Motorization and Automation for Window Coverings

What Are Motorized Blinds, Shades, curtains, shutters, or exterior shades?

Motorizing your window coverings allows you to raise or lower your blinds, shades curtains, or exterior shades with the simple touch of a button of a button or by voice. Controlling them is accomplished with a remote control or an application (also know as an "app") on a smart device (like a smartphone or tablet). Motorization is also sometimes called "automation," but this can cause confusion because remote control functions and automated functions are fundamentally different. The fundamental difference between remote control functions and automated functions for window coverings is that remote control functions allow you to manually control your window coverings, while automated functions allow you to schedule or program your window coverings to open and close automatically. Importantly, automated functions for window coverings can be set up through a remote control in some cases, but not all. Typically, if you are interested in setting up more complex automated functions, you will need to use a smartphone/tablet app or smart home hub.

Now let's briefly look at the functions that can be automated. These functions include: opening and closing, dimming, positioning, and grouping. Additionally, some systems also offer advanced automation features, such as: weather-based, presence detection, and geofencing. Below is a description of, first, the more standard automated features and, second, the more advanced features:

Standard Automation Features

  • Opening and closing: You can create automated schedules for your window coverings to open and close at specific times of day. This can be useful for security, energy efficiency, or simply to create a more comfortable environment.
  • Dimming: Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades and cellular shades, can be dimmed to allow in varying amounts of light. This can be useful for creating the perfect ambiance in your home.
  • Positioning: You can automate the positioning of your window coverings to block out sunlight, create privacy, or simply to achieve a desired aesthetic.
  • Grouping: You can group multiple window coverings together and control them as a single unit. This can be useful for creating complex automated scenes, such as closing all of the window coverings in your home at night or opening all of the window coverings in your living room when you wake up in the morning.

More Advanced Automation Features

  • Weather-based automation: You can configure your window coverings to open and close automatically based on the weather forecast. For example, you can have your window coverings close when it is raining or snowing to prevent water from entering your home.
  • Presence detection: You can use sensors to detect when you are home or away and automate your window coverings accordingly. For example, you can have your window coverings open when you arrive home and close when you leave.
  • Geofencing: You can use geofencing to automate your window coverings based on your location. For example, you can have your window coverings open when you are within a certain distance of your home and close when you are outside of that distance.

How Much Light Can Motorized Window Coverings Block?

The quick answer: as much or little as you'd like! Motorized window coverings come in many different varieties and options, so you'll be able to choose an option that has the best opacity for your usage scenario. And, of course, Designing Windows by Isabel can help you with every step of the process—from choosing the perfect solution for your space all the way through installation!

The videos below showcase Somfy® Glydea® Ultra Motorized Drapery Track for curtains or sheers. Glydea® is a premium, quiet, and discreet motor that allows you to effortlessly open and close all types of curtains with a remote or by voice command via Amazon Alexa. After the videos, feel free to read more about the Benefits of Automating Window Coverings. You may be surprised to find that the boons of automation are more than just mere convenience!

Somfy® Glydea® Ultra Motorized Drapery Track for Curtains or Sheers

Somfy® Glydea® Ultra Premier Curtain Motorization

The Benefits of Motorizing Window Treatments are Plentiful

Hunter Douglas PowerView Remote
Hunter Douglas® PowerView Remote

Automation Creates More Security for Your Home

Whether you leave your home for vacation, work, or some other reason, we all have to do it. If you're leaving your home, you probably lock your doors as you depart or, when on vacation, perhaps you use timers on lights to secure your home. Yet another way to increase security while away is to use automated window coverings. Rather than simply leaving all your blinds, shades, and curtains drawn closed, your window coverings can change position throughout the day or evening. This movement—which can be scheduled to irregular patterns— creates the illusion of activity. In other words, automation creates a "lived-in" appearance. The vast majority of burglars are deterred when they believe somebody is home. Therefore, the repositioning of your window coverings provide an excellent deterrent!

Save Energy and Money

Florida is known for its hot and sunny weather. While some indoor sunlight may be desirable on a beautiful day, direct and indirect sunlight can raise the temperature of rooms. Home automation systems can automatically close shades and turn off lights when they detect a rise in temperature, saving energy and money.

Keep Children and Pets Safer

Cords are a convenient way to control blinds, but they pose a potential injury risk to children and pets. Dangling cords can look like toys, but they are a choking hazard. A study in the journal Pediatrics (2018) found that in a 25-year period there were 16,827 window covering-related injuries to children 6 years and younger—an average of nearly 2 emergency visits per day. During the same period, there were 271 deaths due to cord asphyxiation. Motorized blinds eliminate lift cords, making homes much safer for children and pets. Even if this potential hazard is not a concern for you, dealing with tangled and snagged cords is often a hassle. No cords means less hassle! Plus, by motorizing your window treatments you will gain the many other benefits of automation!

Final Thoughts

If you have windows that are beyond reach or especially tall, then motorizing your window coverings can be a smart choice. Maybe you have a window that you simply didn't think could have blinds. Or perhaps your worried about sun damage coming to a beloved piece of furniture, beautiful flooring, and even collectibles & art. Motorization could be the just the solution you seek. There's no doubt that it'll improve the convenience, safety, and efficiency of your home. But these are just some of the benefits of automating your window coverings. Feel free to contact us to discuss home automation and set up a free consultation!

Motorize your window coverings for hard-to-reach, tall, or unconventional windows—or to protect your belongings—such as beloved piece of furniture, beautiful flooring, and collectibles & art—from sun damage. Automation is a smart choice for convenience, safety, and efficiency. Feel free to contact us to discuss home automation and set up a free consultation!

Below is a video overview of Somfy® Smoove® Automation.

Somfy® Motorization

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