Window shade automation is changing the lives of homeowners, from atmosphere and lighting, to privacy and energy efficiency. We know there are many options out there, and that’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you decide. Let’s explore features and benefits, control options and specific products—all focused on how motorized blinds and smart shades can improve your daily life.
What Are Motorized & Smart Window Treatments?
It’s important to start with an understanding of what is available to you, so you can make the choice that best fits your lifestyle.
Defining Motorized, Remote & Smart
Motorized Window Treatments: Any window covering that operates with a motor. This includes Hunter Douglas PowerView® and an individual motorization option, the SoftTouch® wand motorization system, where the side wand is nudged up or down to activate the shade.
Remote Control Shades: This is one level of the Hunter Douglas PowerView® system, where window coverings are activated by a remote, either hand-held or wall mounted. Today, you can also use an app on your phone or tablet to control the opening, closing and adjusting of your remote control window coverings.
Smart Blinds: Smart window treatments are opened, closed and adjusted with remote, app or voice control. Schedules are created, scenes and saved favorites allow you to craft the ideal atmosphere in an instant. Smart features integrate with other systems for optimal performance. The Hunter Douglas PowerView® automation system has been designed for compatibility with most other smart home systems and devices for simple integration.
Product Offerings
Almost every Hunter Douglas product is available with some level of motorization. Each category features its own product specifics. Take a look at the highlights:
- Motorized Blinds: Typical blinds are available for remote control and smart operating systems, with slats tilting when motorization is activated. Our newest product, Aria fabric blinds, can also open and close fully with motorization.
- Motorized Shades: Almost every window shade we provide is available with PowerView® automation. Certain collections can be customized with the SoftTouch® individual shade motorization system.
- Motorized Shutters: Yes, shutters can be controlled with motorization. This is specific to the Palm Beach™ PolySatin Shutters collection. Motorized shutters provide tilt control of louvers—increasing energy efficiency, light control and privacy.
- Motorized Drapery: Open, close and adjust your motorized and smart drapes with the PowerView® system, including the most popular header styles, like ripple fold and pinch pleat drapery.
Benefits of Motorized Shades
Convenience and Comfort
Motorized window treatments offer one-tap control to create scenes in your home in an instant, or sit back and relax as they adjust on a schedule.
Light Control and Glare Reduction
The ability to instantly adjust smart shades is a great way to control the light and reduce glare throughout the rooms of your home, including the living room, home office and open-concept spaces.
Privacy and Security
Motorized window treatments deliver privacy for street-facing areas of the home, the entryway and bedrooms. They increase feelings of security, knowing your automated shades continue to adjust, even when you’re away.
Safety Features
With any level of window shade automation, there are no cords. This removes any possible dangers for children and pets.
Energy Efficiency
Close the shades instantly to block heat gain, whether with blackout shades or cellular shades for insulation. Schedule your automated shades to close regularly to keep afternoon sun out.
Hard-to-Reach Windows
Adding remote control shades to your largest windows, skylights and second-story windows is vital to being able to enjoy the light and views, while also creating the right control in your home.
Real Life Moments Automation Solves
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?
- You adjust and readjust the shades, just to step back and realize they still aren’t even. With motorized shades, there’s no complications. With a simple tap—or a call out to Siri or Alexa—your window treatments open, close, tilt or adjust to your exact liking.
- Those living room windows that you have to get a ladder to clean? With automation, you’re one tap away from adjusting those “hard-to-reach” window treatments.
- You lean—uncomfortably—over the furniture, trying to adjust the roller shades. With automated shades, the adjustment is one tap or voice command away, and there are no cords.
- After a long day, you finally sit down to watch TV, only to realize that the shades are still open and the glare is unbearable. With motorized blinds, shades or shutters, you can set the right atmosphere without getting up from the couch.
- Your bedroom is dark—if you have the right window treatments. Bedroom smart shades can open on a schedule to bring in just the right amount of morning light.
How Smart Shades Work
Power Options
Deciding on a power source for your motorized window treatments is a big decision. We can chat about your home to help you decide which option will work best for you and your family.
- Hard-Wiring: Often recommended for homes that are being built or renovated, since running the low-voltage electrical is a minor addition to walls that are already unfinished and easy to access.
- AA Battery Operated: A popular option due to ease of use and accessibility. AA batteries will power motorized shades 1–2 years (depending on daily use).
- Rechargeable Battery Wand: A specialized battery option created to work in new and existing motorized shades. The rechargeable battery wand can be retro-fit to most previously purchased PowerView® shades.
- Solar Powered: A newer option that sits inside the window—on the glass or the frame—providing power to the shades.
Controls
- Individual Motorization: SoftTouch® wand motorization offers motorization right at the window, with a gentle nudge up or down for adjustment. This is ideal for simple, convenient control at only certain spots in your home, usually 1–3 windows.
- Remote/App Motorization: The next level of control comes with the Hunter Douglas PowerView® system. A simple tap on the remote or in the app is all you’ll need. There are options for saved favorites, scheduling and scene setting.
