Homeowners across Iowa City, Davenport, Bettendorf, and the greater Quad Cities region are embracing smarter living—and it all starts with the windows. Motorized window treatments offer a perfect blend of elegance, convenience, and modern technology, transforming everyday living with the touch of a button. Whether you’re remodeling your Cedar Rapids home, building new in Tiffin or North Liberty, or just looking for ways to upgrade your comfort and energy efficiency, this guide will help you understand everything you need to know about motorized window coverings.
Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa offers a curated selection of premium motorized window treatments, including blinds, shades, shutters, and exterior solutions, designed to elevate homes across Eastern Iowa.
What Are Motorized Window Treatments?
Motorized window treatments are blinds, shades, draperies, or shutters that operate using a motor instead of manual cords or wands. They can be controlled using a remote, a wall switch, a smartphone app, or even voice commands through smart home systems like Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit.
Rather than walking from room to room adjusting every window, motorization brings your treatments to life with seamless control.
Benefits of Motorized Window Treatments for Iowa Homeowners
Convenience You Can Feel
One of the most obvious benefits is convenience. Whether you live in a ranch-style home in Cedar Rapids or a multi-level house in Iowa City, motorized window coverings allow you to adjust hard-to-reach or oversized windows with ease.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Winters in Eastern Iowa can be harsh, and summers humid. Smart scheduling for motorized window treatments can help regulate indoor temperatures by automatically opening or closing at specific times of day. This reduces energy usage and keeps your home more comfortable year-round.
Enhanced Safety
Motorized window treatments are cordless, making them a much safer option for homes with children or pets. With no hanging cords to pose a risk, your home instantly becomes safer and more streamlined.
Improved Privacy and Security
Create custom schedules or use “away” modes while you’re on vacation. Your shades will adjust as if someone is home—an easy but effective way to deter would-be intruders in neighborhoods throughout Bettendorf and North Liberty.
Sleek Aesthetics
Automated systems eliminate the clutter of cords and tangled strings. Whether you’re outfitting a historic home in the Quad Cities or a modern loft in downtown Davenport, motorized window treatments deliver clean, sophisticated lines.
Types of Motorized Window Treatments We Offer
At Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa, we help homeowners find the perfect automated solution that matches their space, budget, and style. Here are the most popular options we carry and install throughout the region:
Motorized Roller Shades
Ideal for modern interiors, roller shades offer a sleek and minimalistic design. Available in light-filtering, blackout, or solar fabrics, they’re perfect for controlling glare in sunrooms or maintaining privacy in urban areas like Cedar Rapids.
Motorized Cellular Shades
These energy-efficient shades help insulate your home while offering a soft, inviting appearance. They’re especially popular in Iowa homes looking to combine technology with energy savings.
Motorized Roman Shades
Looking for something elegant and timeless? Roman shades with motorization allow for rich fabric folds without sacrificing convenience. A popular choice in Davenport’s historic districts.
Motorized Draperies
For grand windows or patio doors, motorized draperies offer flowing luxury with effortless function. Perfect for entertaining spaces in larger homes across Tiffin and the Quad Cities.
Motorized Blinds
Motorization is now available in horizontal and vertical blinds. Whether you want wood, faux wood, or aluminum styles, these are excellent for balancing light and privacy.
Exterior Motorized Shades & Awnings
Beat the Iowa sun before it even enters your home! Our exterior motorized products are great for patios, decks, and sunrooms. Instantly increase comfort and block UV rays during those hot Cedar Rapids summers.
Smart Home Integration: Total Control From Anywhere
Modern homes in places like North Liberty and Iowa City are getting smarter—and so should your window treatments. Our motorized window treatments integrate seamlessly with systems like:
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Lutron
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Somfy
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PowerView® Automation
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Control4
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Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit
Imagine saying, “Alexa, close the living room shades,” and watching it happen. Or setting up geofencing so your home adjusts window positions as you leave for work or arrive home.
