We all must agree on the fact that window treatments can always be a deal-breaker. It can either make or break a space. Often the importance of window treatment is overlooked. Drapes and curtains can either be functional or purely decorative or it might strike a balance between these two completely depending on your preference. Curtains can be of a variety of types such as flowing drapes, roman shades, classic curtains or a laidback shutter. Playing with the ideas of draperies can surely inspire you to have a better view of your home. Modern motorized window treatments can be a fun technology and even add a smart touch to your beautiful apartment. These automatic window treatments do add some improvement in the quality of life for many.

Benefits Of Using An Automatic And Motorized Window Treatment

Below are the top good reasons why one should invest in buying a good quality window blind:

• Security: Drapes and curtains and home security are completely dependent on one another. A window treatment adds security and privacy for your home, helping by preventing your neighbors to peep inside. Installing a motorized vertical blind does offer the house a better beneficial approach than just keeping your drapes and curtains closed. Setting a schedule for your automatic window treatments can make them work automatically throughout the day even if you are a thousand kilometers away from your house. Motorized window treatment when coupled up with a smart home lighting system can save your house from potential threats against thieves.
• Energy Saving Options: The solar gain caused due to the passage of heat from the window panes during a hot and humid summer day can cause your AC into a tailspin. All new modern motorized blinds and shades have a sensor installed in them which helps them to close automatically whenever the sun is at its brightest. These help in saving a lot of energy and make the job of your ac less.
• Protection For Your Furniture: The sun heat that puts your air conditioner into a turmoil can also cause enough damage to the furniture and other household goods, causing them to fade with time. Covering up your windows with the best-motorized blinds can help in preventing this to happen.
• Convenience: If your house is having a lot of windows, especially the big ones, manually controlling or operating them can be tough and be full of hassle. Getting or installing a new and modern set of motorized blinds and putting them into a control system can lower and raise them with just a touch of a button. You can easily schedule your motorized window shades according to the time you define.
• Elegance: Tugging the pair of your drapes manually to the exact position each time is an impossible task in itself. Well, this problem of yours can be solved with the help of motorizing them. An automatic window treatment can help in aligning your draperies in just one fluid movement.
• Increase The Value Of Your Home:  A perfectly covered up windows when installed properly does increase the value of your property instantly. A house outfitted with a set of motorized shades DIY can instantly bring charm to your living area. While getting best-motorized blinds may not get an increase in the overall property value but it will surely make your house memorable for buyers, thus making an increase in the chances for a sale.

Various Types Of Automatic And Motorized Window Treatment

Hard Wired Motorized Blinds And Shades

This shade type is designed to provide customers with precision control and optimal operation. This automatic type of window treatment is mostly controlled with the help of wall switches or remote home automation system.
The hard-wired shades do have multiple benefits such as appearance, accessibility, safety, and convenience. These systems work best with roller shades, woven wood shades, roman shades, honeycomb shades or silhouette shadings.

Powerview Motorization Shades

This automatic window treatment symbolizes modern culture and innovation by allowing the shades to open or close with just a touch of a button or your smartphone.
Few benefits of Powerview motorization include improved energy efficiency, convenience, and programmability. These automatic shades are the best when paired with roller shades, horizontal blinds, screen shades, vertical blinds or woven wood shades.

Motorized Roller Shades

Roller shades can be very versatile when the motorization option comes. They do have different types of light control- from a low light option to a total blackout. They also come with different design and fabric choices such as playful patterned colors, metallic or wood finishes on the valance and different hem styles. As because they come with so many choices roller shades are most preferred in different home offices, living rooms, bedrooms, etc. Their nature of blending with anything and their practicality makes it the most preferred option.

Automatic Solar Shades

They do their job best by blocking the harmful UV rays of the sun and thus help in gaining a better life span of the flooring and furniture. These blinds also help in reducing visual glare to a huge extent and helps in reflecting heat out through your window panes. In other words, these motorized window panes let in the sunshine and block the UV radiations.

Motorized faux wood blinds

These blinds work best in those rooms where light control and privacy is the key. They do have different paint schemes giving your room a decorative look. These faux wood automated blinds come in various shapes and sizes that suit every type of window. Their motorized nature makes sure that the slats do and open and close without any difficulty.

