Essential Install | Smart Thinking: Blind Faith
A View Of The Future
Ian Claxton, director at QMotion UK, examines the potential of the shade control
market. Are installers getting the most out of this growing sector?
Ian Claxton argues
installers are only
just beginning to see
the potential shade
control has to deliver
extra revenue
According to a CEDIA survey last year, blind control is
an increasingly popular element of smart home projects,
with 46% of all respondents having provided a motorised
window treatment solution in the past year. Product
innovation and greater accessibility to install the technology
into a range of environments are helping drive this growth.
Whilst many new build projects have the capacity
to install a complex wired infrastructure, a common
challenge many home technology professionals are
increasingly dealing with is installing automated window
solutions into retrofit projects. Faced with the prospect
of having to rewire a property or deploy a new wiring
infrastructure, many installers immediately disregard
automated blind control as a viable option.
However, wire-free automatic shading systems offer
installers the opportunity to sell automated blind control
to clients where it previously wouldn’t have been a viable
option. Whether the project is new-build or retrofit,
installers no longer have to chase out walls and fit lengthy
cable runs to provide a smart and smart looking solution.
The secret lies in counterbalancing-spring technology
which provides ultra-energy efficient control in modern,
automated blinds, drawing on a minimal amount of
battery power only when necessary to keep motor power
consumption to an absolute minimum. This technology
also delivers near silent operation in every application.
Above all, fast and simple integration with third party
control systems and two-way feedback are now possible.
Native ZigBee control is available with the most popular
blind control options which allow installers to specify and
fit multi-position, blind control solutions quickly and easily
for any project.
So how can you get the best result for installing
such technology?
Fitting blind control can be unfamiliar territory for
many installers. Before you measure the dimensions of
the window, it is important to establish whether the client
wants the blinds fitted inside or outside the recess.
Inside mounts are by far the most popular option
and allow the blind’s mechanisms to sit neatly inside the
window frame, offering a flush and sleek look.
This is also best for light exclusion, important for
bedrooms or home cinemas. For windows where full
natural illumination is desired, it is recommended to
mount the blinds outside, above the window frame, to
provide maximum natural light when open.
When measuring, it is important to pay close attention to
handles, tiles or skirting boards, as these can influence the
roll and width of your blinds. For inside mounts, measure
the width in three places across and use the tightest
measurements. Being accurate ensures the best window
coverings and optimum light control. For outside mounts,
measure to where you intend to install the brackets and
add the desired amount of fabric overlap either side of the
window. If possible, it is advised to add at least 50mm either
side. When measuring the drop of the blind, it is advised to
take at least one measurement for extra accuracy.
Automated blinds are suited for a wide range of
uses. As well as providing clients with a modern and
convenient solution to window dressing, automated
blinds often hold the answer for a number of projects
with demanding specifications.
Compatible with both translucent and black-out blinds,
automated blinds are suitable for all environments and
can be tailored exactly to the client’s specification and
needs. Blackout blinds are recommended to use in home
cinemas to help provide the optimum visual experience
or bedrooms to provide a dark environment for a good
night’s sleep. In contrast, translucent blinds allow light to
filter through whilst providing privacy and are popular in
residential and commercial reception rooms. Dual blind
systems are available for environments where both blind
types are required.
Automated blinds are also ideal for dressing windows
that are at an excessive height and which are difficult
to operate manually. Rather than long pulley systems,
automated blinds provide both convenience and style for
out of reach windows.
The near future holds many more possibilities for
blind technology, including the opportunity of voice and
even more sophisticated sensor-driven control. From an
installer’s perspective, blind control offers the chance to
add significant value to an integrated scheme and most
importantly, a route to building a better, more secure and
more efficient smart home for the client.
More information: QMotion +44 (0)1908 047980,
www.qmotionshades.co.uk
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