Why you need to consider window coverings early in the building process.
Most people near the end of the homebuilding or remodeling process and start to think about what they’ll use to cover their windows. With so many options available, it is extremely wise to discuss what style and operating system you want, early in the process, before walls are covered up.
More and more homeowners want their shades to work with a home automation or a voice activated system. These are great options but if you wait until the opportunity passes to pre-wire for this, you will be buying batteries in bulk. Yes there are rechargeable options out there but if you have 20-30 shades in your home, that is a lot of shades to charge.
If you plan ahead, your builder can discuss with your window coverings provider how to pre-wire your windows/sliding door areas for automated shade products so you won’t have to change batteries. Once the walls are covered up and pre-wiring cannot be done, you can still add an outlet near windows to plug into but obviously this can be an eyesore if you don’t have a way to hide an outlet.
Other reasons to have this discussion early in the building process is window depth, the trim around the windows and tilt in functions of your windows. The majority of homeowners want shades, blinds or shutters fully recessed in their window depth. When this is not discussed, the builder may build your home in such a way and trim out the windows and leave no depth or only 1” to where no window covering can be fully recessed. At this point, you are either really limited in what product you can have or your product has to be mounted outside of the window, on your trim. Many owners, love the trim and the detail that is included and don’t want shutters or shades to cover this.
If you’re considering plantation shutters and you want them fully recessed inside your windows, you need to have a minimum of 3.5” depth and know that many shutter frames will block the tilt in function of your windows.
If you do want motorized shades, pre-wired for your home, talk with your window coverings provider early in the process to at least get the wiring in the windows in the right place. Color and styles can be selected later in the process but getting the wiring in is crucial.
NOTE: large shades and /or especially over sliding doors, the motors used for these is often 110 and not low voltage so an outlet is needed or the ability for the wiring to run behind the walls to an area where a transformer can be plugged in.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We’re here to make sure you get the most functional & decorative products for your windows.