

Edited to add that I ordered all of my window treatments at JCpenny.com with my own measurements & saved a lot of money. The only thing I splurged on was my shade in the LR. It is a hunter douglas shade purchased at fortunoff. I wanted a top down shade because I love natural light but also need alot of privacy in that window since you can easily see inside from the street.

Message edited 11/13/2008 9:08:38 AM.

Re: Buying Tips for Blinds

I woudl try blinds to go. We ordered our blinds from them for our den and loved the experience and they were quick. I am not sure if you were looking for blinds or something else. They were very helpful though and you can either measure the windows (they give you a form that is very descriptive and easy to follow to measure the window or you can have someone come to your house I believe.