03/30/2022
****ATTENTION: NEW BLINDS REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT MAY 1st****
On May 1st, the Federal government's Corded Window Coverings Regulations (CWRC) go into effect. There's lots in this package, but in a nutshell, this regulation makes cord loops on window coverings illegal. The first and most important thing that you need to know is that this only applies to sales after May 1st, 2022. It does not make any of your existing window coverings illegal. I can still perform service and repairs on your existing blinds, but I cannot order remakes on non-compliant blinds.
Here's how it affects the most commonly requested products that Blinds By DB offers:
CELLULAR SHADES (HONEYCOMB)
Comfortex (New York): Comfortex plans to comply 100% with Canada's new regulations and will stop taking orders for non-compliant products on April 11th. We only rarely installed corded cellular shades, but we no longer will at all. This is not a significant change, but what is significant is the effect it will have on sales of the highly popular top-down bottom-up shades. These will be outlawed under the CWRC because of the exposed internal cords. The only way to have a top-down shade is by ordering a day/night shade, which is the same product except for the top fabric layer which covers those exposed cords. Day/night shades are significantly more costly, as opposed to the $60 upgrade that top-down used to be.
Maxxmar (Ontario): They're making the same changes that Comfortex is, and now if you want top-down, you must order a day/night shade. On the bright side, these tend to be lower cost products than what Comfortex offers.
ROLLER BASED ITEMS (ROLLER, SHEER, DUAL/BANDED/ZEBRA)
Comfortex: All of the above items ordered from Comfortex will now be offered only in cordless (a $60 upgrade) or motorized ($100-$300 depending on type)
Maxxmar: Being a Canadian company, they were well-prepared for these regulations to take effect. In addition to cordless operation (a $60 upgrade), they offer lower cost options such as Genius and DecoraSafe (negligible in cost). As always, motorization is available.
Shades Deluxe (Ontario): All of the above items will be sold with the cord loop contained in a handy wand with a switch. Price increase is expected to be negligible.
WOOD AND FAUX WOOD
Comfortex: They've decided to discontinue offering these products to Canada at this time. However, since a faux/wood blind with cordless lift and wand tilt has no hazardous cords, it appears to meet CWCR, so it's likely this decision will be reversed eventually.
Maxxmar: Wood and Faux wood are not going away. Cordless lift and wand tilt are the only options available, however.
Shades Deluxe: Currently they do not offer cordless functionality on their budget-oriented faux wood blinds. It is unclear as of now whether they will be adding that functionality in order to stay in the marketplace, or whether they'll discontinue them entirely.
VERTICALS
Maxxmar: Nearly all verticals we sell are Maxxmar's 3.5" PVC vertical blinds. They are currently offered with a choice of cord or wand control. Cord control will be discontinued, leaving wand as the only option. This limits the maximum width to 100", as that is the most that wand control can support. Overall, a minor change.
PVC verticals may be the lowest cost vertical options we offer, but they are not the only one. Maxxmar also has some great sheer verticals, and Comfortex offers Panel Tracks (made with roller fabrics) and Cellular Sliders - all three of these are cordless. They cost a lot more than PVC, but trust me, they're worth it!
Nothing has changed about Blinds by DB's commitment to ensuring window covering safety for your children and fur babies. These new regulations just make it law. If there is a blind in your house and you're concerned it may be hazardous, please reach out to us and we can discuss the many ways in which we can help - whether we are the original installer or not.
