We often find ourselves wondering how to make our homes better: Added comforts, increased control, improved design. Window treatments certainly play a roll in the atmosphere of the home, but which ones will deliver what YOU need? One of the most popular types? Roller shades. The sleek, low profile form, combined with simple operation has made it a client favorite for years. Even more than ever before, homeowners are loving roller shades, but with one additional upgrade: Automation. Are motorized roller shades right for you?
Different Windows, Different Adjustments
One of the features we like to point out about motorized roller shades, or any of our automated window treatments, is that it’s never been easier to customize the lighting and privacy in your home. That’s not just room to room–it’s also from window to window.
Does one window get sunshine during one part of the day, while another window gets sunshine during a different part of the day? Motorized roller shades can help. Schedule the opening and closing of individual shades, based on the times of day that the light and privacy is affected. Then, sit back and watch the atmosphere shift in front of you.
Home Comfort, Utility Savings
Here in the Toronto area, we love the idea of making our homes more comfortable. Even more than that? We love added efficiency that adds comfort while helping us save money in the long run. Energy efficient window treatments help block the direct rays that cause exhausting heat in the summer, and they diminish the drafts we feel in winter.
The thing with energy savings shades is–they only work when you adjust them. And, that can get to feel like a lot. The best way to have your window shades benefit you at their highest potential is to set the and forget them. Motorized roller shades, like these cellular roller shades, adjust to let the morning sunshine into your home, then close up when the drafty outdoors threatens to cool everyone off.
Privacy + Added Security
No one would argue that window coverings provide privacy. They do. When you have them closed, they keep the outside views blocked. But, it shouldn’t have to stay that way, and this is where motorized roller shades feel like a huge upgrade. Schedule your regular privacy, then adjust in an instant with a quick tap for those times when you need privacy. You can adjust multiple shades at a time, which is a time-saver, as well as effortless.
So, motorized roller shades can deliver comfort and privacy when you’re home. How about when you’re not? Away on vacation, the last thing you’ll want is for anyone else to realize you’re away from home. Automated blinds continue to adjust on a schedule, making it appear to anyone outside your home that someone is home.
Choose Your Control.
Now that you’ve seen how motorized roller shades can enhance your life, how about choosing control? There are three ways to operate Hunter Douglas motorized shades:
- Remote Control
- App Control
- Smart Home Integration
Remote control operation allows you to open, close and adjust multiple shades individually, or all at once. You can even save favorites. Remotes can be handheld or wall-mounted.
App control means that you’ll use your favorite device to control your shades. Save settings, open and close, set scenes for the right atmosphere. you can control shades across multiple rooms, or even just one window.
Smart home integration means that your motorized roller shades will use your smart home system for voice commands, more efficient adjustments, triggered opening and closing, as well as all of the benefits that you have within the app.
Pick Your Power.
The power source of motorized shades is an individual choice, but over the years, operating automatic blinds has become more efficient, sustainable and cost conscious.
- Disposable batteries
- Rechargeable battery wand
- Solar Power
- Hard-wired
The go-to power source over the years has been disposable batteries. You’ll most likely be changing the batteries every 1-2 years, depending on the use. That seems reasonable, except the costs and the amount of batteries creating waste can add up, especially when you have multiple shades in your home.
In the name of sustainability and long-term cost, Hunter Douglas introduced the rechargeable battery wand. This is capable of fitting into previously purchased shades, as well as new. It’s a highly sought-after feature for automated shades.
Continuing to innovate the option for solar power is expected to be another win in the name of sustainability and long-term costs. Imagine using the sun to power the very shades you’re using to block it out.
Hard-wired shades are available for installing in your home. The drawback is that this option is really great when building a new home, or remodeling your current home, but it’s not convenient for every project, since low voltage wiring is installed before the drywall is installed.
What’s the Next Step?
It’s time for you to chat with one of our window covering specialists! Stop on by one of our showrooms to see everything up close. Watch as adjustments occur, and use the operating systems to find your favorites. Then, schedule your free design consult. Our team would love to help you get started on your next project.
