I hesitated for weeks, hanging a furniture throw over a back window on one of our French doors after the (very expensive) shade broke after 15 years. I was apprehensive about ordering a shade that we use everyday online that was a fraction of the cost local vendors quoted for a new replacement and also apprehensive about installing it ourselves. I finally ordered, just one, figuring that if worst came to worst and the shade was awful, we could afford to take a chance. The fact that there were so many 5 star reviews did make me feel more confident. I needn’t have worried and should not have put it off so long.Soon after ordering I received an email through Amazon asking for exact measurements within 1/8 of an inch. A couple weeks later the shade arrived and it was perfect, exactly as described. I ordered the Ivory Beige color and it is very close to the old shade and shade on the other half of the French door pair. We are perfectly happy with the quality and actually like the header rail better on this one because it’s more compact, cleaner and less bulky that the old one.Installing it would have been simple had it not been for a metal plate inside the top section of our French door. (The door is white and looks like wood, so we weren’t aware.) The old bracket was installed with rivets and it took a trip to the hardware store with a photo on my phone to determine that, and get instructions drilling them out without damaging the door. (Ryan at First Rate Blinds did respond promptly to my question but wasn’t sure about what kind of fasteners they were. He sent some links but they had to do with drywall.) Once we knew what to do, it took seconds to drill them out with our power drill. The rivet metal was actually kind of soft and easy to drill. Then we ran into the metal plate in the interior of the door when trying to install the screws in the bracket. I ended up going to the hardware store again and packing up a couple of metal piercing screws that were in-between the two sizes that were included with the shade. This easily solved the problem and took seconds to screw in the bracket. None of the problems is a reflection on the shade, only our weird custom door. And now that we’re aware, the other shade brackets should go up in about 5 minutes. I just wanted to share it here in case anyone else ran into similar issues with a Milgard French door.I am replacing the shade on the other half of the door because the colors, while very close, don’t match exactly with the old one. This new one has a nicer header too. And how much longer can that existing old shade last after 15 years before the mechanism that regulates the lift breaks like it did in the old one? I feel completely confident in ordering from First Rate Blinds and love their customer service and customization at such an affordable price. Two thumbs up for a great vendor and product!This was an outside mount cordless shade.

Lastest Update: 2/4/24I am absolutely STUNNED. This is quite possibly the best seller with the best customer service on Amazon. I am not joking! I purchased 2 more blinds from this company, for kitchen and a bathroom that needed crap levolor blinds replaced. When I mentioned my issue with this prior order, there were no snarky comments about my order date, there was no hesitation. They mailed me my blinds to replace the bathroom AND they replaced the blind that was completely split. This company STANDS BEHIND their product. This company's customer service (I dealt with Sarah) is TOP NOTCH! You just don't find that anymore! Please support them. Order from them. If you have issues, ask for Sarah. Thank you, First Rate Blinds...for living up to your name. And also, for taking care of a customer who WRITES consumer reports for a living and was becoming very cynical. You have restored this 50 year old's faith. I will be ordering more from you.UPDATED: 8/11/2023I know, for the price, I should be content. I am not. These blinds only lasted 4 years. BE AWARE, they tear at the seams very easily. I will nodify if seller contacts me. What was a 5 star review is now only 2 because they also went way up on their prices. This means looking elsewhere to replace these. Not a happy customer!! I DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY OR AMAZON WRITING REVIEWS (NOR DID I RECEIVE A DISCOUNT)SO THIS A THOROUGH AND HONEST REVIEW.These blinds were packaged well and all brackets and blinds are protected withing shipping box. Came with installation instructions as well as care instructions. Seller shipped quickly and communicated very thoroughly with me, clarifying my measurements several times before shipping.I just installed these blinds. My measurements were odd due to the specific windows I have (46 1/2 ×72). They fit snuggly and perfectly. They are not black-out blinds so they still allow some natural light to come through, which I prefer. Also, they are installed a foyer that will (hopefully) make the house more comfortable and allow for more privacy. The material is thin, so I will update the review in a month or 2 if the blinds hold up to the constant blaring sun here in Georgia.The installation is a bit tricky. I have inside mounts, so your instructions may be different for outside mount. BE GENTLE drilling in the plastic brackets or you will break them. I pre-drilled all holes using brackets, just losen the metal part, it spins, then screw in all brackets. ALSO, install ALL brackets. If you do not, when you pull down the blind, it will bow in the center. Clip bottom of blinds onto metal bracket and they will snap into place. Slide plastic bracket used for raising/lowering blinds onto bottom AFTER installing. They included clear plastic locking brackets for bottom of window to lock your blinds in when you lower them, I chose not to install them. It took 2 of us to get these large blinds in.FOR NOW, they are beautiful and serve their purpose. Pictures included. For the price, if these hold up, I will be purchasing more but only from this seller!!

The shades look great. Fit exactlythe inbto the inside mount and we're fairly easy to install. The price was very affordable in comparison to others we looked at. They also came a couple days earlier than expected. This is our second order from this company and we'd order from them again if we needed anymore.