Which suits you—motorized blinds or smart shades?
Motorization in window treatments is becoming more and more popular with each passing year. And for good reason! They add convenience unmatched by any other window covering, and they’re now offered in more styles than ever before. We’ve compiled the most frequently answered questions and homeowner-loved features to help you compare motorized blinds and smart shades—and decide which suits your space best.
Motorized Blinds OR Smart Shades: What are the Differences?
With so many different types of motorized window treatments, it can be tricky to keep them all straight. Knowing the difference is key to selecting what will fit your needs best. Pinpointing your desired functions for each window will help you narrow down which type of treatment will meet those needs.
Motorized Window Treatments
Motorized window treatments refer to blinds, shutters, drapes, or shades that have a motor in place. These can be controlled via remote, smartphone, tablet, or an included wand. Motorization offers quick convenience when adjusting window treatments (either at the same time or one at a time), no matter how high or out of reach they may be.
Smart Shades & Automation
Automation refers to treatments that go one step further than motorized ones. You get all the benefits above, and then some. Do you have a busy schedule some days, but still want an energy-efficient house that stays comfortable all day long? You can set up automated treatments to work with your schedule—and the sun’s. You can pair automated shades with your existing smart home system, make a simple voice command, and see your whole home shift to the perfect settings.
This is what marks the jump from motorization to automation.
Which One Are You Drawn To?
There is no right answer to this question! It comes down to preference, lifestyle, and functionality needs for your windows. Cost is another factor that comes into play, and the good news is that automated and motorized window treatments are becoming more affordable because they’ve been around for a while now.
Control Options: How You’ll Use Them Every Day
What devices are always at-the-ready to make your life easier? Whether it’s your smartwatch, smartphone, tablet, or Alexa, your smart shades will fit right in. If you’re upstairs, at work, or halfway around the world on vacation, you can adjust your shades. Let’s explore the specific types of operating systems—and how the shades are activated.
SoftTouch™ Motorization
The SoftTouch system features a detachable wand and a motor in the headrail of the treatment. It’s a very affordable way to include motorized shades into your space—but control stays permanently at that one individual shade.
The wand hangs down parallel to the edge of the shade, helping it blend in—yet always be within reach. You get to choose both the color and the length of the wand, leaving it to work perfectly for both style and function.
How They Operate: A magnetized end, needing a slight nudge up or down, adjusts the entire shade. There is a piece in the headrail where the magnetic wand connects. As a safety measure, if the wand is pulled too hard it disconnects automatically, meaning there’s no fear of pulling down the entire shade.
You can say “goodbye” to tangled cords or bent shades. This operating system makes it easy to open or close shades even when there are multiple in a row. The SoftTouch system provides simplified light control, privacy, and child safety in every room.
PowerView® Automation
Hunter Douglas PowerView® is the main choice we offer in motorized shades. This system makes it simple to adjust large window covering and shades on hard-to-reach windows.
How They Operate: With the click of a remote or tap of a button on your smartphone, it’s easy to control multiple shades at once. You can stay put while the shades adjust. Within the PowerView® app, you can save and schedule energy-saving settings to block out daytime sunlight without lifting a finger.
Smart Home Integration with PowerView®
Hunter Douglas PowerView® is available for motorized control, plus automated control when you select smart home integration. This system is compatible with other smart home systems, so you can connect devices and allow them to communicate. Alexa and Google Home can control your window coverings with voice commands. This brings ease to your lifestyle—coordinating with lighting, climate control, and privacy all connected as one for your comfort.
Automation benefits
- Connect with existing smart home features
- Adjust multiple shades at once—on a schedule
- Set “favorite” scenes for your ideal atmosphere
- Voice commands make it simple to adjust treatments whenever you want
Rooms Perfect for Automation Upgrades
Although we can argue every room is worthy of automated shades, there are some we see as especially fit for the upgrade.
- Bedrooms: Greet the morning sun with scheduled rising and enjoy instant privacy at night.
- Living rooms: Automated glare control is a game-changer, especially with large, hard-to-reach windows.
- Home offices: Reduce distraction—find the perfect light with the touch of a button.
- No matter the space, automated shades bring smart functionality and comfort to everyday living.
