What’s safer, more high-end, and just plain cooler than custom window fashions that operate without cords – almost magically, with a touch of a button, voice command, or on a schedule? If you require an answer to the aforementioned question, Bruce Heyman has expert advice. According to the owner of Metropolitan Window Fashions, you can choose between shades that automatically rise in the morning (great for rousing those pesky teenagers) and lower in the evening. Automated window fashions provide comfort, convenience, and control like never before, with multiple options for style, power sources, and control options.
Heyman says, “Any window treatment can be motorized. Shades, blinds, roman shade, draperies – even shutters. Does it cost more? Sure, but not as much as you think. Motorization is an upgrade, starting at around $300 – $400 per window.”
As stated in an interview by the window fashions specialist, the most popular motorized shades can be operated with a simple battery wand hidden behind the shade that holds 12 AA alkaline batteries or with a rechargeable battery wand. You only need to change the batteries themselves every 1-2 years. You can also convert these shades to plug into any wall outlet. There is a small visible cord that can easily be hidden behind a drapery panel. If you are under construction, you can run low-voltage wire to each window, and voila – no more cords!
Heyman’s company, Metropolitan Window Fashions, can motorize any shade, including the popular Hunter Douglas Silhouette, Duette, Pirouette, Vignette, and Luminette. They can also motorize draperies and roman shades, allowing you to choose from any one of their 70,000 available fabrics. Additionally, motorized louvers on blinds and shutters are also available.
“Operating motorized shades with a hand-held remote is so 20th century!” says Bruce Heyman. The company provides its customers with the ease of motorized shades that can be operated with Apps from their phone or tablet. Not only can you control the shades, but you can schedule them to go up and down at any time. Once you have the App installed, you can operate the shades with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or pretty much any voice control system.
The feasibility doesn’t stop here. Once you have an App for your shades, you would want one for your thermostat, audio, security cameras, doorbell, etc. It is like having three remotes for the TV – here we are back in the 20th century again. The answer to multiple Apps is a true Home Automation System. Metropolitan Window Fashion boasts an advanced Home Automation with the Control 4 system. With the touch of one button at night, the shades go down the music is off, the thermostat is down, and the alarm system is on. That is their take on the 21st century!
The 3rd Generation Owner of Metropolitan Window Fashions, Heyman started his career in the corporate travel industry. Seven years later, he joined his family business, Fabricland, in 1990. Relentless efforts made him the largest independent retailer of custom draperies, Hunter Douglas blinds & shutters, and motorized shades in New Jersey. After being successful with his family business, he expanded his reach by purchasing Nassau’s Window Fashions in Paramus, NJ. Presently, he has a total store count of six under his supervision. Heyman is the former President of the Window Covering Association of America and winner of the Draperies & Window Covering Retailer of the Year Award.
