Easily convert your existing roller blinds into smart shades

Did you know you can quickly and easily convert your existing Roller Blinds into Smart Shades?  

Automate your home in just 15 minutes! Using your existing roller blinds, simply replace the chain drive with a motor. From there you can control your blinds via a remote control, your smartphone or use voice commands.  The benefits are endless including saving costs on your energy bills, instantly modernising your home, creating convenience and luxury all at the touch of a button! Read on to find out just how simple and cost effective it is to Retrofit motors into the Roller Blinds you already own! 

What are Smart Shades?

Smart shades, also known as smart blinds, motorised blinds or automated blinds are a type of roller blind that can be controlled remotely or through automation.  This is achieved by simply replacing the chain drive on your existing roller blinds with a Automate Li-ion rechargeable battery motor.

Why should you retrofit your blinds?

Keep the blinds you love

No need to replace your existing blinds.  Save time, money and reduce landfill by upgrading the roller blinds you already own!

Add value to your home

Instantly add convenience and luxury at the touch of a button for less.

Affordable Smart Home Integration

No hefty price tags here! And no need to buy new blinds. Create the ultimate settings and moods with smart home integration.  All you need to purchase is simply the motor and a couple of accessories such as a remote control and 1 x charger per household.  If you want to set timers, use voice control, or control your blinds from anywhere in the world via the free Automate App, add a Wifi hub to your cart.  That’s it!

Your iSeekBlinds Shopping list:

Automate Li-ion Battery Motors

Blind Widths 570mm – 1849mm – Li-ion Zero Motor Q1.1Nm $189

OR

Blind Widths 750mm – 3000mm – Select Li-ion Zero Motor Q2.0Nm $219

Motor Accessories

15 Channel Remote $89

Zero Wall Charger $45 (only 1 required per Household)

Wifi Hub $269 

Simple DIY Installation in under 15 minutes

To retrofit motors into your existing blinds all you need to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Remove your existing blind from its brackets
   1. Watch this handy 3 minute video to see just how easy it is. “How to Remove a Roller Blind

1. Pull out the chain drive from the end of the roller blind tube
   1. This video shows you How to  “Retrofit your Roller Blinds with Motors“
2. Place the motor into the end of the tube where the chain drive originally was
3. Click your blind back into the brackets
4. Program your remote
   1. This informative video details the process step by step “How to Program your remote control for your motorised roller blinds“

Time to install = Less than 5 minutes

Time to program your remote control = approx. 5 minutes

Multiple ways to control your blinds

1. Use your remote control – each remote comes with a handy wall panel magnetic holder, so you’ll always know where the remote is!  You can control each blind individually or group your blinds to control them all together.
2. Voice Control – Effortlessly control all of your blinds using your voice – “Hey Google / Alexa / Siri – Open the blinds”*
3. Download the Free Automate App – and control your blinds with your smartphone, either from your couch or from anywhere in the world*

* Requires a Wifi hub 

What are the benefits of Smart Shades?

Save on your energy bills

By motorising your roller blinds and integrating them with your smart home devices, your home will become more energy efficient.  Set your blinds to go down during the day to keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter.  Smart home automation will greatly assist in reducing your energy usage, delivering savings back to the house hold.

Create your own schedule

When you retrofit your existing blinds with motors, there will be no more time & effort wasted walking around the house to each individual blind, manually pulling on the chain to control your blinds.  Simply press a button and watch all your blinds go up or down at the same time! Conveniently schedule your blinds to open in the morning – wake up to natural sunlight! Automatically close your blinds at night, to give you privacy when darkness falls.  Your schedule, your way!

High or hard to reach Windows?

Now you can easily open and close your hard to reach blinds at the touch of a button or a simple command.

Safe for Children

By removing unwanted chains, you remove all the risk of harm for your little ones and fur babies

Aesthetical Appeal

By removing unsightly chains, you will instantly improve the aesthetic appeal of your windows, with a streamlined, neat & hidden presentation.

Improve Home Security

Going on a holiday?  Away for work? Set up your automation to open and close the blinds whilst you are away to give the impression you are home.

Impress your friends

Revel in their envy as your friends and family marvel at your amazing motorised blinds. Accept their compliments as to just how clever you are to have done it yourself in under 15 minutes and for such an affordable price point.  Oh and then send them to our website so they can motorise their blinds too!

Modernise your home for less 

So there you have it!  For a couple of ‘green backs’ or just a few ‘pineapples’ you can modernise your home by retrofitting motors into your existing roller blinds in under 15 minutes! 

Next Steps to convert your blinds into Smart Shades

Exisiting iSeekBlinds Customers

If your existing blinds were originally purchased from iSeekBlinds, then retrofitting your motors is a piece of cake and as easy as you have just learnt by reading this article.

If your blinds were purchased elsewhere, simply book in for a chat with Mike and he can determine which crown and wheel you will need to fit your motor into your existing roller blind tube.

Incompatible Roller Blind?

