Cordless & Motorized Window Treatments: Safe, Smart & Stylish Solutions for Every Home

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October is Window Covering Safety Month, and it’s the perfect time to talk about something that matters to every homeowner: safety. In recent years, window treatment standards have changed to prioritize child and pet safety — eliminating exposed cords that can be hazardous.

As a full-service custom window treatment design center in Savannah and Bluffton, we’ve been guiding clients through these changes and helping them make informed decisions about safe, functional, and stylish control options for their window coverings.

Whether you're building a custom home in Palmetto Bluff or renovating a historic home in downtown Savannah, understanding your control options is essential to both the look and functionality of your space.

Why the Industry Moved Away from Cords

For years, traditional pull cords were standard on blinds and shades. However, they posed serious safety risks for children and pets. Today, most window treatments are required to be cordless or have cords that are permanently secured to meet updated child safety standards.

As a result, the industry has developed a wide range of innovative and compliant control systems — and yes, some of them are even better looking and more convenient than the old options.

Control Options by Window Treatment Type

At Savannah Window Fashions, we walk every client through the pros and cons of control systems — not just from a safety standpoint, but from a practical one too: How easy is it to use every day? Does it suit the scale of your windows? What will it look like from the outside?


Drapery Panels

Control Options:

  • Wand or Baton: A simple baton attached to the leading edge of the drapery panel allows for easy opening and closing.

    • Best for: Traversing panels on shorter rods or tracks where both sides are easily accessible.

    • Why we recommend it: It’s simple, durable, and child-safe — ideal when you can comfortably walk up and draw the drapery from either side.

  • Cord Draw: A cord draw system allows both panels to open with a single motion, making it easier to operate wide spans of drapery.

    • Best for: Situations where one side of the window is blocked by furniture (like a sectional or bed), and you can’t access each panel individually.

    • Why we recommend it: It keeps operation convenient and effortless, especially in rooms where walking across the full width of the window isn't realistic.

  • Motorization: Motorized drapery offers smooth, effortless operation at the push of a button.

    • Best for: Large-scale or hard-to-reach windows, tall drapery panels, and spaces where convenience is key.

    • Why we recommend it: Remote and app-controlled motorization simplifies daily use and adds a sense of ease to your space. 


Roman Shades

Control Options:

  • Cordless Ring Pull: Cordless Roman shades operate using a ring pull system attached to the back of the shade.

    • Pros: Clean look with no visible cords on the front; child-safe and uncluttered.

    • Cons: Requires reaching behind the shade to operate, which can be inconvenient — especially when the shade is fully raised.

    • Our Advice: Best used on windows that are easily reachable, where you can access the ring pull without difficulty.

  • Continuous Cord Loop (with safety tensioner): A continuous cord loop system secured with a safety tensioner.

    • Pros: Smooth operation, especially helpful for lifting heavier fabrics. Offers consistent performance over time.

    • Upgrade options: We recommend stainless steel chains for high-humidity areas like Savannah and Bluffton.

  • Top-Down Bottom-Up: Offers the flexibility to raise the shade from the bottom or lower it from the top.

    • Pros: Excellent for privacy and light control in bathrooms or street-level spaces.

    • Cons: Only available with continuous cord loop operation and requires a deeper headrail (5½").

    • Our Advice: Recommended only for inside mount windows with deep casings to properly accommodate the hardware.

  • Motorization: Motorized Roman shades offer touch-of-a-button convenience.

    • Best For: Rooms with multiple shades, hard-to-reach windows, or clients who prefer not to handle fabric regularly.

    • Our Advice: Particularly effective when layering behind decorative top treatments like cornices or valances. Adds efficiency and ease to your daily routine.


Roller & Solar Shades

Control Options:

  • Cordless Lift: Operate by pulling the bottom rail or handle

    • Best for: Clean, modern spaces

    • Safe and easy to use

  • Continuous Cord Loop: Installed with a safety tension device

    • Ideal for: Wide or tall windows that need smooth, consistent movement

  • Motorization: The go-to choice for solar shades in hard-to-reach or high windows

    • Especially helpful for reducing heat and glare in sun-facing rooms

Wood and Faux Wood Blinds

Control Options:

  • Cordless Lift: Raise and lower with even pressure at the bottom rail

    • Great for homes with young children or pets

  • Wand Tilt (for vertical or horizontal blinds): Twist wand to open or close slats

    • Minimalist and safe

  • Motorization: Available for wood blinds, faux wood blinds, and more

    • We’ll help you decide based on weight, use, and integration needs

When to Consider Motorization

While every home and every window is different, motorization often ends up being the best solution — especially in homes with many window treatments that are opened and closed each day.

Here are a few reasons we recommend motorization:

  • Tall Windows: Too high to reach comfortably? Motorization is the answer.

  • Difficult Access: Behind bathtubs, furniture, or kitchen counters? Let technology do the work.

  • Oversized or Heavy Treatments: Wide shades and long drapery panels can be cumbersome. Motorization ensures smooth, consistent operation.

  • Smart Home Integration: Tie your window treatments into your automation system, or operate from your phone, remote, or voice control.

And if you split time between homes, motorized window treatments can be programmed or controlled remotely, giving you peace of mind when you're away.

Your Window Treatment Experts in Savannah & Bluffton

At Savannah Window Fashions, we manage every detail of your project from design to installation, and we’re here to educate and provide solutions for beauty and functionality.

Whether you’re updating a historic property in Ardsley Park, building a dream home in Colleton River Club, or simply want a smarter, safer solution for your window coverings, we can help you navigate all the options.

Let’s find the right solution for your home — one that’s safe, functional, and built to last.

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