How many smart home features do you have? Would you consider yourself surrounded in devices, or are you just starting to figure it all out? One of the topics we get asked the most questions about is our smart blinds. There’s so many ways to bring automation to your everyday life, homeowners find themselves attempting to get all the information they can about the features, the function, the benefits and the cost.
What Are Smart Blinds?
The word “smart” is attaching itself to any and every product on the market these days. Window coverings are no different. In general, smart blinds is the term used to describe window coverings that move with a motor. But when you get into the details, there can be so many different features available.
What’s the Difference?
When it comes to smart blinds, remote control shades, motorized shutters and automatic drapes, what’s the difference? Many people use the terms interchangeably, from “smart” to “auto” or “remote.” Get the details here, or check out our smart shade automation guide.
Remote Control
Adjust your window coverings with features available on the Pebble Remote from Hunter Douglas. This can be hand-held or wall-mounted, controlling up to 6 shades at a time. Favorite settings are possible.
The App
Hunter Douglas PowerView automation is the operating system for most of our motorized shades. PowerView has its own app that allows you to do everything the remote can do–and more. Set scenes with various positions, save schedules that create rhythm in your life, and adjust your automated shades from anywhere.
Smart Home Integrated
This option has even more features. Enjoy voice-controlled adjustments with your smart home assistant, including Alexa and Siri. Experience the power of two-way communication within the app–that means you can be at work, checking in on the house, and the app will show you what position your shades are in per room. You can even designate triggers, like allowing your smart thermostat to initiate closing the motorized roller shades when the house reaches a certain temperature on a hot summer day.
Individual Motorization
We also offer motorized shades that move with a motor, but are not controlled by a remote, app or smart device. The SoftTouch system provides a slim wand that controls individual shade movement for one–and only one–window. The wand is gently pushed or pulled alongside the shade, and the movements–opening, closing or adjusting–are activated.
Other Terms You Might Hear
Motorized: The name given to any window coverings (blinds, shades, shutters, drapes) that adjust by motor. The phrases “power shades” or “electric shades” also fall in the motorization category.
Automatic: Another name for motorized coverings, often used when referring to movement that happens on a schedule or without effort
Visit one of our recent articles for a good understanding of the difference and to compare motorized blinds and smart shades.
How Does an App Control Window Treatments?
The Hunter Douglas PowerView Automation app is available with more motorized blinds than ever before. One thing we love about providing the Hunter Douglas brand is how user-friendly they have chosen to make the products. And, they’re improving them continually as smart features develop. See the experience here:
Where Does the Power Come from?
The motor for smart blinds in integrated into the headrail, out of sight. The power source for any of our motorized blinds, shades, shutters or drapes can be hardwired or battery powered. Hardwiring your automated shades can be simple–it’s low voltage electricity. But, it’s best put in place at the window during new construction or a remodeling project. This is why many homeowners choose battery powered shades. In an effort towards environmentally conscious battery usage, you can get a rechargeable battery wand to power your automatic blinds. These can be retro-fit on previously purchased Hunter Douglas PowerView shades, or purchased for new window coverings.
How Often Do Batteries Have to Be Changed?
This can be a tricky question to answer straight-away, since battery life can depend on how active your shades are on a daily basis. We usually say two years if you have them set to adjust twice a day.
Do Smart Shades Last?
This question is usually referring to the condition of the window coverings. From our experience, any motorized window coverings tend to last a long time–even longer than some manually adjusted window treatments because they aren’t being handled.
What Is the Cost?
The price of any home investment is a great question, as you often have to budget to ensure you get the quality you deserve. Like any other category that uses technology, as soon as new innovations are introduced, the price is higher than after it’s been on the market for awhile. With smart shades, the same scenario has been true. Motorized window coverings have come down in price, but they do still add a cost to the project. What many homeowners don’t understand is that there are a number of factors that contribute to the cost, and with some adjustments, it’s possible for you to customize your quote to fit your budget.
- The kind of window coverings you want can vary
- Specialty features can affect pricing
- Fabrics play a part in the final cost
- How many windows you are ordering for at one time
- The type of automation you choose…smart, individual wand control, remote, app control
In addition to the cost of the shades, you should check with the brand you’re considering to see if there are more components needed in order for the automatic features to work. Hunter Douglas has worked endlessly to make sure their PowerView automated shades integrate easily with the smart home technology that you already have in your home, like Logitech, Alexa, Siri, Elan, Control4 and more.
What Are the Benefits of Smart Blinds?
Adding smart blinds to your home offers so many benefits, from lighting and temperature control, to convenience and safety features.
Safety, Security & Protection
You might not realize it, but window coverings can play a huge role in the protection of your family and your home. With automated shades, there are no cords, making them a great option for child safety. (Not only that, but smart control keeps your shades safe, too! With an instant adjustment, it’s easy to keep them out of reach of a curious toddler during playtime, helping stay fresh for years to come.)
When the family leaves for the day, it can be a lonely time for our furry friends. But, closing up the house is necessary to keep them cool and protected. Why not set the smart shades to allow pets a view to the outside, or a cozy spot in the sun to enjoy a morning snooze? Set a schedule for them or adjust remotely. After all, they are part of the family, too.
And, when you do leave for the day–or even when enjoying a tropical vacation–you can trust that your smart blinds will continue to adjust day in and day out, offering the illusion that someone is home.
Convenience At Your Fingertips
Motorized shades give you the ability to transform light and set the mood in any room in an instant. Do you want your shades to open automatically in the morning to welcome the new day with you? No problem! Do you want to be able to close the shades in your home, even when you aren’t at home to do it? We’ve got your solution! Our motorized shades offer many convenient ways to give you ultimate control over your window treatments, your home and your lifestyle
Efficiency At Its Best
With PowerView automation, you can schedule your motorized shades to open and close at specific times during the day. You also have the ability to control individual shades, entire rooms or your entire home all at once. Do you want your shades open in the morning, but notice that your living room gets unusually hot in the afternoon? Closing the shades in the living room, even when you aren’t home, can add to the energy efficiency. You can close certain shades automatically, while leaving other rooms fully or partially open, helping you enjoy your home more while saving you money and time.
Which Brand Is Best?
Since we are a window treatment company, we may sound biased. However, Timan & Co. has been providing window coverings to the communities of Northeastern Ohio for a long time–and we know the brands that offer quality. As a homeowner, you want the type of product that has a long-standing reputation. When it comes to motorized interior shades, we offer Hunter Douglas. With high quality products and a dedication to innovation over the years, the systems have been designed so you can have the best experience with automated blinds, shades, shutters and drapes. For exterior motorized shades, visit our page designed to showcase all of the products we offer to add function to your outdoor space.
Get Expert Help with Smart Blinds in Northeast Ohio
If you have questions, or if you want to try some of these amazing features, we are here with local showrooms for custom window treatments in Cleveland, Chagrin Falls and Rocky River. We’d love to help you decide which automated window coverings will work best for your home. We also professionally install your smart shades, and then walk you through how to use them. We’ll show you the features, the scheduling, the scene setting…everything is ready for you from day one. And…we’ll be here for you long after the install. Get in touch to schedule a FREE in-home consultation.
