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Motorized window treatments may perform the same purpose of traditional window blinds but these blinds have added functions that make them a valuable addition to your home’s interior design. From safety and privacy to increasing the value of your home, read on for all eight benefits of adding a motorized system in your home.

Optimal Safety For Children And Pets With Cordless Design 

When it comes to children’s safety, motorized window blinds give parents a peace of mind.

Motorized window blinds act as a cordless system, eliminating the risk of suffocation and making them the safest option for parents and pet owners. 

Motorized options are perfect to place in rooms that children and pets often frequent and window coverings are accessible like bedrooms and living rooms.

Boosts Home Efficiency 

Motorized window treatments can boost the efficiency in your home through insulation and light control. 

By being able to have them open and close on an automated schedule they offer maximum lighting efficiency and insulation properties during the cold Calgary winters. These factors help lower your energy bill.

Protects The Interior Of Your Home From The Sun 

Direct sun exposure can cause discolouration, fading and irreversible damage to furniture and decor items in your home. Motorized window coverings can help protect your valuables through automated programming that control how much light enters the room and when.

Automation Adds Security While You’re Away

The classic method of home security and window coverings is generally just closing them when you are away to prevent passerby from peering in. Motorized systems offer a far more beneficial approach than just keeping everything closed. By programming them to operate automatically throughout the day, you can make it look like someone is home even if you are thousands of kilometres away, making it more of a deterrent to thieves than any other window coverings.

Increase The value Of Your Home 

At Skyview Blinds & Shades, we can build and install custom motorized blinds and shades, resulting in perfectly covered windows that add instant value to your home. 

First through having professionally designed and installed blinds instead of just store bought which stand out to potential buyers. And second, with the addition of smart home automation as it is growing in popularity, a lot of potential buyers are looking for a smart home system or have plans of implementing one. 

Motorized Window Blinds will make your home memorable to potential buyers, thereby increasing the chance of a sale.

Varied Control Options 

Motorized window coverings are operated in a number of ways. 

You can control your motorized blinds with either a wall-mounted wireless switch, a remote control or an app.

There are different apps you can use to control your motorized blinds, including Somfy’s myLink, an app specifically designed for the purpose. Integration with other smart home apps is also an option, allowing you to easily control them from there. Integration with Amazon Alex or Google Assistant also means you can simply use voice commands to control your motorized blinds.

You can also set automation options for the blinds to work in accordance to how the sun hits your room, allowing you to never have to get up to adjust them again. 

Push-button control also makes it easy for parents to control the window coverings when they are busy, and are a safe option for children to open and close them without having to use any type of manual cords, especially in hard to reach spaces like behind a couch.

Integration With Smart Home Systems 

Unlike standard window coverings, motorized window blinds can function independently and seamlessly with other smart home systems, improving household efficiency.

The integration with third-party control systems means you can set your motorized window blinds to work alongside automated lights, thermostat controls and more. These systems will work together to help reduce the energy consumption according to the time of day, the weather, and the temperature inside your home.

Privacy 

Having big windows in bedrooms and bathrooms is aesthetically pleasing and lets in plenty of natural light, but privacy is a concern. Motorized window blinds make having large windows in these private spaces easier. 

You can quickly adjust the blinds when needed and are able to program them to be open during the day and have the blinds automatically close at night.

Another plus of having a motorized window coverings system in your bedroom is the opportunity to improve your sleep quality and wake up peacefully. 

Selecting motorized window blinds with maximum light-blocking opacity will help your bedroom be as dark as possible, to improve quality of sleep. Then, setting your motorized window blinds to gradually open in the morning will wake you up slowly and naturally rather than abruptly.

If you’re ready to upgrade your window treatments to a custom motorized system then come visit us at Skyview Blinds & Shades for a free quote.

Window coverings are integral to your home or businesses decor and functionality as they provide privacy, protection from the sun, and enhance visual appeal. But like almost every functional item in your home, they have a limited lifespan and get to a point where they need to be replaced.

Now the big question is how do you know when it’s time to replace your blinds and shades? Keep reading for some things to look out for in your space to help determine if a change is needed.

How often should window treatments be replaced?

An entire range of things can cause you to want or need to replace your blinds or shades like their quality, functionality, and appearance. While cleaning and regular operation can help extend the use of window treatments, eventually they will have to be replaced. We recommend changing or replacing blinds and shades every 7-8 years as a general rule of thumb. However, there can be other reasons or indications to consider changing them sooner which we will discuss next.

Troubles With Raising And Lowering Your Blinds

Operating blinds should be smooth and easy, if it is requiring a lot of force to raise and lower or if they often get stuck, then it may be time to replace them. Fixing is another option, but it can be harder to repair mechanisms in outdated models.