Installation: Why Professional Setup Matters
Installing motorized blinds may sound simple, but it can be tricky—especially for homeowners who want to do it themselves. Hunter Douglas PowerView® offers beautiful shades with unique features for unique windows. Each window install is customized for your home and requires attention to detail. The shades are custom-built to last, and professional installation helps ensure everything operates smoothly and seamlessly.
With motorization, there can be wiring, power sources, and fabrics to consider. Shades need to roll or stack efficiently, and many windows that use automation are hard to reach. Our professional installers handle these tricky-to-install products with the right equipment and experience so the finished operation feels effortless.
Smart Shades: Innovative Comfort & Energy Savings
With temps climbing into the upper 90s and flirting with the 100s, escaping into a cool home is glorious—unless it’s not cool. We know what it’s like to hear your AC running around the clock as it tries to combat summer heat. And we know how to help.
Upgrading your home with smart shades can provide energy savings and the comfortably cool atmosphere you deserve.
Integration
With the PowerView Hub, your smart shades can integrate with your smart home system. Communicating with your thermostat, your shades can close as soon as your home reaches a certain temperature. Your home can stay closed off for maximum energy savings and security during the day. Then, when location services notes that you’re pulling into the driveway, shades can adjust to the perfect position to create your ideal evening atmosphere.
Control
Whether it’s your smartwatch, smartphone, tablet, or Alexa, your smart shades fit right in. You can adjust them from anywhere—upstairs, at work, or on vacation.
Automation
Imagine if your window coverings were always in the right place…without you lifting a finger. Syncing motorized blinds, shades, and shutters with your schedules (and even IFTTT-style logic) puts your shades in the perfect position at all times. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Motorized Shutters: A Quick Note
Motorized Shutters became a fast favorite here in California. Motorization of Palm Beach™ PolySatin™ Shutters tilts the louvers—open, closed, or anywhere between. East-facing windows can schedule closed during intense morning sun. West-facing windows can close in the afternoon for heat control. It’s like a symphony of privacy and light control.
Beyond the movement, the way you control them is up to you: voice, smartphone, or remote. Manual adjustment is still an option, too. Motorized shutters combine durability (including moisture and humidity resistance) with modern convenience.
Real-Life Reasons People Choose Motorized Window Treatments
Some people love the tech. Some love the comfort. Some love the money savings. And for many homeowners, it’s all of the above.
- Convenience: Close shades as you walk out the door, check status from anywhere
- Comfort: Block glare and heat at the times you need it most
- Energy efficiency: Schedule shades during peak sun hours
- Family-friendly safety: Cordless benefits for kids and pets
- Lifestyle upgrades: Create scenes like “Bedtime,” “Movie Night,” or “Work Mode”
They’re a brilliant combination of convenience, performance, and style.
Energy efficiency is achieved by setting scheduled closing and opening throughout your day. Harsh sunlight is blocked, heat gain is reduced, or warmth is let in when temperatures dip—maintaining a comfortable environment that can save on cost. The added routine and scenes let you plan how and when your smart shades operate, on your schedule. Lastly, safety is always a top concern, and automated window coverings eliminate dangerous cords for children and pets to help maintain a worry-free space.
Many homeowners who have made the transition from life without smart shades, to life with smart shades can relate to the following chart…
| Regular Life | Life with Smart Shades | |
|---|---|---|
| 5:27 AM | Sunlight blasts into the room | It’s dark—you wake when you want |
| 10:34 AM | House filled with constant glare | House filled with soft, glowing light |
| 1:12 PM | Squinting, overheating, exhaustion | Productivity boosted, balanced lighting |
| 3:26 PM | Scorching sun bakes the interiors | Shades closed at set temperature |
| 7:45 PM | Kids: “It’s not even dark!” | Kids: “Zzzzz…” |
| 8:43 PM | The neighbors are looking in | Watching TV with wine, total privacy |
Ready to Get Started?
Our team at California Window Fashions understands that upgrading your home can bring up questions. That’s why our experts are here to help. We can give you the full run-down on motorized blinds and smart shades and help you narrow down what will suit your lifestyle—and your home—best.
Stop by our showroom to operate products like motorized roller shades for yourself, or schedule a FREE in-home consultation. We’ll help you choose the right features, controls, and styles for every window—then we’ll install and program everything so it works beautifully from day one.
