Motorized window treatments are one of those upgrades people don’t expect to use as much as they do — until they have them, and suddenly they can’t imagine reaching for a cord again. But there’s one decision that has to be made early, often before you’ve picked out a single shade. Miss that window (literally), and your best option is off the table for good.
If you’re building a new home or planning a major remodel in the Sevierville or Knoxville area, here’s what you need to know about hardwiring motorized shades before the drywall goes up.
First, the honest answer depends on whether you’re building or already moved in
Existing home: Unless you’re ready to open up finished walls, you really have two choices — plug-in or battery. Battery is the simplest to install and the easiest to hide, and today’s rechargeable battery options mean you’re not buying replacement batteries down the road. For most existing homes, that’s exactly what we recommend.
New construction: If you’re building and even considering motorized window treatments, we tell every homeowner the same thing — hardwire. It’s the cleanest, most reliable, most future-proof option, and it’s only truly on the table while the walls are still open.
What hardwiring actually involves
While the electrician is wiring the house — before insulation and sheetrock go up — they run a 16/2 wire from each window as a “homerun” back to one designated location. That spot is usually a closet or somewhere out of the way but easy to access, with an outlet nearby to plug in the control box that runs the system.
One piece of advice we give everyone: wire every window you might ever want to motorize, not just the ones you’re sure about today. Running an extra wire during construction costs almost nothing. Adding it later means opening up a finished wall.
Battery, plug-in, or hardwired — a quick rundown
- Battery: Easiest to install, easiest to hide, no wiring required. Rechargeable options avoid replacement batteries. Best fit for existing homes.
- Plug-in / transformer: Powered from a nearby wall outlet. It works, but you’re managing a visible cord or transformer at the window.
- Hardwired: Clean, permanent, nothing to recharge, no visible cords, and the most reliable of the three. Only practical to install during construction.
All of our suppliers offer some form of motorization, whether battery or transformer. Our flagship for hardwired systems — and the most up-to-date technology we carry — is Hunter Douglas, with a product range large enough to fit almost any window in your home.
The mistake we see all the time
Here’s the scenario that plays out over and over: a homeowner falls in love with the idea of motorized shades — but doesn’t call until after the drywall is already up. By then hardwiring is off the table, and they’re left trying to figure out how to hide wiring or settling for battery when a cleaner solution was right there a few weeks earlier.
Usually it isn’t the homeowner’s fault. The contractor didn’t know to ask the right questions, or window treatments were the last thing on the list before move-in. Either way, once the walls are closed, the decision has been made for you.
Bring us in early — that’s the whole point
The best projects start with a conversation in our showroom and continue with a visit to the jobsite, where we meet with the homeowner, contractor, and electrician together to make sure everyone is on the same page about hardwiring. We show exactly where everything needs to mount and what the electrician needs to run, and we make sure that information gets to both the homeowner and the contractor.
The single best thing you can do is simple: call us as early in the build process as possible. The sooner we’re involved, the more options you keep.
Planning a build or remodel? Let’s talk before the walls close
If you’re building or remodeling in Sevierville, Knoxville, or the surrounding area and motorized window treatments are anywhere on your wish list, reach out before the drywall goes up. Visit our Sevierville showroom or call our office at (865) 908-6935 to set up a consultation — we’ll make sure your home is wired and ready for whatever you want to add now or later.