Contemporary Roman shades or blinds offer a blend of classic and modern aesthetics and functionalities. However, their lift systems have been completely updated. That is, modern motorized lift systems have replaced old manual lift cord mechanisms. Cord lifts are now considered unsafe and life-threatening for young children and pets. On the other hand, motorized Roman shades offer a cordless option that is not only convenient to operate but also safe to use in homes with kids and pets. However, motorized Roman blinds do have some disadvantages, such as they are an expensive option and require a continuous power supply. Read on to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of motorized Roman shades.
Different Types of Roman Shades Based on Motorized Lift Style
The motorization option of Roman shades has evolved into different functional capacities and convenience factors. Four types of motorized Roman shades are common, i.e. simple motorized, battery-powered, wireless, and smart-home-controlled.
- Push-button Motorized Roman Shades
The push-button motorized Roman shades involve the push of a button for automated opening, closing, and adjusting of the slats. You need to keep them connected to a power outlet. In the case of a power breakdown, they cannot be operated.
- Battery-Powered Motorized Roman Shades: Battery-powered motorized Roman shades are fitted with a battery or a power bank as an additional power source. It will fuel your Roman blinds in the case of electricity suspension.
- Wireless Motorized Motorized Roman Shades: The third type of motorized Roman shades is wireless or remote-controlled. You can easily raise, lower, or adjust the slats of your blinds with the help of a remote.
- Smart-Home-Controlled Motorized Roman Shades: The smart-home-controlled Roman shades are the most advanced type of Roman shades, as they can be easily integrated into your existing smart home automation system. You can remotely control their operation remotely with the help of a smartphone app.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Motorized Roman Shades
Motorized Roman shades are much better than traditional corded Roman window treatments. However, they do have some disadvantages. You should know about their pros and cons before making a purchase.
Pros of Motorized Roman Shades
- Convenience: Roman shades with a motorized lift are easy to raise, lower, and adjust with a push button, remote control, smartphone app, or voice commands. This can be especially beneficial for hard-to-reach windows or for those with mobility issues.
- Safety
Motorized Roman shades eliminate the need for lift cords, wands, or chains, which can be a safety hazard, especially for young children or pets in your home.
- Sleekness: As there are no cords or wands attached to motorized Roman shades, they exude a sleek look and feel. Their clean appearance adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of your room’s interior decor.
- Energy Efficiency: You can program your motorized Roman shades to open and close automatically at specific times of the day, allowing for more efficient control of natural light and temperature in your room. This can help to reduce your energy bills and improve indoor comfort.
- Customizability: Motorized Roman shades can be easily customized to fit specific window sizes, shapes, and styles. So, they are a good option for odd-shaped or hard-to-fit window frames.
- Low Maintenance
Modern motorized Roman shades require less maintenance compared to corded window treatments, as there are no cords or chains to break or tangle.
Drawbacks of Motorized Roman Shades
- Price
Motorized Roman shades can be more expensive than traditional corded window coverings due to the added technology and equipment needed for automated operation.
- Continuous Power Supply: Motorized Roman shades need to be kept connected to a power source, either through an electrical outlet or a battery pack. This can limit the placement of the shades and may need additional wiring or installation.
- Learning Curve: Roman shades with a motorized lift may take some time to learn how to use and program, especially for those homeowners who are not tech-savvy.
Bottom Line
Summing up, motorized Roman shades offer several advantages such as convenient operation, child and pet safety, energy efficiency, customization, and low maintenance. However, they also have some disadvantages like higher prices, power source limitations, and difficulty in fully learning to operate them. So, you should carefully consider your tastes, needs, and budget before deciding whether motorized Roman shades are the right choice for your home, office, or other structure or space.