Motorized Window Shades - Primary Benefits

Motorized Window Shades – Primary Benefits Listed

1. Convenience. Raising and lowering a manual shade is easy enough if it is not too big. But if the shade is very large or there are 2, 3, 4 or more shades then it becomes more difficult and more time consuming. This convenience factor is important for several other benefits listed below.
a. Maximizing Views. The convenience of motorized shades can mean the difference between seeing a beautiful sunrise/sunset or missing it. Stunning vistas are rarely missed when opening or closing shades is as simple as pressing a button.
b. Security. Motorized shades can easily be set on a timer so that when guests are away from home for an extended period of time, shades are raised and lowered at various preset times. This gives the impression that someone is living in the house which deters would be thieves.
c. Conserving Energy. The heat gain from sunlight through windows during summer months is a major burden on air conditioning. The convenience of motorized shades makes saving energy much simpler. Preset timers obviate the need to remember to raise or lower shades for energy saving purposes.
d. Protecting Furniture, artwork and flooring. The sun’s rays can do damage to interior furnishings, causing fading, cracking or warping. The convenience of motorized shades makes protecting furniture, artwork and flooring much simpler. Preset timers are also useful in this regard.
e. Many Windows and/or Large Windows. As the number and size of windows increases, the case for window shade motorization becomes increasingly compelling. Some walls of windows are 20, 30 or even 60 feet in length which makes motorization a practical necessity.
f. Hard to reach windows. These skylight windows, second story openings or windows blocked by furniture or other obstructions are why motorization of window shades was first conceived. Obviously, these factors are still relevant today.
2. Child Safety. A shocking number of injuries and deaths result each year due to cords from manual window shades. The window shade industry’s “Child Safety Month” is intended to address these hazards with safety clips and consumer awareness. The best solution is no cords at all, which is possible with motorized shades.
3. Unsightly Cords. Aesthetically, cords detract from the clean look of a window opening. Multiple shades mean multiple cords, pooling on the floor when fully open. Motorized window shades means no more unsightly control cords and open, clear views through windows.
4. Less Wear and Tear. Tangling and unfamiliar ‘user abuse’ to shades are the most common causes of service calls. The control mechanisms on manual shades, if used frequently (see convenience factor above), will break and can be costly to repair or replace.
5. They are cool! Functionally, motorized shades make a lot of sense and aesthetically, they are definitely preferable to manual shades. Let’s not forget that they also have an impressive WOW Factor!

Motorized Shades - Things to Consider When Purchasing

Things to Consider When Buying Motorized Window Shades
1. Power. Where will the shades get power to operate? This may involve hiding a wire behind existing furnishings and plugging into an existing outlet or tapping a local outlet so that power is available at the motor location. Depending upon the size of the window to be covered and the size of the shade required this may involve high or low voltage power.
• a. High Voltage. 120V motors. Used if shades are greater than 9 feet wide or if 2 or more large shades are to be powered by the same motor. (Called a 2-on-1 application, explained below). Wiring may be subject to building code regulations.
• b. Low Voltage. 24V motors. Used in shades less than 9 feet (approximately) or smaller 2 on 1 applications. Wiring for power is simpler and not subject to building code regulations as it is low voltage and therefore considered safer for installation. Low voltage motors require a transformer to transform power from high voltage to low voltage.


2. Use of room. If a room is bathed in light and used frequently, the shades will need to be raised and lowered frequently which augurs for a convenient solution like motorization. Bedrooms and media rooms have specific, frequent lighting and/or privacy needs and motorized shades are often called for.
3. Location of sun relative to the room. Depending upon their exposure, some rooms have large windows that do not receive much direct sunlight are not used for sleeping, privacy is not a concern and therefore shades may rarely be raised or lowered. Motorized shades may not be needed in these locations.
4. Child safety. Each year, a surprising number of injuries and deaths result from control cords for manual window shades. Since cords are obviated with automated control, this can be a very strong rationale for motorized shades in children's rooms. Also, frequent use and naps during the day as well as timers for scheduled wake ups (or non wake ups!) are factors.
5. Control. Given the advent of reliable Radio Frequency (RF) technologies, control for shades is flexible. Remotes or Wall Switches can be used both of which have the ability to be wireless. Generally, control in each room should be independent. Beyond that, controls can be programmed to allow for all the shades in the house to raise or lower from one button press or any variation of rooms or floors or zones that you wish to control as a group. Control that is integrated with home automation or lighting control systems are also popular - this will be the subject of a subsequent article. Basically, this means that the shades are controlled by the remote or touch panel of the overall home or lighting control system rather than (or in addition to) the stand alone shade control.
6. Value and performance. There are simple ways to lower costs of motorized shades without compromising system performance which should be considered. The key is configuration. a. Multiple shades driven by a single motor. Shade motors are very powerful and can easily lift multiple shades. A wall of windows is a perfect application for this configuration. Granted, individual control of each shade is not possible, as the motor drives all shades up or down at the same time. However, in the vast majority of cases, it is not necessary or desirable to operate the shades individually along this line of shades. b. Avoid extra large shades, even if the measurements are within specified tolerances. As shades get larger (greater than 9 feet wide) the price increases geometrically as opposed to arithmetically. Best idea is to split shades in large openings on a mullion and use a 2-on-1 configuration (see above).
7. Warranties. Most motors come with a 5 year warranty and electronic components come with a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer. Installation warranties of one year from the window treatment company that installed the product should be provided. This means that in the first year of operation, if anything goes wrong, there should not be any trip charges or service fees. This is important as it is in the first year (or first 3 months) that any problems will typically occur.