Automation by Solar Shield Blinds

Our typical lead time on interior window treatments is 4 to 6 weeks from order to install, and exterior patio shades run 8 to 10 weeks. Most of our projects are completed within one installation day, and the app, the schedules and the voice control are set up before we leave.

Yes. Motors offer more reliability than clutch and cordless control, and they are easier to maintain over the life of the shade, because the shade moves without anyone touching the fabric or pulling on any mechanism. Li-Ion rechargeable shades also mean lower maintenance and long term savings compared with replaceable battery shades. On top of that, our Carefree Guarantee covers defects at no charge with our Five Year Service Guarantee, and the Lifetime Product Guarantee covers materials and workmanship for as long as you own the home.

Yes. Our custom window treatments come with transferable warranties, and the coverage follows the address. If you move, the warranty continues, which means the next owner is covered the same way you were, and they get the free lifetime inspections too.

No. Most of our products have internal batteries and do not require external wires, packs, or tubes, so they install just like a manual shade. Solar panel charging is optional for most motor systems, and hardwired motors are available in low voltage and 110 volt options when the power can be planned in, like on new construction.

No. Plan on charging your shades every 6 to 9 months using the provided chargers, and recharging takes 4 to 6 hours. Magnetic chargers need full contact of the magnets to charge properly, so check that the shade shows it's charging before you walk away. If you'd rather not think about it, an optional solar panel keeps the battery topped up.

Solar panels must face east, west, or south and need an unobstructed view of the sun, and window film will reduce how well they charge. The panel will be visible from the outside and below the shade, and it will cast a silhouette onto the shade fabric. Your Design Specialist will tell you at the consultation whether a window is a good fit for one.

On most products, no. Most of our shades have internal batteries with nothing hanging outside the headrail. Honeycomb shades with internal batteries have a charge port on the face that is visible. Where an external rechargeable battery pack is used, it needs an additional 1 inch of casing depth behind the shade.

Yes. Many of our products connect directly using our basic Solar Shield Blinds USB Bridge, which works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, Control4, URC, Crestron, RTI and Elan. For a whole home system we add a smart hub that integrates with Savant, Crestron, Control4, RTI, Josh.ai, Vantage, Loxone, Hubitat and more. We take care of programming your system, and we'll confirm it works with what you have before anything is ordered.

Sometimes, on some lines, and it depends on the headrail and the product. Send us a photo and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing versus replacing the shade with one that has the motor built in. Either way you get a straight answer before you spend anything.

Yes. Every product that we offer has an option for automated control. We can motorize all of our shades, blinds, shutters, drapery, exterior patio shades, and retractable awnings, so if you want the family room, the primary bedroom and the patio all on one app, that's exactly what we'll build for you.

No. The remote, the wall switch and the app all work on their own, with nothing else installed in the house. The Smart Hub or Bridge adds app control, voice control, scheduling, and integration, and if you have a whole home system, or add one later, the shades tie into it.

Yes. App control lets you schedule your shades from sunrise to sunset or at specific times of the day, and you have full function while you're on the go. Have the bedroom open with your alarm, drop the west side in the afternoon, or build a scene that sets the whole house at once.

One remote controls up to 15 shades, and up to 30 shades with the use of a bridge. One push of a button can move every shade in an open living space, and it's easy to line up shades side by side when there are multiple windows.

Not always. Battery operated shades may not travel at the same speed or stay exactly side by side while they're moving. They stop at the positions you set, so they line up once they get there.

They're the best choice. Motors are great for second story and hard to reach windows, and for larger width windows that are heavy to lift by hand. Stairwell windows, two story great rooms and transoms over a door are exactly where solar panel charging or a hardwired motor makes the most sense.

In an existing house, go rechargeable, since most of our products have internal batteries and need no wiring. Solar panel charging is optional for most motor systems and works well on high windows. Hardwired motors come in low voltage and 110 volt options and are the better fit on a new build or a large install. Your Design Specialist will walk you through both at the consultation.

Yes, on specific products. A PowerWand puts the motor control in a wand at the side of the shade, and it's great for accessibility, easy charging, and simple operation. Your Design Specialist will check the specs for the product you choose.

Most of our products are available with a rechargeable motor starting around $180 more than a cordless lift system. The exact number depends on the product and the size of the window, and you get a complete and exact quote on the spot at your free consultation.

Yes. Our Exterior Patio Shades and Retractable Awnings can both be motorized and run from the same remote, app and voice control as your interior shades, with sun and wind sensors available. Plan on an 8 to 10 week lead time on exterior shades, which is a little longer than the interior products.

Yes. Skylights are the one window nobody wants to reach, so we motorize them with a remote and a solar panel that recharges the battery from the sun coming through the glass. There's no wiring to run through the ceiling and no ladder on the stairs when you want it closed. Motorized honeycomb shades are our go to for skylights, and they were part of the Bargain Mansions install.