01
Five situations where it pays off
Automation earns its cost where manual control is impractical or routinely forgotten.
- Two-story and tall glass
- Second homes and rentals
- New construction
- Whole-home scenes
- Office façades
02
Power: retrofit vs build
Rechargeable and battery motors suit finished homes. Hardwired motors are cleanest when walls are open—common in Middletown, Lewes-area, and Millsboro new builds.
03
Controls people actually use
Remotes, wall keypads, schedules, and voice or app control each suit different households. Guests and renters need obvious controls.
04
Limits to state honestly
Motorized shades reduce exposure when closed but cannot prevent fading entirely, and energy outcomes vary with glass, orientation, and use.
Decision table
Compare the practical tradeoffs.
| Situation | Power | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Finished home | Rechargeable | Remote or app |
| New build | Hardwired | Keypad and scenes |
| Second home | Either | Hub with schedules |
Motorize the windows that are hard to reach, frequently adjusted, or forgotten when you are away—not every window by default.