Fed up with your old mini blinds with a manual cord lift system? A better alternative is there in the form of cordless or motorized window treatments. Corded mini or aluminum blinds are not only difficult to operate, but they also pose a safety hazard for young children and pets in your home.
On the other hand, motorized window blinds are easy to raise, lower, or adjust according to your requirements for light control, privacy, and insulation. Secondly, they are safe for kids and pets in your home. Here is a comprehensive guide about upgrading your existing manually-operated window treatments to motorized mini blinds.
Two Ways to Upgrade to Motorized Mini Blinds
There are two ways to upgrade your existing 1-inch slat window coverings to motorized mini blinds.
- Installing Motor in the Existing Mini Blinds: The first way to upgrade to motorized mini blinds is to replace the manual corded lift system with a motorization unit. In this way, they will be transformed into automated window treatments.
- Buying New Motorized Mini Blinds: If your existing mini blinds are very old and they have suffered fading, cracking, and warping, you will need to replace them with new ones. And you can buy new motorized blinds at affordable prices and huge discounts. Also, you can benefit from free offers, such as free samples, free shipping, and a free lifetime guarantee at online shopping platforms, like AffordableBlinds.com.
Types of Motorized Mini Blinds to Choose From
You can easily find four types of motorized mini blinds on the online market, i.e. simple motorized, battery-powered, remote-controlled, and smart-home-controlled mini blinds.
- Simple Motorized Mini Blinds: Your simple motorized mini blinds only consist of a motorization unit that automates opening, closing, and adjusting the slats of your mini window treatments. You only need to push a button with your finger. You need to connect them to a power outlet. In the case of electricity breakdown, you won’t be able to operate them.
- Battery-Powered Motorized Mini Blinds: Battery-powered motorized mini blinds are fitted with a battery as an additional power source, which fuels your blinds in the case of power suspension.
- Remote-Controlled Motorized Mini Blinds: The third type of motorized mini blinds is remote-controlled one. You can easily raise, lower, or adjust them with the help of a remote.
- Smart-Home-Controlled Mini Blinds: The smart-home-controlled mini blinds are the most advanced type of mini blinds, as they can be easily integrated into your existing smart home automation system. And you can remotely control the working of your mini blinds with the help of a tap on the touchscreen of your smartphone.
Things to Consider When Upgrading to Motorized Mini Blinds
The following are some important factors to consider when upgrading to motorized mini-slat window coverings.
- Budget: Motorized mini blinds are a costlier window treatment option. So, you need to consider your budget before buying the motorization unit or a complete set of motorized mini blinds.
- Power Source: Motorized mini blinds or shades require a power source to function, so need to decide whether you want to use a battery or hard-wired power source. If you choose a battery-powered window treatment system, you’ll need to periodically replace the batteries. On the other hand, if you choose a hard-wired system, you’ll need to ensure that there is an electrical outlet nearby or access to an electrical line.
- Control Options: You should decide how you want to control your motorized window blinds. Some options include a wall switch, remote control, smartphone app, or voice command through a smart home device like Google Home or Alexa.
- Integration with Smart Home Automation Systems: If you have a smart home automation system, you’ll need to make sure that your motorized blinds can be integrated into it. Many motorized blinds are compatible with popular smart home systems like Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings.
- Size And Weight of Your Blinds: You’ll need to ensure that the motorized system you choose can handle the weight and size of your mini blinds. If you have a large or heavy blinds set, you will need a more powerful motor.
- Installation: When upgrading to motorized mini blinds, make sure that they are easy to install with some DIY installation tips. If they require professional installation, make sure to factor in the cost of installation when budgeting for your upgrade to motorized mini blinds.
- Maintenance: Like any motorized system, motorized mini blinds require cleaning and maintenance over time. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and cleaning. In this way, your blinds will continue to function properly.
Conclusion
Upgrading to motorized mini blinds can be beneficial in terms of ease of operation and the safety of your children and pets. However, you need to consider your budget, power source, installation cost, and control options before making a decision.