Motorized blinds: power and smart control

Motorized blinds are window coverings raised and lowered by a small motor in the headrail instead of a cord or chain. Depending on the motor and controller you choose, they can be operated by a handheld remote, a wall switch, a phone app, a schedule or a smart-home system.

Key takeaways: most fabric blinds and shades can be motorized, including zebra blinds and roller shades. Power comes from a rechargeable battery, a plug-in adapter or a wired supply. Smart-home compatibility depends on the specific motor and hub, so confirm it before ordering. Motorization removes cords, which helps in homes with young children.

How do motorized blinds work?

A motor inside the tube or headrail turns the fabric up or down when it receives a signal. The signal comes from a remote, a wall-mounted switch or a small hub that connects the motor to your home network. Once the shade's upper and lower limits are set during installation, it stops in the same place every time.

Which window coverings can be motorized?

Fabric products that roll or lift are the most common choices. Zebra blinds, roller shades and room darkening roller shades are all regularly motorized. Curtains can be motorized with a powered track; ask whether a track system suits your curtains and window. Whether a particular size or product can take a motor depends on the system, so we check this when we measure.

Battery or wired power?

Battery motors use a rechargeable battery pack and need no electrician. They suit most homes and are the usual choice when adding motorized blinds to existing windows. You recharge them occasionally, and how often depends on the motor, the size of the shade and how often it runs.

Wired or plug-in motors draw power from an outlet or a hardwired supply, so there is nothing to recharge. A hardwired supply is electrical work, so plan it with your electrician. Wired motors are easiest to plan during a renovation or new build, when wiring can be run to the window before the walls are closed. Tell us early if you are building, so the power can be planned before the windows are finished.

Remote, app or smart-home control?

A handheld remote is the simplest option and can run one shade or a group of them. A hub adds app control, schedules and scenes, such as lowering every street-facing blind at sunset. Some systems also connect to voice assistants and smart-home platforms.

Compatibility is where people get caught out. Not every motor works with every platform, and some need a particular hub. If you already use a smart-home system, tell us which one at your consultation so the motor and controller can be checked against it before you place an order.

Are motorized blinds worth it?

Motorized blinds are most worthwhile for windows that are hard to reach, such as tall windows, windows above a bath or kitchen counter and large glass walls. They are also useful for groups of windows you open and close every day, for scheduled privacy when you are away, and for anyone who finds cords or chains difficult to use. A motor adds to the cost of each shade, so consider motorizing only the windows where reach, routine or safety make the biggest difference.

They also remove the cord. Health Canada's Corded Window Coverings Regulations (SOR/2019-97) (opens in a new tab), made under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, came into force on May 1, 2021. They limit the length of reachable cords and the size of cord loops on window coverings sold in Canada because of the strangulation risk to young children. A motorized shade has no operating cord at all.

How much do motorized blinds cost?

A motor adds to the cost of each shade, and the total depends on window size, fabric, the number of shades and the power and control options you choose. Golden Frames prepares a quote after measuring. See how much custom blinds cost in Ontario for what changes a price.

What to ask before choosing motorized blinds

Ask which power option suits each window and how charging works. Ask whether the motor works with the smart-home system you use, and what hub is needed. Ask how the shade can be operated if the battery runs low. And ask what the warranty covers: Golden Frames products come with a 2-year warranty, so ask how it applies to the motor, battery and fabric of the system you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add motorized blinds to my existing windows?

Usually, yes. Battery motors do not need new wiring, which makes them practical for existing windows. Existing brackets may need replacing to suit the new system.

Do motorized blinds work with Alexa or Google Home?

Some motorized systems do, often through a hub. Compatibility depends on the motor and controller, so tell us which platform you use and we will check before ordering.

Are motorized blinds noisy?

Motors make a quiet hum while moving. If noise matters, for example in a nursery, ask about it during your consultation.

See every product we offer in our window coverings guide. Golden Frames offers free in-home consultations across our service areas, including London and Kitchener. The room photograph with this guide is an illustrative design concept. Written by Golden Frames, a family-owned window coverings business based in St. Thomas, Ontario.