Why Motorize Window Treatments

Since there are so many choices and styles of window shades on the market…and each is designed to perform specific functions…we thought we’d put together a little “cheat sheet” to help make it a bit easier to find what you need.

Roman Shades

The main feature of Roman Shades is that they are made of cloth or fabric-like materials that allow the shade to accordion as they move up, and smooth out as they move down. Roman shades are a bit harder to clean than aluminum or vinyl blinds, however you are able to remove most of these shades and throw ’em in the washer! Roman shades also come in a very wide variety of colors and textures that match just about any décor.

Solar Shades / Roller Solar Shades

Solar shades and window screens are designed to control light without eliminating it. Like sunglasses for your windows, solar screen fabrics reduce glare and dim bright light while allowing excellent views to the outside. These special shades also provide protection from UV rays. There are several ways to motorize solar shades and screens.

Roller Shades

Most roller shades are very similar to (or the exact same thing as) solar shades. These shades act as a filter for sunlight and provide protection from harmful UV rays. But, as you have probably guessed, roller shades move up & down or side to side on rollers instead of a cord. You may also want to consider motorizing these window coverings.

Pleated Shades

Like Roman shades, pleated shades are made of a cloth material that folds as it moves up…and unfolds as it comes down. However, these shades have crisp folds of fabric and pleated edges when not fully extended. This feature gives the window treatment depth and structure, plus adds unique eye candy to the window area!

Cellular Shades / Honeycomb Shades

This versatile type of window shade has a structure much like horizontal blinds. When viewed from the side, you can tell cellular (or, honeycomb) shades are designed as flexible diamond-shaped cells made up of a solid lightweight cloth material. This structure allows them to slide down from the top, or up from the bottom. The big advantage with cellular shades is that the cell design creates pockets of air that insulate windows from heat and cold, thus reducing energy consumption. Their design helps block external light and even offers excellent sound absorption.

Sliding Panels

When you need to cover a HUGE window or an exposed patio, Sliding Panels are an ideal alternative to traditional vertical blinds. These extra-wide fabric panels can be made with solar, roller, and natural fabrics to complement the adjoining room or other areas. Sliding panels can also be motorized, which makes them perfect for privacy, shading the interior from the evening sun, room dividers, or even closet doors!

Sheer Shades

The big advantage of using sheer shades as a window covering is that they offer privacy without blocking too much light from the room. The sheer fabric actually diffuses the incoming light and provides excellent lighting for kitchens, bathrooms, and even porches & patios.