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Motorized Shading Overview

Want a smarter home with smarter window treatments? We can help you make it a reality!

Why Motorized Shades?

Motorized operation is the safest for children and pets, without cords that could present a safety/strangulation hazard. Oversized and out-of-reach windows and shades are easy to operate, and homes or businesses with a large number of windows will benefit from motorization with schedules, scenes, and even more control options. App-based control makes your home more energy-efficient, and allows control with your mobile phone or a voice assistant like Alexa.

Innovative Openings has specialized in motorized shading products for decades. We are proud to feature control and automation systems from Somfy and Hunter Douglas, as well as an exceptional purchase and support experience.

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Why Smart Shade Control?

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Home Security

Feel more confident when you’re home and when you’re away.

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Voice Control

There’s nothing easier. Carrying groceries? Just ask your voice assistant.

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Better Energy Efficiency

Save energy, save money, live greener.

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Convenience

Automate your shade control and spend more time living your life.

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Create Your Best Lifestyle

Make your home your personal haven.

More Affordable Than Ever Before

As technology continues to advance, smart home devices have become increasingly accessible and affordable. Today, multiple smart home platforms offer seamless integration for home systems, allowing them to enhance efficiency and even offset costs over time. Smart window treatments are designed to fit within these ecosystems, providing not only energy savings but also added security, safety, and peace of mind.

What Type of Motorized Control is Right for You?

Motorized window coverings control systems are very flexible and can easily adapt to your wants and needs. Consider several factors when deciding which type of system is right for you:

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Simple remote control

For one or a few motorized shades — familiar, easy operation with a wall-mounted or handheld remote.

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Smart-home Wi-Fi network control

For homes with a smart-home hub device like Amazon Echo or Google Nest. Allows options like mobile device and voice control as well as scheduling and routines that include other household smart devices

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Home automation system control

For large homes with a hard-wired 3rd party home automation system including Crestron, Savant, Control4, and more. Shades integrate with control of all the home’s systems including lights, temperature, security, and more.

What shading products can be motorized?

Interior Window Treatments

Vignette duolite roman shades bedroom

Click to explore interior motorized shades, blinds, & shutters

Patio Shades & Awnings

Oasis 2700 Compact Patio Shade OG

Click to explore motorized patio shades, awnings, insect screen shades, & exterior window shades

Our Brand Partners

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Insolroll Elements decorative Roller shades solar fabric

Insolroll Window Shading Systems has specialized in custom roller shades with luxe finishing options for over 40 years. Based in Louisville, Colorado, Insolroll manufactures solar, decorative, blackout, and dual interior roller shades, as well as Oasis® brand outdoor shades.

Hunter Douglas logo 2016
pirouette shades hunter douglas living

Since it introduced the original Duette honeycomb shade in 1985, Hunter Douglas has led the way in shading innovation and design. The company manufactures shades, blinds, and shutters, and its PowerView motorization option brings elegance and ease to shade operation. Hunter Douglas has a large presence in Colorado.

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Norman SmartDrape living

With 50 years of excellence in crafting fine window furnishings, Norman’s quality has made it famous. From patented performance and safety-enhancing techniques, award-winning product designs, to socially responsible manufacturing processes and forestry, Norman has a history of defining the future.

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Alta Natural Woven Shades

For nearly 40 years, Alta has delivered enduring style and quality. The manufacturer is committed to child- and pet-safe operation, healthy homes, and energy-efficiency, going beyond simply beautiful window treatments. Alta offers automation options, GREENGUARD certified fabrics, and smart solutions for style, ease, and peace of mind.

View all Alta Products

Hunter Douglas logo 2016
KE Durasol Elite Plus retractable arm patio awning in blue and white stripe

Durasol Awnings by KE Outdoor Design provide outdoor shading convenience for decks, patios, and other outdoor living spaces at the touch of a button.

Our Family’s Promise to You

Unlike many window treatment sellers, we don’t simply rely on a cookie-cutter approach or a single product manufacturer’s blueprint to earn your business. We offer product and brand choice, and craft a full-service purchase process our customers tell us is smooth, personalized, and rewarding.

To make your experience the best in Colorado, we’ve invested in

  • Employee training
  • Service infrastructure
  • Technology & Support
  • Most of all, our people

Our team has the expertise and experience to make your project meet your expectations. That’s the Innovative Openings difference.

Proudly Serving Denver, Boulder, & Surrounding Areas

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Serving Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Breckenridge, Vail, and surrounding areas.

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Motorized Shades FAQs

What are the benefits of motorized shades?

Motorized shades add convenience, safety, and energy-efficiency to homes and businesses.

