Graywind Motorized Dual Shades review – easy to install room transforming shades

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the best window shade providers in New York, catering to various needs ranging from intricate custom designs to foolproof motorized systems and highly effective blackout solutions. It highlights five distinct companies, each excelling in specific areas of window treatment. Window Works, a New Jersey-based company, is recommended for those who are unsure where to start. They offer detailed consultations on different shade types and are praised by interior designers for their honesty, attention to detail, and technical expertise. Custom roller shades from Window Works can start at $400, while more elaborate Roman shades with blackout lining and decorative hardware can range from $2,000 to over $5,000. For intricate custom designs, Curtains for You, a Long Island City studio founded by seamstress Julie Newton, is featured. Newton's company, known for creating window treatments for TV shows, specializes in custom curtains, cushions, pillows, and bedding alongside shades. A small, unlined flat shade can cost around $180, while a large, multi-layered balloon shade can reach $2,000, with motorization adding another $1,000. Innovation Shades is the go-to for foolproof motorized and smart shade installations. This decade-old shop has garnered a cult following for its expertise in integrating window treatments with smart-home systems. Manual or roller shades start at $175, but motorization and custom features can significantly increase the cost, potentially by thousands of dollars. The company is noted for its ability to bring complex design visions to life. Horizon Window Treatments is highlighted for its quick turnaround times and wide selection. They offer a two-week timeline for standard treatments and provide an online price generator for initial quotes. Designers appreciate their extensive range of customizable styles, including cordless options, with prices starting at $125 for simple windows and going into thousands for motorized systems. Motorized shades are particularly recommended for their value. Finally, Stylish Window Treatments, a custom shop run by a husband-and-wife team, is recognized for its highly effective blackout solutions and meticulous installation. They install and repair various window coverings, and clients praise their precision in fitting blackout shades to prevent any light leakage, even reusing existing rollers to minimize costs. Roller shades here range from $300 to $2,300 per window, while Roman shades cost between $700 and $3,000. The article emphasizes the importance of selecting the right provider based on specific needs, whether it's initial guidance, unique design requirements, technological integration, speed, or specialized functionality like complete light blockage. Prices vary widely depending on customization, materials, and motorization options. #WindowShades #NewYorkDesign #HomeDecoration #InteriorDesign #CustomWindowTreatments #MotorizedShades #BlackoutCurtains #HomeImprovement #ShoppingGuide

The article reviews Crestron's motorized window shades, highlighting their benefits for home automation, energy savings, glare reduction, and overall comfort. The author, having experience with various window treatment solutions, positions Crestron at the top of the market for high-end automated shades, alongside Lutron. The review begins by addressing the often-overlooked cost of designer window coverings and the limitations of more affordable, DIY options. The author shares a past mistake of opting for a lesser brand to save money, only to regret the significant difference in performance, particularly regarding motor noise. Crestron shades are described as a bespoke product offering extensive customization, including various shade types such as Roman, roller, horizontal, and motorized draperies. Customers can choose from transparent, translucent, or blackout fabrics, and even double down with two shades on a single roll-down for layered light control. Color options are virtually limitless, with Crestron able to match any Pantone color chip to seamlessly integrate with home décor. The article emphasizes the superior quietness of Crestron's brushless motors, contrasting them sharply with the noisy motors of cheaper alternatives. It notes that the motors operate in near silence, requiring active attention to even notice them moving. A key advantage of Crestron shades is their seamless integration with the Crestron smart home system. The author details how shades can be programmed based on latitude and longitude to automatically deploy and retract according to sunrise and sunset times, or at specific times. This level of programming offers endless possibilities for personalized automation within a smart home ecosystem. Installation considerations are also discussed, with the ideal scenario being new construction that allows for ceiling-recessed shades. For existing homes, shades are typically installed above windows, and the author suggests using simple wooden valances to conceal the mechanisms, a cost-effective solution they implemented in their own home. The energy-saving aspect of Crestron shades is highlighted, particularly in homes exposed to strong sunlight. The author notes that their translucent shades effectively block western light in the afternoons, significantly reducing heat gain and allowing for a higher thermostat setting, leading to potential energy bill savings. Despite the numerous benefits, the article also addresses the downsides. Lead times for custom shades can be lengthy, with the author experiencing over six months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Crestron products are not designed for DIY installation or programming, requiring professional assistance. The high cost is another consideration, with the author cautioning that smart home trickery rarely adds direct resale value to a home, meaning the value must be consumed through comfort, luxury, and energy savings. The competition is explored, with Lutron being presented as the main rival, offering similar pricing, options, and seamless integration with Lutron lighting control systems. The author shares positive experiences with Lutron shades, particularly their battery-operated options for specific use cases. The article advises against lesser-known brands often found at trade shows, as they may not integrate well with established home automation systems. For those seeking more affordable or DIY-friendly solutions, options from Hunter Douglas (offering remote and app control) and even Home Depot (for basic motorized shades) are mentioned, acknowledging their lower cost but also their compromises in motor quality, fabric options, and programming sophistication. In conclusion, the article reiterates that automated window treatments, particularly Crestron’s, are a sophisticated component of the smart home experience. While not inexpensive, their benefits in energy conservation, glare reduction, enhanced lighting control, privacy, and comfort are significant. The author justifies the investment by emphasizing the improved quality of life and comfort in key living spaces, noting that the benefits, though not directly increasing home resale value, are deeply rewarding for the homeowner. #Crestron #MotorizedWindowShades #HomeAutomation #SmartHome #WindowTreatments #EnergySavings #GlareReduction #LuxuryHome #ProductReview

