Motorized Shades in Austin
Custom motorized shades, blinds and drapery make it easy to manage light, privacy and comfort throughout your Austin home.
Open, close and adjust your window treatments with a remote, smartphone app, scheduled automation or voice control. Choose from battery-powered, rechargeable and hardwired options, with smart home integration available for compatible systems. Austin Window Fashions will help you select the right motorized window treatments for your windows, lifestyle and home technology, with professional measuring, installation and setup.
Meet with a Motorization Expert
Effortless Control for Every Window
Motorized window treatments make everyday light and privacy easier to manage, whether you’re adjusting a single bedroom shade or coordinating windows throughout your home. They are especially useful for large or hard-to-reach windows, rooms with multiple shades, and spaces where changing sunlight calls for frequent adjustments.
At Austin Window Fashions, we design and professionally install motorized shades, blinds and drapery for Austin-area homes. Our team helps you choose the right window treatment, control system and power source, then handles the measuring, installation and setup so everything is ready to use from day one.
See Motorization in Action
Motorization is available with many of the window treatment styles you already love, giving you flexibility in both design and operation. Control individual shades or coordinate multiple treatments throughout a room for convenient light and privacy control.
Motorized roller shades offer clean lines and smooth operation, while motorized sheer shades make it easy to soften glare, preserve the view and adjust privacy throughout the day. Automation is also especially useful for large and hard-to-reach windows.
Benefits of Motorized Shades
Motorized window treatments do more than add convenience—they make it easier to manage light, privacy and comfort throughout your Austin home.
With motorization, you can:
- Adjust one shade or multiple shades at once
- Control hard-to-reach and oversized windows more easily
- Create schedules around your daily routine
- Save favorite settings for different activities
- Connect compatible treatments with your smart home system
- Eliminate the need for operating cords
Scheduled Adjustments
Set your shades to adjust automatically around your daily routine. Open bedroom shades in the morning, lower shades during intense afternoon sun, or close them around sunset for privacy—all without having to adjust each window individually.
Energy & Light Management
Scheduling shades around changing sunlight can help manage glare and solar heat gain throughout the day. During Austin’s hot summers, shades can close during periods of intense sun and reopen later, helping maintain a more comfortable indoor environment.
Privacy & Security
Close shades automatically in the evening or schedule them to adjust while you’re away. Automated routines make everyday privacy easier to manage and can create the appearance of normal activity when no one is home.
Custom Scenes
PowerView® Scenes let you save preferred positions for individual shades or groups of shades. With one command, you can adjust a room for watching TV, entertaining, working from home or relaxing at the end of the day.
Ways to Control Your Motorized Shades
PowerView® Remote Control
Open and close your motorized blinds instantly with a handheld remote. Simple, intuitive, and ideal for multi-shade control.
PowerView® App Control
Use a dedicated app to adjust your electric blinds, set schedules, and save favorite settings from anywhere. Control your home whether you’re in the room or away on vacation.
Smart Home & Voice Control
Integrate your motorized shades with Alexa, Google Assistant, or other smart home systems. Enjoy voice control, automated routines, and triggered adjustments.
SoftTouch® Motorized Wand
For individual windows, the SoftTouch® motorized wand offers easy manual-style control with automated precision. A gentle push adjusts the shade smoothly and quietly.
- Solera® Soft Shades & PowerView® App
- Alustra® Woven Textures® Roman Shades
- Pirouette® Window Shadings & Pebble® Remote
- Designer Roller Shades
How Are Motorized Shades Powered?
PowerView® Automation offers several power options, making motorization possible in both existing homes and new construction.
Battery Power
Battery-powered shades require no electrical wiring, making them a practical choice for many existing homes.
Rechargeable Battery Wand
Rechargeable power reduces the need for disposable batteries without requiring hardwiring. Learn more about the Hunter Douglas rechargeable battery wand.
Solar Charging
For compatible windows, solar charging uses sunlight to help maintain the shade’s rechargeable power source and reduce manual charging.
Hardwired Motorization
Building or remodeling? Hardwired shades provide continuous power and can be especially useful for whole-home projects and hard-to-reach windows.
Smart Home Compatibility
Hunter Douglas PowerView® Automation can connect with compatible smart home systems, allowing your motorized shades to become part of your home’s automated routines. PowerView works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home, as well as professional home automation systems such as Control4®, Crestron®, Savant®, ELAN® and URC®.
A PowerView® Gateway is required for smart home integration. Our team can help you choose the right setup for your existing system, including compatible voice control and Matter-enabled options.
How Much Do Motorized Shades Cost?
The cost of motorized shades varies based on the window treatment you choose, the size and number of windows, fabric and design selections, power source, control options, and any smart home integration. Specialty shapes, oversized windows, hardwired installations, and whole-home automation can also affect the overall investment.
During your consultation, our team will help you compare motorized window treatment and power options based on your goals, budget and home layout. You’ll receive recommendations tailored to your windows, including professional measuring, installation and setup.
Motorized Window Treatment Options
Frequently Asked Questions about Motorized Window Treatments
Are motorized shades worth it?
Motorized shades can be especially worthwhile for large or hard-to-reach windows, rooms with multiple shades, and homeowners who want scheduled light and privacy control. They also eliminate the need to adjust each shade manually and can integrate with compatible smart home systems.
How are motorized shades powered?
Motorized shades can be powered in several ways, depending on the window treatment and installation. Options may include battery power, rechargeable battery systems, solar charging, and hardwired power. Austin Window Fashions can help determine the best power option based on your windows, how often the shades will operate, and whether your home is new construction or an existing space.
Do motorized shades need to be hardwired?
No. Many motorized shades can operate with battery or rechargeable power, so hardwiring is not required for every installation. Hardwired motorization can be a good option for new construction, remodeling, large projects, or windows where wiring can be planned in advance.
How long do motorized shade batteries last?
Battery life varies based on the size and type of window treatment, how frequently it operates, and the power system being used. Shades that make frequent scheduled adjustments may use power more quickly. Rechargeable options make it possible to recharge the system rather than routinely replacing disposable batteries.
Can existing shades be motorized?
No. Hunter Douglas PowerView® Automation is selected when compatible window treatments are ordered and cannot simply be added to an existing manual shade after installation. If you are interested in motorization, our team can help you choose a compatible window treatment and operating system.
Do motorized shades work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Motorized shades can be operated with compatible controls without relying on Wi-Fi for basic operation. App control, voice control, remote access, scheduling, and other smart home features may require additional PowerView® components, a network connection, or compatible smart home technology.
Are motorized shades safer for children and pets?
Motorization eliminates the need for operating cords, making it a convenient choice for homes with children and pets. Shades can be adjusted with a remote, app, or automated schedule instead of a traditional cord.
What happens to motorized shades if the power goes out?
Battery-powered and rechargeable motorized shades can continue operating during a household power outage as long as their batteries have sufficient charge. Hardwired systems depend on household power and generally will not operate until power is restored.
Can motorized shades be installed on large or hard-to-reach windows?
Yes. Motorization is particularly useful for tall, second-story, oversized, and hard-to-reach windows where manual operation may be inconvenient. The appropriate motor and power source will depend on the window treatment, size, and installation.
Can motorized shades work with Alexa or Google Home?
Hunter Douglas PowerView® Automation can work with compatible smart home platforms and voice-control systems when the appropriate components and integrations are used. Compatibility and setup requirements vary by system, so Austin Window Fashions can help determine which options will work with your home’s existing technology.