Trend alert: Motorised Window Treatments

Motorised window treatments are a growing trend in North America today. And I know we Trinbagonians do not like to be left behind. Imagine opening your drapery when you are on your way home or pre-scheduling the blinds in a specific room to open at a specific time. I am not talking the Jetsons here... It’s real.

 

Universal. 

Any type of operable window treatment can be motorised. Drapery, roman shades, roller shades, horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, awnings, can all be operated remotely and by a touch of a button. If integrated into a home automation system, you can open your drapery with your phone or Ipad. Existing or new window treatments can be motorised using plug-in transformers, batteries, solar units or hardwire installations.

 

Convenience. 

Manually raising and lowering a shade or opening drapery is easy enough.  But what if the treatment is very large or heavy? What if there are many windows in the room? What if you are physically challenged? Motorisation makes it is easy to manoeuvre and adjust window coverings on tall, wide, hard-to-reach and multiple windows. Motorisation will tame the second story window or those roller blinds on those long picture windows.

 

Security. 

Your home automation system can turn lights on, off and dim them at pre-scheduled times of day, even when you are away. Why not open and close your drapery, blinds or shades as well? This adds credibility to the lived in look. Additionally, when you are at home, privacy can be had with the simple touch of a button.

 

Safety. 

Many of the manually operated window treatments are manipulated by cords. These cords often become tangled or unstrung and require regular servicing and repair and compromise the aesthetic of the décor. But even more important, is the safety risk posed to small children and pets by entanglement in these cords. Motorised systems eliminate visible cording, making the window treatments safer and the operating system more user-friendly.

 

Longevity. 

You no longer need to tug on your drapery and shades to open and close them. The automated system will be infinitely kinder on you window treatments. Motorisation allows for cordless and gentler operation and you do not have to physically handle the treatment and risk soiling or leaving body oils on them. With your improved ability to manipulate your window coverings, your rugs, artwork and valuable furnishings will also be better protected from the UV rays of the sun.

 

Energy efficiency. 

Automated window treatments are also considered to be energy efficient. Accumulated heat from uncontrolled sunlight is a major burden on air conditioning. Preset timers on your motorised window treatments allow you to block the sun and reduce heat build-up automatically, eliminating the need to remember to close your window treatments. Automated window treatments can block the harshest heat during peak daylight hours; others will open, allowing the home to cool naturally. If you have plants, you can time your curtains to allow in optimal levels of sun, keeping them healthy. In turn, you’re helping to naturally filter your home’s air with no added energy usage.

 

Drama and aesthetics. 

Remote garage door and gate openers are no longer considered a convenience but a necessity, so why do we still have manual window coverings?   With so many windows in our homes why are we wasting time opening them one by one? Why rob yourself of the impressive visual impact of simultaneous push-button operation of an entire room of window treatments? 

Seriously, automated window treatments are more than just fashion for your home; they are a functional necessity.