Technology Meets Beauty in Motorized Window Treatments
What could be better than a gorgeous window treatment that works at the touch of a button? Or even integrates with your home assistant? In the early days of motorized window treatments, the options and styles were somewhat limited but today the limits are few. You can choose from many types of window treatments and the style choices are really blossoming as well!
They are so lovely and the technology so convenient that we asked Jarmila Singer of Sound Living to share her expertise in the field with us.
Can any window treatments be motorized?
Mostly, the category is roller shades, roman shades, tensioned shades (skylight) and draperies. There are also motorized wooden blinds and horizontal sheer shades.
Is there a weight maximum?
This varies depending upon the category. For draperies, it’s about 185 pounds. For shades, the restriction is not only weight but also roll diameter due to the thickness of the fabric. So, height is a restriction that is part of this equation.
How are they powered and how do they operate?
Power can be low voltage or line voltage. Sound Living only provides low voltage shades. The third category for power is actually battery-operated shades and they are quite popular!
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- Serena by Lutron battery housing
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- Lutron Wall Station
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- Lutron remote control
Do they integrate with smart phones and tablets?
Yes
Are they noisy?
No! That’s the best feature of low voltage motors.
Are there other special features we should know about?
Yes, the Lutron shade motor provides IHA which is Intelligent Hembar Alignment. Basically this means that Lutron shades in the same room will move in perfect unison. Lutron is the only manufacturer that offers this important feature.
Why should clients be interested in motorized windows treatments?
Motorized window treatments provide convenience, luxury, solar protection, and privacy.
- Convenience – control a large group of windows with one button, control all the shades in the home with one button, control hard to reach shades
- Solar protection – art, furnishings, flooring
- Room temperature control – especially for south and west exposures
- Privacy – dressing, sleeping, TV viewing
What makes Sound Living the best company to install motorized window treatments?
Sound Living provides the technical shade solution, the aesthetic shade solution, and complete installation and training of the client. All three aspects are critical to a successful project. Our hands-on process of working with the interior designer and home owner is what sets us apart. We view the aesthetic shade solution (fabric selection) as the most important part of the process.
How long has Sound Living been in business and what qualifications/certifications do you have?
Sound Living has been in business for 16 years and we are certified Lutron dealers for 12 years. We are also a certified dealer of motorized window treatments with Hartmann & Forbes and Conrad, utilizing Lutron motors.
Do the motors and other hardware come with a warranty or customer support?
Sound Living provides a 1-year warranty on labor and Lutron provides an 8-year warranty on its materials.
How would clients contact your company?
Please call us in our Highland Park office at 847.926.7034.
Sound Living is a boutique consultancy in Highland Park specializing in high-end residential technology. They carry Lutron motorized shades as well as lighting control systems and other home automation solutions. Jarmila Singer is the Vice President and co-owner with Gary Singer. She has worked with motorized window treatments for 12 of her 14 years with the company. She and the rest of the staff at Sound Living have invaluable experience in the field.
Thanks Jarmila! If you want to see more options in motorized window treatments, check out our pinterest board. Click on the youtube videos embedded below to see an overview of the Serena and Sivoia lines by Lutron.
Serena by Lutron
Sivoia by Lutron
Keeping Up with the Jetsons
Alright, we’re not quite at flying saucers and kids in jetpacks yet, but smart home technology is getting more amazing by the day. Here’s a look at just few incredible options currently on the market you might want to consider:
Smart Appliances
More and more appliances are wifi enabled and connected to your smart phone or tablet by an app. Some even have touch screen access right on the appliance.
This GE Monogram Induction Cooktop isn’t wifi enabled yet, though the Monogram ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers are. This cooktop does have something really cool though – glide touch controls much like using a tablet.
The Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator is not only wifi enabled, it has a screen to interact with it right on the appliance panel. You can create grocery lists, order groceries, see inside your fridge, send messages to your phone, create family calendars, share photos, and even play music or mirror a Samsung TV to the screen, all courtesy of your fridge.
Security Cameras
The Nest Cam Indoor is stepping up the security camera game. It plugs into your power so you don’t rely on batteries. It continuously records 24/7 and stores up to 30 days of footage in the cloud. It can distinguish a person from a thing and send alerts to your phone if it sees a human, or if sees activity in an area you have marked as a watch zone, like the safe or the cookie jar. A built-in speaker and mic lets you hear what is happening at home, and respond. (Just imagine, our parents could have watched and yelled at us from outside the house!)
Motorized Shades
The Lutron Sivoia QS Triathlon Motorized Shades are wireless, remote controlled shades that also work from an app on your smart phone. The come in a variety of colors, fabrics and textures to fit any decor.
Mirrors with Built-In Television
The Stanford mirror by Electric Mirror has a built-in, water-resistant TV hidden behind the mirror surface. It comes in a variety of frame options and sizes, and is designed and manufactured here in the USA.
Foot Control Faucet
Last but not least, check out this foot controlled faucet by GROHE:
For many more cool smart home options, check out our pinterest board. This board has lots of short videos like the one above that show the products in action. What are you hoping they come up with next?
