What are motorized blinds?
Any blind or curtain fitted with a small, quiet motor instead of a chain or cord. You control it with a remote, a wall switch, a phone app, or voice (Google, Alexa, Apple Home), and you can set schedules — open at sunrise, close at dusk, all automatically.
Everything we sell can be motorized: roller blinds, zebra blinds, honeycomb blinds, Roman shades, the Blockout Blind, heavy-duty outdoor blinds and curtain tracks. It’s a per-window choice, and you can mix motorized and manual.
How they work
Power
- Rechargeable battery — the motor lives inside the tube; charge it a couple of times a year with a USB cable. No wiring, no electrician. Our most common choice.
- Hardwired — powered from the mains; ideal for new builds or renovations where wiring is easy. Never needs charging.
- Solar strip — a slim panel on the window keeps batteries topped up.
Control
A remote (single or multi-channel) is the simplest. Add a hub and you get app control, schedules and voice. Group blinds by room, set “Good morning” and “Movie” scenes, and control the whole home from your phone — even away.
What motorization is genuinely great for
- Hard-to-reach windows — high, behind furniture, over a sink or bath.
- Many windows at once — one button, the whole living room.
- Sleep & routine — bedroom blackout opens gently at your wake time.
- Energy & sun — schedule shades to block afternoon sun in summer and let winter light in.
- Security — blinds moving on schedule while you’re away makes the home look lived-in.
- Child & pet safety — no cords at all.
Honest pros and cons
Pros
- Effortless — especially with many, tall or awkward windows.
- Schedules and scenes that just happen.
- Cordless = safest for kids and pets, and the cleanest look.
- Works with smart homes — Google, Alexa, Apple.
- Adds real value to a home.
- Battery versions need no wiring.
Cons
- Costs more per blind than manual — the motor and control add to the price.
- Batteries need charging a few times a year (or go hardwired / solar).
- Another device — a hub for app/voice, remotes to keep track of.
- Motors can eventually need replacing (they last years, and are replaceable).
- Overkill for one small, easy window you rarely touch.
At a glance
| Convenience | The whole point |
|---|---|
| Safety | No cords |
| Smart-home | App, voice, schedules |
| Cost | Higher than manual |
| Maintenance | Occasional charging |
| Best for | Multiple / tall / hard-to-reach windows, bedrooms, living rooms, home offices |
| Options | Battery · hardwired · solar · remote · wall switch · app · voice · schedules |
So — is it worth it?
Yes, when you have more than a couple of windows in a room, any hard-to-reach window, or a bedroom you’d love to wake up to daylight in. That’s most Montreal living rooms and bedrooms. Where it’s not worth it: a single small window you rarely touch. Our honest advice is usually to motorize the rooms you live in most and keep manual blinds elsewhere — you get the convenience where it counts and keep the budget sensible.
Motorization is decided per blind, and you can mix — motorized in the living room and bedroom, manual in the laundry. We’ll walk through it room by room at your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much do motorized blinds cost?
The motor and controls add to the price of the blind — the amount depends on the blind type, size and whether you want a remote only or full app/voice control. We quote per window at your free consultation, with no obligation.
Do motorized blinds need an electrician?
Not for battery-powered blinds — the most common choice — which we install like any blind and you charge via USB a few times a year. Hardwired options need mains power and suit renovations and new builds.
How long do the batteries last?
Typically several months between charges with normal daily use. Solar strips can keep them topped up indefinitely.
Do they work with Google Home / Alexa / Apple Home?
Yes, with a hub. You can then use voice, the app, schedules and scenes.
Which blinds can be motorized?
Roller, zebra, honeycomb, Roman shades and curtain tracks — nearly everything we make.
Do you install them?
Yes — installation and setup are free and included across Montreal.
