Modern home gadgets like motorized shades, blinds that work on their own, nifty window cleaning gizmos, and smart glass stand out with top-notch user-friendly designs. These cleverly crafted devices are made to boost how you experience your windows at home.
These devices can help reduce energy consumption, increase security, and improve air quality in your home while offering the convenience that smart home devices deliver with voice and remote control.
In this guide, I explore 13 smart home devices designed specifically for windows, the benefits they offer, and discuss the companies leading the charge in each field.
1. Smart Blinds
Smart blinds are motorized window coverings that can be remotely controlled via a smartphone app or through voice commands using a smart home hub.
These blinds can be set to open and close automatically based on a schedule, or you can adjust them manually as needed.
Some smart blinds are even designed to integrate with your home's temperature and lighting systems, maximizing energy efficiency.
Companies like Lutron and Somfy offer a range of smart blinds with options for remote control, automation, and integration with popular smart home systems.
2. Smart Shades
Similar to smart blinds, smart shades are innovative window coverings made from fabric or other materials, designed to be remotely controlled through a smartphone app, voice commands via a smart home hub, or even through smart home automation systems.
These shades can be programmed to raise and lower automatically based on a schedule, in response to room temperature, or the position of the sun, ensuring optimal natural light and temperature control.
Smart shades are available in a variety of styles (such as roller, cellular, roman, or sheer), colors, and materials to suit any decor and can be customized to fit windows of different shapes and sizes.
In addition to Lutron and Somfy, Hunter Douglas is another prominent company in the smart shades market, offering a wide range of products.
3. Smart Curtains & Drapes
Smart curtains and drapes add a touch of luxury to your home. These motorized drapes can be controlled through a smartphone app or voice commands and can be set to open and close based on schedules, weather conditions, or room occupancy.
They can also be integrated with your home's lighting and temperature control systems for added convenience and energy savings.
Companies such as Somfy and SwitchBot produce smart curtain solutions that allow for easy automation and seamless integration with various smart home platforms.
4. Automatic Window Openers & Closers
Automatic window openers and closers can be retrofitted to existing windows or installed during a new build. These devices allow you to open and close your windows remotely, making it easy to let in fresh air or keep your home secure. Many models are compatible with smart home systems, offering seamless integration with other devices.
They are very useful when retrofitting a home for people with reduced mobility. Velux and Olide are leading manufacturers of automatic window openers and closers.
5. Smart Plantation Shutters
Smart plantation shutters are an elegant window treatment that combines the classic look of traditional plantation shutters with modern smart technology.
These shutters feature adjustable louvers that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app, voice commands through a smart home hub, or even integrated into smart home automation systems.
Smart plantation shutters allow you to regulate the amount of natural light entering your home, provide privacy, and improve energy efficiency by insulating your windows.
They are available in a variety of materials, such as wood, faux wood, and composite, and can be customized to match your home's decor and color scheme.
Companies like Hunter Douglas and Norman offer smart plantation shutters with a range of design options and smart features, ensuring an ideal solution for any home.
6. Motorized Roller Shutter
Motorized roller shutters are a robust and practical exterior window treatment designed to provide enhanced security, insulation, and privacy for your home.
While more suited to commercial properties, these shutters are equipped with motorized systems that allow you to raise and lower them remotely via a smartphone app, voice commands, or through smart home automation.
Some models even come with built-in sensors that can detect harsh weather conditions or attempted break-ins, triggering the shutters to close automatically for added protection.
In addition to their security benefits, motorized roller shutters can also help improve your home's energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer through windows, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
They are available in a range of materials, such as aluminum, steel, or PVC, and can be customized to fit different window sizes and architectural styles.
Companies like Somfy, Assa Alboy, and Rollashield offer a variety of motorized roller shutter options, with advanced features and seamless integration with popular smart home systems, providing you with convenience, comfort, and peace of mind.
7. Smart Glass
Smart glass, also known as switchable glass, can change its transparency or tint in response to an electrical current. This technology allows you to control the amount of light and heat entering your home, reducing energy costs and increasing privacy. Some smart glass options can even be controlled using a smartphone app or smart home hub.
