Here’s the thing: this guide breaks down every cost factor affecting your motorized shade investment. You’ll learn typical pricing by shade type and brand, understand dramatic energy savings in Texas homes, discover which windows to prioritize, and learn how motorized shades integrate with Control4, Savant, and other smart home systems.
Learn more about our motorized shade installation and smart home integration services throughout Frisco and North Texas.
Quick Cost Summary: Motorized Shades in Frisco
| Home Size | Window Count | Budget Range | Monthly Energy Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (2,000-2,500 sq ft) | 12-18 windows | $10,000-$18,000 | $40-$80 | 10-15 years |
| Medium (2,500-3,500 sq ft) | 18-25 windows | $18,000-$30,000 | $60-$120 | 8-12 years |
| Large (3,500-5,000 sq ft) | 25-35 windows | $28,000-$45,000 | $90-$150 | 7-10 years |
| Estate (5,000+ sq ft) | 35-60+ windows | $45,000-$80,000+ | $120-$250+ | 6-8 years |
What’s Included: Motorized shades, professional measurement and installation, control integration (app/remote/automation), programming, and training. Additional costs for premium fabrics, smart home integration (Control4/Savant), or specialty window shapes.
Texas-Specific Note: Energy savings in Frisco are 30-50% higher than national averages due to intense summer sun and 100°F+ temperatures June-September. West and south-facing windows deliver fastest ROI.
What Determines Motorized Shade Cost
1. Shade Type and Fabric
Shade style and fabric significantly impact both cost and energy performance.
| Shade Type | Cost per Window | Energy Efficiency | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roller Shades | $400-$900 | Very Good | Modern aesthetic, clean lines |
| Cellular/Honeycomb | $500-$1,200 | Excellent (R-value 3-5) | Best energy efficiency, Texas ideal |
| Solar Shades | $400-$800 | Very Good (blocks heat) | Living areas with views |
| Roman Shades | $700-$1,500 | Good | Traditional aesthetic, luxury |
| Sheer/Dual Shades | $600-$1,300 | Good | Bedrooms, flexible light control |
| Drapery (Motorized Track) | $800-$2,000 | Excellent (with liner) | Large windows, luxury aesthetic |
Texas Recommendation: Cellular honeycomb shades block 65-90% of solar heat before entering home – 3-4x more effective than cooling air after heat enters. West-facing windows should get blackout cellular or solar screen fabrics for maximum energy savings.
2. Brand and Quality Level
| Brand | Cost per Window | Market Position | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutron Serena | $600-$1,200 | Premium, 45% market share | Smart home integration, reliability |
| Hunter Douglas PowerView | $700-$1,500 | Luxury, 30% market share | Design focus, premium fabrics |
| Somfy | $500-$1,100 | Professional, 15% market share | Large windows, commercial-grade |
| Coulisse | $450-$900 | Value professional | Budget-conscious quality |
Our Recommendation: Lutron Serena for Control4/Savant integration (seamless, most reliable). Hunter Douglas for design variety and traditional homes. Somfy for oversized windows needing strongest motors.
3. Battery vs Hardwired Motors
| Type | Cost per Window | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery-Powered | $400-$900 | Easy retrofit, no wiring, same smart features | Battery replacement 1-3 years ($15-30/shade) |
| Hardwired | $600-$1,200 | No batteries ever, constant power | Requires electrical work (+$100-200/window) |
Frisco Homes: 85% choose battery-powered for retrofit convenience. Batteries last 1-3 years depending on usage. Hardwired is recommended for new construction where wiring is easy.
4. Window Size and Count
Cost by Size:
- Small windows (< 36″ wide): $400-$700
- Standard windows (36-60″ wide): $500-$1,000
- Large windows (60-96″ wide): $900-$1,500
- Extra large (96-144″ wide): $1,500-$2,500 (dual motors needed)
Volume Pricing Benefits:
- 1-5 windows: $700-$1,200 each
- 6-12 windows: $600-$1,000 each
- 13-20 windows: $500-$900 each
- 21-30 windows: $450-$800 each
- 31+ windows: $400-$750 each
Whole-home installations save 20-35% per window through bulk ordering and installation efficiency.
5. Smart Home Integration
| Control Level | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic App Control | $100-$300 | Smartphone app, basic schedules |
| Voice Control (Alexa/Google) | $200-$500 | Voice commands, scene control |
| Control4 Integration | $1,500-$4,000 | Full automation with lighting/climate |
| Savant Integration | $2,500-$6,000 | Premium unified control |
What Integration Enables: “Leaving Home” scene closes all shades + locks doors + arms security with one button. Automatic sun tracking closes west shades during peak afternoon heat. Temperature-based automation closes when outdoor temp >90°F to reduce cooling costs.
Learn about complete smart home automation integration with motorized shades.
