Is it possible to automate old blinds and shades?

• Posted on 21 November 2022
• By Trendy Blinds
• Posted in Automate existing shades, Automate old window shades, can I convert manual shades to motorized shades?, Retrofit existing blinds with motor
• 0

Retrofit existing blinds with motor, Automate existing shades, Automate old window shades, can I convert manual shades to motorized shades?

With the increase popularity of Home Automation and the proliferation of various Smart gadgets like speakers, sensors, etc., automation/motorization of window coverings is a topic virtually every customer of ours ask.

You may have manual operated blinds or window shades in your home currently, which are in good condition, but you want to enjoy the convenience of automation to control them.  It doesn’t make sense to purchase brand new blinds just to have the automation feature.  It gets a lot more expensive that way and it’s a complete waste of good blinds/shades that would end up in landfill.

What are the options to retrofit existing blinds or shade for automation?

For roller shades, zebra shades and even silhouette or horizontal sheer shades, there are affordable solutions that Trendy Blinds offer to customers.  The commonality between these categories of shades is that they roll up around a tube at the top and is supported by brackets at the top enclosed in a cassette or ends with open shades with or without valance covers.

To access the feasibility and cost of retrofit, we just need some images and approx. size information of the shades in question.  Thus, we can remotely determine if it is feasible and how much it will cost you.

The price to retrofit is broadly determined by the amount of replacement parts needed to retrofit the shades and the size and weight of the shades.

Level 1: Easiest/lowest cost scenario: your roller, zebra or silhouette shades use standard North American 1.5 inch diameter tubing and the size does not exceed 6 ft wide by 8 ft high or around 4 square meters.

Level 2: Easy/low cost scenario: your roller, zebra or silhouette shades use standard North American 1.5 inch diameter tubing and the size does not exceed 8 ft wide by 10 ft high or around 6 square meters

Level 3: Mid difficulty/reasonable cost scenario: your roller, zebra or silhouette shades use non standard tube with channel slot tubing and the size does not exceed 8 ft wide by 10 ft high

Level 4: Mid-high difficulty/affordable cost scenario: your roller, zebra or silhouette shades use non standard tube with no channel slot tubing and the size does not exceed 8 ft wide by 10 ft high

Level 5: High difficulty/expensive cost scenario: your roller, zebra or silhouette shades exceed 8 ft wide by 10 ft high.  It might be better to purchase 2 smaller automated shades then retrofit existing shade.   Motors might need hardwire DC or AC power.

Next Steps – get a free virtual assessment to see if you can automate your existing shades.   Email us at [email protected] with subject line: Automate my existing shades or call us at 905-604-1222