Motorized Blinds Installation: How to Install Motorized Blinds and Shades

Installing motorized blinds works like installing manual blinds: you screw the brackets into the window frame or wall and clip the headrail in. The extra steps come after mounting: power the motor, pair it with its remote or app, and test the full travel.

On Value Blinds motorized shades, you choose the motor when you order, so the steps below start with that choice.

Table of contents

1. Choose Your Motor Before You Install

2. What Tools Do You Need?

3. Inside Mount or Outside Mount?

4. How to Install Motorized Blinds, Step by Step

5. How Are Motorized Shades Powered?

6. Why Will My Motorized Shade Not Move?

7. Should You Hire an Installer?

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Choose Your Motor Before You Install

The motor decides what you need on install day: a remote, a hub, or a charger. These are the lift, motor, remote, and solar charger options on our zebra shade order form at the time of this update:

The remote is a separate choice on this form, so order one if you want to control the shade by remote. A multi-channel remote runs several shades from one handset. On our motorized faux wood blinds, the motorized lift is $176.80 extra and the remote is included.

What Tools Do You Need?

• Drill and drill bits

• Screwdriver

• Tape measure

• Pencil

• Level

• Step ladder

• Wall anchors, if the brackets go into drywall

• The remote, hub, or charger you ordered with the shade

Use the drill bit size and bracket spacing given in the instructions for your shade.

Inside Mount or Outside Mount?

An inside mount puts the shade inside the window frame. An outside mount puts it on the wall or trim above the window. Check the minimum depth on the product page before you choose inside mount. These are the minimums on the order forms we checked at the time of this update:

If your frame is shallower, choose outside mount. On the order form, inside mount takes the exact size of the opening, and outside mount takes the exact size of the finished shade.

How to Install Motorized Blinds, Step by Step

1. Unpack the shade.

2. Check that the brackets, screws, and any remote, hub, or charger are in the box.

3. Hold the headrail in place and mark each end with a pencil.

4. Mark the bracket positions near each end, using the spacing in your instructions.

5. Check the marks with a level.

6. Drill pilot holes at the marks.

7. Fit wall anchors if you are drilling into drywall.

8. Screw the brackets into the frame or wall.

9. Fit the center support bracket if your shade came with one, where the instructions show.

10. Clip the headrail into the brackets until it locks.

11. Power the motor as the instructions show.

12. Pair the motor with the remote, hub, or app.

13. Set the upper and lower stop positions, if your motor asks you to.

14. Run the shade up and down its full travel to test it.

For the bracket steps in more detail, see our guide to installing cordless blinds; the mounting is the same.

 

How Are Motorized Shades Powered?

Motorized shades run on one of three power sources: a rechargeable battery motor, a plug-in motor that runs from a wall outlet, or a motor hardwired into your home's electrical system. A hardwired motor is typically installed by an electrician. 

On our zebra shades, the order form offers an optional solar charger. Our Motorized Outdoor Windproof Sunshades with Side Rails use a heavy duty U.S. standard 120 volt motor that comes with a new plug included, so you need an outlet in the shade area or a plan to install one; see our guide to motorized outdoor shades with side tracks.

Why Will My Motorized Shade Not Move?

If none of these fixes it, contact our U.S.-based support team.

Should You Hire an Installer?

If you are comfortable using a drill and a level, a motorized shade is a do-it-yourself job. Consider a professional if you need a hardwired motor, have many windows, or are mounting high or wide shades. We offer professional measuring and installation across the U.S. through our partner, National Blinds Installation.

Browse all our motorized and smart shades.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you install motorized blinds?

Screw the brackets into the window frame or wall, clip the headrail in, then power the motor, pair it with its remote or app, and test the full travel.

Is installing motorized blinds harder than manual blinds?

The mounting is the same. The extra work is powering the motor, pairing the remote or hub, and setting the stop positions.

Do motorized blinds need an electrician?

Hardwired motors typically do. Battery and plug-in motors do not.

Do Value Blinds motorized shades come with a remote?

On our zebra shades, the remote is a separate option on the order form, from $15 at the time of this update. On our motorized faux wood blinds, the remote is included.

How are motorized shades powered?

By a rechargeable battery, a plug-in motor at a wall outlet, or a hardwired connection. Our zebra shades offer an optional solar charger.