How Long Do Motorized Blinds Last? Get the Most From Your Shades
Life’s a breeze with motorized window treatments
Imagine waking up to your morning alarm and watching your blinds rise to greet your face with sunshine. With proper installation and maintenance, motorized blinds could make this your reality for a decade or more. This guide will help you get the most out of your motorized window treatments and know when it’s time to replace them.
How Long Do Motorized Blinds Last?
On average, motorized blinds last about 5 to 10 years. But, with heavier use (meaning more than twice a day) or for south-facing windows, that timeframe may be shorter. Most of the time, you will simply need to replace the battery at the five- or 10-year mark without replacing the entire blinds themselves.
Factors Influencing How Long Motorized Blinds Lasts
Here are a few things that impact how long your blinds should last.
Usage
Like any other electronic device, the more often you use the blinds, the faster the motor will wear out. Try to limit the usage to morning and night to avoid burning it out faster than necessary. If your kids (or even you) take a lot of naps, consider investing in an eye mask—it’ll be cheaper than having to replace your motorized blinds.
Material
You can choose from a variety of materials for motorized shades, but vinyl (PVC) and polyester are the longest-lasting. Both are easy to clean and can withstand heavy usage, although the options will be more limited than fabric.
Battery
Depending on the model, motorized blinds can be powered by lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, or an outlet. Battery-powered options may die faster, especially if you don’t use good-quality batteries or replace them frequently.
Maintenance
Cleaning traditional blinds is one of the worst chores. Luckily, motorized blinds are often much easier to clean and maintain, requiring a simple dusting or vacuuming every few weeks of both the fabric and the electrical parts. If you let the dirt build up too long, it can impact its efficiency and operation.
Environment
Your home’s environment plays a role, too. If your blinds are exposed to direct sunlight or are south-facing, the material will likely wear out faster. Humidity and other extreme temperatures can also impact their lifespan.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Motorized Blinds
At some point, you’ll need to replace your motorized blinds. Here are some signs to look out for:
Slow raising and lowering: If you notice a significant change in the speed at which the blinds open and shut, the motor is likely wearing out.
Slats won’t close: Slats should be flush with one another while closed. If they’re not closing tightly, something may be wrong with the tilting mechanism.
Frayed edges: Damaged material isn’t just an eyesore—it can also be a safety hazard for your children or pets.
Bent slats: Warped slats can make it nearly impossible to open or close your blinds. If you’re not sure how to fix broken window blinds yourself, you’ll need to hire a pro to help before the issue gets too bad.
Out of date: If your motorized blinds have a cord, you should upgrade to a cordless model since corded blinds are now considered unsafe for children.
Fading: Faded blinds mean less privacy and energy efficiency. Replace them to snag the best benefits.
How to Increase the Lifespan of Motorized Blinds
There are a few ways you can maximize the lifespan of your motorized blinds and get the most bang for your buck:
Clean them often: Regularly dust all parts of the blinds, including the fabric, motor, tracks, and frame. Spot clean any issues immediately or hire a pro. The average blind cleaning cost is about $200, which is significantly cheaper than installing new blinds.
Limit usage: Most blinds are defined by “duty cycles,” which refer to how many lifts and lowers you can get out of a battery—so using it less will extend the lifetime.
Hire a professional for installation: While you could DIY the installation, hiring a local blind installation pro will ensure you pick the right material for the job and that everything operates smoothly.
Motorized Blinds Warranties
Motorized blinds often come with a warranty that protects a few components, like the motor and other control mechanisms. Your warranty may also cover workmanship, meaning if there’s an issue with the installation, the company will come back out and fix it without charging a secondary installation cost.
Don’t expect your warranty to cover the fabric or material. While some companies do cover this, most don’t.
Repairing vs. Replacing Motorized Blinds
Minor issues like a bent track can be fixed for much less than you’ll pay out of pocket for new blinds. But, for damaged fabric or motor issues, it may be more cost-effective to buy a new set instead. Motorized blinds cost between $400 and $600 on average, so if the repair is less than half the installation cost, it makes more sense to repair instead of replace.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest disadvantage of motorized blinds is that they are much more expensive than traditional blinds, both in terms of initial cost and potential repairs. They also require specialized maintenance and installation, meaning any issues will likely need professional support rather than tackling them on your own for free.
With average use, motorized blinds need to be recharged every 4 to 6 months. For blinds that are used less frequently, you may only need to recharge them every few years. It’ll take a few hours to charge the batteries fully, so plan the charging for a time when you don’t need to open or close the blinds—like while you’re asleep.
Motorized blinds are at least 10 times more expensive than traditional blinds, so they’re considered a luxury item. If your budget allows, motorized blinds are a convenient and energy-efficient way to add shade and appeal to your home. They’re also a great choice for those who need a more accessible window treatment option.
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