This article details the author's three-year journey to select and install custom window treatments in their 1928 Craftsman meets Colonial home, specifically focusing on their sunroom-turned-home-office. The author emphasizes the importance of window treatments for privacy, finishing a space, and introducing pattern and texture. Having inherited inadequate IKEA sheer rollers, the author sought a solution that would maintain brightness for work while providing privacy at night and managing intense sunlight. The chosen solution involved custom window treatments from The Shade Store. The author explains the selection process at The Shade Store, highlighting the benefits of an in-person design consultation despite online ordering being an option. The showroom visit allowed for viewing various window treatment styles, drapery hardware finishes, and an extensive range of fabrics. The author notes that custom solutions, particularly those with motorization, can be a splurge. Before the consultation, the author considered key questions: desired light-filtering quality, aesthetic style, opening/closing mechanism, and insulation needs. For their office, a decent level of light filtering was required for direct morning sun, a woven wood-look roller shade was preferred for style, and while motorization was out of budget, an easy chain pull was acceptable. Energy efficiency was not a primary concern due to existing solar panels. Ultimately, the author selected The Shade Store’s Roller Shades in Tahoe Oak. These shades, an eco-friendly blend of paper and polyester, convincingly mimic wood with beautiful striations, adding warmth and coziness to the room. They complement the existing antique Biedermeier-look desk, Farrow & Ball Green Blue wall paint, and Anthropologie green and white drapery. The investment, even with an editorial discount, is justified by the quality, aesthetics, and functionality compared to cheaper alternatives previously used. The article further elaborates on The Shade Store's measurement, ordering, and installation process, which the author found to be a high-quality, convenient service. A professional measured the windows for free, crucial for an older home with varying window sizes, ensuring a precise fit. This expert measurement alleviated concerns about accuracy and proper clearance for smooth operation. The quote and ordering process was efficient, followed by a relatively quick production and shipping time of a couple of weeks. Installation, though an additional cost, was deemed reasonable and highly beneficial, taking only about an hour for five windows. The gold-finished inside mount brackets and chains blend seamlessly, and the ease of operation has significantly improved daily use. The new window treatments successfully provide the desired light filtering, privacy, and aesthetic upgrade, transforming the sunroom into a more polished and functional space. The author expresses complete satisfaction with the product and the overall experience, indicating a strong likelihood of returning to The Shade Store for future window treatment needs. #WindowTreatments #CustomWindowTreatments #TheShadeStore #HomeOfficeDesign #InteriorDesign #RollerShades #HomeDecor #DesignConsultation #CraftsmanHome

