Whether you were visiting friends and noticed the shades lowering automatically, or the intense summer sunlight coming through your skylight has been annoying you for years, something prompted you to consider motorized shades. 

These shades offer ease, energy efficiency, UV protection, and privacy. Today’s designs and fabrics elevate a home’s look and feel. But, as with all new beginnings, you may wonder where to begin your automated journey. What’s the best way to integrate these motorized shades into your home? How do you manage them, and what design options are available? 

As trusted home automation experts serving Denver, CO, and the surrounding areas for over 30 years, our professional design and installation team at Electronic Integration is here to help. To support homeowners who are curious about smart shading but don’t know quite where to start, this blog is for you. 

SEE ALSO: Transform Your Home’s Interior with Stylish Motorized Shades

The Benefits of Automated Window Treatments

Smart shades can dramatically improve energy efficiency, protect your furniture, and give you instant privacy at the press of a button. You can manage the natural light streaming through unique architectural windows and skylights with the same ease as you control your shades across a row of windows. 

These shades are managed via touchscreens, remotes, keypads, or remotely from smartphone apps. Pressing a button adjusts one or all of the window coverings in your home. We can also program them to rise and lower based on the time of day or the level of sunlight. 

For instance, we can schedule your shades to open at sunrise and lower just after sunset. When damaging direct sunlight enters your home, the shades automatically lower, protecting your furniture, flooring, and artwork from its destructive effects.

In the summer, South-facing shades close to reduce solar heat gain and the strain on your HVAC system. In the winter, these same shades open to let in the sun’s warmth. 

For hands-free living, the latest voice assistants let you manage natural light and privacy with a voice command.

Different Types of Automated Shades

While the term “Motorized Shades” is commonly used, these innovative window coverings come in numerous styles and limitless fabrics. From custom smart draperies to roller or Roman shades and horizontal sheer or wooden blinds, there is a style that aligns with your home’s aesthetics. For those looking to get the most out of their energy efficiency, honeycomb or cellular shades offer the greatest insulation from both the heat of summer and the cold of winter. 

Integrated with Smart Lighting & Home Automation Systems

The real magic happens when shades are integrated with a home automation system that incorporates smart lighting. Together, they maintain the ideal illumination levels when you’re at home. When the shades lower, the lights brighten, and when it’s time for bed, every shade closes, and the lights turn off. 

Scenes enable one-touch control of multiple systems. Press “Dining,” and the shades lower for privacy while the dining room and kitchen lights adjust to the ideal setting. Whether entertaining, relaxing, watching a movie, or working, these scenes offer a quick way to control your environment. As your smart home systems grow, you’ll find that a single touch manages your lights, shade, climate, home entertainment, security, and more. 

If you’re ready to embrace smart home living and start your journey with motorized shades, contact Electronic Integration today.