Beyond Blinds, Inc. is now a Hunter Douglas Certified Motorization Specialist

The Benefits of  Motorization and Motorized Blinds

The main benefit of having motorized curtains, shades or blinds is the simple fact that you do not have to manually open and close them.  This can be extremely helpful if you have one or more two-story window arrays, windows located behind bathtubs, behind furniture or windows located in other difficult to reach places.  At the press of a button you can open and close drapes, blinds or shades that would have required unwieldy poles, or unsightly cords just a few years ago.

Is Motorization Right for You?

Here are some other things to consider when contemplating a motorization installation.

Your location plays an important role when choosing motorized blinds or shades.  Not only should you consider geographical location, but location in the home and functionality. If you are in the northern hemisphere, your southern exposure windows will get a lot more sun than those facing north.  From a functional sense, if you have a movie playing, sun glare can be distracting to the point where it makes movie watching during daylight hours nearly impossible.  While often overlooked, a cost-effective motorized window treatment system can increase the use and value of a home theater system many fold.  Plus, motorized window treatments have the ultimate “wow” factor and never cease to impress guests.

The Practical Side of Motorization

Having motorized blinds or shades on the south facing windows can significantly reduce the heat load on your home.  Some models can be programmed to open partially or close during the day, while the sun is the heaviest.  This will help reduce the heat gain through the day, lowering  your air conditioning load and saving a significant amount of money on your electric bill.  Alternatively, during the winter, the shades can open and allow sun in to provide free heating during the day and then automatically closing at dusk to keep drafts to a minimum.

If you want an even more sophisticated look and feel you can have motorized curtains, shades, and blinds that all work together to provide different looks, or different settings depending on the time of year, day, or just your preference.  For example, if you have small children coming over, lift the curtains off the floor.  Need more darkness for the movie?  Press a button and  the blinds will shut out the light.

If you have a large home with many windows, a few two-story windows or maybe an elderly relative living with you, motorization can save time since you no longer need to run around the house twice a day making adjustments.  Motorization can also help the elderly who may struggle with heavier curtains or be put at risk of injury when adjusting hard to reach window treatments.

Many Great Benefits

Motorized blinds, while probably not a necessity for most, sure have a lot of benefits.  From the “wow” factor to energy savings, to personal safety; motorized blinds and shades can be a great addition to your home.  Yes, the initial cost may be a bit higher for each motorized blind, but they can pay for themselves with energy and time savings, especially in larger homes with many windows.  Ready to learn more?

Beyond Blinds is a premier Hunter Douglas certified motorization expert in the Chicago area. Please allow us to share our knowledge with you so that you can make the best decision possible.  Call today, 630-232-9901.