The article highlights the significance of window treatments in home design, emphasizing that they are often an overlooked expense that profoundly impacts a space's overall warmth and aesthetic. The authors are currently collaborating with The Shade Store on a new project that promises a complete home transformation, set to be featured in an upcoming webisode. They introduce The Shade Store as a convenient solution for custom window treatments, streamlining the process from swatch selection to installation. Customers can request free swatches delivered within 2-3 business days to help visualize their choices. The article outlines the straightforward process of acquiring window treatments: selecting desired swatches, taking measurements (or having them professionally done), purchasing the chosen products, and finally, installation. This simplicity is lauded as a major benefit, making custom window treatments accessible and manageable for homeowners. To illustrate the impact of these treatments, the authors reference a previous successful project, the Midway House, where they utilized The Shade Store's products. Furthermore, the article offers a sneak peek into their current project with The Shade Store, showcasing an empty home where roman shades have already been installed. This preview visually demonstrates how the shades instantly infuse warmth and character into the space, even before other design elements are in place. This serves as a testament to the transformative power of well-chosen window treatments. The authors conclude by sharing some of their personal favorites from The Shade Store's extensive collection, specifically mentioning roller shades, woven wood shades, and roman shades. This curated selection provides readers with concrete examples and inspiration for their own design projects. The overall message underscores that window treatments are not just functional but are essential design elements that contribute significantly to the ambiance and completeness of a room. The partnership with The Shade Store aims to demystify the process of selecting and installing custom window coverings, empowering homeowners to enhance their living spaces with ease and confidence, ultimately leading to a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment. #WindowTreatments #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ShadeStore #CustomShades #DesignTips #HomeImprovement

The custom integration industry has increasingly embraced motorized shades as a crucial component of comprehensive window treatment solutions, yet drapes are often overlooked as a significant differentiator and a potential source of increased profit margins for integrators. Jazz Almanla, founder of Wolf Drapery, highlights this gap, drawing from his extensive background in the window treatment business and his experience in the custom integration sector. He emphasizes that while motorized shades offer a partial solution, drapes provide a complementary and often essential element that completes the aesthetic and functional aspects of window treatments. Almanla's journey led him to recognize an unmet need among integrators. Many integrators successfully incorporate motorized shades from leading brands like Lutron and Somfy into their projects. However, when clients or designers request drapes, integrators frequently face a challenge in sourcing and integrating these elements. This often results in a missed opportunity to provide a full-service solution and enhance project revenues. To address this, Almanla established Wolf Drapery, leveraging his family's second-generation workroom to support integrators with specialized drapery solutions. Wolf Drapery offers a range of services designed to simplify the process of incorporating drapes into smart home projects. The company's workroom provides a dedicated support division for integration with popular control systems such as Control4, Savant, Crestron, and Nice. Additionally, Wolf Drapery can supply motorized tracks from Lutron and Somfy, ensuring compatibility and seamless operation with existing motorized shade infrastructures. This integrated approach allows integrators to offer a cohesive window treatment package that combines the benefits of both motorized shades and elegant drapes. A key innovation from Wolf Drapery is its online ordering platform. Almanla explains that this platform was developed over two years to streamline the ordering process, allowing integrators to easily input their specifications and receive custom drapery solutions quickly. This efficiency helps integrators save time and effort, enabling them to focus on other aspects of the project while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality drapes. The convenience of an online system is particularly beneficial for large-scale projects, such as multimillion-dollar homes requiring numerous curtains, where adding drapery can significantly boost profit margins. Almanla underscores that drapes are shipped ready to install, designed to snap directly into tracks. He notes that drapes are often easier to measure and install compared to motorized shades, presenting an accessible way for integrators to expand their service offerings. This ease of integration, combined with the aesthetic value and functionality of drapes, positions them as a valuable addition to the broader spectrum of window treatments and lighting controls that integrators provide. By embracing drapes, integrators can enhance client satisfaction, differentiate their services, and tap into new revenue streams in a competitive market where comprehensive solutions are increasingly sought after. The company invites integrators to explore these opportunities further by contacting them for appointments or through their online resources. #WolfDrapery #WindowTreatments #MotorizedShades #CustomIntegration #HomeAutomation #SmartHomeControl #InteriorDesign #ProfitMargins