Motors and Control Switches

Adding a motor to your shade is very simple and useful in many different situations. At times due to vaulted ceilings or in a media room where control over your shades is necessary, adding a motor is the perfect solution. Let's discuss the options that are available and what might best work for you.

Battery Operated Vs. Electric Motors:

Don't let the battery part scare you off, thinking that the batteries are going to be a nightmare to constantly be changing, not in this modern technical age. The batteries that we use come in a wand that is placed undetected behind the roller and last approximately 5 yrs. Due to the cost of having an electrician come in and run new wiring for you, this is the option we recommend for do-it-your-selfers. Now, if you already have wiring in a convenient spot, it might be quite simple to have a junction box placed where you need it. If you do decide to have the wiring done, we recommend that you wait until you have received your shades to know the best location for the junction box. Both of these options can come with either a hand-held remote or a wall switch that will be discussed below.

All exterior shades are required to have an electric motor and will not run on battery if a motor has been selected.

Infrared Vs. Radio Motor:

An infrared motor has a little eye similar to your television where it makes it necessary to point the remote in the direction of the receiver attached to the shade, but must not be any higher than 20 ft. on vaulted ceilings. Where as the radio motor can be operated anywhere within a 65 ft. range if being controlled by a handheld remote. Please note the chart below in the differing cost of each option.

Handheld Remote Vs. Wall Switch

If you are selecting a battery operated, infrared motor than the choice is already made. In this case you will have a remote that will control each shade you order separately by simply pointing the remote at the transmitter. If you have selected the radio motor than there are a couple of options. If you are ordering only one shade, than a single channel handheld remote or single channel wall switch is all that is needed. If you are ordering several shades than you will want a remote or wall switch that can handle several channels for ease of operation. This remote will have 5 channels, it can control 4 different shades and one channel to control all 4 at the same time if you desire. The only decision here is if you want a remote that gives you the flexibility to move around, or a wall switch so that it is one less remote to have to think about.

REMEMBER: If you choose a wall switch, this will need to be wired in just like a light switch and then will operate the shade by radio signal.

PRICES BELOW ARE IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE SHADE, NOT THE TOTAL PRICE.

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12 volt battery infrared motor	$397	Up to 50' sq. ft. (needs a transmitter)
12 volt battery radio motor	$570	Up to 50' sq. ft. (needs transmitter)
110 Volt AC Motor	$593	Needs transmitter or wall switch
1 channel hand-held transmitter	$123	White with gray buttons
5 channel hand-held transmitter	$160	White with gray buttons
20 channel hand-held transmitter	$749	Silver with gray trim
Patio 1 channel hand-held transmitter	$145	White with blue buttons
Patio 5 channel hand-held transmitter	$187	White with blue buttons
1 channel surface-mount wireless switch	$124	White
1 channel in-wall wireless switch	$295	White or Ivory
5 channel in-wall wireless switch	$308	White or Ivory
Infrared hand-held transmitter	$93	Only for infrared battery motor

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