Pop Culture: Motorized Blinds or Smart Shades

Does it surprise you to learn that 1 in 4 window coverings are now being equipped with motorization? If you’re interested in remote control, motorized blinds or smart shades, now’s the time to learn how smart home tech can impact your lifestyle. Let’s get your questions answered and get a better understanding of what new products are out there. 

Name That Treatment

There are so many interchangeable names for automated window treatments, don’t be confused by it. Power blinds, smart shades, remote control blinds, motorization, automation…you get the picture! Thankfully, your only concern is what features you’d like to equip your treatments with–we can take care of the names.

dual shades for living room with light filtering and room darkening Austin TX
Vignette® Modern Roman Shades

Motorized Blinds OR Smart Shades?

All in all, motorization is a term used to describe blinds, shades or drapery that move by motor. It’s simple enough. With motorization, our clients just tap a button on a remote, phone or tablet–or nudge the wand attached alongside the window. You’ll enjoy simple control for quick, convenient adjustments.

smart shades adjusted by an app on the phone
PowerView® Automation

Now with automation, you’ll experience some more enhanced features. You’ll have the ability to adjust multiple window shades around your home at once, or each window individually. It gives our clients the freedom to customize the atmosphere of their home for comfort or to set the scene. In addition, by setting your smart shades on a schedule your home becomes more intuitive. You can signal when it’s time to wake up or when it’s time to settle down with automatic adjustments. Alexa and Siri can step in to help adjust by voice command, too!

Individual Choice

With so many options, how do I choose? First, decide what features will benefit you most, which rooms you’ll be updating, and of course, set a budget. Although smart home tech is becoming more mainstream–cost can still be a consideration. But, with the world around us adding so many smart home features, it’s probably a lot more affordable than you think! With so many innovative products to choose from, now’s the ideal time to add automated window coverings to your home. 

Wand motorization close up Austin, TX
Sonnette™ Cellular Roller Shades with SoftTouch™ Motorization

If you’re ready to dive into the world of motorized window shades, the wand motorization of SoftTouch is a great product to begin with. It’s a simple system that allows for easy touch adjustments and its motor is hidden in the headrail. The control stays at that individual window, but it’ll always be easy to control.

Or, you can level up with PowerView to enjoy a remote, phone or tablet to control a group of windows, or just one in the group. You’ll quickly get used to the convenience of your shades adjusting by themselves.

horizontal window shades over sliding door adjusting up with automation
Pirouette® Shades with PowerView® Automation

Now if you’re already comfortable with all things tech, then smart home integration is the way to go! The good news is that your current smart devices will be compatible with our collection upon installation. Look at what the intelligence of automation gives you:

  • Use voice commands to make adjustments
  • Connect with other smart home devices
  • Control numerous shades on a schedule
  • Enjoy favorite settings & scenes

One more question…

Before you begin your project, it’s important to get all your questions answered. At Austin Window Fashions, we have expert knowledge on all window coverings. Sit down with us at our showroom to discuss the possibilities of adding motorized blinds or smart shades. There is no project too small and we really enjoy educating our clients on the newest products the window covering industry offers. With smart home tech becoming the norm, don’t be left behind. Reach out to use today for your FREE Consultation.