Order your window treatments 4-6 weeks before your move-in date for new construction in Nexton or Cane Bay, and choose aftermarket products from an authorized dealer rather than builder-grade options for better quality, more selection, and long-term value. New construction homes in these communities have standardized window sizes that allow for competitive whole-house pricing, and smart pre-wiring for motorized treatments should be discussed with your builder before drywall installation.

When to Order: Before vs After Move-In

Timing is one of the most common questions from new construction buyers in Nexton and Cane Bay. Here is the optimal timeline.

The Ideal Timeline

During framing (if motorized): Coordinate with your builder to pre-wire outlets at window headers for hardwired motorized treatments. This costs $50-$100 per window during construction versus $200-$500 per window to retrofit later.
6-8 weeks before closing: Schedule your free consultation with Carolina Interior Installations. We will visit the home during construction (with builder permission) to begin planning.
4-6 weeks before closing: Finalize your selections and place your order. Custom window treatments from Norman USA typically take 3-5 weeks to fabricate.
1-2 weeks before move-in: Final measurement after drywall, paint, and flooring are complete. New construction can shift slightly during finishing, so final measurements ensure a perfect fit.
Move-in week or shortly after: Installation day. You walk into your new home with beautiful window treatments already in place.

What If You Have Already Moved In?

No problem. Many new homeowners wait until after move-in to address window treatments, and that works perfectly well. The main advantage of ordering early is having everything installed by the time you settle in. But if you are already living in your Nexton or Cane Bay home with bare windows, contact us for a consultation and we will have you covered within 4-6 weeks.

Builder-Grade vs Aftermarket: Why Aftermarket Wins

Most new construction builders in the Charleston area offer a window treatment package through their design center. While convenient, builder packages have significant limitations compared to ordering aftermarket from a specialized dealer.

Builder-Grade Options

Limited selection, typically 3-5 basic products.
Often the lowest-cost products available, prioritizing builder margin over homeowner value.
Minimal customization for color, style, or features.
Markup is typically 40-60% above what a dealer charges for comparable products.
Installation is often handled by a generalist subcontractor, not a window treatment specialist.
Warranty support goes through the builder, adding a layer of complexity.

Aftermarket from an Authorized Dealer

Full selection from premium manufacturers like Norman USA.
Hundreds of product options across shutters, blinds, shades, and drapery.
Full customization for material, color, louver size, control type, and hardware.
Competitive pricing direct from the manufacturer, often 20-30% less than builder markup.
Installation by window treatment specialists who do this every day.
Direct manufacturer warranty with dealer support.
Access to motorized and smart home integration options that builders rarely offer.

The bottom line: you get better products, more choices, lower prices, and expert installation by going aftermarket. The only trade-off is that you handle the ordering process separately from your home purchase, which Carolina Interior Installations makes easy.

Whole-House Packages for New Construction

One of the biggest advantages of outfitting a new construction home is the opportunity to order everything at once. Whole-house packages from Carolina Interior Installations offer several benefits.

Volume pricing: Ordering treatments for 15-25 windows at once qualifies for bulk discounts of 10-20% compared to ordering room by room over time.
Design cohesion: A whole-house approach ensures consistent style, color, and quality throughout your home. No mismatched treatments from different purchases over the years.
Single installation visit: We measure, order, and install everything in coordinated visits, minimizing disruption.
Mixed product strategy: A whole-house package does not mean the same product in every room. We help you select the optimal treatment for each space: shutters in the main living areas, cellular shades in bedrooms for superior insulation, roller shades in the home office, and moisture-resistant options in bathrooms.

Popular Window Treatment Choices for Nexton and Cane Bay Homes

Faux Wood Plantation Shutters

The most popular choice for main living areas in new construction. Shutters complement the architectural style of homes in both Nexton and Cane Bay, add immediate curb appeal, and increase resale value. Norman USA's Woodlore Plus with its aluminum-reinforced core is ideal for Charleston's humidity. Most Nexton and Cane Bay floor plans feature standard window sizes that keep shutter costs predictable.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are the top choice for bedrooms in new construction. Their honeycomb structure provides excellent insulation, which is especially valuable in new homes where large windows are a design feature. Light-filtering options let in soft natural light while maintaining privacy, and blackout cellular shades create complete darkness for sleeping. Cordless cellular shades are the safest option for children's bedrooms.

Roller Shades

Clean, modern roller shades are popular in home offices, bonus rooms, and contemporary-styled new builds. Solar roller shades reduce glare on screens while maintaining your view of the surrounding Lowcountry landscape. Dual roller systems offer both light filtering and blackout in a single headrail.

