Automated Shutters: 8 Important Facts You Should Know

Automated shutters might sound appealing if you like the idea of controlling light and privacy in your room with the push of a button.

In this guide, we’ve taken a detailed look at remote control electric window shutters – otherwise referred to as ‘automated shutters’ and picked some key features and facts that are useful to know.

When you’ve finished reading, you’ll better understand whether automated shutters will be suitable for your home.

Table of contents

They can be programmed to suit your routines
They don’t require any electrical work
It is ideal for people with limited mobility
They work perfectly in hard-to-reach windows
Automated shutters cannot have exposed tilt rods
Automation can be added to any style of shutter
There is jam-detection built-in
They can still be controlled by hand
Automated Shutters: All the facts

1. They can be programmed to suit your routines

Look at a set of automated shutters; you could be forgiven for thinking they’re standard plantation shutters with remote control. While they can be angled with the touch of a button, there’s more to electric shutters than meets the eye!

Automated shutters can be programmed using your remote. You can choose specific times for your shutters to adjust to pre-programmed louvre positions.

This is a fantastic feature that means your house will effectively get itself ready for the day. When it’s time to get up – your shutters can automatically adjust to let the light in. When it’s time to settle down for the night, they can angle themselves with no input from you – meaning perfect privacy as the sun goes down.

Not only does this make mornings and evenings easier – but it also means your shutters will control themselves if you’re out of the house or on holiday. This is a fantastic way to make your house look occupied and less attractive to thieves.

2. They don’t require any electrical work

If you’re worried about having electrics installed in your home to power your motorised shutters – don’t panic.

Each shutter is powered by a discreet rechargeable lithium-ion battery hidden in the frame. You don’t have to worry about your batteries running down quickly either – an integrated solar strip helps extend battery life.

Rechargeable via mini USB, your efficient battery can quickly be removed and topped up if the sun hasn’t provided enough power! Don’t worry about frequently replacing your batteries either – this battery is generally suitable for around 2,000-3,000 charging cycles!

3. It is ideal for people with limited mobility

Electric shutters are a handy addition to anyone’s home – but they’re accommodating for the 10.4 million UK people with issues that limit their mobility.

Most able-bodied people take opening and closing window dressings for granted – but it can be extremely challenging or downright impossible if you have limited mobility.

By controlling your PowerMotion shutters remotely, you can make sure your privacy is protected and the light levels are just right, even if you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to reach your window dressings.

automated shutters are a handy addition to anyone's home

4. They work perfectly in hard-to-reach windows

Shutters are the perfect window dressing for any shape, size and location of a window – but when windows are exceptionally high or awkward to get to, adjusting your shutter louvres can be challenging. This is often the case with the following windows:

Skylights and Velux windows
Gable end windows
Transom windows over doors
Windows on staircases
Attic or loft windows
Dormer windows

With motorised shutters, there’s no need to overstretch or go to the shed for step ladders! With eight pre-programmed louvre positions, a quick touch of a button will mean your hard-to-reach windows offer the perfect balance of light and privacy.

5. Automated shutters cannot have exposed tilt rods

Traditional shutters have exposed ’tilt rods’ hanging in the middle of the louvres. A quick twist of this adjusts the angle of the slats – whereas shutters with ‘hidden’ or ‘silent tilt rods’ have louvres that are changed by hand.

The electric motors must be twinned with the silent tilt feature if you choose automated shutters. This usually isn’t a problem – but worth considering if you want the traditional look of an exposed tilt rod.

6. Automation can be added to any style of shutter

All our shutter materials and styles are suitable for use with automation.

This means there’s a perfect set of automated shutters for your home – no matter your interior design tastes or where your new shutters will be installed.

7. There is jam-detection built-in

If you’ve got children or pets in the house, automatically moving louvres might make you worried about curious fingers or paws getting trapped or hurt. Built-in jam-detection means you can rest easy, though.

Your shutters will stop moving if there is even any slight resistance – and you don’t have to worry about any parts being damaged; everything is designed with safety in mind.

8. They can still be controlled by hand

Not sure where your stylish remote control is? No problem – choosing automated shutters doesn’t mean you lose out on manual controls.

The manual override feature means you can still tilt the louvres by hand. Doing so won’t damage the louvres, the motors, the lithium-ion batteries, or any other part of the shutter hardware.

Automated Shutters: All the facts

As you can see – there’s some important information and considerations to be made if you’re considering motorised shutters for your home.

Hopefully, exploring this guide will give you all the facts you need to decide if they suit your property. If you’d like more information, we’re always happy to talk you through any element of automated shutters!