Have you ever wished you could control your blinds and shades with the push of a button or a simple voice command? Smart window treatments are revolutionizing the way we interact with our homes by making it easier than ever to automate sunlight and privacy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about smart and automated window coverings. You’ll learn about the different types of products available, key benefits, smart home integration, installation tips, and more. By the end, you’ll be ready to decide if motorized, automated, or smart shades are right for your home.
Introduction
What Are Smart and Automated Window Treatments?
Smart window treatments refer to electronically-controlled blinds, shades, curtains, and other window coverings that can be automated and connected to home automation systems. Using smartphone apps, voice assistants, remote controls, or on-board automation, smart window coverings allow you to easily control natural light, heat, and privacy in your home.
Automated window treatments take convenience a step further by operating on schedules or sensors to adjust your shades or blinds automatically throughout the day. This provides effortless control over sunlight, temperature, and ambiance without any input needed from you.
Benefits of Smart and Automated Window Treatings
There are many benefits that smart and automated window treatments provide:
- Convenience – With a simple voice command or tap of a button, you can easily control all of your motorized shades and blinds in seconds. No more going from room to room raising and lowering window treatments manually.
- Automation – Program your window coverings to operate on set schedules daily or only during certain times of the day. Automation provides sunlight and privacy control without having to manually adjust shades and blinds.
- Energy Efficiency – Smart window treatments connected to sensors and thermostats can help insulate your home and reduce energy costs by optimizing natural lighting and heat gain/loss.
- Customized Control – Individual, group, whole home, or room-by-room control allows you to operate window treatments to suit any situation or need.
- Security & Privacy – Set blinds and shades to automatically close when you’re away to deter burglars. Or configure them to open and close at set times to give the appearance that someone is home.
Types of Smart and Automated Window Treatments
There are two main categories of smart and automated window treatments: motorized shades/blinds and smart shade/blind systems. Within each category, there are a variety of options from different manufacturers to consider.
Smart Blinds
Smart blinds are window blinds that can be controlled and automated via a smartphone app, voice control, or home automation system. Key features include:
- App and voice control – Operate blinds using a mobile app or voice assistants like Alexa
- Scheduling and automation – Program blinds to adjust at set times each day
- Remote operation – Control blinds when away from home
- Smart home integration – Connect blinds to other smart devices and security systems
- Battery or wired power – Available in battery-powered or hardwired options
Best Smart Blinds of 2023
Here are some top smart blind options to consider for whole home or room-to-room automation:
1. Ikea Kadrilj Smart Blinds
- Affordable smart blind option from Ikea
- App, voice, and schedule control
- Manually operated with smart features
- Hardwired power for continuous operation
2. Amazon Echo Dot Smart Blinds
- Alexa-enabled voice control
- Automate multiple rooms
- Requires battery pack or outlet
- Works with Alexa routines
3. Serena Smart Cellular Blinds
- Automate skylight blinds
- App and voice control
- Integrates with smart systems
- 5-year battery life
4. Blinds.com Smart Blinds
- Custom-fit smart blinds
- App and Alexa control
- Schedules and automation
- Battery-powered and hardwired
5. Hunter Douglas PowerView Blinds
- Whole home automation
- Alexa, Google Home, Siri shortcuts
- Create groups and scenes
- Works with home security systems
6. Select Blinds Signature Smart Blinds
- Custom-made smart blinds
- Battery and hardwired options
- App and voice control
- DIY install
Motorized Shades
Motorized shades utilize electric motors to raise and lower curtains, drapes, roller shades, Roman shades, and other types of window shades automatically. Key features include:
- Wireless, battery-powered, or hardwired motors
- Remote, app, voice, or schedule operation
- Integration with home automation systems
- Motorization kits to automate existing shades
- Timer options to open/close shades at set intervals
Best Motorized Shades for Your Home
Top motorized shade options for automating your living spaces:
1. Roller Shade Store Motorized Shades
- Affordable pricing
- Battery and hardwired motors
- App and Alexa voice control
- Automate existing shades
2. Budget Blinds Motorized Shades
- Professionally installed
- Custom window treatments
- App and voice control
- Smart home integration
Benefits of Smart and Automated Window Treatments
Smart and automated window blinds and shades offer many helpful benefits that enhance home comfort, convenience, and efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
One of the top advantages of motorized and automated window coverings is the ability to save energy and better regulate home temperatures.
Integration with Smart Thermostats
Many smart shade systems can connect with smart thermostats like Ecobee, Nest, and Honeywell Home. This integration allows your automated window treatments to help optimize heating and cooling.
For example, you can program motorized blinds to close in occupied rooms on hot days to keep your home cooler and reduce AC costs. And when the weather is cool, automated shades can open during the day to allow in warm sunlight and then close at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
Connecting automated shades to smart sensors also allows them to respond in real-time to changing conditions. As the sun’s intensity increases, blackout shades in a nursery or media room can automatically deploy to prevent glare on TV screens or waking napping babies.
PowerView® Automation by Hunter Douglas
One impressive smart shade energy efficiency feature is the PowerView® Automation system by Hunter Douglas. This whole home automation uses smart scheduling and sensors to automatically adjust blinds and shades to:
- Optimize natural light and heat from the sun
- Improve HVAC efficiency
- Reduce solar heat gain to keep homes cooler
Studies conducted by the Department of Energy found that the PowerView system can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 25%. Those energy savings quickly offset the initial investment making your windows smarter.