Motorized Smart Treatments

New construction is the perfect time to go motorized. With pre-wired outlets at window headers, hardwired motorized treatments deliver seamless smart home integration from day one. Nexton homes, in particular, often come with smart home infrastructure that makes adding motorized shades straightforward. Popular configurations include motorized cellular shades in bedrooms programmed to open at wake-up time and close at sunset, and motorized roller shades in the great room controlled by voice through Alexa or Google Home.

Smart Home Pre-Wiring for Motorized Treatments

If your Nexton or Cane Bay home is still under construction, this is the single most important piece of advice: ask your builder to pre-wire for motorized window treatments before the drywall goes up.

Pre-wiring involves running electrical to a recessed outlet box at the top of each window where you plan to install motorized treatments. During construction, this is a simple, inexpensive task for the electrician, typically $50-$100 per window. After construction, retrofitting wiring into finished walls costs $200-$500 per window and involves patching drywall and repainting.

Even if you are not ready to invest in motorized treatments right now, having the wiring in place preserves the option for the future at minimal cost. We recommend pre-wiring at minimum the great room, master bedroom, and any hard-to-reach windows or skylights.

Energy Efficiency in New Construction

New construction homes in Nexton and Cane Bay are built to modern energy codes, with low-E windows and improved insulation. Window treatments add another layer of energy efficiency on top of this solid foundation. Cellular shades provide the highest insulation value of any window treatment, with their trapped air pockets acting as a thermal barrier. In a well-insulated new home, adding quality window treatments can reduce HVAC costs by an additional 10-20%, which adds up significantly over the life of the home.

HOA Considerations

Both Nexton and Cane Bay have homeowners associations with guidelines that can affect your window treatment choices. Common HOA requirements include:

Street-facing uniformity: Some HOAs require that all window treatments visible from the street present a consistent exterior appearance. White or off-white backing is a standard requirement.
No foil or reflective films: Temporary solutions like foil or reflective window film are typically prohibited.
Installation timeline: Some HOAs require that window treatments be installed within 30-60 days of move-in, prohibiting bare windows or temporary coverings beyond the grace period.
Exterior color consistency: If your treatment is visible from outside, the exterior-facing color may need to be white, off-white, or match the window trim.

All Norman USA products are available with white backing to meet HOA requirements, and we ensure every installation complies with your community's specific guidelines.

Common Window Sizes in Nexton and Cane Bay

New construction communities use standardized window sizes, which works in your favor for pricing. The most common sizes we encounter in Nexton and Cane Bay include:

Standard single-hung: 36" x 60" (most bedrooms and secondary rooms)
Large single-hung: 36" x 72" (living areas and master bedrooms)
Picture windows: 48" x 60" to 72" x 60" (great rooms and dining areas)
Sliding glass doors: 72" x 80" to 96" x 80" (patios and covered porches)
Transom windows: Various widths x 24" height (above front doors and in foyers)

Because these sizes are standard, we maintain pricing tables specific to Nexton and Cane Bay floor plans, allowing us to provide fast, accurate quotes.

Timeline for Ordering and Installation

Here is a realistic timeline for outfitting your entire new construction home with custom window treatments:

Week 1: Free consultation and measurement appointment.
Week 1-2: Design review and product selection. We provide a detailed quote with product specifications for every window.
Week 2: Order placed with manufacturer.
Weeks 3-6: Custom fabrication at Norman USA's facility.
Week 6-7: Delivery and installation. A typical whole-house installation takes one full day for 15-20 windows.

Total time from first contact to finished installation: approximately 6-7 weeks. Plan accordingly relative to your move-in date.

Builder Partnerships

Carolina Interior Installations works directly with several builders active in Nexton and Cane Bay. If your builder is one of our partners, we can coordinate directly during the construction process for pre-wiring, measurement timing, and installation scheduling. Ask your builder if they work with us, or contact us directly and we will coordinate with your builder on your behalf.

Get Started on Your New Home

Moving into a new Nexton or Cane Bay home is exciting, and having the right window treatments from day one makes it even better. Schedule your free consultation with Carolina Interior Installations today. We specialize in whole-house packages for new construction in Charleston's fastest-growing communities. Explore our full range of residential window treatment options and let us help you make your new house feel like home from the moment you walk through the door.

New Construction Window Treatments: Nexton & Cane Bay Homeowner Guide