Automatic cellular shades

Cellular shades are ideal if you have energy savings in your mind. They help in reducing almost 40% of heat loss in winter through the windows and blocks around 80% of harmful sun rays and UV radiations during the summer. Cellular shades do have different designs and opacity options. Top-Down Bottom-Up lift system is one of the best among all the desirable options.

Technology has come a long way from mere analog devices replacing manual diurnal work to automation taking its toll on the regular life of people. It has been a slow, motionless invasion by virtue of which we are habituated to depend on technology in every step of our life.

The word “Smart” is slowly getting acquired in most of the vital devices that we use day today. In the early 21st century, the first smartphone came into the picture, soon to be followed by smart television, smart security devices, smart homes, smart houses, etc. The word “Smart” in front of any device name signifies the capability of the device to interact with the human mind and produce the best results as per past experience. This reduces human intervention in the operational functionality of devices.

Smart homes automation not only includes features and new products specific to household but also cafes, restaurants, gyms, indoor game clubs, etc. All previous and latest digital components have been included in smart homes automation to have the best productivity outlook in its application.
In this article, a little yet comprehensive glimpse of smart home automation has been depicted to create awareness of this new & benign technological revolution and also to update you on current smart home automation trends.

Home Automation System

The home automation system is the automatic control or functioning of household appliances and devices to have the best possible experience of utilization. It is achieved by the use of the Internet, electronics, sensors, and digital circuitry. The components of the home automation system when taken in a complete bundle fall under the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Various important components of home automation system are:

• Sensors are used to detect any changes in the ambiance or any physical quantity and generate a signal.
• Controllers are used for receiving that signal on a digital monitoring device in order to give feedback on any change of physical quantity.
• Actuators are a mechanical or hydraulic device that receives the control signal from the controller and functions accordingly.

Some important features of the home automation system are keyless entry, thermostat control, home control systems, house automation, video surveillance, alarm system, noise cancellation, indoor positioning systems, smart grid, lighting control systems, etc. The number of benefits that mankind has been bestowed with after integrating best home automation systems is comfort, security, speed of work, entertainment, accuracy, convenience, and better value for time.

From Automated Systems to Smart Home Systems

Smart home systems are one step ahead of normal automation features of home devices. In smart home systems, internal & wifi connectivity is manifested in almost all household devices to make them function according to our benefits and reducing the tedious job of monitoring certain activities. The smart home systems are thus a way to connect all household devices into one ecosystem so that a uniform functionality is achieved. It includes voice commands, pushed buttons and mobile control. The automatic car lock feature is one of the recent add ons to smart home solutions. Smart home automation also includes:

• Smart Lightings – smart bulb, smart socket, smart switch, radar switch.
• Smart Appliances – smart remote control, air conditioner assistant, mobile & wall socket.
• Smart Door & Window – smart curtain, environmental sensor, intelligent window.
• Smart Sensor & Controller
• Smart Music – control panel, music host, ceiling horn.

Best Home Automation System – 2019 & 2020 Scenario

Smart homes automation saw a new rise in its development and application in the year 2019. Some extraordinary inventions came out along with generic upliftment in the Internet of Things. IoT is widespread today not only in homes and smart houses but also in sports (hawkeye, a hot spot for example), medical world, movie industries, sound engineering, and research and development labs. Also, the introduction of blockchain technology caused a huge tumult in the banking and financial sector. Some of the new trends of smart homes automation of 2019 which is still effective in 2020 are:

• Smart home hubs & controller – Amazon echo family came into the limelight in the year 2019. The echo Bluetooth speaker, belonging to the Alexa is an automatic voice detector Bluetooth device that can be interfaced with most of the other household gadgets. Another important hub is wink hub 2 that uses z wave, Zig bee, Kidde and Clear connect technology. It includes hue lighting and Google feature which can even be interfaced with smart tv.
• Brilliant control is another hefty flip flop switch that can be used with wifi to connect with every digital device of the house. It can be used to control light intensity, room temperature, play music and also can be used to monitor security camera LCD. Brilliant control can also be interlinked with Alexa for voice support.
• Logitech harmony elite can be used to control television, music players, air conditioners and other infrared devices.
• Connect sense smart outlet 2 can be used with Android and Apple phones with IOS platforms. It works well with Siri, Alexa and Google Home & Assistant.
• August Smart Lock Pro is a very rich and profound smart lock and home security system. The home kit model has wifi connectivity, door sense technology and can be even connected to Siri, Alexa, and google assistant.
• Smart Health & Fitness device includes iBaby Monitor, Qardio base 2, Sleep number 360 smart bed.
• Smart Vacuum includes I Robot Rumba i7+ has a multistory mapping and adaptive camera-based navigation to have the best cleaning facilities.
• Smart Kitchen Appliances include Traeger ironwood 650 for grills, roasting, and smoking. It has an automatic temperature adjustor according to the extent of cooking. Other kitchen appliances are Perfect Bake Pro, Amazon Basics Microwave.
• Smart home automation in lights and temperature control devices includes Ecobee smart thermostat 4, Nest learning thermostat, GE Energy star air conditioner, Philip hue family, Sengled smart LED multicolor lamp, etc.