No Problem! At iSeekBlinds, we also have a unique solution if your tubes are incompatible.  Select the Retrofit B option.  This involves purchasing a new roller blind tube cut to size. Then using our trademark Retrofit Jig, you can remove your existing fabric and simply attach onto the new tube.  Retaining your existing roller blind fabrics and enabling your motor to easily slide in.  Job Done.  It’s super easy!  Watch this video to learn more –  “How to Motorise your existing Roller Blinds – Type B”

More Info

Click here to learn how to get started today!

Read our Product Reviews or Google Reviews to see just how happy our customers are with their motorised blinds!

Let us show you! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in for a chat with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

If you’re considering adding motorised blinds to your home, this guide will walk you through the process of choosing the perfect option for your space.

If you’ve been following us at iSeekBlinds or are a past or current customer, you’ll know we are huge fans of motorised and automated blinds and curtains.

These intelligent window treatments offer convenience, energy efficiency, and a touch of luxury that elevates any home. If you’re considering adding motorised blinds to your home, this guide will walk you through the process of choosing the perfect option for your space and ensure a smooth integration into your home.

So, let’s get started!

Assess Your Needs and Requirements.

Before launching into the world of motorised blinds, take some time to assess your needs and requirements. Consider factors such as the size and type of windows you have, the amount of natural light you wish to control, and your specific interior style. Are you looking for privacy, energy efficiency, or simply convenience? Understanding your priorities will help you make informed decisions during the selection process.

Decide which windows in your house you want to motorise.

Motorised blinds can be particularly handy on specific windows of your home. Think about:

• Large or hard-to-reach windows: Motorised blinds are an excellent choice for windows that are difficult to access manually, such as windows in high-ceiling areas or stairwells. With motorised blinds, you can easily adjust them with a remote control or smartphone app without the need for a step stool or ladder.
• Windows facing north or west: Motorised blinds can be highly beneficial if your home has windows that receive intense sunlight at certain times. You can program the blinds to automatically close during peak sun hours, preventing excessive heat gain and protecting your furniture and interior from UV damage.
• Multiple windows in living areas: For rooms with multiple windows, like living rooms and dining areas, motorised blinds offer the convenience of operating the blinds simultaneously without having to adjust each blind individually.
• Bedroom windows: Motorised blinds can be particularly advantageous in bedrooms, as they allow for convenient adjustments from the comfort of your bed. Pre-programming the blinds to open gradually in the morning can simulate a natural wake-up experience, helping you start your day feeling refreshed.
• Windows in media rooms or home theatres: Motorised blinds are ideal for media rooms or home theatres where light control is crucial. With a single command, you can darken the room and eliminate glare on the screen, creating a perfect movie-watching environment.
• Windows in homes with children or pets: For families with young children or pets, motorised blinds with cordless operation enhance safety by eliminating the risk of entanglement.

Choose your power option.

Motorised blinds are either hard-wired into your home’s electricity source, or operated via battery power. At iSeekBlinds, we use rechargeable, ultra quiet, lithium-ion battery motors that are completely wire-free, for a few simple reasons:

• Easy and quick installation: you don’t need an electrician to install battery-powered motorised blinds and they are easy to DIY install!
• Micro USB charging: Quickly and conveniently charge the motor with any micro USB cable charger.
• Battery check action: Easily check battery level with one touch of the remote, moving the shade to indicate battery percentage.
Great for small spaces: Our wire-free motors are perfect for small to medium shade applications.
• Easy to retrofit: The Zero Li-ion Series can be retrofit onto existing smaller roller blinds from 580mm wide up to medium-sized 3 metre wide blinds, and even longer when used in conjunction with a linking solution.
• Affordable price point: Our motors are much more affordable than hard-wired motors, and you save money on professional installation as well. Winning!

Consider your fabric options.

Motorised blinds come in various materials and fabrics, suitable for different rooms and situations. Depending on your style preferences and functional requirements, choose from blockout, light filter or sunscreen fabrics. Remember that the fabric you select will influence the blinds’ appearance, durability, insulation properties, and the level of light control.


Visit our roller blind fabrics page to check out your options and order free samples.

Integration with Smart Home Systems.

Ensure that the motorised blinds you choose are compatible with your existing smart home system or the one you plan to install. Popular options like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit offer seamless integration, allowing you to control the blinds with voice commands or through a smartphone app.

Our roller blind motors can be integrated into your home automation system via the Automate app. Find out more about how it all works here.

Professional vs. DIY Installation

At iSeekBlinds, we are all about empowering our customers to DIY!

While some motorised blinds require professional installation for optimal performance and safety – others, like our motorised blinds – can be installed as a DIY project.

Our handy how-to videos and guides take you through the measuring and installation process, showing you just how easy it is. Visit our how-to guides or our YouTube channel to learn more.

But if you need help or have any questions, you can book a free 30 minute video consultation with our Founder and resident DIY expert, Mike Gubby.

Motorisation Features.

Explore the various motorisation features available, such as wall switches, remote controls, or smartphone apps. Some advanced systems—like the ones we recommend—also offer timers, sun sensors, or voice-activated control.

