Automated Shades

For new construction clients, we'll first meet in our office to have a general discussion about the type of shades; open roll, enclosed, coupled, dual cassette, etc.  We also discuss the purpose of each shade; sunlight control, privacy, energy efficiency, etc.  We then put together an estimate based on the locations requested and the window dimensions of each requested shade location.  Once the construction is in the "trim" stage, accurate measurements can be taken.  We will have one final meeting onsite.  This allows for the fabrics and finishes to be seen in the actual space for final revisions and approval.  Once the purchase order from the builder comes through with initial payment, lead times are generally 4-12 weeks.

For existing homes, our initial meeting will likely be onsite.  We will discuss the above-mentioned shade type considerations, take measurements, and select fabrics and finishes usually all in the same day.   Amp AV has portable demo kits and samples to make the selection and onsite estimation process easy.  Usually the shade estimate is done onsite with you.

Once the shades arrive, installation will take approximately 1 day per 8-12 shades.

Amp AV sees the bigger picture and actually makes it easier for you in the long run.  Our focus is not just shades, but the whole-home automation where one touch can activate an entire scene incorporating not just shades, but lights, fans, climate, music, TV, and more.  Use the native home control interface you already love rather than a fistful of remotes or separate app with yet another username and password to keep track of.  Our choice products are the not only elegant and quiet, but they are designed from the beginning to be integrated into the home's lifestyle technology.

We've been brought in on many projects with customers in the past who have purchased shades from a window treatment company.  Those companies don't carry the necessary licensing to connect the shades to a power source, so they would steer the client towards wireless battery-powered shades.  

In the instances when they do agree to provide wired shades, they do not connect the needed power supplies or line voltage connections (normal 120V power), causing more labor from a third party like us or an electrician to do that portion, none of which was included in the window treatment companies' quoted prices.  

Then, there's the finger pointing.  Who's responsible when the shade doesn't work?  It's cost us extra trips and expense only to prove to our customer that our end of the bargain was upheld and the shades were properly powered all the while.

*Updated Q4 2022

Keep in mind that we use only the top brands in luxury shades due to their ability to integrate with a whole-home automation system, for being ultra-quiet, and for lowering in sync with one another.

Let's take a common smaller window size we see a lot... 26" wide by 50" tall.  A battery powered shade would start at $800 or so (installed), and a wired version of the same shade would start at about $1,070.   The wired shade also has the added expense of the prewire and a power supply; roughly another $250-$350.

Depending on fabric choice and enclosed versus open roll, pricing will increase.  Larger windows and doors will of course be more as well.  A good general starting budget for shades would be around $1,500 per window and $2,500 per door.

There are lots more factors to consider, such as remote controls or keypads, wireless repeaters, and integrating with a home control system such as Savant or Control4.  Amp AV will help you determine the right package to suit your needs.

Wired is always preferred because it is a maintenance-free product once installed.  No charging lithium batteries every 6 months, or replacing NiCad batteries every 3 years.  This is especially important for really high-up windows and pocket shades.

Often times, the wired shades will offer more control, such as lowering to preset open/closed percentages.  There may be a mullion that the hem bar can align with at a specific point, creating a great scene for more natural sunlight coming through the lower portion of the window.

Make no mistake, wireless shades still control very nicely and are just as quiet.  Do not hesitate to have wireless shades installed in your existing home, because you will love them!

Not necessarily, no.  Sometimes the price difference between a battery powered shade and a wired shade is less than $100.  Then take into account the need for a remote control (at least $75) for the wireless shade, whereas a wired shade will likely be tied into your existing automation system and controlled by its corresponding user interface.  Also consider that the wireless-controlled shades will need repeaters and a gateway device to allow them to communicate with the home control system, which can cost $500 to $3,000+ depending on the size of the home.

Probably!  We have several ways of integrating most popular shade brands into a whole-home automation system so that you can enjoy schedules and scenes incorporating shade control.  If you haven't already purchased them, first you should confirm with us that they will be compatible with your system.

If you already have shades prewired, then almost certainly yes we can installed amazing zero-maintenance wired shades, provided that the wiring was run properly and is of the correct type or gauge.

If it were prewired you would likely see the wires hanging out of the wall above the doors/windows or in the jambs.  Also, there might be a power outlet in one of the upper corners of the window.

Yes, unfortunately.  Cutting walls and ceilings to retrofit the wiring would be very cost-prohibitive and not worth the effort unless your home is already undergoing a major remodel.