Expert Spotlight: Suncoast Blinds

Like many window fashion retailers out there, SunCoast Blinds has its roots in the home improvement field. 

Back in the 60’s when hippie fever was sweeping the nation, Gene was hard at work in Wisconsin. He was busy building a home improvement business. Insulation, windows, and siding were the mainstays of the business back then. But he knew the business could continue to grow.

Another fine example of how Somfy motorized shades virtually disappear when not in use.

What About Blinds?  

After replacing windows, the inevitable question would come up, “What about blinds?” 

Being the industrious person Gene is, he added window fashions to his arsenal of home improvement weapons. Business was good, but the winters were harsh. Gene likes to say he never got smarter shoveling snow.  A move to Florida seemed to solve that snow problem.  

Exterior shade giving the client heat control and wind resistance up to 85 miles an hour. 

After a couple of other ventures in the Sunshine State, SunCoast Blinds was born in 1992.  Back in those days the motorization of a blind was virtually unthinkable!  Vertical blinds, mini blinds and puff cornices ruled the day. 

In 1999 Gene and his son Ben joined forces to make an unstoppable father/son combo.  Selling and installing everything themselves gave them an unfair advantage of technical product knowledge. Suppliers consistently reach out to SunCoast Blinds for product development and production improvement.  After all, knowledge is power and everyone benefits by having a better product in the field.   

Before and after of screen shades offering a private pool area from their close neighbors.

Motorization for Big Windows and Even Bigger Views

It was this careful consideration to product detail that made SunCoast Blinds use Somfy motors for all its motorization. The cutting-edge tech and superior customer support make Somfy an ideal partner for SunCoast Blinds.  

Currently, the biggest slice of the market is Somfy motors on their roller shades. For interior applications they can cover windows up to 16 feet wide with one shade and one Somfy motor.  With all the big windows and even bigger views in Florida, the ability to cover a monster window with one shade and no seams is awesome. Clients love it!  

For the exterior, SunCoast Blinds is now doing shades outside up to 30 feet wide in one shade and one Somfy motor.  When you can go that big it really sets you apart from the competition. 

This 5% solar screen shade on a slider provides a nice view and privacy.

SunCoast Blinds also fully enjoys the benefits of being a Platinum Somfy Expert. Clients will call from projects that other dealers shied away from due to lack of  knowledge. The Platinum designation gives clients an extra level of comfort in selecting the dealer they want to work with, and SunCoast Blinds works hard to meet those expectations.  

Bigger. Bolder. Brighter.

Exterior screen shade providing light, heat and wind control on this client's lanai.

Today, SunCoast Blinds fully embraces the technology of the modern era, offering a full range of services for its clients. For example, they now have a specialty fabric care service. Cleaning specialty fabrics and drapes right in the customer's home with a promise of no damage or shrinkage. No more need to worry about how to get those expensive draperies cleaned, SunCoast has that covered.   

Plantation shutters remain a bulk of what SunCoast does on a day-to-day basis. They have a 25-year warranty on their Poly-Resin shutters and their clients love the fast turnaround.   

Poly-Resin shutters creating privacy and light control in a bedroom along with with peace of mind that the product will be durable enough with all the kids who will interact with the shutter. 

This year, SunCoast Blinds went national and opened their first franchise location in Fort Wayne, Indiana!   

Bigger. Bolder. Brighter; it's not just their slogan, its in their DNA. 

SunCoast Blinds wants to help you stay cool and stylish. Contact SunCoast Blinds to learn more!