Custom motorized shades are made for the actual window opening, so the decisions made before ordering matter.
The most important choices include:
- mount type;
- fabric;
- openness;
- cassette or open roll;
- side coverage;
- shade dimensions;
- motor;
- control method.
The mistake is to start with the remote control.
The better process is to start with the room:
What problem are we trying to solve?
Then select the fabric and installation configuration that solves it, and only then select the motor and control system that make the shade practical to use.
Decisions made before the order
Inside or outside mount
Inside mount places the shade within the window opening. It can provide a clean look, but clearance around the fabric may allow more light through.
Outside mount places the shade over the opening. It can be useful when the reveal is shallow, the opening is not suitable for an inside mount, or reducing edge gaps is important.
The correct mount depends on the actual window. Our specifications page shows the mounting and hardware options side by side.
Fabric and openness
Fabric selection should follow the room objective.
Examples:
- bedroom -> darkness;
- living room -> glare + view;
- home office -> screen glare;
- west-facing room -> afternoon sun;
- bathroom -> privacy;
- media room -> light control.
Lower openness generally means a tighter screen weave and less visible light.
It does not mean the lowest number is automatically best.
Cassette or open roll
A cassette encloses the roller mechanism and can reduce visible hardware and the opening above the fabric.
An open roll is visually simpler and can have a lighter appearance.
The decision is partly aesthetic and partly functional.
Side channels
Side channels guide the shade edges and can reduce light entering from the sides.
They are particularly relevant when the goal is strong glare control or darkness.
They should not automatically be added to every window.
Questions worth asking any installer
Who measures?
A proper measurement should account for:
- opening width and height;
- depth;
- squareness;
- mounting surface;
- obstructions;
- handles;
- trim;
- brackets;
- clearance.
Who installs?
Find out whether the person taking measurements is also involved in installation.
What happens if the measurement is wrong?
Ask before ordering:
- who checks the measurement;
- who bears remake costs;
- what happens if the opening differs from expectations;
- how installation issues are handled.
What happens after installation?
Ask about:
- adjustments;
- service;
- troubleshooting;
- battery charging;
- warranty;
- replacement parts.
Warranty details must come from the actual supplier agreement.
The measurement itself
A proper measurement is more than writing down width and height.
The installer should evaluate:
- whether the opening is square;
- mounting depth;
- where brackets can be fixed;
- whether the wall or header can support hardware;
- handles and other obstructions;
- whether the desired mount is possible.
This is one reason a professional in-home measurement is more useful than ordering a generic size online.
Do not choose one shade for the whole house
A Boca Raton home can contain:
- west-facing living room;
- bright bedroom;
- media room;
- home office;
- ocean-facing window;
- bathroom;
- large sliding door.
There is no requirement that all windows use the same fabric.
What does each room need the shade to do?
The motor comes after the shade
The motor is important, but it should not be the starting point.
First determine:
- room objective;
- fabric;
- openness;
- mount;
- light-control requirements;
- shade size and weight;
- motor and control.
On the power question, read battery-powered vs hardwired motorized shades. On fabric, read solar shades vs blackout shades and the best shades for west-facing windows in Boca Raton.
FAQ
- How long does installation take?
- It depends on the number of windows, shade size, mount type, access and installation configuration.
- Can existing shades be motorized?
- Sometimes, depending on the existing system, condition, dimensions and motor compatibility. In other cases replacement is more reliable.
- What happens if a shade needs service later?
- Ask before ordering. The answer depends on supplier, motor platform, installer, warranty and service arrangement.
- Should every window have the same fabric?
- No. Different rooms often have different requirements.
- Should I choose battery or hardwired before choosing the shade?
- Evaluate the project as a whole. Existing finished homes often favor battery-powered retrofit solutions, while new construction or major renovation can make hardwired systems more practical.