Convenience and Control
In addition to optimizing energy usage, smart and automated window treatments also provide unparalleled levels of convenience through:
Scheduling and Automation
Create custom schedules to have your motorized blinds open, close, tilt, or rotate at set times each day. Program different settings for mornings, evenings, and weekends to automatically control light and privacy.
Geolocation control takes convenience a step further by operating shades based on your location. As you arrive or leave home, window coverings can open or close automatically making it appear someone is home.
Integration with Smart Home Systems
Connecting automated blinds and shades to smart home hubs like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit allows for effortless voice control.
With just a simple spoken command, you can instantly raise or lower window treatments in any room. And customize routines like “Alexa, start movie time” to instantly dim shades in the home theater.
Smart blinds also integrate seamlessly with home security systems and lighting controls for added functionality. As your security system arms, programmed scenes can close all shades to deter intruders.
Considerations When Choosing Smart and Automated Window Treatments
When deciding whether to invest in smart window treatments, there are a few key factors to take into account.
Cost and Affordability
One main consideration is the cost of purchasing and installing motorized or automated blinds and shades. Prices can vary greatly depending on:
Size and Number of Windows
Larger windows or homes with many windows will require more shades or blinds driving the budget up. However, buying in bulk can sometimes reduce cost per unit.
Power Options
Hardwired, motorized shades tend to cost more than battery-powered because an electrician is needed for installation. But battery-powered shades require occasional battery replacement.
DIY vs Professional Installation
Professionally measuring, installing, and programming motorized shades adds cost. But DIY options like stick-on remotes or systems with adhesive shades can save on installation.
Brand and Features
Higher-end brands like Hunter Douglas and Lutron offer more features but can be quite pricey. Budget brands like Ikea and Select Blinds are more affordable.
Compatibility with Smart Home Systems
To take full advantage of automation and voice control, it’s important to consider compatibility with your existing (or planned) smart home system.
Integration with Popular Platforms
Most major smart shade brands offer some level of integration with popular platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and more. However, support varies so check that the specific products and features you want are compatible.
For example, entry-level Ikea Kadrilj blinds offer basic Alexa support. But higher-end PowerView blinds integrate with multiple platforms and security systems for advanced whole home voice control and automation.
Hubs and Bridges
Some smart blinds and shades may require proprietary hubs or bridges to connect with certain ecosystems. Make sure these components are compatible with other smart devices you plan to use.
Choosing window treatments that natively work with your existing smart home makes for the most seamless experience. But hubs and third-party integrations provide more options if needed.
How Smart and Automated Window Treatments Work
There are some key differences in how smart shade systems and motorized shades operate that impact features and functionality.
Motorized vs Automated
Motorized shades utilize electric motors and drive systems to raise, lower, tilt, and rotate window shades. But motors alone don’t make them “smart”.
Key Differences
- Power – Motors require power via battery, outlet, or hardwiring
- Control – Basic RF remotes, hardwired switches, or timers control motors
- Operation – Must be manually controlled to open/close shades
Benefits
- Affordable way to automate existing shades
- Simple RF remote or app control
- Timer functions for set open/close times
Smart Home Integration
Smart automated blinds take motorization to the next level by offering app and voice control, automation based on schedules or sensors, geofencing, and integration with other smart devices.
Features
- Connectivity – Built-in WiFi/Bluetooth for app and voice control
- Automation – Schedule, sensor, and geofencing automation options
- Smart home – Native integration with popular smart platforms
Benefits
- Whole home voice and app control
- Automate for efficiency and convenience
- Ties into smart security, lights, thermostats, etc
This built-in smart functionality offers greater home automation compared to basic motorized shades. However, smart shade systems tend to be more expensive than standalone motors.
Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance
Once you’ve selected the ideal smart window treatments for your home, proper installation and maintenance will ensure they function reliably for years to come.
Professional Installation vs DIY
Some key considerations when choosing installation options:
- Expertise – Hiring pros ensures proper setup, calibration, and programming
- Complexity – Hardwired power or large shade systems are better left to experts
- Cost – DIY is cheaper but some brands require pro install to get warranty
- Time – DIY takes more time and patience versus pro install
For new hardwired shades or large multi-room systems, professional installation is usually worthwhile to guarantee everything functions properly. But shades with adhesive backing or stick-on remotes can be easy DIY projects to save money.
Maintenance and Care Tips
Routine care and maintenance helps window treatments operate smoothly.
- Clean – Dust shades, blinds, and hardware to prevent buildup
- Check – Ensure shades raise/lower properly and motors run smoothly
- Batteries – Replace batteries in remotes/shades according to manufacturer
- Updates – Install app and firmware updates when available
- Service – Have pros periodically service shades and motors
Following the manufacturer’s care instructions can prevent issues and keep smart systems running optimally.
Conclusion
Smart window treatments provide homeowners an innovative way to control sunlight, privacy, and ambiance using technology and automation. By replacing manual shades and blinds with motorized and connected options, you can easily control your windows with the push of a button or using just your voice.
Key benefits like energy savings, custom control, and increased convenience continue to drive adoption of automated blinds and shades. And new DIY systems are bringing the power of smart windows to more homes than ever.
As the technology evolves, expect to see more integration with home automation platforms, expanded voice control capabilities, and advanced AI-driven automation. The future of window treatments is smart indeed!
If you’re considering an upgrade to motorized or automated blinds, be sure to carefully evaluate the options and features against your needs and budget. This will ensure you select the ideal smart system to enhance your home.
