While my clients love to have their window treatments motorized, going that route is often accompanied by a lot of questions, which is understandable. I’ve compiled a list of the most common questions here, along with helpful answers and guidance.

What are some of the key benefits of motorized window treatments?

Here are three key reasons behind going the smart home/motorization route:

Safety: Smart window coverings make spaces safer, as children and pets can no longer get tangled in hazardous loops or control cords. And thanks to preset scenes and timers, smart window coverings are continuously in motion, making your home always seem inhabited. It creates a sense of security and helps to prevent break-ins.

Energy efficiency: Smart window coverings are able to automatically adapt to changing conditions inside and outside the home. This makes it possible for you to regulate the indoor climate and save energy by making the best use of the insulating properties of window coverings.

Convenience: Smart window coverings make everyday life even more enjoyable. As part of a smart home ecosystem, where various smart devices such as smart lighting and thermostats seamlessly work together, window coverings automatically move to the rhythm of your daily life, creating the perfect atmosphere at any time.

So you can see that the key benefits of smart window coverings perfectly align with the main motivators for people choosing to make their homes smart. The extra investment makes life safer, more energy-efficient, and more comfortable. These are major considerations when deciding upon motorized window treatments.

Motorization always seems expensive…I love the “wow” factor, but I’d still like you to help me justify it in my thinking.

Think about the benefits of energy cost savings that motorized shades provide. Many motorized platforms present unique features like sunrise/sunset detection to seamlessly automate a shading system. Also, energy-efficient homeowner rebate programs are currently in development through the Attachments Energy Rating Council and nationwide utility providers, further supporting the energy benefits of motorized window treatments.

In addition to energy savings, motorized window coverings deliver on their promise of convenience. Many popular motorized shading systems are designed with a wide range of features that enable effortless control of a motorized shade. Through devices such as push-button remotes, voice assistants, or home automation systems, my clients have greater flexibility to personalize how they interact with their shades.

Many existing manual shades, blinds, and drapery systems can be converted to a motorized operation with retrofit capabilities through motor offerings. My customers always have the option to purchase new motorized systems for key areas in the home and opt to upgrade existing systems now or later to spread out their investment.

Did you know I offer motorized plantation shutters too! Way cool convenience! Sorry for the pun. 

And let’s not forget, one of the key reasons for motorizing your window treatments is that it is a child- and pet-safe solution for the home, keeping our loved ones safe from the potential hazards chain and cord shading solutions present. That alone is very important to many of my clients.

The connected home continues to be a growing trend, and motorized window treatments are a natural fit to expand your home’s capabilities.

Do you need different motors to power different window treatments like shades, shutters, and drapes?

Yes, there are different motors for large or small windows and roller shades, draperies, roman shades, shutters, blinds, and even transitional shades. There are many reasons for this. A motor that powers a shade is different in form than a motor that powers a motorized drapery track. Other factors are the size of the shade and the weight of the fabric being motorized. All of that has to be taken into account. Plus, my clients need to decide whether they want a wired solution or a battery-powered solution.

Do I need my electrical system reworked to accommodate motorization?

Many motorized window treatments run on household batteries which means they can be installed anywhere in the home without requiring a nearby power socket. And they’re rechargeable, so you can get good functionality from battery operation. There’s no need for special electrical rewiring with the variety of options available. Since rechargeable batteries can last for many years without being replaced, these blinds require minimum maintenance – and they’re super quiet.

Tell me more specifically about motorizing my draperies.

Motorized drapery hardware’s control technology should be able to be controlled with the touch of a button, simple voice commands, and third-party devices. Motors should be quiet, so sound levels need to be checked upfront too, along with warranties.  And these days, even a manufacturer’s reputation is important.  

Another factor that I have to work with is matching the motor to the drapery’s weight. It’s essential to know and verify that your draperies can operate seamlessly no matter the length, weight, or area the treatment covers. Aesthetically, I look for decorative motorized products that complement my design and what my clients want to achieve. I choose motorized drapery products that offer the same details that decorative hardware does, as well as a wide choice of finishes, rod sizes, and a host of other specifics relative to the window covering process.

What do I need to know about motorizing very large shades, screens, or other window treatments?

Shades can be motorized practically without a size limit. In fact, motorization is key to enabling the proper function of the largest of shades, as they cannot easily be opened or closed by a person without motorization.

The good news is these systems for large window coverings still operate inexpensively with current radio frequency remote controllers and home automation hubs, so we can take advantage of all the systems currently available (e.g., Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant) to command even the largest of shades, shutters, and blinds.

It all seems very complicated. Is there anything simpler?

