| The first question you might be asking is, "why | | | | Now that we got the details out of the way, |
| would I even need a remote controlled, motorized | | | | here's a list of window shades with the motorized |
| blind?" The answer is convenience. It is nice to be | | | | lift option: cellular shades, solar shades, sheer |
| able to push a button and raise and lower your | | | | shades, pleated shades and woven wood blinds, |
| shades or, open and close the slats on your blinds. | | | | which are more commonly called bamboo shades. |
| And, many blinds and shades are placed in | | | | Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb or cell |
| locations that are hard to reach, e.g. skylights. | | | | shades, are an excellent choice if you want to |
| Before I dive into what's available, a little | | | | add insulation to you window. Pleated shades look |
| explanation of the difference between the | | | | a lot like cellular shades but do not have the same |
| motorized option for either window blinds or | | | | amount of insulation. They have small crisp pleats |
| window shades. On window blinds the motorization | | | | like an accordion and fold up instead of roll up. |
| opens and closes the slats for light control. This is | | | | Solar shades are meant to block incoming light but |
| called motorized tilt. For window shades, the | | | | still preserve views. They come in different levels |
| motorization raises or lowers the shade by | | | | of opacity (see-through) from 3% to 14%, the |
| unrolling or rolling up. This gets at the basic | | | | latter offering the greatest see-through. Solar |
| distinction between blinds and shades: blinds don't | | | | shades are good for blocking damaging UV rays |
| roll up and have vanes or slats, whereas shades | | | | from the sun and also limit solar heat gain. Sheer |
| are one continuous piece of material that either | | | | shades are a little less known. They are kind of a |
| rolls up or folds up (in the case of some roman | | | | hybrid shade, featuring two sheer fabric facings |
| shades). This is called motorized lift. | | | | over soft fabric vanes. Sheer vertical blinds |
| The motors inside the blind or shade are operated | | | | feature a light filtering material between hanging |
| by a remote control. When ordering a motorized | | | | fabric or vinyl vanes. |
| option, you will also need to purchase at least one | | | | Your choices of blinds with the motorized tilt |
| remote control. Typically one remote can operate | | | | option are: mini blinds, wood and faux wood blinds. |
| multiple motorized blinds or shades for added | | | | I am sure you all know what mini blinds are so I |
| convenience. | | | | won't go into any details. Wood and faux wood |
| The options and functionality of the motors and | | | | blinds have real hardwood slats or composite or |
| remote controls will vary by product and | | | | vinyl slats that look like real wood. They come in |
| manufacturer. For example, some remotes | | | | a variety of slats sizes depending on what size |
| operate using infrared or "line of sight" | | | | window you are trying to cover. Just so you |
| transmission, while other remotes use radio | | | | know, in general, the larger the window the larger |
| frequency transmission which can operate without | | | | the recommended slat size. The slat sizes range |
| pointing directly at the shade or blind and can | | | | from 1/2" (wood mini blinds) to 2 1/2" for large |
| control single shades or groups of shades | | | | windows. |
| simultaneously for added convenience. | | | | |