Industry leaders like View and SageGlass produce smart glass solutions that dynamically adjust their tint levels for optimal energy efficiency and user comfort.
8. Robot Window Cleaners
Keeping your windows clean can be a daunting task, especially for larger homes. Robot window cleaners use suction and smart navigation technology to clean your windows efficiently and safely, requiring minimal effort from you.
Ecovacs and Hobot are well-known manufacturers of robot window cleaners, offering innovative robotics and advanced cleaning features for a streak-free finish!
9. Glass Break and Window Contact Sensor
Window sensors provide added security and peace of mind by monitoring your windows for any unauthorized openings or breakages. They can either be vibration sensors to detect glass breaking or contact sensors for window openings.
When integrated with a smart home system, these sensors can trigger alarms, send notifications to your phone, or even activate other smart devices in response to a breach.
Companies like Eve, GE, and Aqara produce window contact sensors while Ring and Simplisafe offer glass break sensors that tie into their security systems.
10. Window Trickle Vents
While not a smart product, in the Alexa or Siri sense, there have been a number of improvements in window trickle vents to increase ventilation and reduce heat loss.
Geneo Inovent has a window trickle vent that incorporates a heat exchanger to ensure no heat loss while preventing issues like mold and condensation. Titon has a mechanical trickle vent called “Vent Trex” that dramatically improves the airflow and is ideal in situations where you can’t vent out the wall.
11. Solar Windows
Solar windows offer an exciting and environmentally friendly way to harness the sun's energy.
By incorporating photovoltaic cells into the window glass, solar windows can generate electricity to help power your home.
This technology not only reduces your carbon footprint but also helps you save on energy bills.
SolarWindow Technologies and Physee are pioneering the development of solar windows, incorporating photovoltaic cells into window glass for clean, renewable energy generation.
12. Smart Window Lighting
Smart lights can be attached to or positioned around windows or window frames to enhance the ambiance of your home.
These smart lighting options can be customized to your preferences, with features such as adjustable color temperatures and brightness levels, allowing you to create a cozy atmosphere or energize your space.
Integrated with your smart home system, you can control smart window lighting with your voice, smartphone, or through automated schedules.
Philips Hue and LIFX offer a variety of lighting products for the smart home.
13. Window Security Cameras
Window security cameras provide an extra layer of protection for your home by monitoring the exterior of your property.
With features like motion detection, color night vision, and remote monitoring, these cameras can help deter potential intruders and notify you of any suspicious activity.
Many window security cameras also integrate seamlessly with your smart home system, allowing you to view live footage, receive alerts, and control the camera remotely.
An important thing to note when selecting a security camera to be attached to your window is infrared signals cannot pass through glass. So you will need to choose a camera that uses pixel-based motion detection as opposed to infrared. Also for night vision, you will need to disable the camera's infrared bulbs and have an external light source.
The Panasonic HomeHawk and Wyze Cam with Window mount are two cameras to check out.
Benefits of integrating smart devices into your home’s windows
Upgrading your home's windows with smart devices offers numerous benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, enhanced security, and better indoor air quality.
Smart blinds, shades, and glass optimizes natural light and regulates indoor temperature, lowering utility bills.
Window sensors and security cameras provide extra protection by alerting you to unauthorized access or suspicious activity.
Smart window trickle vents ensure proper ventilation and filters out pollutants, helping to maintain a healthy indoor environment.
Additionally, smart window lighting solutions create a customizable ambiance for any occasion, and integrating these devices with smart home systems offers convenience and control through voice commands, smartphone apps, or automated schedules.
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Citations
https://www.lutron.com/en-US/Products/Pages/ShadingSystems/SerenaShades/Overview.aspx
https://www.hunterdouglas.com/smart-automation
https://window.rehau.com/uk-en/smart-ventilation
https://www.titon.com/uk/products/ventilation-systems/extract_ventilation/vent-trex/