6. Installation Complexity
Installation labor represents 15-25% of project cost:
| Window Count | Installation Labor | Programming/Training | Total Labor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-10 windows | $800-$1,500 | $200-$400 | $1,200-$2,200 |
| 11-20 windows | $1,800-$3,500 | $400-$600 | $2,500-$4,500 |
| 21-35 windows | $3,500-$6,000 | $600-$1,000 | $4,500-$7,500 |
Additional Factors: High ceilings (12-16 ft) add $100-200 per window. Specialty shapes (arches, angles) add $200-600. Hardwired installations add $100-200 per window for electrical work.
Motorized Shades Packages by Investment Level
Essential Coverage: $10,000-$18,000
Ideal For: Priority window automation, phased approach
Typical Package (15 Windows):
- 8 west-facing windows: Lutron blackout cellular ($6,400)
- 4 master bedroom windows: Lutron dual shades ($4,000)
- 3 south-facing windows: Lutron solar screen ($1,800)
- WiFi bridge/hub: Smartphone app control ($300)
- Professional installation: Measurement, install, programming ($2,200)
- Training & setup: Family training, scene creation ($400)
- Total: $15,100
Annual Energy Savings: $500-$800
Best For: Hollyhock, Richwoods homes focusing on highest-impact windows first
Real Client Example:
“We started with 16 windows – all west-facing plus our bedroom. Installation was $14,200. Our summer AC bills dropped from $620/month to $480/month average (July-August). The convenience of closing all shades from phone before we leave is worth it alone.”
— David & Amanda T., Richwoods
Complete Home Automation: $20,000-$35,000
Ideal For: Coverage of main living spaces
Typical Package (25 Windows):
- 12 high-impact windows: Lutron blackout cellular (west/south) ($10,800)
- 8 living area windows: Lutron solar screen (maintain views) ($5,600)
- 5 secondary bedrooms: Lutron light filtering roller ($3,000)
- Control4 integration: Shade integration with automation ($2,500)
- Professional installation: Complete measurement, install, programming ($4,500)
- Advanced programming: Scenes, schedules, sun tracking ($1,000)
- Total: $27,400
What You Get:
- Complete main floor and bedroom coverage
- One-touch scenes (“Leaving Home,” “Movie Time,” “Bedtime”)
- Automatic sun tracking (closes west shades during peak heat)
- Temperature-based automation (closes when >90°F outside)
- Vacation mode (random movement simulates presence)
- Voice control through Alexa/Siri
Annual Energy Savings: $900-$1,400
Best For: Phillips Creek Ranch, Newman Village homes wanting complete automation
Real Client Example:
“Our $28,500 system covering 27 windows transformed our home. Summer AC dropped from $3,800 season total to $2,700 – $1,100 annual savings. The Control4 integration is seamless – ‘Leaving’ button arms security, locks doors, closes all shades. Best upgrade we’ve made.”
— Robert & Sarah K., Phillips Creek Ranch
View our complete motorized shade packages and project galleries.
Premium Whole-Home: $35,000-$55,000
Ideal For: Luxury homes, complete coverage including specialty windows
Typical Coverage: 30-45 windows including great rooms with oversized windows, specialty shapes, complete integration
Investment Breakdown:
- Primary windows: 25x blackout cellular ($22,500)
- Great room: 3x oversized motorized drapery ($6,000)
- Specialty windows: 4x arched/angled custom ($6,000)
- Secondary areas: 10x standard roller ($5,000)
- Control4/Savant integration: Complete system ($3,500)
- Installation & programming: Full professional ($9,000)
- Total: $45,000-$52,000
Annual Energy Savings: $1,200-$2,000
Best For: Starwood, Frisco Hills luxury homes
Energy Savings ROI for Texas Homes
Understanding Frisco Cooling Costs
| Home Size | Summer AC Cost (June-Sept) | With Shades (20-30% Savings) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000-2,500 sq ft | $2,000-$2,800 | $1,600-$2,100 | $400-$700 |
| 2,500-3,500 sq ft | $2,800-$4,000 | $2,100-$3,000 | $700-$1,000 |
| 3,500-5,000 sq ft | $4,000-$5,500 | $3,000-$4,100 | $1,000-$1,400 |
| 5,000-7,000 sq ft | $5,500-$7,500 | $4,100-$5,600 | $1,400-$1,900 |
Strategic Window Prioritization
Energy Savings by Window Exposure:
| Window Exposure | Heat Gain Impact | Savings per Window | ROI Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| West-Facing | Very High (3-5pm peak sun) | $50-$100 | 1 |
| South-Facing | High (10am-3pm sun) | $40-$80 | 2 |
| East-Facing | Moderate (morning sun) | $30-$60 | 3 |
| North-Facing | Low (minimal heat gain) | $20-$40 | 4 |
Honestly, prioritize west and south-facing windows for maximum energy savings and ROI.
The Bottom Line: Invest in Motorized Shades for Savings
Motorized shades not only enhance your home’s aesthetic but also provide significant energy savings. With costs ranging from $400 to $1,500 per window, the investment pays off through reduced cooling costs and increased comfort. So, ready to transform your home? Contact us today to learn more about our motorized shade solutions.
What to Read Next: Explore our smart home integration services for a complete automation experience.