Physical Damage To The Window Coverings

For shades, this could be stains, discolouration, or fading in colour by sun exposure. If cleaning still leaves these spots on your shades, consider an upgrade. Another type of damage with shades is fraying around the edges, this problem is more difficult to fix and cause issues with functionality as well.

When it comes to blinds, especially faux wood ones, you may find warping, bending, or even broken slats. First, this can be caused by heat damage and secondly, can prevent the blinds from working properly. In these cases we do recommend replacements, especially when it comes to broken slats.

They No Longer Meet Your Needs

Whether you might have realized it or not, your window treatments may no longer be serving the needs of your home.

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This can be the case for an outdated style that is holding back your new home decor overhaul or are no longer providing the same amount of privacy or heat protection that they once did.

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We find this issue especially relevant if you have recently added children or pets to your family. Older styles of blinds and shades have long cords that by regulation, are no longer considered safe for children as they are a strangulation risk. The new styles are cordless or have modified cords that are much safer and easier to use.

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If you’re interested in learning more about cordless window coverings read our previous blog here:

skyviewblindsshades.ca/cordless-window-coverings

You Just Installed New Windows

If you have recently added new windows, or changed the size/style of existing ones, then it is the perfect time to introduce new window coverings into your home or business. In doing this, you’ll be able to perfectly match your window treatments to your new windows and can update your home’s appearance.

When looking at new window treatments, this is a great time to consider going for motorized options. These types of shades can be raised and lowered with the press of a button and run on a schedule controlled by an app on your phone so you can have the perfect amount of privacy and protection from sunlight at all times. Read more about motorized shades here: skyviewblindsshades.ca/motorized-blinds-and-shades

If you’re unsure if your blind needs to go or if anything can (or should) be done to repair or revive them, contact Skyview Blinds and Shades today at 403-714-0416 or visit our showroom in at Unit# 129, 10985 38 St NE Calgary.

As of May 1, 2022 Canada is enforcing the new Corded Window Covering Regulations to eliminate risks to children due to accessible cords. 

Blinds that have long cords can pose a danger to children and pets. If you’re looking to update the window coverings in your home, cordless options offer a safe and stylish solution. Continue reading for more benefits of cordless blinds and shades and the multiple varieties available.

Corded Window Coverings Regulation Update

While there are many specifics in the new regulations, some of the key changes include the following:

1. A reachable cord with one free end must not exceed 22 cm in length when it is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N
2. A reachable cord with no free end must not exceed 22 cm in length between two consecutive contact points when it is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N
3. If a reachable cord is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N, the perimeter of any loop, whether it is existing, created or enlarged, must not exceed 44 cm

Read the full update here

Benefits of Cordless Blinds

Easy To Use

With cordless blinds, there is no need for multiple confusing hanging cords, instead you simply have to pull up or down on the blinds to adjust them. Nor will you have to deal with tangled cords or hiding long cords for aesthetic or safety. 

Versatile 

Cordless window treatments are available in a variety of materials, shades, and styles like cellular, wood, roller, and much more. All of these options makes it easy to find a cordless style that matches your decor and budget 

Attractive 

This option provides a modern and sleek look that’s sure to match the style of your home. Cordless window coverings create a clean line allowing the outside view to be seen without any clutter. Perfect for open floor plans and homes with many windows, they can be customized to fit your space. 

Safe 

As mentioned previously, cordless window treatments are safer than other options and are preferred by those who have children or pets. With cordless options, there is no worry of potential cord strangulation or confusing cords for a toy and prevents damage to the shades or blinds. They are safe to add to not only the children’s bedrooms but also the bathroom, living room or kitchen.

Types of Cordless Window Coverings

There are lots of available options to choose from for cordless window coverings, here are some of Skyview Shade’s favourites!

Roller Shades

Roller blinds are convenient to use, easy to install and maintain. When it comes to a low maintenance option, this is the best choice. Homeowners with children choose roller blinds for the easy to clean and durable performance.

Zebra Blinds

Zebra blinds are an innovative and modern window treatment that can add uniqueness to any room. Our in-house option, Skyview Sheers, are ideal for any room of the home that requires sunlight with dependable blockage for privacy or comfort. These sheer blinds give you more options than traditional blinds, and they have a sophisticated look that grabs attention. 

Motorized Shades

Control your window shades with the push of a button or let automatic sensors and timers do all the work! Great for all indoor living spaces, these custom made and professionally installed blinds & shades offer you the convenience to easily manage room lighting and privacy.

Visit our showroom or give us a call at 403-714-0416 to learn more about cordless window treatments for your home or business.