Wired is definitely the “set it and forget it” route, but I’ve seen battery motors hold up way better than folks expect—especially with the newer lithium packs. The trick is picking the right motor for the shade size and weight. I’ve got a client with a 12-foot-wide window, and their battery-powered roller’s been running smooth for two years now, no burnout, no constant battery swaps. They charge it maybe twice a year with a plug-in cable (no ladder acrobatics required).
Not saying wired isn’t great—it’s just not always a must, even for big windows. If you can hide a power cord or don’t mind a once-in-a-while recharge, batteries can be less of a headache on install day (and your wallet). Plus, if you ever move or want to change things up, you’re not stuck patching drywall or rerouting wires.
That said, if you’re dealing with true monster shades (think blackout fabric, super tall ceilings), then yeah…wired is probably worth the pain up front. But for most folks? Batteries have come a long way since the days of swapping out AAs every month.
Funny enough—I had one guy who actually liked getting up on his ladder every few months because it was his excuse to dust the ceiling fans. Different strokes, I guess...
- Gotta admit, I’m still a little skeptical about battery motors on the really big windows, especially if you’re in a spot with crazy sun exposure. Seen a few installs where the batteries just couldn’t keep up after a year or two—maybe it’s the size, maybe it’s the fabric weight, but I’ve had to swap out more than one “miracle” lithium pack for clients who got tired of the recharge routine.
- Wired is a pain upfront, no doubt. Crawling around in attics and fishing wires through old plaster is not my idea of a fun day. But, for those monster shades—think 14-footers with blackout or layered fabrics—I’ve found hardwired way less stressful in the long run. No “dead shade” surprises when you’re hosting or trying to sleep in on a weekend.
- If you’re in a rental or plan on moving soon, yeah, battery’s probably the way to go. But for folks renovating or building new, I usually nudge them toward running a wire while the walls are open. Costs more now, saves headaches later.
- Funny story: I had a client who swore by his battery shades until he left town for three months. Came back to all his shades stuck halfway down, and the batteries were toast. Ended up climbing a ladder anyway, just to get some daylight back in.
- Not saying batteries are bad—they’ve definitely improved—but if you’re dealing with heavy fabric or extra-wide windows, just double-check the motor specs and maybe have a backup charging plan. Or be ready for a little extra cardio every few months.
- At the end of the day, it’s all about what kind of hassle you want: upfront (wires) or ongoing (charging). Personally, I like my shades to work when I hit the button...no drama, no dead batteries. But hey, if you like an excuse to dust your ceiling fans, maybe batteries are your jam.
I’ve wrestled with this exact dilemma more times than I care to admit. There’s something about those huge windows—gorgeous, sure, but you start thinking about shades and suddenly it’s all about logistics and less about the view.
Honestly, I’m with you on battery motors for anything oversized. On smaller windows, they’re fine, but once you get into those 12-foot-plus shades with heavy blackout fabric, you’re asking a lot from a little battery pack. I’ve had a few clients who were super excited about “wireless everything,” only to call me back six months later because they were tired of dragging out the ladder every time the shade got sluggish. And if you get a run of cloudy days or forget to charge, it’s like your living room is holding you hostage.
Wired motors can be a pain to install, especially in older houses (been there—nothing like crawling through 1940s insulation). But in new builds or major renos? It’s a no-brainer for me. You pay more up front, but you don’t have to think about it again. I always tell people: if you’re already opening up the walls, just run the wire. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not playing “find the dead battery” at 7am.
That said, I get why some folks go with batteries—especially renters or anyone who doesn’t want to deal with electrical work. Just know what you’re signing up for. If you’re set on battery, look for motors rated for heavier loads and bigger shades. Some brands do better than others, but none are totally immune to physics.
One thing I see people overlook: sunlight does a number on batteries over time. If your windows face south or west and get baked all afternoon, expect to replace those packs sooner than you’d like. Had a client with floor-to-ceiling windows in their sunroom—batteries lasted maybe a year before they started acting up.
Bottom line, if you want peace of mind and don’t love heights (or surprises), wired is usually worth the hassle up front. But hey, if swapping batteries gives you an excuse to clean your transoms, who am I to judge?
Not gonna lie, I get the logic behind going wired for those monster windows, but I think battery motors deserve a little more credit—especially with how much the tech’s improved lately.
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“if you want peace of mind and don’t love heights (or surprises), wired is usually worth the hassle up front.”
I get it, but I’ve seen some of the new lithium packs last 18 months+ on big shades, even in sunny rooms. It’s not perfect, but it’s way better than a few years ago. Plus, some brands now have plug-in battery packs you can recharge without taking anything down. No ladders, no drama.