Choose the features that align with your lifestyle and preferences to maximise the convenience of your motorised blinds.

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Adding motorised blinds to your home is a valuable investment that enhances comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency. By following our ultimate guide, you can be confident when choosing the perfect motorised blinds for your space and ensure a smooth installation process.

What next?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best.

So, if you’ve got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

Motorise and automate your roller blinds with ease.

Several years ago, we were thrilled to be one of the first in Australia to bring motorised blinds to the online DIY market. Motorised roller blinds are extremely popular as they bring ease and convenience to everyday living. However, many of us are now choosing to take the extra step and automate our blinds via a home automation system. This integration creates the ultimate in convenience and luxury—hello smart blinds! —enabling us to use voice control or set up personalised routines via scenes and timers.

Smart blinds are the way of the future and easily within your reach. In this article we explain the benefits of integrating your blinds with your smart home system, how to go about it and how we can help.

What are the benefits of smart home automation?

Convenience, comfort, safety and energy management top the list as the most desired benefits of smart home automation.

Increased savings with reduced energy consumption

By motorising your blinds and integrating them with your smart home devices, your house will become more energy efficient. Set your blinds to go down during the day to keep the house cool in summer, and warm in winter. Smart Home Automation will greatly assist in reducing your energy usage, delivering savings back to the household.

Convenience & ease

Automating your blinds adds convenience to everyday living at the touch of a button or a simple voice command. Set all your blinds to go down as you leave the house or to open when you get up in the morning. High windows? No problem. Easily open and close your blinds on hard-to-reach windows whenever you want.

Comfort

Set the mood for comfortable living in your home:

• Beautiful morning outside? Say the word and watch all your blinds go up at once to reveal the world.
• Hot afternoon sun coming in and heating the house? Simply command your blinds to go down.
• Cold day? Set your blinds to go down at the same time the heaters go on.
• Watching a movie? Ask for the sunscreen blinds to come down to remove the glare from the comfort of your couch.

Safety

Going on holiday? Set up your automation to open and close the blinds whilst you are away (also incorporating your lights turning on/off) to give the impression that someone is home.

What technology do we use?

At iSeekBlinds, we use market leading Automate technology from Rollease Acmeda. We have plenty of information and resources available on our website, including a series of how-to videos which explain each product and the set-up processes involved. 

You can also visit the Rollease Acmeda website here for further information. 

How to automate your blinds with iSeekBlinds

Motorising and automating your blinds is easy! We explain all the steps on our website, but here are the answers to some common FAQs:

How do I add motors to my new roller blinds?

Simply select “motor” as your blind control method when placing your order online. Our website will automatically select the correct motor for your blind based on the width.

I want to motorise my existing blinds. Can I do that?

Upgrading your existing roller blinds to motorised blinds is easy with our retrofit program. Once you’ve determined that your blinds are compatible, simply order the parts you need from our website then make the switch! Find out more about the process here.

How do I control my new motorised blinds?

Controlling motorised blinds is easy using the Automate Paradigm remote. The same remote can control single or multiple blinds in different zones or within the same room. The 15-channel remote is simple to program and easy to use, and you can add it to your order as you complete the buying process. FInd out more here.

How do I add my blinds to my home automation system?

To control your blinds via home automation, you will need the Automate Pulse 2 Wifi Hub. This hub connects to home networks to unlock the luxury of automated blinds. Experience customisation with scene and timer options as well as voice control via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit. Find out more about the Pulse2 hub here.

How do I set up the Pulse 2 Wifi Hub in my home?

The Pulse 2 hub is a wireless controller for all motorised blinds in your home with a range of up to 30 meters. For the best results, the manufacturer recommends:

• Medium to large homes will require more than one WiFi hub to control all blinds.
• For an average sized 4 bedroom single-level home we suggest a 2-hub set-up for uninterrupted coverage.
• If you have a second story it is recommended to install an additional hub on this floor to ensure a consistent signal is sent to all your motorised blinds.
• Larger properties may require up to 5 WiFi hubs. 

For more information, please visit our website here or view the manufacturers handbook here.

Set-up of the WiFi hub is easily done using the Automate app:

• You are in complete control of your smart blinds; can personalise daily routines, organise and group your blinds and automate your window coverings with Automate Scenes and Timers.
• The Pulse 2 allows your blinds to adapt to your day and move with your climate, schedule, and preference, completely autonomously.
• Simply set your preferred daily routines and watch your blinds do the rest.
• Automate blinds can also shift with the movement of the sun, with the built-in sunrise/sunset feature, ensuring optimal, automatic sunlight and privacy control.

Motorising your blinds and curtains will enable you to take home living to the next level adding ease, convenience and comfort; and bring a touch of luxury to your everyday living. By integrating them with your smart home devices, not only will it greatly assist in reducing your energy usage but prepare your home for the future. And, you’ll be surprised at just how affordable it is too!

So go ahead – open up your world of possibilities! We are here to help, and have the right products, solutions, and information to guide you on your automation journey.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

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*Image credits: Rollease Acmeda & iSeekBlinds
Visit their website for more information