What are motorized blinds?
Motorized blinds are blinds or shades with a quiet electric motor built into the headrail or roller tube, so they open and close at the touch of a remote, a wall switch, a phone app, a schedule or a voice command. Our motorized systems work with Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit, and run on rechargeable batteries or a hardwired power supply.
Why people motorize
The window you cannot reach. The tall living room window over the stairs. The kitchen window behind the sink. The skylight. The bank of windows behind a sectional sofa. This is where most people start.
The schedule. Shades that close at sunset in winter to keep heat in and open on sunny winter mornings to let free solar heat in. Bedroom blackouts that open slowly at 7 a.m. instead of an alarm. Living room shades that lower when the low afternoon sun hits the TV.
Safety. No cords at all, anywhere. Peace of mind for families with small children and pets.
Away from home. Shades that move on a schedule make a house look lived-in when you are at the cottage or wintering somewhere warmer.
What you can motorize
Almost everything we make:
- Roller and solar shades (the easiest and most popular)
- Cellular shades, including top-down bottom-up
- Zebra blinds
- Sheer shades
- Roman shades
- Wood and faux wood blinds (motorized tilt)
- Dual rollers: solar in front, blackout behind, each with its own motor
Ways to control them
| Control | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld remote | Single or multi-channel, controls one shade or groups | Everyone, as a base |
| Wall switch | Battery-powered, sticks anywhere, no wiring | Bedrooms, main living areas |
| Phone app | Control from anywhere, set schedules and scenes | Most homes |
| Voice | Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (Siri) | Hands-free households |
| Sun and temperature sensors | Shades react to direct sun or room heat | South- and west-facing rooms |
| Home automation systems | Integration with Control4, Crestron and similar on request | Custom smart homes |
Power: rechargeable or hardwired?
Rechargeable battery motors are what we fit in most homes. The battery sits inside the tube or headrail and typically lasts several months between charges with normal daily use. You recharge it with a USB cable, or add a small solar panel that clips behind the shade and keeps it topped up. No electrician, no wall damage.
Hardwired motors run on low-voltage power and never need charging. They are best planned during a new build or renovation, while the walls are open. Builders and electricians: we provide wiring specifications.
Cold-weather note: lithium batteries lose some capacity in cold. On a frosty north-facing window in a Labrador City or Corner Brook winter, or in an unheated sunroom, expect to charge a little more often, or choose a solar panel or hardwired motor.
How we do it
We make your shades and fit the motor in our Halifax workshop, pair and test it on the bench, then install it, set its upper and lower limits, connect it to your app and voice assistant, and set up your first schedules with you before we leave. If you change your router or your phone, call us and we will walk you through reconnecting.
Frequently asked questions
Do motorized blinds work with Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit?
Yes. Atlantic Shades motorized blinds and shades work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit through a small hub or bridge, and can also be controlled with a remote, wall switch, phone app or automatic schedule.
How much do motorized blinds cost?
Motorized blinds typically cost about $450 to $1,200 per window installed in Canada, roughly $200 to $500 more than the same blind with a manual lift. A hub for app and voice control is a one-time cost of about $100 to $300 and runs every shade in the house.
Are motorized blinds worth it?
For hard-to-reach windows, homes with children, large glass areas and anyone who wants automatic schedules for energy savings, yes. For an easy-to-reach window you open once a day, a manual cordless shade is often enough. Many homeowners motorize only the windows that matter most. Read: are motorized blinds worth it?
Do I need an electrician for motorized blinds?
Usually not. Most of our motorized blinds use rechargeable battery motors that need no wiring. Hardwired motors need power at the window and are best planned during a renovation or new build.
How long does the battery last in motorized blinds?
With normal use, once or twice a day, a rechargeable motor battery typically lasts several months between charges. Large, heavy shades and very cold windows use battery faster. An optional solar panel keeps the battery charged automatically.
Can I motorize my existing blinds?
Generally no. Motors need to be built into the blind or shade, and retrofitting blinds made by others rarely works well. We can quote new motorized shades for just the windows that matter most.
Are motorized blinds noisy?
Modern motors are quiet, typically a soft hum for a few seconds. Our quietest motors are designed for bedrooms. We can demonstrate them at your measure or in our showroom.
What happens in a power outage?
Battery motors keep working in a power outage because they do not rely on household power. Wi-Fi and voice control may not work until the internet is back, but the remote and wall switch still will.
Can motorized blinds help with heating bills?
Yes, if you use schedules. Closing cellular or blackout shades automatically at sunset in winter, and opening them on sunny winter mornings for free solar heat, makes the energy savings happen every day without you having to remember.
Pairs well with: Cellular shades · Skylights and large windows · Child-safe blinds Read next: Are motorized blinds worth it? · Smart blinds for Google, Alexa and HomeKit