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Graywind Motorized Shades: The Best Part of my Sunroom!

June 23, 2022 by Bre 8 Comments

A huge selling feature of our home was the sunroom or three-season room. When the weather is right, that room is paradise!

But, a big drawback of this southern and western-facing room is the intense sunlight at the end of the day. It was so bright (and hot) that the room became unusable. (Look at my poor pup panting in the heat! Don’t look at how dirty my windows were.)

Before installing Graywind motorized shades on these sunroom windows, the sun was so bright that the room became unusable at certain times of the day.

Thank you to Graywind for sponsoring this post. All information and opinions expressed herein are my own. In addition, this post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

With the addition of Graywind motorized shades in my sunroom, everything changed! These rechargeable, remote-controlled motorized roller shades give us the light we want (when we want it), and the shade and privacy we want and need at other times.

Plus, Graywind blinds were named among the best motorized shades by Bob Vila, so you don’t have to take my word for it! (I feel like I’m on Reading Rainbow with that line- ha!)

After installing Graywind motorized shades, this sunroom became so much more temperature controlled and useable, even when the sun is at its brightest.

Whether or not you have a sunroom, I bet you have a room that gets too much light for your liking, that has hard-to-reach or extra tall windows, or that could use some extra privacy. Keep reading because you’re going to find the perfect spot for motorized shades of your own!

Motorized Shades Installation

Before finding out about Graywind’s motorized shades, I considered hanging curtains, but didn’t like how much of the view they’d block. Then I looked into having shades installed, but didn’t like the price tag.

When I discovered that I could install these motorized shades myself and save thousands of dollars, I was sold.

Plus, there were so many fabrics and styles to choose from that it was easy to pick the perfect look for my space. I chose the Graywind Motorized Light Filtering Shades in linen beige, and I the adore creamy color and beautiful texture my sunroom shades have!

Graywind motorized light filtering shades in linen beige are the perfect sunroom shades.

Measuring was easy, thanks to Graywind’s helpful measurement guide video, and shipping was extremely fast. I received my shades two weeks after placing my order. Considering that all of Graywind’s motorized shades are custom made to fit your windows, that is very impressive!

Step One: Charge the Motorized Shades

Immediately upon removing the shades from the boxes, I plugged them in with the included USB charging cords. (Sidenote: with all of the USB devices we all have these days, I highly recommend getting a USB charging port like this! I also use it to charge my wireless under cabinet lights.)

I let the shades charge for the recommended 10-12 hours. With this amount of initial charge, the motorized shades should operate for 3-6 months (depending on frequency of use).

Charge the motorized shades before hanging them.

And don’t worry – to recharge them once hung, you do not remove them from the wall or ceiling! The included USB cords are very long and allow you to charge them right in place!

Alternatively, solar charging panels are available to allow the shades to constantly charge. I have the Graywind solar charge panels and LOVE them! Watch my video on the solar charging motorized shades option to see just how cool it is!

Or, if you’re fancy pants, you can have them hardwired into your electrical!

Step Two: Hang the Shades

While the shades were charging, I began the installation process. I’ll admit that I was a little nervous about this. I’m not sure why, but once I got the first shade in place, all my fears went out the window. Installation was a breeze.

The shades came with all of the hanging hardware, which was brackets and wall anchors. Since I was hanging my shades from a plywood ceiling, I purchased short hollow wall anchors, but those will be unnecessary for most people.

Graywind motorized shades are easy to install with anchors and brackets.

I simply drilled pilot holes, pushed in the anchors, attached the brackets, and popped the motorized shades into place.

Graywind motorized shades are easy to install for any DIY homeowner.

For the two extra-large motorized shades, I needed my husband to help me get them into place. I wasn’t strong enough to lift and position them on my own. For regular size windows, an average-size woman like me should have no problem installing Graywind shades on her own!

Step Three: Hang and Configure the Remote Control

The last step is to install the included battery in the remote and hang up the remote control holder. I am SO glad that with a dedicated spot, this remote won’t go missing like all my TV remotes – ha!

Then, you can configure the remote to control all of the installed shades (up to 15 shades!), AND you can raise and lower them all at once or individually! It is seriously awesome!

Hang the motorized shades remote control in a convenient location.

One other bonus of Graywind shades (that didn’t apply to me because I don’t have these things) is that you can also configure them to work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Mind blown.

Is it Worth Getting Motorized Shades?

