If you have ever watched afternoon sun pour across your living room in July and wished the shades would just lower themselves, this post is for you. Automated window shades do exactly that. Julie here from Made in the Shade Virginia Beach, and I’m going to walk you through how they work, what they do for a Virginia Beach home, and what to expect when you add them.
At Made in the Shade Virginia Beach, we handle everything. We measure, we help you choose, and our installation team puts it all in. We carry motorized blinds for home from Graber, Norman, Alta, Insolroll, and Horizons. And yes, We’ll Bring The Showroom To You! Start with a free in-home consultation.
What Are Automated Window Shades, and Why Do Virginia Beach Homeowners Want Them?
Automated window shades are custom shades with a small motor that raises and lowers them for you. You can run them with a remote, a phone app, a schedule, or your voice. You will also hear them called motorized blinds or smart shades.
Virginia Beach summers are bright, hot, and humid. That makes shades that move on their own a very practical upgrade. Here is what homeowners tell us they love most:
- Hands-free convenience: Raise or lower every shade with one tap or a voice command.
- Sun protection: Schedule shades to lower before the afternoon sun hits your floors and furniture.
- Privacy and security: Close shades at sunset, whether you are home or away.
- Safer homes: No dangling cords or chains around kids and pets.
- A clean look: No cords means simple lines and a tidy window.
Those are the main benefits of motorized blinds. You can also pair them with automated roller shades or solar shades to cut glare without losing your view.
How Do Automated Shades Work With Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit?
Most automated shades connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, depending on the motor system we choose for your home. Once they are connected, you can say “Alexa, lower the living room shades” and they move. You can also set a schedule in an app and forget about it.
For example, your shades can open with your morning alarm. They can lower when the sun is strongest. They can close at sunset for privacy.
Power is the other big choice. Some shades run on a rechargeable battery. Some have a small solar panel. Others are wired into your home. During your consultation, we look at your windows, your outlets, and your Wi-Fi coverage. Then we pick the system that fits. You can read more on our motorized blinds and shades page.
Which Shade Styles Can Be Automated?
Almost every style we carry can be motorized. The right one depends on the room, the light, and your taste.
Roller Shades
Roller shades are the most popular choice for automation. They look clean and simple. Pair them with a UV-blocking fabric to reduce glare and heat.
Dual and Zebra Shades
Dual and zebra shades use alternating bands of sheer and solid fabric. When the bands line up, you get privacy. When they shift, you get soft light. A motor makes those changes easy.
Sheer Shades
Sheer shades let natural light glow through while protecting your rooms from UV rays. With a motor, you can tilt the vanes to get just the light you want. You never touch a cord.
Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are also called honeycomb shades. Their pockets of trapped air add a layer of insulation at the window. Automating them makes it easy to use that insulation at the right time of day.
Natural Woven Shades
Woven wood shades bring warm, natural texture to a room. They are available with motorization, so you get that organic look with modern ease.
Shutters
Yes, even shutters can be motorized. Norman and Graber shutters are available with motorized tilt. It is a great fit for windows that are hard to reach.
Not sure which style fits your home? Julie can bring samples to you and show you how each one looks in your own light. Request a free consultation and we will set a time that works for you.
Can Automated Shades Help With Virginia Beach Heat and Energy Costs?
They can help. Shades that lower during the hottest part of the day block direct sun, so your air conditioner does not have to work as hard. Results depend on which way your windows face, the shade style, and the fabric you choose.
A simple schedule works well for many homes:
- Open in the morning to let in natural light and warmth.
- Lower during the hottest part of the day, especially on west-facing windows.
- Close at sunset for comfort and privacy.
Lowering shades before the sun hits also protects hardwood floors, rugs, and furniture from fading. That is a big deal in a sunny coastal climate. For the best insulation, look at cellular shades. You can find more ideas on our energy efficient options page.
Are Automated Shades Safe for Homes With Kids and Pets?
