Electric Blinds – A Passing Trend or a Worthy Investment?

Nowadays, it seems as if there’s an automated solution for just about everything. Between a rise in accessible gadgets for people with disabilities and an equal rise in people creating insane gadgets for social media, it’s hard to know which technology is worth investing in. So are electric blinds worth it, or is it all just hype over yet another electric device? Read on to learn about all of the benefits of electric blinds to see if they are a worthwhile investment for your home. 

What Are My Electric Blind Options?

There are a wide range of electric blinds available on the market today. At Appeal Home Shading, we have a selection of blind options available to you, broken down into three core categories. 

Our PowerDrive blinds are wired directly into the mains electrics of your home. They are a convenient product, offering convenience, energy efficiency, and improved security thanks to the option to programme scheduled or remote operation of the blinds. Due to their connection to the mains electricity, there is no battery to charge or replace.

The ULTRA Smart range is fitted with a rechargeable battery pack, meaning there is no mains wiring needed, saving you some money on your energy bills. The lithium-ion battery in these blinds lasts around a year on average and recharges in less than four hours. These blinds can be operated with a remote control or wall switch, as well as options to control them via your smartphone. 

ULTRA Plus is an upgrade from the ULTRA Smart collection. It allows you to control your blinds via an app on your smartphone or tablet and has the added advantage of being compatible with smart home devices, such as Google Nest and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control your blinds with a simple voice command. 

What Are the Advantages of Electric Blinds?

• Convenience and Luxury

Electric blinds provide convenience in your home, which is the core reason behind most purchases of automated technology. If you are relaxing in the evening or have already gotten into bed, it is a small luxury to be able to close your blinds without leaving your seat. They can also be set on a schedule, to open and close at set times. If you struggle to wake to alarms in the morning, they can be a wonderful addition to your morning routine, bringing in the sunlight when you wake up to help encourage you out of bed. 

• Mobility Aid

Electric blinds are also an incredibly useful mobility aid, giving people with disabilities their independence back. When you have mobility issues or other conditions that affect your ability to move around your home, the smallest tasks can become impossible challenges. With motorised blinds, a person with disabilities can regain some autonomy, not needing to ask someone else to do something as simple as opening the blinds in the morning. 

• Durability

The quality materials available today are also a key consideration in electric blinds. With durable materials and high-end mechanisms, you can expect a long lifespan from modern electric blind installations.

Increase the Safety of Your Home With Cordless Blinds

A key advantage of electric blinds over traditional blinds is the cord-free design to operate them. Blind cords without breakaway clasps have resulted in injury for many years, so many companies are phasing them out, opting for safer operating mechanisms. With electric blinds there is no need for cord operation, using a phone, remote, or wall-switch to function. 

If you have young children or pets in the home, these are especially important considerations for the blinds you choose. The smallest and most curious members of the family are especially vulnerable to dangerous home improvement features. With motorised blinds, there are no dangling cords which eradicates any risk of strangulation.. 

How Electric Blinds Can Become Part of Your Smart Home

As we mentioned earlier, there are ranges of electric blinds that are able to be integrated into your smart home for hands-free operation, such as our ULTRA Plus blinds. If you are optimising your home to work with a smart home system such as Google Nest or Amazon Alexa to name a few, then these blinds can become part of your system. These blinds can be activated by remote, via a smartphone app, or through a home speaker system. They have full scheduling options, making your home more convenient and more secure. If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period, you can set the blinds to open and close at varied times, giving the impression that you are still home and deterring potential intruders. 

Are Electric Blinds Right For You?

If you want the convenience, safety, and security benefits of an electric blind system, then they are definitely a worthwhile investment. While not everybody will want to automate their blinds, there is a mountain of benefits to be found with these home upgrades. Are electric blinds strictly necessary? No, they aren’t, traditional blinds still do the job. But living in the modern day, why not take advantage of all the perks of electricity, automation, and modern product quality?