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Should You Choose Hard-Wired Or Battery-Powered Motorized Window Shades In Your Salt Lake City Home?

October 30, 2026

If you are updating an established home, battery-powered motorized shades are the most common choice. It’s an easier solution that doesn’t involve opening up walls to reach your home’s electrical wiring. On the other hand, if you’re building a home or doing a big remodel and have open walls to connect to wiring, hard-wired systems are a fantastic option. Take some time to review these two possibilities and discover the advantages of each.

Comparison: Hard-Wired vs. Battery-Powered Motorized Shades

Deciding between the two options is easier when you see them head to head. Check out how they measure up below.

Feature Battery-Powered Shades Hard-Wired Shades
Installation: Easier setup. No electrician required Requires an electrician
Ideal for: Retrofits in established homes New construction or major renovations
Maintenance: Needs battery replacements or recharging Reliable, consistent power. Little to no maintenance
Price: Lower upfront installation cost Higher price tag
Extra: Still operate during blackouts No battery replacements

If your motorized shade upgrade involves a wall of windows or expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows, hard-wired products are the smarter pick. You’ll benefit from the stable, continuous, and higher-output power when raising and lowering heavier, larger shades. Whether you use battery-powered or hard-wired, motorized shades are generally operated by a remote, a smart home app, or spoken commands. You can even program them to run on a custom schedule!

How Long Do Motorized Shade Batteries Last?

Beige cellular shades in a modern dining area

Battery lifespans can range from a few months to a year or longer, depending on the battery type, manufacturer, and other factors. A lot of it depends on how regularly you operate them and the size of the windows. Most will utilize battery packs you can recharge, but some options use standard batteries. Just remember, your shades will still operate in a power outage because they run on an independent power supply.

There’s Another Option To Power Motorized Shades In Salt Lake City

Sheer shades on tall windows in a bedroom with views of the city

Hard-wired and battery-powered motorized shades aren’t the only choices. One more way to run motorized shades is with plug-in power adapters. A low-voltage DC cord connects your shade to an ordinary wall outlet. Like hard-wired products, you get a stable, continuous power source. However, you’ll need to have an outlet near the window and determine a way to conceal the cord. 

What’s The Cost Of Motorized Shades In Salt Lake City?

White motorized roller shades on windows in a stunning kitchen and dining area

The final price depends on a few factors, including the company you work with, the size and style of your shades, whether they’re hard-wired or battery-powered, and who handles the installation. With so many variables, the final price is set per each unique project. Bear in mind that hard-wired motorized shades will be more expensive upfront because an electrician is needed.

The preliminary step is to decide which style of shade you wish to motorize. The professionals at Sunburst Shutters Salt Lake City offer motorization for the following:

To ensure a perfect fit, you’ll want to choose an expert installation. When you see how well your new shades look and how seamlessly they operate, you’ll be happy you paid for the pros. 

Choose Sunburst For The Best Motorized Window Shades In Salt Lake City

Whether you go with battery-powered or hard-wired, you’ll appreciate your new motorized window shades from Sunburst Shutters Salt Lake City. Stunning and simple to control, our shades make your life easier and your home more functional and beautiful. We’ll share all the details at your free, in-home consultation. Place a call to 801-515-3598 or complete our form to schedule yours today.