Smart homes automation is on a constant graph of development and one common feature of each and every development of smart home automation is the ability to acclimate the new operational extension with existing house automation systems.

This feature is handy not only in maintaining home sustainability but also in keeping an open-end development platform to have the old technology by the side as well. Smart homes automation, though in its nascent stage but it has already driven the market with prolific implementations in business and as well as household space. It is likely to imprint its footprints in all other unexplored domain very soon.

Blinds have slats in their mechanism that are made to be tilted to adjust the light control whereas shades are generally made with a solid piece of cloth or fabric and can only be opened or closed. If you want a light filtering fabric, you can get to let in some natural light while keeping your privacy intact. The different types of blinds and shades do fulfill our needs in a very different way.

Let’s Discuss the Different Types of Window Blinds And Shades-

Blinds and shades for windows can be of several types. Some of them are listed below:
Horizontal Blinds- These types of blinds are generally made of wood, metal or faux wood. They generally have the advantage of a tilt and are made to be raised and open up a window. If it is mounted on the inside jamb of the window, there should be a bit more depth for the wood. It is to be kept in mind that metal is a good conductor of heat and electricity, therefore wood or faux wood needs to be used as these have more insulating value than any metal.
Vertical Blinds- These serve to be very practical for patio doors and large windows. They can be either made by fabric or vinyl according to the customer’s need. If someone wants a light-emitting type of blinds and shades for windows then the fabric is the option they should opt for and vinyl to darken the room. These blind types contain a chain for the tilt and chord for the draw.
Cellular shades- These shades generally have a pleat on the front and on the back with strings on the inside. They are generally made of spun polyester creating strong pleat retention and are very durable. Cellulars are also best-known insulators found in the market. Cellular can be one of the best type of blinds and shades if you are looking for something lightweight and compact.
Roller shades- These shades are generally made of vinyl, mylar, or maybe some type of treated fabrics. It can be the best type of blinds and shades if you are looking for something very practical as it helps in room darkening or helps in providing filter light along with privacy. Outdoor blinds and shades like this should have a clutch control on an aluminum roller.
Woven woods- This is typically a roman fold style type of blinds and shades. There is a lot of type of natural products like this to choose from by searching for blinds and shades online. This can be the best type of outdoor blinds and shades.
All these products might have motorization options if needed.

Let’s Look At Some Specific Window Blinds And Shades That You Can Use In Your House Or Office-

Best Type Of Blinds For Bedroom- When it comes to the blinds and shades for windows of a bedroom you get a variety of choices to choose from. Remember, sleep remains the primary purpose of your bedroom so the control over the light needs to be in the most prior thing in the list.
If you are looking for different types of blinds and shades for your bedroom, have a glance at the list down below-
Honeycomb shades- This is the type of blinds and shades that gives you privacy along with energy efficiency. This type of blinds and shades sells like a hot cake in the market as it gives an uplift to your room any day.
Aluminum blinds- Often termed as the old standby, this type of blinds and shades is an affordable option to cover up the window.
Roller shades- Although old fashioned but these types of blinds and shades are very inexpensive and practical. These shades are known to give optimum privacy along with providing filter light. Roller shades can be the best type of blinds for large windows.
Best Type of Blinds For Bathroom- While choosing the type of blinds and shades for the bathroom you must select a material that can hold up against humidity. Some of the best types of shades you can go for are listed down below.
Faux wood blinds.
Woven wood shades.
Roman shades.
Roller shades.
Cellular shades.
Best Type Of Blinds For Office- When it is time to give your office a new look, often curtains, drapes or blinds take the second place. It should always be remembered that office window blinds can transform a place. Blinds are primarily used for security reasons and privacy, as well it has a lot more aesthetical benefits.
Finding the right type of blinds and shades for your office can transform it to a whole new level. There are a lot of types and styles to choose from keeping in mind that the window blinds should fit with the overall design of your workstation.
Vertical Blinds- These are the most common choices for offices as they are low in maintenance and give a unique look to the office.
Venetian Blinds- Another great choice to give your office a unique look is Venetian blinds. Due to its modern looking design, these blinds got very popular and sell like a hot cake. For a more elegant and luxurious design, wooden blinds of this type can be a perfect choice.
Roller Blinds- Roller blinds are completely different from a conventional vertical or Venetian blind. These types of blinds and shades being more versatile in design can blend with your office decoration.
Integral Venetian Blinds- This blind types also belong to the family of the Venetian blind. These are generally a conventional blind integrated into a glass unit of a door or a window. They look stunning when blended with a standard PVC, providing a sleek, clean and modern look. These blinds can last for years and are mostly applicable to all types of window frames.
All these types of blinds and shades have their own merits and demerits, but all these might become a style statement for you if you choose the right ones.