• Easy to operate large, heavy, and hard-to-reach window shades
• The safest operation where children and pets are present
• Automate daily actions to save time and enhance your lifestyle
• Enhance security: automate blind operation while you are away to create the appearance that someone is home. Coordinate with lighting for a more realistic look.
• Control your window treatments when you are away from home
• Optimize energy-efficiency by creating automated routines that adjust shade positions for times of year and sun exposure, your GPS, and more

What type of window treatments can be motorized?

• Roller shades, sheer shades, honeycomb shades, roman shades.
• Drapery alternatives and gliding window panels
• Tilt-only motorization: shutters, blinds with slats.
• Exterior window shades.
• Patio Shades
• Retractable outdoor insect screens.
• Retractable patio awnings.

How do motorized shades work?

Motorized shades use a tubular motor inside the roller to raise and lower shades. Motorized shutters and blinds with slats feature a motorized tilt mechanism. Motorized shades can be controlled in several ways with simple remote controls, and smart-home hubs using your mobile devices and voice assistants. The most advanced control is possible by integrating smart motorized window treatments with a 3rd party home automation system.

How are motorized shades powered?

Motorized shades can powered either by hard-wiring into your home’s electrical system OR by wireless, rechargeable battery.

Wireless battery-powered shade motors are powerful, easy to charge, have a long battery charge life, and offer a full range of control options. Perfect for existing construction homes or businesses.

Hard-wired shade motors are powerful, versatile, can lift very large shades, and do not require charging. Options include 110v AC, low-voltage DC, and the most sophisticated control options available.

Do I need an electrician to add wiring?

Hard-wiring isn’t required to enjoy motorized shades in your home. State-of-the-art rechargeable battery-powered shade motors make adding motorized blinds and shades easier than ever in virtually any home or business.

Generally for an existing home or building, wireless battery-powered motors are the solution. For new construction, hard-wired options can provide even more sophisticated control options.

Are motorized shades loud?

No, motorized shades are quieter than ever! Most motorized window treatments have decibel ratings to measure sound, and some shade motors are virtually silent, meaning they do not produce a measurable increase over ambient room sound such as heating and ventilation.

How are motorized shades operated? Is it complicated?

Operating motorized shades can be as simple as pressing a button on a handheld or wall-mounted remote control.

Even more customization and convenience can be added with smart-home control systems that make it possible to control shades with your mobile phone or tablet, or even hands-free with just your voice.

You can automate your shades with scheduling, or create routines for specific times of day like “Morning” or special events like “Vacation”. Routines can include controlling other smart devices in your home like thermostats, security cameras, door locks, and more.

Do I have to have additional equipment to use my motorized shades?

No, if your needs are met using a remote control, no additional equipment is required.

For “smart”, automated control options a smart-home “hub” system is required, along with a control App for your mobile device. These include Amazon Echo, Google Nest Home, and Apple HomeKit, which can control many smart devices working in concert in your home.

If you have a large home or commercial property, motorized shade systems can be integrated with a new or existing home automation system like Control4, Crestron, Savant, and many more.

How long do batteries last on motorized shades?

With average once-up and once-down per day usage, rechargeable Li-ion batteries will last a year before requiring recharging.

How do you charge batteries for motorized shades?

Rechargeable shade batteries can be charged in 3 ways:

• Temporarily connecting a charging cord to the motor at the top of the shade
• Convenient magnetic charging system that requires only snapping the magnetic end of a charging cord to the magnetic end of the motor’s charging wire. An optional 33″ rigid extension charging cable is available to easily reach the top of the shade
• Connecting an accessory solar charging system with a small solar panel mounted out of sight

How can motorized shades benefit the disabled?

Motorized shades allow simple operation with the touch of a button on a wireless remote control switch that can be wall-mounted at wheelchair or other custom height. No gripping or pulling is required.

Smart and automated control allows:
• Voice-control for hands-free operation
• Voice-activated routines for specific times of day, activities, and events
• Scheduled hands-free regular operation for ease and convenience
• Remote operation by caregivers who are in another location.

Outside Colorado or Want to Do It Yourself?

We offer a selection of luxe roller shades and replacement parts for many types of blinds for sale online, shipped to 47 US states (we don’t ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or Massachusetts). Available now in our online store.

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Why should you trust Innovative Openings?

Your Colorado Source

We are a local company, serving Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and beyond.

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4 Decades of Expertise

We’ve been in business since 1980. That shows our commitment and customer satisfaction.

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Full Service

Customer-centric services including measuring, design, installation and product servicing.

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Energy Efficiency Experts

We’ve made thousands of Colorado homes more comfortable year-round.

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