Motorized
Motorized Blinds, Smart Shades & Automated Window Treatments – Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC
Motorized Wood Blinds
Premium American Basswood blinds with motorized tilt and lift feature a natural hardwood warmth but offer a touch-button convenience. In a full range of stains, paint finishes. Motorized window blinds are particularly useful for those windows that are at a higher height than eye level, where it would be more inconvenient to manually pull the window blinds down using a manual window blind.
Motorized Cellular Shades
Motorised cellular honeycomb shades are our most insulating window treatment, and are particularly convenient when they are motorised in large windows or areas that are difficult to access. The air pockets in the honeycomb give it the best thermal efficiency, and motorised means every window can be moved at once via the phone or by voice command. Single, double, and triple cell light filtering and room darkening fabrics available.
Motorized Plantation Shutters
Motorized plantation shutters infuse a new level of louvre tilt automation into the world’s most iconic window treatment feature in home design. Control privacy and light in your shutters or large picture windows from a remote or smart home app – perfect for sunrooms and other spaces that require varying privacy and light levels throughout the day.
Motorized Sheer Shades
When you’re dealing with windows that are high, arch windows and installations where manual cords are impractical, motorized sheer shades are the best way to go. The vane-and-sheer fabric responds to any angle via remote, app or voice command. Combine with a smart home schedule to remotely control the light and privacy in several windows at the same time.
Motorized Solar Shades
Motorized solar shades automatically allow you the control of glare, UV protection and view-through throughout the day, either by phone or with an automated schedule. Program them to reduce when sun in on south-facing windows, lower to help protect your floors, furniture and artwork from UV damage and help minimize heat gains in the interior.
Your home control has changed. Your voice controls the temperature on your thermostat. Your lights operate on a schedule. Your security system is operated from your cell phone. The same should be true for your window treatments.
BuyHomeBlinds provides and installs motorized blinds, smart shades and automated window coverings in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. Each item is custom-made to fit your specific window frame and is programmed and controlled via remote, smartphone app, voice command, or fully automatic schedule – fully connected to all of the smart home platforms you already use.
Call 301-847-7000 or book your free in-home consultation today to see the full range.
What Are Motorized Blinds and Smart Shades?
Motorized blinds and shades are window blinds that come and go on a battery powered or hardwired electric motor located in the blinds headrail, instead of raising and lowering by means of a cord, wand or pull. Motorized blinds are operated using a handheld remote control or wall switch. Smart blinds and automatic blinds go a step further, syncing to your home’s Wi-Fi system or smart home hub to control your blinds from your mobile device, with voice controls via your smart device and full automatic schedules. You get a window treatment that operates exactly when and how you want one without getting up, ladders, or having to adjust it one window at a time.
Smart Home Integration – Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit & Samsung SmartThings
We offer motorized blinds and smart shades that are compatible with all major smart home platforms, enabling seamless integration with existing smart home systems.
Amazon Alexa
Amazon Alexa can be used to connect the motorized shades and to control all the shades in the house with voice commands. Open the appropriate skill in the Alexa app, attach shades to a room, and give the instructions, such as “Alexa, open shades in the living room” or “Alexa, close shades on all rooms. Alexa Routines will open and close the shades automatically daily, based on sunrise and sunset times.
Google Home
Smart shades that are connected to Google Home can follow Google Assistant instructions and participate in Google Home automations. Control your entire home by using shade control in conjunction with your thermostat, lighting, and other connected devices, creating scenes to control your home’s environment.
Apple HomeKit
Motorized shades that are HomeKit compatible are displayed in the Apple Home app and controlled via Siri’s voice command on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and HomePod. Schedule shades, set up scenes and control from anywhere with no third party hub – all without relying on the Apple ecosystem.
Samsung SmartThings
If you’re a SmartThings fan, our shades can be controlled from your SmartThings hub with your lights, locks, sensors, and the rest of your smart home devices. Connect the automations to arm your security system and close your blinds, or to wake you up in the morning and open your blinds.
Smart shades can also be set to close during the hottest hours of the day during the summer months, helping to prevent solar heat from entering through windows and consequently save air conditioning costs, a significant advantage during the hot summer months in Maryland and Virginia.
Contact our team at 301-847-7000 to discuss which smart platform your motorized shades will be configured for during your free consultation.
Battery-Powered vs. Hardwired Motorized Shades – Which Is Right for You?
Battery-Powered Motors Battery-powered motorized blinds require no electrical work. It is powered by a rechargeable battery pack integrated in its headrail, which in most cases should last for 3-6 months on a charge. A simple solution to retrofit an existing window without impact on walls or wiring that works for most residential applications.
Hardwired Motors Hardwired motorized shades are hardwired into your home’s electrical system and require no battery management. For whole home automation, commercial installations, or homeowners that do not want to ever re-charge a motor, hardwired installation is recommended. All the wiring is done during the installation visit by our professional installation team.
In need of a bit of help plumbing in your project? During your free consultation, our in-home consultants examine your windows, your smart home system and how you use your windows, and advise on the most suitable type of windows motor for each room.
Key Benefits of Motorized Blinds and Smart Shades
Cord-Free Safety: With the motorized system, there are no dangling cords to choke or entangle young children and pets. This is the most kid-proof window covering option around and the most current in compliance with the safety guidelines.
