Motorization

Motorized window treatments are not just luxury items. While luxury lifestyle may be a huge selling point for some, the fact is that motorization is the ultimate window treatment control.

Let’s discuss the benefits, power options, communication options, and control options of motorization.

Motorization Benefits

Convenience: lower your shade from across the room to make the glare disappear off your TV when the game comes on; open or close the shades from your bed; operate second-story window shades that can’t be reached easily; use one button to raise or lower all the shades in a sunroom without climbing on the furniture.

Energy Efficiency: take advantage of nature by setting your base unit to open and close your window treatments on a specific schedule. Opening the shades in the afternoon during cooler months allows the sun to warm the space naturally. Closing the shades once the sun starts to fade keeps that warmth in the home. Closing your window treatments in summer months can keep the air conditioning from running constantly. Some large homes (or houses with high ceilings and multiple windows) have experienced enough of a difference in their utility bills that the savings has more than covered the initial expense of adding the motors and controls.

UV Protection: with motorized window treatments on timers or sunlight sensors, you don’t have to worry about sun damage to your important items such as artwork, furniture, and even hardwood floors.

Safety: by using an internet-accessed base unit, you can operate your window treatments from anywhere you have web access! Plus, you can set up a “randomized” schedule so that it will look like someone is home even when you’re away.

Longevity: motorizing window treatments will also extend the life of the internal parts of the treatments themselves. Motors are much more consistent with the amount of force and speed used to raise and lower treatments compared to a homeowner operating cords and handles, perhaps a bit jerky, off-center, and sometimes, too fast or slow.

Option 1 – Battery

• Battery tubes that are reloaded with off-the-shelf batteries every 6-18 months are the base option. 

• External rechargeable battery packs (recharge about once a year).
• Internal “tube” rechargeable batteries. Like the external rechargeable batteries, these need to be recharged about once a year.

Option 2 – Hardwired Low Voltage

This is an option for most shades, even larger ones. The benefits are:

• Many locations do not require electricians to do the connections;
  
• The wiring itself is relatively inexpensive and can be done during construction without having finalized the type of window treatment;
  
• The motor size can remain relatively small;
  
• They use little energy;
  
• You never have to worry about batteries or recharging

Option 3 – Hardwired Line Voltage

This option is necessary for some drapery motors, very large shades, and any external porch/patio shade.

Option 1 – Infrared

Infrared: VERY antiquated and rarely used! Similar to your TV, the remote has to be pointed at the shade “eye” in order for the shade to operate. If sunlight, or pretty much anything else, is in the way then the shades will operate inconsistently.

Option 2 – RTS (or radio frequency control)

RTS: the communication type for much of our motorization. Very easy to program, setup, and operate. Plus, RTS communicates with the entire platform of all motor types in the Somfy line.

Option 3 – Zigbee, Z-wave, and RS-485:

if you are “techie” then you already know what these terms mean. If not, a long explanation will bore you😊. These are other types of communication for shade operation. Some communicate through wires; others communicate through a mesh network. Both can also communicate back to the base unit so that you can ensure your shades follow the schedule and note whether they are opened or closed in the right position.

Option 1 – Remotes

Remotes are used for initial programming and many times “everyday use”. However, even when our customers use a base unit with timers and schedules, they also appreciate having a remote for guests to access their window treatments. The guests can override the schedule for their convenience, without deleting or changing the “regularly scheduled program.”

Option 2 – App

Operate from your smartphone or tablet

Option 3 – Alexa

Yes, easily use Alexa to do your window treatment work!

Option 3 – Keypads or Wall Switches

These can be used with either RTS or wired connections.

Option 5 – Integration

This runs the whole spectrum and can easily work with ANY building management system, or smart home technology. SmartHome, Control4, Sevant, Crestron, Lutron, and many, many more. Make sure your window treatment consultant is familiar with your needs and what protocols need to be included in your motorization project!!