The Pros and Cons of Window Treatment Motorization

The Pros and Cons of Window Treatment Motorization

Window treatments have officially entered the digital age.

By simply adding a motor, controllable by a remote, wall switch, or even an app, the ability to adjust your window treatments is literally at your fingertips. And fortunately, the technology is popular enough now that there’s no need to compromise style—you’ll find that motorization options encompass a wide variety of fabrics, styles, and shapes.

Let’s go over the reasons window treatment motorization might be just the modern convenience you need for your home, along with some challenges you may face if you opt in to the technology.

Pro: Accessibility

Motorization is ideal for windows in hard to reach places—second story windows, skylights, or perhaps a window over a bathtub.

Before this technology existed, you may have avoided window treatments entirely on those windows, or else resigned yourself to a treatment that was destined to remain eternally stuck in the same position.

Fortunately, motorization allows you to dress those windows just like you would the rest of your home and adjust their settings with the simple press of a button.

Motorization is also great for locations where you have multiple windows stacked together. Rather than operating a shade on each individual window, you can program your motorized window treatments to open and close all at once. That’s not only a time saver, it’s a fun dramatic effect! They’ll also line up perfectly together, creating a clean, uniform look.

Con: Maintenance

Motorizing your hard to reach window treatments allows you to open and close them with ease. The downside is that you will occasionally have to maintenance those motorizations, which is inherently more difficult when they are located in tough areas.

Hard-wiring the motorization is one option but if you aren’t able to go that direction, the mechanism will be battery operated and those batteries will need to be changed occasionally.

Accessing the headrail to change the battery in a second-story window can be a bit of a balancing act, and you may need to hire someone to help you out.

Pro: Convenience

The technology available for window treatment motorization is really incredible. Depending on which option you choose, you can control your window treatments through wall-mounted keypads, switches, remote controls, or apps for your phone or tablet. Some of the apps even let you control your window treatments from miles away!

You can also create a schedule for your window treatments, allowing you to “set it and forget it.” Aside from the benefit of not having to physically open and close your curtains and shades each day, having the right settings in place can actually help you save on your energy bill.

You can program your window treatments to block out the sunlight at peak times, helping to cool the room and run your AC more efficiently.

You can also take advantage of natural light, reducing your reliance on artificial electric light. When you choose these settings in advance, you maximize your home’s energy efficiency each day without even having to think about it.

Con: Budget

Motorizing a window treatment does involve additional cost. Depending on the budget you’ve allocated for your window treatments, motorizing all of them might not be feasible.

We always make recommendations for our clients based on where motorization will have the greatest overall impact for them, taking into consideration the unique needs of their home and lifestyle.

Pro: Safety

One of our clients was a frequent traveler, and she loved the option of having her window treatments adjust automatically. She set her shades to open in the morning and close at night even when she was out of town, which showed activity around the house and gave the impression that somebody was always at home.

Motorized window treatments are also available cordless, which is essential for families with small children.

Tragically, traditional pull cords on drapes and shades can pose a strangulation risk for your youngest family members.

My team and I take this safety issue very seriously and are always prepared to educate our clients about how they can eliminate potential hazards. October is Window Covering Safety Month—for more on this please check out my 5 Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe.

If you’re eager to reclaim access to your hard to reach windows or looking to add smart technology to your home, window treatment motorization may be just the upgrade you’re looking for.

Give us a call! We’d love to chat with you about the many motorization options available and what would work best in your home.

(1) Comment
  • Dubai Curtains
    | 29 March 2022

    Amazing. I like the post. Motorized window treatments make it easier to control the light and privacy in your home. They are also a great way to keep your curtains open during the day without having to pull them back and forth.
    You shared a lot of home improvements here that are very useful! We can use this at home.
    Visit here too: https://dubaicurtain.ae/motorized-curtains-dubai

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