Wired or Wireless? How to Choose A Motorized shade Solution

Depending on Your Home, You Have Choices

Can we convince you about the benefits of motorized shades? We think they’re like sliced bread, the invention that, once experienced, you can’t do without. Aside from the convenience of luxury of motorization, motorized shades and window treatments play a big role in your smart home, making it more comfortable and efficient. 

We often get asked the difference between wired and wireless solutions. Why can’t they all be wireless? It mostly comes down to powering the shade or window treatment. Stay with us below as we delve deeper into the choices you can make in wired or wireless motorized shading for your Southampton, NY home. 

SEE ALSO: 4 Things to Consider When Choosing Motorized Shades

Going Wireless

First, it’s important to understand that wireless shading is about battery-powered versus low-voltage window treatment solutions. The control mechanism is always wireless and operates with a radio frequency solution, much like many AV and ceiling fan remote controls. So, when do you need to go wireless? As you might surmise, wireless shading is excellent for retrofit applications. So if you’re not doing a major remodel where you want to cut into and refinish walls in your Southampton home, a wireless installation is much easier. 

What’s the catch? The only ones with wireless will have to do with the size of the window and the treatment. For example, Lutron wireless shading styles can cover windows as large as 12 by 12 feet, which are very large, but there are larger. Also, certain styles like a heavy motorized drape might be too much for battery power and need to be wired with power. 

What else do you need to know about battery-powered options? They run on standard D cells and last longer than you might expect, as long as 2-3 years of normal operation. 

Why Go Wired?

The obvious reason to go wired is never to have to replace batteries, however infrequently. Also, shades in high and hard-to-reach locations can be challenging for battery replacement. If you are doing a new build or extensive remodel, it pays to wire the shading and powered window treatments. Low-voltage wiring is easy when drywall and finishes are already being replaced or worked on, and it’s likely you’ll already be doing the wiring for security, audio, and smart automation.  If you are doing a combination of powered treatments, you can also go with a combination of wired and wireless solutions, depending on window sizes and the styles you choose. But if it’s a whole house remodel or build, you have a wider array of choices for every window with a wired solution and the most sophisticated control system options.

Wired or wireless, motorized window treatments are right for any home. To learn more about this essential smart home feature, contact us here. We’d love to work with you!