Smart blinds and curtains are window features which are digitally controlled to offer adjustments and hands-free shading. Using cutting-edge engineering, these systems raise and lower blinds, based on time of day, outside light or even app control from anywhere with an internet connection.
Like normal blinds, smart blinds' main job is to control the amount of outdoor light entering your home. They make it easier to get that extra boost of sunlight - without twirling a wand or pulling a cord. Aside from the wellbeing perks, endurance and slick programming these systems offer, there are a wide variety of surprising benefits.
Smart blinds and curtains can be activated by switches, remote controls or even voice when paired with a smart speaker. While this technology may at first seem like a luxury answer to a first-world problem, the convenience alone make it a great addition to any modern home.
Smart blinds can naturally adjust throughout the day as the sun moves to boost natural light within your home. This is a great way to control the ambience and improve your overall wellbeing. On the other hand, they can also close when the sun is on your windows to reduce solar gain, this is great for areas with lots of glass in the summer.
Exposure to sunlight is well-known to support the release of serotonin in your brain. This is the hormone known for boosting moods. It makes you feel happier, calmer and more focused throughout the day.
Added sunlight in the daytime is known to improve your quality of sleep at night. By adding blackout blinds, these systems are able to stop light filtering in. They'll also open in line with the light outside, offering the most restful and natural morning wake-up possible. Imagine waking up to your room slowly and naturally filling with light over the course of 5 minutes, rather than a loud alarm clock.
Aside from boosting wellbeing, smart blinds can give you more convenience from day to day. Smart blinds can be controlled in a number of ways including sleek remotes and stylish control panels. This saves you the hassle of using strings, wands or cords in hard-to-reach areas.
When integrated with an automation system like Control4, blinds can be activated using smart home voice commands. This allows anyone in the house including guests to adjust these to their preferences. Similarly, smart blinds can be included in your smart home schedule within your home. For instance when you arrive home from work you can simply say “Alexa, I’m home” which will activate the blinds and curtains to draw, lights to turn on and thermostat to set to your desired temperature.
The latest smart blinds and curtains can be styled with both modern and vintage fittings and blind fabrics. With sleek appearances, without cords and strings, this technology can compliment any modern living room or period style.
With a huge range on offer, smart blinds can be precisely installed to your requirements. Whether covering tall, ceiling-to-floor windows, or small shutter windows, the endless design and style options available make smart blinds a quick way to boost style and impress your guests.
Not to mention, the added integration features make smart blinds a great way to add an impressive edge to your home. Working with other smart home devices, including lighting and home cinema systems, integration can be enabled to boost amusement experience and build atmosphere. With a single button press, you can activate your cinema, trigger the lights to dim, lower the blinds and switch-on the surround sound. Seamless, convenient and impressive.
Smart blinds can be activated from anywhere in the world, simply using a smartphone and internet connection. This gives you a high level of control whilst away from the premises.
This is a useful feature to have in place when you are away from your property, to keep the illusion that the home is active. If you don’t want to have the added burden of changing the blinds whilst away, smart blinds can be scheduled to open and close at certain times of the day - based on usage patterns and history.
Many people find themselves concerned about burglary before going on holiday. Relying on a switched-on light or radio is never a good idea. A continuous light on in the house offers no variation. Most burglars will scope out a property well in advance of taking action and will know to look for this sign that the house is empty.
Motorised blinds make for a strong and cheaper way to deter would-be burglars from your home. Using a schedule to make the property appear active. A burglary takes place every 106 seconds in the UK, so any added layer of protection is important.
In addition to increased security, smart blinds can also eliminate common risks associated with traditional window coverings and shadings.
As most parents will be aware, looped cords on traditional blinds can pose a huge risk to young children and pets, who risk entrapment and suffocation on loose strings. In fact, a study found that 17,000 children were harmed by window blinds between 1990 and 2015, with 300 incidents of these tragically resulting in death.
There is only one sure-fire way to reduce the chance of these incidents occurring: go cordless. With no hanging cords or strings, smart blinds remove the risk of entrapment & suffocation entirely, making them a safety-first alternative to traditional window coverings.
As an added feature to your fire security system, Lutron blinds can be integrated to naturally open when a fire is detected. This allows emergency responders to see the situation inside so they can react quickly. When firefighters attend a scene they are often unaware of the state inside. Due to the severity of the risk of fire, they need to be extremely cautious before entering. Using this feature, smart blinds can save crucial time and reduce the risk for first responders.
Ready to level up your home with smart blinds? If you’re going to do it, make sure to do it the right way. It’s important to ask yourself these key questions before speaking to any installer:
At the Chris Lewis Group we’re a Certified Lutron Installer. Our experts are highly experienced in the design and installation of Lutron technology including Lutron blinds and window coverings.
In short, we understand the benefits smart blind technology can add to your day-to-day routine, and the integrations that will take this even further - designed in line with your expectations and vision.
Whether looking to increase your security or improve overall well-being in your home, as a leading smart home technology provider, we have the skills, experience and desire to bring your vision to reality.
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