Automatic blinds are only as good as their installation. The motor, the power source and the controls all have to be planned together, and the shade has to be sized and mounted so it runs smoothly for years. This page explains what a professional motorized blinds installation involves, what you can do to prepare, and how we handle it for homes and businesses across Atlantic Canada.
We supply and install motorized roller, zebra, honeycomb and Roman shades assembled in our Burnside, Nova Scotia workshop, as well as motorized options from the Graber and Norman lines we carry.
What installation actually involves.
Fitting a motorized shade is more than screwing a bracket to the frame. Each opening needs a power plan, a control plan and a mounting plan that work together.
Choosing a power option. Most residential motors run on a rechargeable battery that is topped up with a cable every so often. Plug-in motors suit windows near an outlet, and hardwired motors connect to the home's electrical system for a clean, maintenance-free finish. The right choice depends on the window, the wall and whether the room is being renovated.
Planning any wiring. Hardwired motors are easiest to plan before drywall goes up. If you are building or renovating, we can mark motor locations early so your electrician runs power to the right spots. For finished rooms, battery and plug-in motors avoid opening walls.
Hubs, remotes and wall switches. Every motorized shade can be paired with a handheld remote or a wall switch. Adding a hub connects the shades to your phone and to schedules, scenes and voice assistants. We pair, name and group the shades so a single button or command can move a whole room.
The steps of a typical project.
Projects vary in size, but the order of work stays the same. We describe the steps rather than promise durations, because timing depends on the products, quantities and site.
How to prepare for installation day.
A little preparation makes installation faster and tidier.
Retrofitting existing blinds vs new motorized blinds.
Homeowners often ask whether their current blinds can be motorized. Sometimes the existing tube or headrail can accept a motor, but often the fabric, weight or hardware is not suited to it, and forcing a retrofit leads to uneven running or early wear. New motorized shades are built around the motor from the start, so the tube, brackets and fabric are matched to it.
During the consultation we look at what you have and tell you honestly whether a retrofit is realistic or whether replacing the shade is the better long-term choice.
Which windows benefit most from motorization.
Motorization is not an all-or-nothing choice. Many of our customers start with the windows where it makes the biggest difference and keep simpler lift systems elsewhere.
Smart-home compatibility.
With a compatible hub, our motorized shades work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit. That lets you raise and lower shades by voice, run schedules such as closing bedroom shades at sunset, and include them in scenes with lights and thermostats. We set up the hub and the first schedules during installation so everything works before we leave.
Maintenance and care.
Motorized shades need very little upkeep. Battery motors need charging from time to time, and the app or remote usually signals when power is low. Dust the fabric gently, keep the shade path clear of obstructions, and avoid forcing a shade by hand while the motor is engaged. If a shade stops at the wrong point, the travel limits can be reset rather than replaced.
Service area.
We install motorized blinds in person across Atlantic Canada, working from our showrooms at 95 Akerley Blvd in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and 411 University Ave in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Customers elsewhere in Canada and the USA can order motorized shades through a free virtual consultation and have them shipped for local installation.
Plan your motorized shades with us. Book a free consultation and we will look at your windows, recommend power and control options, and give you an itemized quote including installation.
There are three common options: a rechargeable battery motor, a plug-in motor near an outlet, or a hardwired motor connected to the home's electrical system. We recommend the right one for each window during the consultation.
Not for battery or plug-in motors. Hardwired motors need power run to each location, which is best planned with your electrician during construction or renovation.
Sometimes, but often the existing fabric or hardware is not suited to a motor. We assess what you have and tell you honestly whether a retrofit or a new motorized shade is the better choice.
Yes. With a compatible hub, our motorized shades work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit for voice control, schedules and scenes.
We install in person across Atlantic Canada from our Dartmouth and Charlottetown showrooms. Customers elsewhere in Canada and the USA can order through a free virtual consultation and have the shades shipped.
Charge battery motors when the remote or app shows low power, dust the fabric gently, keep the path clear and avoid pulling the shade by hand while the motor is engaged.