SHADES & BLINDS
Smart Home Tech Guide
Adding Elegance, Convenience, and Automation to Your Home
Smart shades and blinds can transform any home with their elegance, automation, and convenience. Once considered a luxury item, the cost of motorized shades has decreased substantially, making them more accessible to a range of homeowners. Whether you're looking for a DIY solution or a professionally installed high-end system, there's an option for every budget and need.
Why Choose Smart Shades & Blinds?
▶ Convenience & Automation: Control your shades with a tap on your smartphone, voice command, or by setting schedules based on the time of day.
▶ Enhanced Comfort & Privacy: Adjust shades based on the weather, time, or your activity—whether it’s letting in natural light during the day or providing privacy at night.
▶ Energy Efficiency: Smart shades can be automated to open and close based on temperature or sunlight to help regulate indoor temperatures, potentially reducing heating and cooling costs.
Product Recommendations & Key Features
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Homeowners looking for an affordable, DIY-friendly motorized shade option with customizable features.
▶ WHY CHOOSE SMARTWINGS:
SmartWings shades are a great entry-level option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of motorized shades without breaking the bank. These shades are DIY-friendly, easy to install, and compatible with most smart home ecosystems, including Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Zigbee.
▶ FEATURES:
Multiple Styles & Colors: With 20+ color options, SmartWings shades can match nearly any home decor.
Blackout & Light Filtering Options: Choose from blackout shades for complete privacy or light-filtering options for soft, diffused light.
Rechargeable & Solar-Powered Motors: SmartWings offers rechargeable motor options that don’t require wiring or battery replacements, and some models include solar panels for continuous power.
▶ INTEGRATION & CONTROL:
The shades can be controlled via the SmartWings app, voice assistants, or integrated with Zigbee hubs for automations and routines.
High-End & Versatile
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Homeowners seeking luxury, quality, and seamless integration with smart home systems.
▶ WHY CHOOSE SERENA BY LUTRON:
Serena Smart Shades offer a premium solution with smooth operation, customizable fabrics, and high-end materials. Lutron is known for its quality and reliable performance, making these shades a popular choice for upscale homes.
▶ FEATURES:
Quiet Motor Operation: The ultra-quiet motors in Serena shades operate smoothly, making them suitable for any room in the house.
Wide Range of Fabrics & Styles: Serena offers roller, honeycomb, and wood blinds, with customizable fabrics that include light filtering, blackout, and decorative options.
Flexible Control Options: Control shades using the Lutron app, Pico remotes, wall switches, voice assistants, or Lutron Caseta smart home integrations.
Precision & Scheduling: Serena shades allow for precise positioning (e.g., 50% open) and can be scheduled to adjust based on the time of day, temperature, or custom routines.
▶ SMART HOME INTEGRATION
These shades integrate seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and Ring Alarm Pro.
High-End Professional Systems:
Creston
Customizable Luxury & Total Home Integration
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Homeowners looking for a fully integrated, high-end smart home solution with professional installation.
▶ WHY CHOOSE CRESTON:
Crestron shades are part of a broader smart home control system that offers luxury, customization, and complete automation. With Crestron, shades are just one part of a connected ecosystem that includes lighting, AV, climate control, and security.
▶ FEATURES:
Tailored Control & Integration: Crestron provides a wide array of control options—from touchscreens, keypads, remotes, and mobile devices to voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Design Flexibility: Available in a variety of fabrics, textures, and colors, Crestron shades can be customized for each room to match your decor and style preferences.
Smart Scheduling & Automation: Shades can be programmed to adjust based on the time of day, temperature, or activity within the home. For example, they can lower in sync with your home theater lighting or open when you wake up.
Complete Home Integration: Crestron is known for its whole-home automation, allowing you to integrate shades with other systems like lighting controls, AV equipment, and security systems for a unified experience.
▶ PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION REQUIRED:
Crestron requires professional installation, which ensures proper setup and calibration for optimal performance.
Powershades
Smart, Versatile, & Flexible Control Options
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Homeowners seeking a reliable, flexible shading solution that’s compatible with a variety of control systems.
▶ WHY CHOOSE POWERSHADES:
Powershades offer high-quality motorized shades that integrate seamlessly with smart home platforms and control systems. Their shades are designed to be versatile and easy to install, providing options for DIY enthusiasts or professional installations.
▶ FEATURES:
True Smart Control: Powershades offers multiple control methods, including Bluetooth, RF, Wi-Fi, and Z-Wave, allowing you to choose the best solution for your home.
Solar-Powered & Low-Power Motor Options: Many Powershades products are solar-powered or come with low-power motor options, providing an eco-friendly solution with easy charging.
Customization & Fabric Choices: Choose from screen, translucent, blackout, and decorative fabrics, all available in a variety of colors and styles to match your decor.
Advanced Automation: With Powershades’ True PoE (Power over Ethernet) system, the shades can be powered and controlled over a single network cable, reducing the need for additional wiring.
▶ SMART HOME COMPATIBILITY:
Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Z-Wave, Control4, and Savant, Powershades provides a flexible and easily integrated solution for different smart home ecosystems.
HUNTER DOUGLAS
Elegant, Whisper-Quiet Operation & Top-of-the-Line Fabrics
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Homeowners looking for stylish, whisper-quiet shades with a focus on design and premium materials.
▶ WHY CHOOSE HUNTER DOUGLAS:
Hunter Douglas is a leader in window treatments, known for its extensive selection of fabrics, styles, and operating mechanisms. The PowerView® Automation system offers reliable and smooth motorized shade control, ideal for homes looking for both style and technology.
▶ FEATURES:
Whisper-Quiet Operation: Hunter Douglas shades operate with a whisper-quiet motor, allowing for seamless operation without disrupting the ambiance of a room.
Wide Range of Styles & Fabrics: From silhouettes and roller shades to wooden blinds and sheers, Hunter Douglas offers an unparalleled range of design options to suit any aesthetic.
PowerView® Automation: The PowerView® system offers a variety of control options, including the Pebble® Remote Control, wall-mounted Scene Controller, and the PowerView app. Shades can be scheduled, grouped, or controlled individually.
Battery & Wired Power Options: Shades can be battery-powered for easy installation or hardwired for a more permanent, low-maintenance setup.
▶ SMART HOME INTEGRATION:
The PowerView system integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Control4, and Savant, making it a great choice for homes that want a comprehensive smart shade solution.
Choosing the Right Shades for Your Home
▶ Budget & Style Preferences: For DIY and budget-friendly options, consider SmartWings. If you're looking for luxury and reliable performance, Serena by Lutron is an excellent choice. For fully integrated smart home systems, Crestron, Powershades, and Hunter Douglas offer top-tier solutions.
▶ Smart Home Ecosystem: Make sure the shades you choose integrate well with your existing smart home setup (e.g., Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit, Z-Wave).
▶ Power Source & Installation: Decide whether battery-powered, solar-powered, or hardwired solutions work best for your home and installation preferences.
Want More Info?
Videos to Help You Decide:
▶ Hunter Douglas PowerView Overview
▶ Crestron Home Automation Integration
Adding smart shades and blinds to your home can not only increase comfort and convenience but also add a level of sophistication and elegance to any space. Choose a system that fits your needs, integrates with your smart home, and enhances the beauty of your windows.