Blinds for Windsor Condos and Apartments: Views, Rules and Concrete Ceilings
A Windsor condo window has three jobs: keep the view of the river and the Detroit skyline, keep the afternoon sun in check, and satisfy the condo board.
In short
- Check your condo's rules on what colour may face outside before you order.
- Riverfront units look north; east- and west-facing units get the strongest sun.
- Screen shades keep the view; a blackout shade on a second bracket handles bedrooms.
- Wireless motors need no wiring, which suits concrete walls and ceilings.
On this page
Read the rules first
Many condominium corporations have rules about window coverings. The most common is that the side facing outside must be white or another neutral colour, so the building looks uniform. Some also have rules about installation hours, elevator bookings and drilling. Ask your property manager for the rules before you choose fabrics and bring them to the consultation. We'll pick fabrics with a compliant backing and plan the install around the building.
Which way does your unit face?
Windsor's riverfront looks north across the Detroit River to the Detroit skyline. That changes everything:
- North-facing (river view): gentle, indirect light most of the day. The view is the point; night privacy is more of a concern than glare.
- East-facing: bright mornings. Bedrooms here need blackout.
- West-facing: hot late afternoons and sunsets. Screen shades in a darker colour, lowered early.
- South-facing (away from the river): sun most of the day, all year.
Screen shades for the view
For living rooms with a view, screen shades are the usual answer. A 3% openness in a dark colour keeps the skyline sharp, cuts reflections on the TV and blocks most of the sun's UV. See roller shade fabrics explained.
Bedrooms and night privacy
Screen shades aren't private at night: once your lights are on, people can see in. Bedrooms usually get a blackout roller shade, either alone or on a second bracket behind a screen shade, so you can choose view by day and darkness at night. See blackout blinds for bedrooms.
Balcony doors
Sliding balcony doors get daily use, so the covering has to be easy to pass through. Vertical sheers part like curtains, roller shades stay out of the way when raised, and drapery on a ceiling track softens a room of hard surfaces. See patio door blinds.
Concrete ceilings and walls
Many condo buildings have concrete above the windows. Fixing brackets into concrete takes the right drill and anchors, which we bring. Where the window recess is deep enough, an inside mount avoids the ceiling altogether. Motorized shades in condos usually run on rechargeable battery or solar motors, which need no wiring at all.
Renting?
If you rent, ask your landlord before drilling. Inside mounts in the window recess leave the least trace, and made-to-measure blinds stay with the window, so think of them as part of the unit. Our guide to blinds for rental properties covers what landlords look for.
Common questions
Can you install blinds into a concrete condo ceiling?
Yes. We use the right drill and anchors for concrete, and where the window recess is deep enough we mount inside it instead.
Do I need my condo board's approval?
Check your building rules first. Most only restrict the colour that faces outside; we choose fabrics with a compliant backing.
Can I have motorized blinds in a condo without wiring?
Yes. Rechargeable battery and solar motors need no wiring, and they work with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings.
