Gone are the days when smart homes and interior tech were reserved for the super-rich. Thanks to the popularity of smart tech in our homes, many homeware brands are now creating ranges of interiors that also use technological innovation within their designs thereby allowing us to have gadgets such as voice controlled lighting and remote access security systems. Here, we are going to discuss motorised blinds, one of the most used smart home tech devices that is both affordable and user friendly.
If you are new to the concept of smart tech then you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Surely the old ways are the best right? Well, we have found that most customers choose motorised blinds not just for their convenience but also for the added layer of safety thanks to the cord free system. Let us look at these blinds in more detail.
The Beauty of Blinds
Blinds are often chosen not just for their aesthetic but also for their practicality. Utilising their flexibility, blinds can provide shade or eliminate light altogether. They can soften the brightness in the room and can provide you with some much needed privacy. But while these practical benefits are a key factor for installing blinds, the style colour and placement are also worth considering. For example, roof window blinds are a must for a bedroom to block that early morning sunlight out, but can you reach them? Blinds for bay windows help to alleviate the fitting issue of a curtain rail, but how much work will opening 4 or 6 blinds morning and night be? Blinds are a great addition to any window treatment, but a motorised blind makes them far more user friendly.
Motorised Blinds Explained
So how do motorised blinds work? Well in essence, the manoeuvring of a blind is done by a motor rather than by hand. This motor can be activated in a variety of ways including a cabled controller, a wireless controller, via an app, through voice activation and even by installing light sensors. When activated, the motor will move the blind as per the given instructions and alleviate the manual movement involved in a traditional blind. Motorised blinds are most commonly roller blinds but can also be found as panel blinds and very occasionally roman blinds as well.
Types of Motorised Blinds
Let us look at the different types of motorised and smart blinds and their key features.
· Wired Controller
While these types of blinds may not be as “smart” as others, they are still more convenient than manual operations. Wired controlled blinds will generally have a small remote control attached via a wire to the blind which can be used to operate the movement of the blind. Most found on panel blinds, the smooth movement of the motor operated blinds helps to reduce wear and tear on the blind and prolong its lifespan. It also helps to keep the uniformity of the blind when drawn and often operates the angle of the panels as well.
· Wireless Remote Controlled
Similarly to the wired controller, this style of blind will still be operated through a remote control, only this time it will be wireless. This is often a sleeker and more appealing style for people although it does require some additional hardware. A receiver placed on the blind will be battery operated while the remote itself will also need batteries. In some cases, the blind and remote will talk to each other via infrared but more commonly, the receiver and blind will need a Wi-Fi connection to be able to connect to each other. This will come with the blind itself and can be installed by a professional. Many see the wireless remote controlled blind option as a safer alternative to a traditional roller blinds thanks to the elimination of blind cords.
· Voice Controlled
With many wireless blinds, there is an added option to set up voice control settings. For this to work you will need a smart speaker and Wi-Fi connection. Once setup correctly, you will be able to ask your smart speaker to open and close your blind. You can also adjust the settings on your blind to draw to a certain point rather than shutting completely. Voice controlled blinds are an ideal addition to any tech savvy home.
· Phone Controlled
If you are very tech savvy and want your blind tailored to your exacting requirements, then a phone controlled motorised blind is the way forward for you. Using an app, you can control your blind from anywhere. This control works through your internet connection and allows you to remotely open and close the blinds. It also allows you to set timers so that your blinds will close at the same time every day, ideal for days when you are away from home. You can add as many blinds to your app as you like so can even close all the blinds in your house at once.
· Light Sensored
Finally, we come to the light sensored blinds. These work with a light sensor that detects when it is getting dark outside. Once the detector has been activated, the blind closes automatically. This is a very useful feature for those with high windows or with lots of blinds that need operating at once. Light sensored blinds can most commonly be found in commercial spaces such as offices, schools, and hotel rooms.
As you can see the variation in motorised binds is great and there is an option for everyone. For the tech wary a simple wired controller for a panel blind will make drawing your blinds easier and help with longevity. For the more tech savvy an app-controlled blind will allow you to control your blinds from anywhere in the world and opens a whole host of additional options for you to customise to your liking. Motorised blinds really are a fantastic addition to any home so why not give us a call to look at some of the options that would suit your home?