You have QUESTION - We have ANSWERS about motorized window coverings

You have a new home and your curious about the cost of motorized roller shades.  

Let's discuss the steps in choosing the right solution for your project.  It can seem a little daunting, you may assume it's expensive, you're not sure what type of system is best for your requirements, the size of your home, the number of windows, the sizes of the windows, 120 volt, 24 volt, 12 volt power and on and on.

Do this LAST

Let's talk about the smart stuff.  The stuff that makes it 'fun'.  DON'T start at the 'Smart Devices' stage.  All you need to know is that every one of the systems on the market today allow you to GROW as your needs change.  Such as when you have a thought one Monday morning:  'I wonder if I can get the shades to raise automatically at sunrise and sunset?'  The answer is YES

You don't want to select a particular window covering, want it motorized only to find that manufacturer can't motorize it.  This can be as simple as 'the motor is too wide to fit into the shade' or you're choosing a product that can't be motorized - throwing your entire window treatment purchase in shambles.

FIRST

Decide what window treatment is best for sun protection, privacy and aesthetics.

MANUFACTURERS OF WINDOW COVERINGS

Every manufacturer have their own proprietary systems.  You can't mix and match motorized window coverings from different manufacturers and have them all work with the same smart controls.  Let's put it this way, Hunter Douglas talks DUTCH, EliteWF talks SPANISH, Graber talks GERMAN, SunGlow talks SWEDISH, Maxxmar talks ITALIAN and so on and so on.

Typically these proprietary systems are less expensive than, let's say, SOMFY, and they all have their positives, negatives, similarities and restrictions.

For instance, if you have LARGE windows, these smaller, less expensive motors may be too small to raise and lower your shades.  And even if they do, the wear on the motors will definitely shorten their operating life.

NEWTON METER

The lifting power of these motors are rated in 'NEWTON METERS'   Some of the entry level motors are 1/2 Nm meaning they are very limited in their raising capacity but are fine for small shades.

More powerful motors are more expensive, but the extra cost of getting the right motors will far outweigh the frustration and added cost in replacing existing motors.  We get calls all the time from frustrating clients all the time about motors that stop and start on their own.  Typically they've overheated, tripping the internal circuits until the internal temperature drops before the shade will move again.  The time it takes for an overheated motor to reset (cool down) is typically 20 minutes.

Reputable manufacturers and dealers won't install an underpowered motorized shade.

NOISE

This has nothing to do with the power or lifting capacity of the motor.

Let's talk about what's inside the motor.  The smaller, cheaper motors have a tiny motors and a lot of gears to reduce the speed and add lifting power.  These are typically plastic or nylon and depending on the manufacturers choice, they are either more or less noisier.

Making a motor that is whisper quiet is a feat on it's own and there are very few manufacturers who have made the decision to spend a few extra dollars on research, development, components and manufacturing tolerances to achieve quiet.

So.  To make it short & sweet and not TOO complicated, this is how they make the motor quieter.

They use stronger motors that require less reduction gearing.  That's it.  Not only are they quieter but they're also stronger.

So if quiet is important IE: you don't want the sound of your kids raising their shades in the morning to reverberate around the house waking everyone else up including you and your partner, make sure you select a system that uses stronger motors.  Not only will you sleep better, these more powerful motors have a longer life, don't overheat and you won't have to pay for a service calls to fix a problem you didn't expect.

SOMFY

Somfy is the original manufacturer of motors for window treatments and awnings.  Their motors are powerful, quiet with control systems that are unrivaled.

Every manufacturer, (even Hunter Douglas) offers SOMFY motorization components.  This allows you to select Silhouettes from Hunter Douglas, Sunscreen Roller Shades for MaxXmar and Roman shades from Shades of Home, awnings -  ALL powered by SOMFY using the same operating system, the same smart devices.

They're so much to discuss and it's impossible to foresee all the questions you might have about choosing the RIGHT solution for your project, but an educated consumer is our BEST customer.

We want to do our best in giving you unbiased advice - not because we only offer solutions from one manufacture but because we offer solutions from almost EVERY window treatment manufacturer that allows us to do the right thing for you, not simply what's easiest for us.

Happy Automation!
Steve Poxon
Owner, Shades of Home

Smart Shades - Motorization Limitations

Motorization

Before you choose the supplier for your motorized shades I'm offering some unbiased information - what to ask your supplier - from someone with over 25 years providing motorization and home automation/integration.

LIMITATIONS

Everyday clients contact us with questions about motorized blinds and shades.  

There are a few questions that need answers.

How big are the windows? 

Do you have power to the windows?

What type of treatments are you thinking about?

WINDOW SIZE

This is a critical question.  The size of the windows dictates the type and strength of the motor and the type of power needed. 

Small window blinds can be powered by a 12vdc motor but a larger window may need a 24vdc or 110vac motor.  Since you want all the blinds to operate with one remote, one app, all these motors need to be from the same manufacturer, work with the same platform whether thats a hand/wall remote, smart device app or home automation system life Crestron, A4 and others.

Many manufacturers/suppliers/retailers only offer 'cheap and cheerful' options, mainly 12vdc battery, plug-in or rechargeable motors.  That's fine if all your window shades are small, but if you have a few larger openings that need a single shade, the 12vdc motor will be problematic.

They may try to convince you that 'no problem' these motors will work just fine, that 'I've never had a problem with a shade that size' or 'those limitations are just a guideline'

Problems:

Speed:  The first obvious problem noticed by the homeowner is the speed at which the shades are raised or lowered.  Underpowered motors operate at a lower RPM.  The internal motor has to rotate faster and transmit the power to the shade through a geared system within the motor.  That is the only way for a 12vdc motor to lift a shade.  There is a limit to the strength of the motor and the number of gears in the motor.

