Motorized screens are a great addition to your home that will increase the curb appeal and overall value of your dwelling. Motorized screens come with an upfront cost but will provide value for you over many years and are backed by a warranty to ensure they continue to function properly! Many North American homeowners are investing in having motorized screens installed in their homes to improve their outdoor living space or to use their garage as an extension of their home.
Features of Motorized Screens
Motorized screens have many different options and features that you can customize depending on your needs. With your choice of remote options, color options, and mesh options, you can be sure that your investment will be well worth it. Motorized screens are controlled with a remote or your phone so that they can be raised and lowered quickly and easily. They can be installed in a patio, porch, garage, or other large opening.
How Does a Motorized Screen Work?
Motorized screens retract vertically and are powered by an electric motor. The cassette is mounted horizontally at the top of the opening and houses the mesh that rolls down guided by the side tracks that are mounted on both sides of the opening. Typically, motorized screens are controlled using a handheld remote.
Benefits of Installing Motorized Screens in Homes
The benefits of having motorized screens installed in your home are that they are a sleek and modern way to keep bugs, sun, and wind out of your outdoor living space. However you like to enjoy your outdoor living space, motorized screens will add to the experience. They open at the touch of a button, and some models can be controlled by your phone or Smart Home system, adding even more convenience.
Control with Remote Control
Motorized screens are powered by Somfy motors that can be controlled with a handheld or wall-mounted remote or through your smart home system. Whichever method you prefer to control your screens, we have an option for you.
Can be Integrated with Smart Home Systems
Motorized screens can be set up to work with your smart home system, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and more. This means that anyone in your household can open the screen door from their phone or the Smart Home System without having to look for a remote.
Enhanced Design and Aesthetics
Motorized screens are designed to look aesthetically pleasing and to blend into the application they are being installed on. They come in a variety of colors that will match your home perfectly and can also be recessed mounted into a header so that the housing and tracks are hidden away!
Sleek and Minimalistic Look
Motorized screens offer a sleek, minimalistic look for your outdoor living space. Your house guests will barely notice the tracks and housing, as they will naturally blend into your home!
Customizable Options
Motorized screens are very customizable and have many options that will suit your needs. Whether you need a certain color or want to control your screens using your smart home system, our dealers will be able to work with you to find the perfect solution so you’re happy with your investment.
Increased Property Value
Motorized screens will increase your property value as they can be listed as home improvements, similar to a pool or sauna. They also extend the usable livable space and create safe, attractive outdoor environments.
Durability and Maintenance of Motorized Screens
Motorized screens are very durable as they’re built with high-quality components that are made to last. Like anything, there will be maintenance costs, and certain components will wear down or break over time. Because motorized screens are powered by an electric motor, they can wear down over time and may need to be replaced with extended or improper use. The other factor to keep in mind is the mesh itself can wear out over time or can be ripped with force from a human or animal. With proper maintenance and upkeep, you can ensure that your motorized screens will function properly with minimal expense for a very long time.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Motorized Screens
Many factors can affect the cost of your motorized screens such as how they will be installed, the overall size of the openings you will install them on, the customization options you include, the mesh and other materials you select, and the color of the housing and track extrusions as custom colors will be an upcharge. Keeping all these factors in mind will help you to stay within your budget when consulting your local Mirage dealer about having them install motorized screens in your home.
Material Used
When selecting which material will be used in your motorized screens you need to determine what use you want it to serve. If you want solid airflow while keeping insects out we recommend going with a standard insect mesh. If your outdoor patio area has high sun exposure and you want to block the sun or add privacy we recommend using a solar mesh or privacy mesh. If you have a commercial application or want to have a solid material installed in your motorized screens then vinyl could be a good option for you. The different materials will have different costs involved so consult with your local Mirage dealer to get pricing information.
Screen Size
The overall size of the openings you are having the motorized screens installed on will dictate the cost as the larger the screens the higher the price. Our motorized screens can be made up to 22 feet in width and 16 feet in height depending on the material. Some thicker materials such as blackout screens or vinyl will limit the overall size of the screens that we can manufacture to ensure they function properly.
Motor and Automation Features
You have two motor options when ordering our motorized screens. The first option is Somfy which is a very established motor and automation brand. The second option is Alpha which is a newer brand but has a very competitive product to Somfy. For automation, you can operate your screens in a few different ways. You have the option of operating your screens with a handheld remote, or wall switch or link them up with your smart home system to be on a timer or trigger depending on certain conditions. The cost of these options varies and we recommend that you consult with your local Mirage dealer to get pricing.