- Automation: PowerView® automation integrates with your smart home system. Schedule adjustments based on times of day (and even seasons), create scenes and favorites, and check in with your smart shades when you’re not at home using the app. Voice commands allow you to use your smart devices to make adjustments.
Smart Accessories
Smart accessories can expand what your system can do and make it easier to use throughout the home:
- Favorite Scenes: Save the atmosphere you love and bring it back instantly—then schedule it to happen automatically.
- Signal Support: If the layout of a home affects wireless signals, system accessories can help strengthen communication across rooms.
- Pebble Remote: A sleek remote designed to look great in your space—hand-held or placed on a stand for easy access.
Sound Levels
There have been amazing advancements in window shade automation over the last couple of decades, and the noise level of moving shades has seen innovation, too. Many companies will boast of “whisper quiet” operation, but don’t let that description be the deciding factor. This is one of the reasons our clients appreciate visiting a showroom, where you can experience firsthand how a motor sounds and feels in real life.
How Much Do Motorized Shades Cost?
This is a frequent smart blinds question—as it should be. Each project is customized, based on factors like:
- Motorization system chosen (individual window control, remote, smart home)
- The number of window shades
- Sizes of windows
- Specific types of window coverings & fabrics
- Additional features chosen (dual shades, top down bottom up)
Room-by-Room Benefits of Smart Shades
When choosing to upgrade your home to motorized window treatments, it’s smart to go room-by-room to decide which spaces you’ll benefit from the most.
- The Entryway: Privacy, security and light control—adjust instantly or on a schedule.
- The Kitchen: A busy room with ever-changing light, the kitchen window coverings have a tough job. Remote control shades are a great candidate for hands-off adjustments.
- The Living Room: Reduce glare, block heat gain, and create the ideal atmosphere—then close out the world in the evening for privacy.
- The Home Office: Reduce glare for screens, boost comfort, and adjust instantly for privacy and concentration in the home office.
- The Bedrooms: Light control is everything. Use schedules to fall asleep and stay asleep longer, then wake up on time—or sleep in on your days off.
Explore Motorized Window Treatments Near You
- See how homeowners are using motorized shades in Chicago.
- Discover the benefits of smart shades in Los Angeles homes.
- Explore motorized window treatments in Nashville.
- Learn about motorized blinds in Portland homes.
- See how smart window treatments in New York City are transforming daily life.
- Discover how homeowners are upgrading to motorized shades in White Plains, NY.
Feature Spotlights
Motorized Roller Shades
As one of the most popular types of window treatments, roller shades feature modern finishings with a sleek profile and simple adjustments. Add automation to this classic favorite? Motorized roller shades will amaze you.
How do they work? Use the remote, the app on your phone—or a voice command—to make instant adjustments, saved settings or triggered opening and closing with integration.
- Lighting Control: Open in an instant for morning light, or close in the afternoon when direct sun floods the room.
- Safety: No cords—safer for children and pets.
- Energy Savings: Close shades to reduce heat gain and help maintain a comfortable interior temperature.
- Privacy: Ideal for street-facing rooms, especially at night.
- Convenience: Hard-to-reach windows become easy, and schedules handle daily adjustments automatically.
Motorized Shutters
The latest innovation from Hunter Douglas combines classic style with modern technology. Palm Beach™ shutters are available with motorization, offering tilt control for daylighting, privacy, and light control—using remote control, voice control, or a smart device.
- Enjoy Your View: Open louvers for incredible view-through, then close for instant privacy.
- Smart Upgrades: Use voice control or schedules to match your daily routines.
- Difficult Environments: Durable materials can perform beautifully in moisture-prone or high-sunlight areas.
- Completely Custom Fit: Custom sizing helps solve challenges around shape, placement, and obstacles.
The Design Consultation
You’ll work one-on-one with a window covering specialist to determine the best window shades, fabrics and operating systems. You can visit a showroom to see everything up close and interact with features. Scheduling an in-home consultation is the next step to deciding what you’d like in your home.
The Installation Process
We see installation as a key factor in how your motorized window coverings will perform. Professional expertise is required due to wiring, shade calibration and window placement—especially for hard-to-reach windows.
Our team is trained to meticulously install shades with expertise, then guide homeowners through activating smart shades, scheduling adjustments and saving settings for the ideal scenes.
Why Choose Skyline Window Coverings?
As an authorized Hunter Douglas dealer, we know you have a wide selection of choices for window treatments. Adding motorized window treatments into your home is an investment, and it’s important to trust the brand and the products. Visit one of our showrooms and chat with a designer who will guide you. Our professionally trained installers will install your smart shades and teach you how to use them.
Let’s Explore Your Options!
At Skyline Window Coverings, we work one-on-one with you to determine the best selections for your home, from styles and fabrics, to operating systems and innovative features. Get in touch for your free in-home design consult.