I’ll admit that before having motorized shades of my own, I thought they were a bit of a gimmick. I mean, how hard is it to close your own shades, right?

But now that I have them, I want them EVERYWHERE!

First off, roller shades on these extra tall windows would’ve been very difficult to close manually. The motorized opening and closing completely eliminates that issue.

I know motorized shades would be a lifesaver for elderly people and people with physical impairments, too.

Secondly, there is something so satisfying about seeing them all open and close at the same time (when I have that option enabled. Don’t forget, you can control Graywind shades individually, too!).

Graywind motorized shades in linen beige are beautiful in this sunroom.

Finally, it’s actually a timesaver! I imagine that if you have a lot of windows with shades that you open and close daily, that could get tedious!

Graywind motorized roller shades are the perfect choice for a sunroom!

Since installing our Graywind motorized shades, my family has been spending a lot more time in the sunroom. And don’t worry – I finally got around to washing the windows, too! Ha!

And here’s a 2025 update for you: we still LOVE these remote controlled shades! They still work perfectly and the solar panel chargers have meant that we haven’t charged them once since installation. HIGHLY recommend Graywind shades!

Make sure to check out Graywind motorized blinds for your home by visiting Graywind’s website or Graywind’s Amazon storefront.

Filed Under: home decor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sonya says

    October 14, 2024 at 2:18 pm

    Amazing! I have 14 ft high windows and I would like to leave the charge wire plugged into the shade but just sitting in the window sill so I can reach it easily to plug in and charge when needed. Would the blind continue to operate if the cord is plugged into the blind but not into the ac outlet?

    Reply
    • Bre says

      October 17, 2024 at 12:30 pm

      Hello! This is such a great question! No – you will not need to leave the cord plugged into the AC outlet. Once the motor is charged, it will run without being plugged in for recharging until it is dead! Of course how long that takes depends on the frequency of use, but it’s supposed to be a pretty long amount of time. Also, I have the solar panel chargers and LOVE THEM. I have never had to recharge the motor with the AC power since installation. So, you may want to consider those so that you don’t have a cord hanging down from your shades. đŸ™‚

  2. Ashley Williamson says

    May 2, 2024 at 1:21 pm

    hi! These are the light filtering ones, correct? Do you feel like they provide privacy at night? Could you see in from the outside? Thx

    Reply
    • Bre says

      May 7, 2024 at 10:15 am

      Hi, Ashley! Yes, these are the light filtering ones, and I still love them! As for privacy – yes. They definitely provide privacy. They aren’t blackout curtains or lined, so you could see things like silhouettes. But, it isn’t like someone could actually see YOU. I hope that helps / makes sense!!

  3. Kristie says

    June 23, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    I love our shades like them. I also found that if you put a window scape cling on the very bottom of your sunroom windows it will help prevent fading of the floor covering and will hide the toys that get left all over the floor. Lol. Also helps with the woodland creatures that will walk by in the night and scare you.

    Reply
    • Bre says

      June 23, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      Kristie, thanks for sharing! That is SUCH a great idea about the window cling. I never even thought of that!

  4. Cheryl Schultz says

    June 23, 2022 at 11:10 am

    These shades look wonderful! I also tried a motorized shade that I was not happy with, Hunter-Douglas. I had to pay for installation because we were covering an angled skylight that is 17 feet up. This did not have rechargeable batteries, but used a LOT of AA. The motor burned out before a year, was replaced by the manufacturer, burned out again and the manufacturer refused to replace it. We then had a manual shade installed, but the track broke after a few years. We are now thinking that when it’s time to replace our roof we will have the skylight removed and have two Solatubes installed. I can vouch for that company as we have used them in two homes. I think you’re in Wisconsin? They are near Milwaukee. Great for a dark hallway or interior bathroom.

    Reply
    • Bre says

      June 23, 2022 at 3:48 pm

      Hi, Cheryl! Thanks for sharing your experience! That is really frustrating about your motorized shade – especially since that is a reputable brand! Unbelievable! Also, oh my gosh I feel your pain on the skylights! We have FOUR in our main bedroom/bathroom and the sunlight in the mornings and moonlight on certain nights is ridiculous! I’m just waiting for Graywind to develop their rechargable skylight shades (I understand they’re in development now!). As for the Solatubes – my mom has one of those in her hall bathroom and she LOVES it!!! She’s also in the Milwaukee-area. I know you will be really happy with that if you go that route!

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