All Articles Tagged Motorized Shades

Julie Jacobson | 03/01 09:59 AM, 0 Comments

Quick, which home technology gets you in the door with clients? Multiroom audio? Energy management? Universal remotes? Lighting control? How about motorized shades? Window coverings that rise and drop at the press of a button, and respond automatically to light and temperature sensors, will be the killer app for home control if Somfy has anything to do with it. A world leader in motorization for window coverings (and projection screens and lifts and more), Somfy has developed a whole-house control system that makes motorized shades a “core part, not an… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 09/09 05:30 AM, 4 Comments

These days, we rarely make news of iPhone apps for home control systems. The bigger news would be that some company doesn't have an app for their system! But Lutron has a nice twist that I haven't seen before. The company's new app for the RadioRA 2 has an AWAY mode that simulates occupancy while the homeowners are away. Lights turn on and off automatically, and motorized shades raise and lower. But the original twist is that Lutron is promoting its new scheduling feature "for controlling the system during holidays… View this story

Jason Knott | 08/02 06:47 AM, 0 Comments

About 90 percent of all U.S. homes are potential candidates for motorized window coverings. But only about 20 percent of all proposals from custom integrators include it, according to Steve Iommi of Somfy. Why? Half the hurdle is simply recognizing the sales opportunities. Here are 11 things to look for in the home that are prime sales opportunities for motorized window coverings: Hard-to-reach windows such as a bay window behind the kitchen sink or a high up (often large) window in a foyer or great room. (Sales Tip: “Do you… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 07/13 06:28 AM, 3 Comments

Upon hitting the "Barry White Button" on the Control4 touchpanel, the master bath lights dim, the Lutron shades lower, brightness gives way to soft bedside lighting, TV audio is muted and The Sultan of Smooth Soul's baritone lyrics fill the room. (See video below.) That's about as far as an automation system will go. The rest is up to the homeowner. The truth is that Jim Shapiro of North Easton, Mass.-based Audio Video Intelligence (AVI) didn't develop the Barry White scene as an aphrodisiac - necessarily. It's a good way… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 06/16 09:40 AM, 4 Comments

Rescued from near death, Techniku, developer of motorized shading products, has been acquired by HomeRun Holdings Corp., formerly known as Wayne-Dalton. (Wayne-Dalton's core garage-door business was divested last year.) The former Wayne-Dalton Home Control Solutions line was rebranded as SALT. So we now know what the “S” stands for. In an exclusive story published by CE Pro late last year, we noted that Techniku, which is one of the more affordable players in the shade-control business, would be shutting down soon of a buyer weren’t found. The company does not… View this story

Steven Castle | 02/19 07:04 AM, 0 Comments

Motorized window treatments can be green. Shades and drapes that open or close at the press of a button can save your clients energy by keeping a room cool in the summer months, warm in the winter or illuminate it with natural light. This is nothing new. The motorized window treatment crowd has been touting the energy efficiency of its products for decades. Only no one cared. Until now. How times change. Now saving energy is fashionable. And that makes motorized shades and drapes more than a high-end convenience. The… View this story

Mark Sipe | 01/06 09:01 AM, 22 Comments

CE Pro is documenting the ups and downs of this ambitious $20 million, 28,000-square-foot home installation. Mark Sipe of Abacus Prime LLC, who has been tasked with designing and managing the installation of the electronics, is looking for a CE pro to excel on the project. If you're interested, email Mark at marks@abacusprime.com. Here is the second installment of Sipe’s running commentary on the project. Good luck Mark! We are in the early stages of this job with only one or two hard selections having been made. As I continue… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 12/17 03:42 PM, 2 Comments

Techniku, a developer of automation and motorization systems for window coverings, is ceasing operations. An outgoing message on the company's voice mail says Techniku is "in the process of winding down" and that emails could be sent to winddown@techniku.com. Techniku, based in Broomfield, Colo. has been looking for a buyer for a few years, according to Nicole Lauer, formerly the national sales and marketing manager for Techniku. Today, however, the company is unable to continue operations unless a buyer emerges quickly. Techniku has spoken with several potential buyers, according to… View this story

Arlen Schweiger | 11/16 09:04 AM, 0 Comments

As a custom installer, one of the product categories you really need to show potential clients is lighting control. The wow factor comes through in demos, and the light bulb, so to speak, will go off in the customer's head. Part of that category includes motorized window treatments and shades, which are definitely more exciting to see in motion than hear about. Lutron Electronics recently had a chance to wow dealers at an event in New York City's New Museum. Lutron was unveiling its Kirbe system that debuted at CEDIA… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 09/16 05:21 AM, 1 Comment

We won't repeat the extensive coverage we've already provided on Lutron's RadioRa 2 and Homeworks QS Wireless, but we haven't said much about the company's new thermostats. At CEDIA Expo 2009, the company revealed its first HVAC controllers – a long time coming for a company that has green written all over it. Lutron's thermostats are unusual. They have no LCD readouts of the temperature. Instead, the basic thermostat looks much like a Lutron dimmer, with two banks of LEDs indicating the current temperature and setting. In addition to its… View this story