Noise:  Smaller motors, because they have to rotate faster, have multiple gears to bring as much strength to lifting the shades means they are far noisier that stronger motors.  The motor itself is noisy but the greatest amount of noise comes from the internal gears.  If silent operation is one of your 'must-halves' then look for a system that offers the quietest operation.

Overheating: Underpowered motors may overheat and 'trip' or stop until the internal motor temperature drops.  That typically takes 20 minutes.

Short lifespan.  When the motors overheat, shut off and restart that shortens the life of the motor, typically not covered by manufacturers warranty where there is a posted minimum and maximum size restriction for the shade size to be powered.

Complete failure:  In the case where the motor fails completely and you have mutiple shades on the same platform, you are in real trouble.  You will likely have to see if you can either find a stronger motor that works with the same RTS system AND a supplier who is willing to work with an existing installation.

Results:

One result is that you may have to change the motors in your shades to stronger motors, even if they are still 12vdc motors, the diameter of the motor may be larger than the internal diameter of the tube in the shade.  If that's the case you may not be able to do anything.  If it can be retrofitted, you may have to change the tube, the motor crown and drives, the motor bracket and idle end.  If the shade is in a cassette the increased size of the tube + the fabric all that may not fit within the existing cassette.

Prevention

We always look at the home/project and know we have to work with all limitations, considering the smallest opening and the largest opening and the power options and supplier that provides the variety of motorization options for the complete range of window shade sizes in the project.

You want as do we to have all the shades/drapery etc to work with on one platform.

Many times we will provide small motors for small shades, midrange motors for large shades and ultra-duty motors for large or muti-band shades.

Whatever you do, ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

Getting it right the first time means never having to be sorry AND knowing the system will add value to your project when, at some future date you decide to sell your home.  In the meantime you get to enjoy a problem free automated home.

Smart Shades - Home Automation

Smart Shades

The future of Motorized Shades + Home Automation

Technology is changing at an increasingly rapid pace in the Home Automation and Shade motorization arena.  The basic motor technology hasn't changed drastically with all the manufacturers improving their motors in an attempt to enable more manufacturers the ability to incorporate these motors in a wider range of window coverings both in type and size.

The differences between motor manufacturers is the power (lifting), quiet operation (decibels) and the built in technology within the motors (control options)

Power

Let's use a car purchase as an example.  A 6 cylinder vs 8 cylinder powered automobile.  Remarkably the fuel economy of the 6 cylinder is not that much better than the 8 cylinder and on the outside, other than the 3L or 4L designation there is nothing to indicate to the outside world whats under the hood. But one has more torque, the other has more power.  Side by side the vehicles 6 cylinder may initially accelerate as fast as the 8 cylinder to a point but it has to work a lot harder will reach its upper output limit first while the 8 cylinder still accelerates.

It's the same with motorized shades.  It's better for performance and longevity if the motor has more power than is necessary to lift a shade vs opting for the lower price and then having some of the following issues.

Speed:  In order for an underpowered motor to lift a shade you have to sacrifice the speed (rpm) of the final motor output.  Manufacturers accomplish this with internal gears within the motor that allows a weaker motor, turning rapidly, connected to a 'gear-box' which amplifies the low power output of the motor to a higher NM (kg per cm) output on the other end.

The tradeoff on price vs the right motor

1. Shades function more slowly (lower rpm output)
2. Motors are noisier due to multiple step-down gears within the motors 'gear-box', and motors that have to operate at higher speeds. 
3. Shades ordered close to the NM (kg per cm) output will cause the motors to stop during operating when they become overheated.  The motors will typically be operational again once the internal temperature of the the motor is returned to the safe operating temperature range (usually within 20-30 minutes) however repeated overheating will damage the internal electronics and the 'gearbox' resulting in the need to replace the motor.

Control & Integration

Consumers don't know and probably will never pull a motor out of a shade and look at it.  All they know is there is a motor.  End of story.  Like looking under the hood of your car.  There's the motor and that's it.  End of story.

Because the technology the clients expects of the motors is 'assumed', they're more likely to make a value decision based on how 'pretty' and sleek the remote control is or the 'look' of the app on their smart devices and simple promises of easy integration with Alexa, Google Home (and others) or integration into a home automation system.

On the face of it they all look the same, tell the same story, make the same promises but there are differences you won't be aware of until the system is installed.  

A higher price is no guarantee of increased stability, ease of integration, ability to expand the system, adding additional apps for increased function etc.  However it is more likely you will sacrifice a number of these expectations if price is the driving factor in your purchase. You then may end up with an isolated system you can only operate with the hand remote controls provided.

Integration across manufacturers

RTS language.  Motorized shades are controlled and 'speak' (wirelessly) using RTS protocol.  HOWEVER each manufacturer has its own assigned sub-RTS protocol that is unique to each manufacturer.  Meaning, it is NOT possible for motors from one manufacturer to be controlled or programmed using another manufacturers remote.  They don't speak the same 'language'.  The only way for different motors to operate on the same platform requires either 

1) Cat 5 cable to a central control station (Control4 etc.) 

2) RTS to Universal taps for each motor. (these translate each unique RTS language to a common RTS language for a dedicated operating system)

It can get complicated and expensive.

To maintain system stability and keep the cost down it's best to settle with one expandable motorization system that will allow you to grow your system or better yet, never have to worry.

Every system available in the market has a place in a project, as long as your expectations are met.

If you have any questions about your project reach out to me at steve.poxon@shadesofhome.ca or visit our web site at www.shadesofhome.ca