Motorized Window Treatments for New Builds in Eastern Iowa
If you’re working with a builder in Tiffin, Coralville, or developing areas around Davenport, now is the time to plan for motorization. Prewiring during the construction phase is affordable and opens the door to hardwired systems with cleaner installations and broader functionality.
At Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa, we work directly with homeowners, builders, and designers to coordinate motorized installs during key construction phases. We also retrofit existing homes with advanced battery-powered options—no rewiring needed.
Energy Efficiency Across Iowa’s Seasons
Weather swings in Eastern Iowa can be extreme—from freezing winters in Cedar Rapids to sun-filled summers in Bettendorf. Motorized window treatments allow you to respond to weather conditions instantly or even automatically.
In Winter:
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Schedule treatments to open during sunny hours for passive heat gain.
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Close them as the sun sets to insulate and prevent heat loss.
In Summer:
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Automate closures during peak sun hours to reduce indoor temperatures.
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Open during the cooler mornings or evenings to let in natural airflow.
These adjustments can lower your HVAC usage and lead to measurable savings on energy bills for homes across the region.
Are Motorized Window Treatments Worth It?
This is a common question we hear from homeowners in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, especially those upgrading from traditional blinds. While the upfront investment is higher than manual treatments, the long-term benefits—energy savings, safety, convenience, and increased home value—make it a smart and worthwhile decision.
Many clients tell us that once they try motorization in one room, they eventually upgrade their entire home.
Motorization Options: Power Sources and Controls
Power Options:
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Battery Powered: Clean and easy to retrofit into any home. Ideal for renovations and older homes across the Quad Cities.
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Plug-In: Convenient for nearby outlets and semi-permanent setups.
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Hardwired: Best for new builds or major remodels. Offers maximum reliability and eliminates battery changes.
Control Options:
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Handheld Remotes
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Wall Switches
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Mobile Apps
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Voice Control via Smart Home Assistants
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Scene Settings and Scheduling
We’ll help you choose the right system based on your home’s needs and lifestyle.
Motorized Treatments for Every Room
Living Rooms
Schedule shades to close as the sun hits your TV screen or open to brighten the room in the morning.
Bedrooms
Blackout motorized window treatments are perfect for light sleepers or those who prefer a gradual wake-up with natural light.
Kitchens
Easily adjust treatments with messy hands using voice commands or your phone.
Nurseries
Ensure baby naps are never interrupted by harsh light with quiet, cordless motorization.
Home Offices
Reduce glare on your monitor automatically and improve productivity.
Why Choose Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa?
We are locally owned and operated, proudly serving homeowners in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Bettendorf, North Liberty, Tiffin, and the entire Quad Cities area. Our mobile showroom comes to you, bringing full-sized samples and expert guidance straight to your doorstep.
When you choose us for your motorized window treatments, you’re getting:
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Free in-home consultation
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Personalized design assistance
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Top national brands
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Professional measuring and installation
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Ongoing support after the sale
We take the guesswork out of automation, helping you select the right technology, motor, control options, and fabric to match your goals.
Real Homes, Real Transformations
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Eastern Iowa fall in love with their windows again. Whether it’s a new construction in North Liberty or a restored home in downtown Davenport, motorized window treatments have transformed the way our clients interact with their living spaces.
Want to see the difference? Ask us to show you before-and-after photos during your consultation.
Start Your Smart Window Journey Today
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a smarter, safer, and more comfortable home, motorized window treatments are the perfect place to begin. At Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa, we make it simple, stress-free, and fun to upgrade your home with advanced automation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
We serve Iowa City, Davenport, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Tiffin, and all surrounding areas. Call us today at 563-726-8040 or visit our website to book your free in-home consultation.
Experience the convenience and elegance of motorized window treatments—custom-fit to your life, your home, and your future.
Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa: Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies, Motorization, Exterior Shades & Awnings.
Phone: 563-726-8040
Service Areas: Iowa City, Davenport, Bettendorf, Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Tiffin, and beyond.