Hard-to-Reach Windows: Motorized windows are easy to operate in high windows, skylights, windows above stairs, and oversized picture windows. No ladders and no stretching – just a single button or voice command to the job.
Whole-Home Automation: Control multiple windows at once by room, floor, or by window orientation. Open all the east facing windows at sunrise. When leaving for work, close all windows. Control the lights and privacy of your home with ease.
Energy Efficiency: Shade automation can significantly reduce HVAC loads, as they close during hot hours in summer and open to take advantage of passive solar gain in winter. This is a tangible benefit of investments made in motorization.
Increased Home Value: Smart home components such as automatic window coverings are recognized as a selling point in the Maryland and Northern Virginia real estate market.
Room-by-Room Guide – Where Motorized Blinds Deliver the Most Value
Living Room
Group-control all windows from a single app scene. Set a "Movie Mode" that closes all shades and a "Morning" scene that opens them at sunrise. Motorized sheer or solar shades work best for living rooms that need daylight and glare control simultaneously.
Bedroom
Use program motorized blackout cellular shades or shade roller blinds to close at night and rise slowly at your desired alarm time. Remove the possibility of inadvertently touching a cord or wand while half asleep.
Home Office
Automated tinting/dipping of screens at sunrise and sunset, and adjust as needed during the day. For home office windows which face south and west, solar shades with motorisation are the perfect solution.
Kitchen
Above sink or over kitchen window motorized shades take the aggravation of pulling and pushing a blind across a counter or cabinet every day. Cordless motorized roller shades are particularly convenient in such cases.
Professional Motorized Blind Installation in Maryland, Virginia & DC
When dealing with motorized blinds and smart shades, exact measurement and configuration are crucial. A mis-measured window equates to a motorized shade that sticks, breaks or doesn’t work with your smart home.
BuyHomeBlinds offers complete in-home consultation, professional measurement, smart home configuration, and complete installation throughout the DC metro area, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Bowie, Laurel and Washington DC.
Each motorized shade is installed on-site with our team, and is set to the desired upper and lower limits and initial schedules and verified for complete integration before we leave your home.
Call 301-847-7000 today or schedule your free in-home consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorized Blinds and Smart Shades
What is the difference between motorized blinds and smart blinds?
Motorized blinds have an electric motor that can be controlled with a remote control or wall switch, and operate without being connected to a smart home network. Smart Blinds are motorized blinds that work with the WiFi or a smart hub in your home, giving you control via a smartphone app, voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomeKit and complete automatic schedules and routines. While all smart blinds come equipped with motors, not all motorized blinds are smart; the difference is their connectivity and automation.
Do motorized blinds work with Amazon Alexa?
Yes. Smart motorized blinds and shades can control with AMAZON Alexa. After pairing the shades to your home Wi-Fi or smart hub and after enabling the right Alexa skill, using your voice to control window treatments for individual windows, rooms or your entire home. Alexa can open and close automatically once a day through Alexa Routines.
Do motorized blinds work with Google Home and Apple HomeKit?
Yes. Our motorized smart shades are compatible with both Google Home and Apple Homekit, Samsung Smart Things. Google users can voice control their Google home and use shades in home automations. With HomeKit, users will be able to control shades with the Apple Home app and with Siri on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and HomePod.
Are motorized blinds safe for homes with children?
For all pediatric and pet-friendly homes, motorized blinds are the safest window treatment choice. Totally in-house (no dangling cords or wands), all the strangulation hazard associated with window treatment cords is eliminated. Window coverings that can be operated by a motor are one of the primary drivers for younger kids’s families opting for these windows.
Can motorized blinds be installed on hard-to-reach or large windows?
Yes. Motorized blinds are particularly recommended for windows that might be difficult to open and close manually, such as those that are high, above a stairway, skylight and oversized picture windows, which also require a ladder or the use of strength to move them by hand. These windows can also be operated from remote or using an application, just like any other windows.
What is the difference between battery-powered and hardwired motorized shades?
Do require less electrical work (rechargeable battery pack mounted in the headrail) and are the easiest retrofit. Hardwired motors are permanently plugged into the house’s power source, eliminating the need to maintain the batteries. Those who wish to install a whole home or commercial installation prefer hardwired installation. Your in-home visit will include appointments with our consultants to discuss your particular setup and which is best.
Do you provide motorized blind installation in Maryland, Virginia, and DC?
Yes. BuyHomeBlinds provides complimentary in-home consultation, professional measurements and smart home setup, as well as all motorized blind installation services in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC area. Make your consultation appointment by calling 301-847-7000.
Will motorized blinds save energy costs?
Yes. With shades set to close during hot summer hours, you are reducing the amount of solar heat that enters through the windows which is a load on your air conditioner. Automated shades can be programmed to open during sunny days in winter for solar gain and then be drawn at sundown to keep the warmth inside. For an entire year, this can be a quantifiable savings in the HVAC costs of most Maryland and Virginia homes.
Ready to Upgrade to Motorized Blinds and Smart Shades?
Custom motorized blinds, smart shades and fully automated window treatments are all professionally installed and set up to work with your smart home system in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC with BuyHomeBlinds.
Give them a call today at 301-847-7000 or schedule your no-cost, in-home consultation online. Our specialists will come to you for samples, determine what windows you need, set up your smart home system, and present a complete no-obligation estimate.