Among the most versatile aspects of any smart home are motorized window shades.

Not only are they beautiful, but they can keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer and help reduce energy costs all year round.

But many homeowners don’t understand the benefits. And those that do may not necessarily understand how to achieve exactly the things they want.

That’s why we’ve put together this blog. We want to help simplify the process of selecting smart shades as part of your whole home automation system.

All you have to do is keep reading.

SEE ALSO: HOW MOTORIZED SHADES HELP YOU STAY WARM IN THE COOLER MONTHS

Why window shades matter

No home is complete without shades – motorized or otherwise.

They add privacy, protect from harmful UV rays, help regulate temperature and tie a room’s style together.

And when you use smart shades, those benefits increase dramatically.

One-touch controls and integrated sensors mean you don’t have to spend much time adjusting your shades throughout the house.

You can just trust your system to do the hard work for you.

What are the different types of window shades called?

Smart shades are very similar to non motorized window treatments. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common types:

• Drapes: Common in classically designed homes, drapes tend to be heavy pieces of fabric that help frame the window. For motorized drapes, the standard curtain rod is replaced by one with an engine.
• Sunshades: For homeowners looking to reduce energy costs, sunshades are a perfect solution. Typically, the fibers are widely spaced to allow a lot of light through. They also usually sit close to the window pane.
• Honeycomb: Designed for staying warm in the winter, honeycomb shades are very space-efficient. They’re not as dramatic as drapes or curtains, but their unique design features pockets of air within the shade itself to help insulate your spaces.

How do I choose a window shade

Here are some things to watch out for when you’re looking for your next shade:

• Material: The style of your shade starts with the material. The fabric can add texture to your room, and the color can impact how effective the shade is. For instance, sunshades should usually be darker materials because lighter ones reflect sunlight and cause glare.
• Railroading: If you’re looking for the right pattern on your shades, make sure it’s railroadable. That means the pattern can either start at the roller or run perpendicular to it. It adds a level of versatility to your pattern choices.
• Available openness factor: Selecting an appropriate openness factor is essential to effective shading. Sunshades should have a high openness factor and let a lot of light through. Drapes should have an openness factor close to zero, and insulate your home.

Are you ready to learn more about smart motorized shades? We’re here to help-fill out this contact form and our team from Insight AI will get back to you. We are your professional smart home system and smart commercial system installers. We will work with you and local designers, architects to get the right system for the right space.