Drapes are one of the most important parts of your windows. It is just like full dresses for your windows which not only cover them but also make them look beautiful. There are different types of drapes available in the market, but choosing the right one for you as per your choice is very important. In the early years, people used to match their drapes with the upholstery of their room.

However, only the rich people could afford to do that and install custom drapes and curtains at their house as textiles used to be very expensive at that time. With the passage of time, the prices of textiles became cheaper and different types of drapes that are beautiful yet affordable came for mass usage. Let us know about the unique and latest types of drapes to choose from in the lines below.

• Single Panel Drapes: It is very common while choosing the types of drapes people generally go for pair of panels in order to hand the drapes quickly and easily and so that they can get completely finished look without any problems. However, at certain times going for single panel drapes can be the best idea. If your windows are wide and need more fabric to dress them properly single panel is the best thing to go for. You can get single panel drapes from any drapery showroom if you plan to purchase it. However, you would get the best collections at Galaxy Design and we would highly recommend going for it.
• Panel Pair: This is perhaps the most widely used type of drapes and the easiest and fastest way to hang the drapes in your room. Your windows willgreat and the entire look of your house will get changed if you buy a good panel pair drapes from a drapery shop. You will get the option to hang two matching panels at your home on each of the windows of your room. You get the convenience of hanging drapes on both sides of your window at the same time and it takes a lot less time to dress your windows properly. So the next time you go to buy the right type of drapes for your home definitely give a try to panel pair drapes.
• Window Scarf: A window scarf is a whimsical type of drapes that are used more for decoration and aesthetic appeal than for blocking out light or providing your family with privacy. These types of drapes are generally very light and airy and are quite similar to curtain sheers in nature. You can hang up and drape them over the rods of the curtains in a number of ways. Unlike traditional drapes that are attached to the curtain rod and then hang down to the ground, window scarves can be wrapped around the rod, hung down one side, or hung up similar to airy sheers on either side of the window. They are very versatile and come in a number of different colors and patterns, although they are most likely made from this same light fabric. Window scarfs are one of the most unique types of drapes used in modern homes these days.
• Tie Top: This is another innovative type of drapes that is in fashion these days due to their wonderful look and unique design. Tie top drapes consist of a large panel of fabric with smaller strips of fabric at the top. Sewn onto the drape itself in pairs, these strips of fabric are long enough that they can be tied around the rod to attach the drape. This means that you can easily adjust the length of your new drapes by tying the strips of fabric closer to the drape itself or closer to their ends. This type of drape is relatively easy to open and to close since there is ample space in the ties for the drapes to be pulled along the rod.
• Pinch Pleats: If you are looking for something new in the type of drapes available in the market pinch pleats are the ideal one to go for. This method of hanging works well with most fabric types although it is a little bit more formal than simply using a rod pocket to hang your new drapes. There are multiple types of pinch pleats to choose from with each type resulting in a different finished look. When shopping for pinch-pleat curtains it is very important to remember that when you choose pleats that are fuller and larger in size, you will need more fabric in order to make your new drapes. This can greatly increase the overall cost of your new drapes. Use clips to hang your new curtains and maintain their pleats.

So by now, you have definitely made up your mind to give a new look to your house. Do not wait anymore and visit Galaxy Design for the greatest collection of wonderful drapes to choose from.