Customization
You have a few customization options with your motorized screens. We offer custom-colored motorized screens to match any unique color. This will be an additional cost to you but if you want to match your screens to an exact color we can make it happen. If your opening is above the maximum width and height that we can make our motorized screens, we can custom-make screens for larger sizes. This would depend on the overall size and features you want in the screens and you would have to consult with your local Mirage dealer. The other customization options you can choose from are the mounting type and operation and control options to automate your motorized screens.
Cost of Motorized Screens: A Breakdown
A motorized screen is a great addition to your home that increases its curb appeal and value. There is a high upfront cost associated with motorized screens, but they are worth it over the long run, as long as they are properly maintained.
Initial Investment
The initial investment to have motorized screens installed on your home won’t be cheap, but they will provide immense value over many years to the overall experience of your home! To get an accurate cost for your motorized screen job, please contact your local Mirage dealer.
Installation Expenses-Professional Installation or DIY
Because motorized screens come with a heavy upfront cost, we recommend that you let an installation expert take care of the job for you. Our Mirage screen dealers are extensively trained to install motorized screens and will ensure that the job is done right! When you’re paying good money for motorized screens, you would hate to mismeasure or miss a step in the process and must spend more money to fix the issue.
Integration to Smart Home Devices
Our motorized screens use Somfy motors which integrate with most smart home devices and technology. Through the Somfy Tahoma, which is an additional cost to your motorized screen job, you can easily connect your screens to Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Google Home, and more.
Repair and Maintenance
The most common repair and maintenance issue you will run into with motorized screens is having the mesh replaced due to damage or wear and tear. Because the mesh is low cost, this won’t result in much of an expense when you need to have the mesh replaced in your screen units. Your local Mirage dealer will be able to quote you appropriately for the material, time, and labor to have your motorized screens repaired. Another repair that may occur is the motor getting damaged due to the weather or being worn out; this is also an easy fix and won’t result in much expense for you.
Durability
Our motorized screens undergo the same quality assurance and testing as all our other products. The aluminum we use is high-quality and powder-coated to ensure the paint won’t chip or fade over time. We use Somfy motors, which have the lowest failure and defective rate in the industry. The mesh we use in our motorized screens is from Phifer, one of the top mesh suppliers in the world. All of this, backed by our warranty, will ensure that your motorized screen investment will be worthwhile.
Additional Features and Upgrades
Many motorized screens offer additional features to suit your home and lifestyle. At Mirage, you can customize your screen by choosing a customized size, insect-control mesh, sun-control fabric, privacy fabric, and more.
Are Motorized Retractable Screens Worth the Price?
Yes, motorized screens are worth the price if you desire more comfort and functionality out of your home or outdoor patio space. Motorized screens will also increase the overall value of your home as they will increase curb appeal which can attract potential buyers when it’s time for you to sell your home. The upfront cost of motorized screens and professional installation can be significant, but you will be able to create an extension of your home in your outdoor patio space or garage area that you and your family can get enjoyment out of for years to come – so what is that worth to you?
Custom Motorized Screens Made for Any Opening
Motorized screens are a great addition to your home that you and your house guests will enjoy for years to come! Your local Mirage dealer will work with you to ensure that your motorized screen project will go as smoothly as possible and work the best for your home’s needs. If you are interested in learning more about motorized screens for your home or are ready to get a quote, please visit our dealer locator and contact your nearest Mirage dealer to get the process started!
FAQs
Yes, all of our motorized screens are custom made to the exact size of the openings you are installing them on to ensure they will fit. Your local Mirage dealer will assess your project and take measurements which then he can provide a quote for the job. Once you proceed with the order the screens will be made to the exact size of your openings and will be installed to fit them perfectly.
Yes, motorized screens are very durable and can endure all sorts of climates and temperatures. We do recommend that you retract the screens back into their housing during heavy winds or to not leave the screens down to keep snow out, while allowing it to pile up. This can cause damage to the screens and you will have to pay to have them repaired and functioning properly again.
Motorized screens can last for 15-20 years when properly taken care of and maintained. Mirage motorized screens are composed of high-quality components that are built to last and are backed by our limited lifetime warranty which covers all parts of the motorized screens from factory defects, except for the mesh itself. We understand that the upfront investment in motorized screens is substantial so we can assure you that your investment will be worthwhile and the screens will last the test of time.
Yes, motorized screens are compatible with smart home systems and can be integrated depending on the smart home system you use. Mirage motorized screens can be integrated with your smart home system with the Somfy Tahoma or the Bond Bridge. Both are viable options and will work with the main smart home systems on the market.