- In older homes, fishing wires through plaster or brick can get expensive fast. Sometimes the “hassle up front” isn’t just hassle—it’s a major project.
- Solar charging kits are another option for south/west windows. They’re not flawless, but for some folks, it means zero battery swaps.
I do agree, if you’re renovating anyway, hardwiring is a smart move. But for anyone who’s not, I’d say batteries aren’t a lost cause. Just gotta pick the right system and set realistic expectations.
I’ve wrestled with this exact question in my living room—huge windows, 1920s plaster walls, and zero chance I was going to start chiseling channels for wires. That’s where I think you’re spot on about the reality of “hassle up front” sometimes being a full-on renovation, not just a weekend project.
In older homes, fishing wires through plaster or brick can get expensive fast. Sometimes the “hassle up front” isn’t just hassle—it’s a major project.
That hits home for me. I looked into hardwiring when we first moved in, but after getting a quote (and picturing the dust everywhere), I bailed. Ended up going with battery shades from Lutron. I’ll admit, I was pretty skeptical at first—mainly because my last experience with battery-powered anything involved swapping out AAs every few months and cursing under my breath.
But these new lithium packs really do last. Mine have been up for a year and change, and I only had to recharge once. The plug-in charger is a game changer—no need to mess with ladders or take the shades down. I do wonder how they’ll hold up after three or four years, though. Anyone seen long-term battery performance? That’s my only real hesitation.
I also tried one of those solar charging kits for the window that gets blasted by afternoon sun. It actually works better than I expected, but it’s not perfect—on cloudy weeks, it doesn’t always keep up, so you still want the option to plug in and top off.
I get why people lean toward hardwired for peace of mind, especially if you’re already opening up walls. But for anyone who’s not gutting their house, batteries aren’t nearly as much of a compromise as they used to be. I think the bigger issue is just making sure whatever brand you pick has good support and replacement parts down the line... learned that the hard way with some “off-brand” stuff in the past.
Curious if anyone’s found a battery system that’s truly maintenance-free after a few years? Or maybe it’s just a matter of setting reminders to check them every spring...
You’re right about the battery shades being way less of a compromise than they used to be. I’ve put in a handful of Lutron and Hunter Douglas battery jobs for clients who refused to touch their old plaster—totally get it. The lithium packs are definitely a step up, but I still tell folks to expect some kind of maintenance every year or two. Haven’t seen any system that’s really “set and forget” long-term, especially if you’re using them daily. Solar’s a cool idea, but yeah, unless you’ve got perfect sun, you’ll end up plugging in sometimes. Honestly, I’d rather deal with the occasional recharge than patching up Swiss cheese walls.
I get where you’re coming from about not wanting to mess with old plaster—been there, patched that, regretted it. But honestly, I’m still not totally sold on battery shades for big windows. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but mine seem to need charging more often than “every year or two.” The lithium packs are better than the old ones, sure, but I feel like I’m always hunting down the charger.
And about solar—
—that’s definitely true. My living room faces north, so solar barely makes a dent. For me, hardwiring was a pain upfront, but now I don’t think about it at all. Just my two cents.“unless you’ve got perfect sun, you’ll end up plugging in sometimes.”
I hear you on the battery shades—on paper, “charge every year” sounds great, but in reality? I’ve seen those packs struggle with anything bigger than a standard window, especially if you’re raising and lowering them daily. Hardwiring is a pain at install, no doubt, but once it’s in, it’s set-and-forget. Honestly, if you’re already opening up walls or running new lines for something else, it’s worth the hassle. Otherwise, you’re playing the “where did I put that charger” game every few months... not my favorite.
Hardwired shades are definitely the way to go if you can stomach the upfront hassle. I tried battery-powered ones on my big living room windows a couple years ago—figured it’d be a breeze since I’m not exactly eager to fish wires through 1950s plaster. Well, that “charge once a year” promise? More like every 3-4 months, especially in summer when I’m raising and lowering them to chase the sun and keep the AC bill down. I swear, I spent more time hunting for the weird proprietary charger than actually enjoying the shades.
Eventually, I caved and did a retrofit with low-voltage wiring while we were already tearing into the walls for something else. Night and day difference. Now they just work, no reminders, no dead batteries at the worst possible moment. If you’re already opening things up, it’s really worth considering—even if it feels like overkill at first. The only thing I miss is the freedom to move the shades around, but for big windows, hardwired just makes life easier.
Now they just work, no reminders, no dead batteries at the worst possible moment.
That’s exactly why I went hardwired too. Battery-powered shades just can’t keep up with heavy use, especially if you’re optimizing for energy savings by adjusting them often. The upfront work pays off in reliability and reduced maintenance. Trade-off is losing flexibility, but for large windows, the efficiency gains are worth it.