How Much do Motorized Blinds Cost?

The benefits are many: The ability to control your shades or blinds with the touch of a button. Freedom from unsightly cords that pose a risk to children and animals. Cost reductions on your home heating bills. Transforming your living room into a media room for the best middle school sleepover ever.

But first? You’ll want to know how much installing motorized blinds costs. In truth, the answer varies greatly depending on a variety of factors including the type of motor you select, the type of window treatment you choose, and the size and number of windows.

Here, we will provide examples by breaking down the cost of the different Somfy motors and examine what you need to consider when factoring in the costs of outfitting your home with motorized window treatments.

Motors

When it comes to choosing which motor will power your new motorized blinds, there are a variety of options to choose from. While motors on the lower end of that price range may at first seem like a steal, it is important to keep in mind that motorized blinds are an investment, enhancing your home’s comfort and livability. Investing the money upfront to purchase a quality motorized system can save you money, time, and headaches down the road.  

Often, motors that fall on the lower end of the spectrum have shorter warranties, more mechanical difficulties, and may even be louder. Somfy motors are built to last and to perform, which is why Somfy has been in the motor business for over 50 years. Before you invest in motorized window coverings for your home, make sure the company you’re purchasing from will be around next year. You’ll also want to research the warranty that accompanies your motor; Somfy motors are covered by a full five-year warranty, but this may not be the case with other products.

The price of motorized blinds and shades will vary, depending on whether they are battery, plug-in, or hard-wired. 

Before making your final decision, it is important to make sure that you have examined the technical capabilities of your selected motor, which will impact price, speed, and noise level. A good warranty is a strong indicator that the company stands by its product and suggests that, should you need assistance, the company will be there to help.

Somfy’s customer support team is always available at (800) 227-6639 to help with any technical issues you run into while enjoying life with your motorized window covering. If you notice a company has made it hard to discover customer support information, there might be a reason. 

Window Treatments

Since you are contemplating installing motorized blinds, chances are that you already understand your window treatments will be an investment in your home. As with your choice of motor, you have lots of window treatment options to choose from, and there are a number of factors that will impact how much these window treatments will cost.

With so many options, choosing your window treatment can be a challenge. If you are struggling to decide between blinds, shades, or curtains, try to identify the main needs that you expect your window treatments to solve. For example, cellular or honeycomb blinds help with energy efficiency and solar shades can reduce UV glare.

Below, we consider several factors that will impact how much you can expect to spend on your window treatments.

Materials

One of the main factors that impacts the cost of a window treatment is the material. Before making a decision, consider the tradeoffs between different materials. For example, real wood is one of the most expensive window treatment materials out there, but it can also add more value to a home and is more durable than faux wood or vinyl. Eco-friendly window treatment materials like bamboo or other woven fibers may also be more costly but add value if you are seeking to green your home.

Number and Size of Windows

In order to develop a sense of the cost of your window treatment project, you will first need to spend time measuring your windows. If you feel uncomfortable gathering the exact measurements, do not hesitate to contact a window treatment professional   -- measuring windows is all just a part of their daily business. Working with a professional window covering dealer is ideal, as they’ll be able to measure and install your new motorized window coverings correctly. 

However, if you are not afraid to get out your notepad and measuring tape to better estimate cost, here are a few guidelines to ensure that you are taking accurate measurements:

Use a metal tape measure. Soft measuring tapes that bend or fold will not provide you with the level of accuracy you are after.

Measure every window you plan to cover. Even windows that look identical to the eye can vary slightly in size.

Round to the nearest 1/8th”. This is where having a metal tape measure (and your glasses!) really comes in handy.

Notate measurements in width by height. It is very easy to flip those numbers around but doing so will cause many headaches down the line.

Keeping these guidelines in mind, it is time to take your window measurements. Once you know the width and height, you can begin to get a sense of the materials cost of your project. 

Below, is a sampling of pricing for battery embedded motorized shades based on geographical location and window treatment size. Prices may vary further depending on your fabric choice, type of window treatment you desire, special installations and modifications. Always check with your Somfy dealer for exact pricing. 

(Disclaimer: Prices set by dealers may vary and these prices are not representative of all dealers in all locations. Check with your Authorized Somfy Dealer for details.)

Installation Costs

While DIY is all the rage nowadays, some projects call for the expertise of a professional. Utilizing a professional dealer for motorized window coverings is a smart choice since the professional can walk you through every step of the process and ensure the whole project runs smoothly. While this will impact the cost of your project, most people feel that it is worth working with a professional so that the job is done right the first time. 

Professionals don’t just make sure your project is measured and installed correctly, they’re also great at helping you determine the specifics of your project along the way. They can let you know if a battery-powered or hard-wired option would work better for your space and can suggest what type of fabric will create a dark bedroom for sleeping or a light-filled living room. A Somfy dealer can help you avoid getting the wrong type of shade for your space and point you in the right direction to create the smart, stylish home of your dreams.

However, whether your budget is small or the sky's the limit, you’ll be able to find a solution that works for you to integrate motorized blinds into your home. And when you do, you will begin to enjoy your home in a whole new, smart, connected way!   

Ready to get started? Connect with a Somfy Dealer in your area!