If you're shopping for plantation shutters, cellular shades or motorized blinds in Columbus, two names come up again and again: Hunter Douglas and Norman. Both are established brands with full product lines and lifetime limited warranties.
The short answer: for most Central Ohio homes, the difference isn't quality, it's price and who installs it. Hunter Douglas is the best-known name and is usually priced at a premium. Norman makes comparable shutters, shades and motorization at a lower price, which is why we carry it.
As a Plain City company, we hear this question at almost every consultation. Here's an honest comparison.
Side by side
| Norman | Hunter Douglas | |
|---|---|---|
| Product warranty | Lifetime, original purchaser | Lifetime limited, original purchaser |
| Motor warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Plantation shutters | Hardwood, composite and hybrid lines, including Woodlore | Wood and vinyl lines, including Palm Beach |
| Cellular shades | Portrait honeycomb shades | Duette honeycomb shades |
| Motorization | Rechargeable motors; app, voice and schedules | PowerView; app, voice and schedules |
| Typical price | Mid to premium | Premium |
| Where to buy in Columbus | Independent dealers, including Olsson Smart Shades | Hunter Douglas dealers and galleries |
When Hunter Douglas makes sense
If you want one specific signature product and price isn't the deciding factor, Hunter Douglas is a fine choice. Its sheer shading styles, like Silhouette and Pirouette, are a good example. Their name recognition is also real, and some buyers simply prefer it.
When Norman makes more sense
For most rooms in a typical Columbus home, the jobs are the same everywhere: shutters on the front windows, cellular shades in bedrooms, motorized shades on tall great-room glass. Norman covers all of them with comparable warranties, usually for less. On a whole-house order, the difference can pay for motorizing the windows you'd otherwise skip.
See typical installed prices for plantation shutters, cellular shades and motorized shades, or all of them on our pricing page.
Why we chose Norman
We're an independent, locally owned and operated company headquartered in Plain City. Our own team measures and installs every job. Nothing is subcontracted, and there are no franchise fees built into the price. We carry Norman because it lets us offer premium-tier shutters and shades at a price that makes sense for Central Ohio homeowners, backed by a lifetime warranty.
The brand on the headrail matters less than the measurement and installation. A perfectly made shutter that's mounted crooked still looks crooked. That part is on us, and it's why our own installers handle every job.
Common questions
Is Norman as good as Hunter Douglas?
Both offer lifetime limited warranties for the original purchaser and 5-year motor warranties. In our experience, the build quality of Norman shutters and shades holds up to anything at its tier. The bigger difference is usually price.
Can you match a Hunter Douglas quote?
Bring it to your free consultation. We'll quote the comparable Norman product for the same windows so you can compare line by line.
Do you service Hunter Douglas products?
Yes. We repair and re-string most brands, including ones we didn't install. See window treatment repair.
Ready to compare?
Book a free in-home consultation and we'll bring Norman samples to your home in Columbus, Dublin, Delaware or anywhere in Central Ohio. Or call (614) 907-0976. A real person answers.