Alexa, Open my Shades!

Motorization is becoming one of the new “standard” ways to open and close your window coverings and as more customers request integration into whole home automation systems, the systems keep improving. But do you need motorization? Sometimes, the answer is a definite yes. What if you cannot reach the bottom of the window where a normal cord lift system would fall? Many homes in our Oakland hills have 2-story windows that cannot be reached with a normal cord lift system. The newest rechargeable lithium-ion battery motors we use do not require an electrician to install power at the window top as the rechargeable battery motor is in the headrail of the shade, and the charge lasts for about 2 years. When the shade stops moving at the command of your remote control, just plug the charger into your shade overnight and you’re good for another 2 years of typical operation. The systems we use also have an optional bridge that connects to your network so you may control your shades through all the popular home automation systems from your phone, or Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and many others.

Innovation

One of our most recent innovations is a motorized bottom-up solar shade system for angle-top windows. Solar shades control the heat coming in through these architecturally beautiful, but challenging window shapes! We’ve devised a method of manufacturing a unique roller shade that lifts from a roller tube at the bottom of the window. The shade is cut to fit the shape of the angle on these lovely clerestory windows.

Photo Pat Benson, Mix Montclair

Child Safety

In an effort to prevent serious injury or strangulation from window covering lift cords, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has instituted a new federal safety standard for operating cords on custom window coverings.  Simple roller shades, cellular shades or roman shades in a child’s room can be motorized using a Power Wand motor. The functions are simple and child-friendly with a wand that hangs next to the shade that has Up/Stop/Down buttons. This shade is also rechargeable so no worrying about changing batteries or dangerous dangling lift cords. This is also the most economical motorization system.

Photo courtesy of Alta Window Fashions

And what to do about skylights? We offer two great motorized skylight solutions if you want to be able to control the light. We can automate either a cellular shade system in light filtering or blackout material, or a roller shade system also in either blackout for complete light blocking, or with solar shade fabrics that offer good light, but reduced heat and glare. Both use the same great rechargeable lithium-ion battery motors, and both offer solar panel charging solutions.

Photo Pat Benson, Mix Montclair

Many of you may have noticed that after 10 wonderful years, we have moved our retail operation out of Montclair Village and into an on-line store.

We still offer the same personal service, and our entire team is still with us – just a phone call, text, or email away from serving you.

Please stay in touch and look for our upcoming special events.  

We’re here for you 9-5 Monday through Friday, so call or text us at 510-559-3229.