Home Automation and Smart Shades

In recent years, home automation has made massive strides. More and more people are flocking to smart home technology in order to provide more comfort, convenience, and security to their homes. In fact, smart home devices are expected to be installed in over 57% of homes by 2025.

This digital revolution taking place in our homes comes in many forms, from smart home devices such as automated lights, thermostats, speakers, and security cameras to personal home assistants like Amazon Alexa. But in this piece, we’re going to introduce you to another key actor in the home automation space: smart window shades.

What are smart shades?

When people refer to the “smart home” technology, they are simply talking about interconnected home devices that can be controlled remotely. For example, the owner of an automated home could potentially be able to do things like order an item online via voice command, adjust the brightness of their lights via smartphone, or check the cameras in their home without even being home.

That same idea applies to smart window shades and other smart sun control options like motorized blinds and awnings. Since they are motorized and interconnected (aka smart), they can be rolled up or down using a simple voice command, remote control, or by whipping out your mobile phone and clicking a button. 

Gone are the days of tugging on cords or rotating a wand to roll up or roll down your window blinds and shades.

Are smart window shades worth it?

Obviously, this is a very subjective question. While smart shades and blinds undoubtedly add comfort and convenience to a home, they might not be for everyone—at least at the time being. Other people, on the other hand, might be chomping at the bit for the opportunity to modernize their home in yet another way.

At the end of the day, it largely comes down to personal preference. Are you willing to spend a little bit more money for smart motorized window shades in exchange for their ease-of-use, modern appeal, and wow factor? Or are you fine with traditional window shades and blinds? 

Buy new smart shades or retrofit your old ones?

If you decide to go down the smart home window shade route, then you need to ask yourself whether you want brand-new smart shades or if you want to retrofit your old ones so they become smart overnight. 

When it comes to purchasing new smart motorized shades, you know what you’re going to get—assuming you buy from a reputable window shade seller. And on top of getting a high-quality product, you will get professional installment to go along with it. The only problem with this avenue, however, is that it’s more costly than retrofitting your existing window treatments.

With retrofitting, your traditional window shades are fitted with a battery and motor, turning them into de facto smart shades. Many DIY smart window kits exist on the market and cost much less than buying full-on smart home shades, but both quality and functionality will suffer. 

In this case, “you get what you pay for” certainly holds true.

How to control your motorize smart shades—Alexa and Google integration

As we mentioned earlier, windows shades and blinds with smart features can be controlled by remote control, voice command, or mobile phone. Better yet, most smart shades on the market can be fully integrated with your Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices.

These smart shades come with a bridge device that can connect to your home’s wifi. Once the bridge and Amazon Alexa are connected to the same network, all you need to do is navigate to the Alexa app and find the Smart Home tab and ask it to Discover Devices. 

Finally, pair the devices and you should be able to say “Alexa, open the blinds” to let some sunshine in your home. Pairing the bridge to Google Home is a similar process.

Need help picking window shades?

For more information on what window shades are best for your home, contact the Screenmobile experts today.

There are two key ingredients to long-lasting window and door screens. The first is buying and installing high-quality, durable screens. And second is proper screen maintenance.

Of course, the first step simply requires finding a reputable window screen retailer. The second—correct screen maintenance—is a bit more complicated. As long as you know what you’re doing, though, then extending the life and beauty of your screens shouldn’t be a problem at all.

With that said, here’s how to take care of your window and door screens for years and years to come.

Keep Your Screens Clean.

Regularly cleaned screens equal long-lasting screens. That’s because dust, muck, and grime can wear down your screens over time if not taken care of.  

Follow these steps to keep your screens clean:

• Clean any debris or water blocking the tracks of your door screens. Cleaning by hand or with a vacuum are both options.
• Always keep your motorized screens in their housing case when they are not in use. The housing unit protects the screen from daily wear and tear.
• Wipe down the screen frame when necessary.
• Wash the mesh screen with soapy water and a soft brush or damp cloth by hand. Never use chemicals, a water hose, or pressure water to wash door or window screens.
• Finally, allow the mesh to dry after cleaning before rolling it up.

Other Screen Maintenance Tips.

Motorized, retractable, and sliding screens present a few unique maintenance challenges in addition to cleaning. 

• Screens should be kept in protective housing during inclement weather or strong winds. Powerful storms are one of the main reasons many screens have short lifespans.
• After cleaning your screen tracks, spray lubricant on a rag and wipe down the track. This ensures smooth opening and closing and eliminates any wear and tear due to grinding.
• Make sure your screen isn’t exposed to any strong forces or collisions. These days, most quality screens can provide security and protection to things like golf balls and pets, but that doesn’t mean they are invincible.  
• Make sure that the screen retracts into the housing without any creases, wrinkles, or folds. 
• If your motorized screen isn’t working, ensure that it is still getting power and that the remote has fresh batteries.

Winterize Your Screens For The Cold Weather Months

Since you probably won’t have any use for your screens during the frigid winter months, winterizing your window and door screens is a smart choice. The first thing you need to do is remove your screens and clean them following the steps we outlined above.

After that, simply store them in a safe and dry spot until you’re ready to use them again when spring rolls around. Just make sure they are stored upright or lying completely flat, as storing screens in awkward positions long enough can warp the screen frame. Also, make sure they aren’t left in a location where they could be ripped, scraped, or gouged.  

Even better, cover your screens in the winter with a tarp or an old sheet as an added layer of protection. Or you could just add winterization panels to your porch, patio, or sunroom.

Request a quote today!

Know When To Replace Your Screens

With proper maintenance, you can ensure your screens will live a happy and long life, but even the best cared for window screens eventually need to be replaced. Signs your screen needs replaced or repaired include:

• Cracks in the frame
• Corrosion or rust
• Tears, dents, or holes
• Fading and discoloration
• Difficulty when opening or closing
• Signs of obvious damage
• Increase in energy costs

Need Help Replacing Or Repairing A Screen?

If your window screens aren’t functioning properly or aren’t as beautiful as they once were, our team of window screen experts can help. So get in touch with us now, and let’s see how we can help you have long-lasting, beautiful screens for years to come.