If you are looking for a more price-conscious way to motorize window treatments without the use of remotes, consider a motorized wand. It’s a simple and affordable solution, and motorized wands offer intuitive operation with a three-button controller. As a safer alternative to corded lift options, these wands can provide function as well as peace of mind.

When is it appropriate to use a solar battery charger?

Although solar panel efficiency relies on numerous factors (the direction it’s facing, shadows going over the window during the day, the height of the window, etc.), in most cases, solar panels are more than enough to charge a blind’s motor. Because solar chargers typically need a few seconds of some really good sun to get started, it can be difficult to get them working in some locations during darker months of the year (but we rarely have that problem here in Florida). However, newer solar systems are more efficient and can provide enough energy for proper functioning even in isolated conditions.

I was thinking about motorization for my office in a different location. Is there a difference between residential and commercial motorization?

Motorization is essentially similar between residential and commercial projects in that they both utilize motors to provide hands-free operation of blinds and shades. However, commercial and residential projects have several key differences.

Commercial projects are typically focused on energy efficiency and worker productivity. Utilizing the combined data from weather sensors, central control units, occupancy sensors, and temperature sensors, commercial window treatments become an integral part of keeping the workforce comfortable and the building sustainable.

While automation is still often an essential part of a residential project, the integrations are much simpler, easier to install, and focused on on-demand use and predictable scheduling. For example, residential motorization is often integrated into the Amazon Echo or Google Home system for voice commands such as, “OK Google, raise my living room shades.” Further, scheduling the window treatments’ movements in residential projects typically revolves around optimizing one’s home experience by coordinating the shades’ movements with routines, such as waking up, watching TV, and going to bed.

In a larger context, commercial solutions can dynamically manage the movement of shades across many zones to allow any size building to have highly specialized climate control depending on how each part of the building is impacted by the sun, occupancy, and temperature throughout the day. As a result, sophisticated commercial automated shading solutions also require a commercial specialist with greater expertise to design and install that kind of system.

What are the differences between indoor and outdoor motorization hardware? What about outdoor hardware in particular?

With motorized indoor shading, you typically attach the product—valance, rollers, headrail, brackets, etc.—at the top of the window only. Power (low voltage or high voltage) is typically routed down through the header to the motor location. For battery-powered systems, you might have a solar panel to consider. Radio motors are popular for many applications.

With outdoor shading, there are more considerations. The product will face the elements and wind, which means it will need side guides. In some products, these are guide wires and in others, they are metal channels. I have to consider the whole opening, including how to anchor side guidance to the structure, leveling, and aesthetics. Manufacturers carry channel adaptors to help install side channels secure and parallel, which is critical. Adaptors are aluminum pieces that help the installation look and perform its best.

Power is another important consideration. Due to the heavier product and environment, higher-voltage, slower-RPM motors are required. Radio obstacle detection motors are popular options for outdoor applications.

Any tips for a great smart hub experience with using my motorized window treatments?

The single most important tip I provide to my clients and customers is to keep it simple. I recommend that my clients keep their commands simple and specific. For example, a good command would be “Living Room Close” or “Ryan’s Room Open”. By keeping the commands simple, they become easy for all users to remember. Making statements difficult can lead to users forgetting the commands and make the automated hubs ineffective and less user-friendly.

I’m concerned about the security of the device that will be used to operate my motorized treatments. How can I be sure that this technology is safe and won’t get hacked?

In spite of recent events showing us that there are vulnerabilities in technology, there are a number of safety nets that should put you at ease.  

First, there are systems where all actions and equipment are encrypted. This keeps them protected at a very high level. The software is constantly being updated, both so it performs at its best and security stays very strong. These updates are done wirelessly, are encrypted, and require no additional effort by the user.  

Like smartphones, many automation systems have privacy features that can be turned on and off. For example, some systems have an option for geolocation accessibility so my clients can have the motors go up or down based on sunrise and sunset. This location information is set to a low-precision value (specific to a city or region, for example, but not an address) so that the data is efficient while not being invasive. There are no logs kept of product usage. This feature can also be turned off.  

And finally, we can look for manufacturers who don’t monetize the data they get from smart home devices. Many companies these days will give you a low-cost product in exchange for your private information. Others will not ask for or collect personal data, which gives you the greatest option for protecting your data and home. This can (and should) be verified upfront if this is a major consideration.

I hope this has given you a better understanding of various aspects and considerations for the motorization of your window coverings. If you’re considering going this route, I’m always available for a consultation to help you determine the best kind of motorization for your needs, lifestyle, and goals. As you can see, it’s a very complicated process, but I can guide you to choosing the perfect motorization solution for what you envision. If this has sparked your interest, let’s talk more about motorization. You can choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And, of course, you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.