Yes. Automated shades are cordless, so there are no loops or chains for little hands or curious pets to grab. Cords on window coverings are a known strangulation risk. Motorized shades remove that risk completely.
The Window Covering Safety Council shares helpful guidance on cord safety. You can also read our page on child safety for windows. Our installation team mounts every shade securely, so it works the way it should from day one.
Where Do Automated Shades Work Best in a Virginia Beach Home?
They work in every room. Here is how we usually match them to the home:
- Bedrooms: Blackout shades that rise with your alarm.
- Living rooms: Filtered light and UV protection on a schedule.
- Home offices: Less screen glare through the workday.
- Bathrooms: Privacy at the touch of a button. We will point you to fabrics that handle humidity.
- High windows: No more ladders or poles.
- Sunrooms and screened porches: Motorized outdoor shades that block sun and add privacy.
The style of your home matters too. In oceanfront homes in Sandbridge and the North End, there is often a lot of glass. Clean solar roller shades on a timer cut glare and keep the view. In newer homes around Town Center and Kempsville, open floor plans have many windows in one sightline. Matching automated shades that move together give the whole space a polished look.
In established neighborhoods like Great Neck and Bay Colony, traditional homes often look best with shutters. Motorized tilt is a nice option for the hard-to-reach windows.
Which Brands of Automated Shades Does Made in the Shade Virginia Beach Carry?
We carry motorization-ready products from several trusted manufacturers:
- Graber window treatments
- Norman shutters
- Alta Window Fashions
- Insolroll exterior shades
- Horizons natural woven shades
Because we are not tied to one brand, we can match the right shade and motor to your windows. Most products also come with a limited lifetime manufacturer warranty.
What Happens at a Free In-Home Consultation?
We are locally owned and operated by Julie and James Boswell. That means you get the personal attention of a small business. Here is how it works:
- Schedule a free in-home consultation.
- Look at samples with a design expert, right in your own light.
- We take precise measurements and give you a detailed quote.
- Our professional installation team puts everything in place.
You do not have to measure, order, or install anything yourself. We take care of it all.
Automated Window Shades: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of motorized window coverings?
Motorized window coverings make daily life easier. They raise and lower with a tap, a voice command, or a schedule. They also help protect your furniture from sun fading, add privacy, and remove dangling cords. For many Virginia Beach homeowners, the biggest win is not having to think about the shades at all.
Can I control automated window shades with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit?
Yes, in most cases. Many motor systems work with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. We will confirm which one fits your setup during your consultation, so you know it works before anything is ordered.
Can automated shades run on a schedule when I am away from home?
Yes. You can set shades to open and close at set times, even when no one is home. This is popular with vacation homeowners and rental owners. It protects furnishings from sun and makes the home look lived in.
Do automated shades work during a power outage?
It depends on the power source. Battery-powered shades do not rely on your home’s outlets. During your consultation, we explain how each system behaves in an outage and help you choose the right one.
Are automated shades worth it for a Virginia Beach home?
For many homes, yes. Strong sun, hot summers, and lots of glass make automation useful every day. They are especially handy for large windows, high windows, and sunrooms. Julie can look at your space and tell you honestly where they make sense and where they do not.
Does Made in the Shade Virginia Beach install automated shades in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Suffolk?
Yes. We serve Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and the surrounding Hampton Roads area. We bring samples to your home and our own installation team does the work.
Ready to Upgrade to Automated Window Shades in Virginia Beach?
If you are ready to stop adjusting shades by hand and let your home take care of itself, let’s talk. Ready to see how it looks in your home? Request your free in-home consultation with Made in the Shade Virginia Beach. We will bring the samples to you, in your own light, so you can make the right choice before anything is ordered.
We’ll Bring The Showroom To You! Book online at madeintheshadevb.com/free-consultation/ or call Julie directly at (757) 563-3372.
Made in the Shade Virginia Beach is locally owned and operated by Julie and James Boswell, serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and the Hampton Roads area.
By Julie Boswell, Made in the Shade Virginia Beach — locally owned and operated, serving Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads
