Design Confidently, Live Comfortably
| An Online Extra to Inspired House March/April 2005 Wiring Your Windows, and More Find out how to automate your window shades and drapes, and learn about a system for controlling all your house lighting, indoors and out by Deborah Wiener |
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 Photo: Courtesy of Levor |
| Automated window coverings have been around for years, but because they’re pricey (an upgrade can cost anywhere from $300 to $1200 per shade) and because you need an electrician to install some of them, they have not been that popular in the residential market … until now. It seems homeowners are finding the convenience well worth it. Why would you want to wire your windows anyway?
Batteries are one way to go Battery-operated systems give homeowners remote operation of inaccessible windows without the additional expense of an electrician to do the installation. There’s no wiring involved; batteries control a motor hidden in the headrail. These systems allow you to lift and lower window coverings as well as tilt blinds and verticals. Typically, this option is available only with lightweight fabric shades and blinds. For windows beyond your reach, there are satellite battery packs available. The batteries are located lower down on the wall, in an inconspicuous place, and connected to the window covering by a small wire. Often the wire can be concealed by running it along the window frame. The downside to battery-operated systems is that batteries have power limitations and may not be suitable for oversized windows that need greater "pulling" power. And if you don’t choose coverings with satellite battery packs, it may also be difficult to do periodic battery replacements. Hard-wiring costs more If you’ve chosen a heavy shade or blind, if you have oversized windows, or if the remote tends to get lost in your house, hard-wired window coverings may be the best choice for you. Hard-wired shades are controlled like any other built-in electrical appliance; they’re available with battery-operated, hand-held remotes or wall switches -- or both. Currently, there aren’t as many hard-wiring options as there are battery-powered choices on the market. You may want to check with your manufacturer or retailer to see if the covering you’ve chosen can be hard-wired in your home Total light control is here It’s now possible to control all the light sources in your home -- windows, lamps and light fixtures and even outdoor lighting -- with one master control system. The “Radio Ra” system from Lutron allows you to set a different mood in every room -- according to the room’s use -- at the touch of a button. Because the system works with radio frequency, no wiring is involved. You simply replace your existing switches with Radio Ra components. This system truly is remarkable. You can turn off all the house lights from your bed with a master remote switch, pre-program security lighting or rely on the system’s built-in astrological clock to turn outdoor lighting on and off at dusk and dawn. You can raise and lower shades at different times during the day to keep too much sun from damaging furnishings. And you can do it all at once: pre-program the system for all your needs and one button does it all. The system can cost many thousands, depending on the size of your home. But I predict that in a few years, a whole-house light management system that incorporates window coverings and lighting will be as routine as two-story windows and recessed lights! For more information about wiring options for your windows, visit the following Web sites: www.motorizedsolutions.com and www.lutron.com. Deborah Wiener is the owner of Designing Solutions, a family-friendly design firm in Silver Spring, Maryland. Read her article "Choosing Shades & Blinds" in the March/April 2005 issue of Inspired House. |
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