Hunter Douglas PowerView Blinds & Shades

There are basically two power forms available for motorized window coverings, line voltage (110 volt) and low voltage. For years it was simple. Line voltage is sent to a motor at one polarity to turn the motor one way and then reverse the polarity to turn the motor the other way. This still works and is used widely. There are many different ways to control the polarity to the motor from simple toggle switches with four wire set-ups to radio frequency switches. Line voltage motors get the job done especially when large/heavy shades and drapes need to be moved. There are many negative sides to line voltage:

• Requires a licensed electrician to run the wire
• The switching is set at install and cannot be changed without extensive re-wiring
• Grouping is set at install and cannot be changed without extensive re-wiring and expensive line voltage group controllers installed, etc.

In the last 5 years or so, in response to the many headaches of line voltage shade systems, low voltage technology has improved ten-fold. The major drawback to low voltage shade systems was their inability to move large or heavy window coverings. That day is over. There, of course, are limits to how much a low voltage system can manage however, the limitations are now the exception. The advantages of a low voltage system far outweigh any negatives:

• Does not require licensed line voltage electricians for wiring
• They are quiet and some brands almost silent
• Switching can be changed at anytime during or after install
• Grouping can be changed at any time during or after install
• Groups can be one or infinity number of shades and can be changed at any time
• Can be easily integrated into home automation systems at any time
• Can be controlled with wall switches, Infra-Red (IR), Radio-Frequency (RF), Contact Closure, or RS232

How to pre-wire properly for low voltage window coverings (and why you shouldn’t rely on your low voltage integrator to get it right) – The most significant difference, and the one creating most of the problems we see today, is that wiring for low voltage window covering systems is completely different than for line voltage shades and there is no standardized system (yet) between manufacturers. Like home automation systems, there are many brands and they are all different and all have different requirements. This is where we come in and can help you. We have spent years learning all of the emerging systems and know which one will work best for which application and how best to install the system from beginning to end so that the end user receives the exact performance they were expecting.

Actually, there isn’t much that can’t be motorized. Let’s look at the most popular products and their options.

• Designer Roller Screens
• Blackout/Opaque Duettes®
• Silhouettes®
• Vignettes®
• Roman Shades
• Duettes® Honeycomb Shades
• Custom Roman Shades
• Drapery & Luminettes®
• Blinds Tilt Only
• Blinds Tilt and Lift

Where to use Line Voltage(110 V)

• Outdoor Shades
• Awnings
• Large Indoor Roller Screens and shades

Trying not to be too brash about it, call us first! Too many times now we have received a call from a new home owners, remodeler, or builder asking us to come out and help them order hardwired PowerView shades now that they are almost done with the project. Nine times out of ten we have to be the bearers of bad news and explain that what they want is not possible with what they have already done. We can make it work however; their will have to be major compromises or major remodeling done (walls cut open, new wiring pulled, etc.) in order to deliver what they are looking for. If they had only consulted us in the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened. PowerView shades can be ordered with individual battery packs that will be visible from the exterior of the home through the window glass.