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Home Decorating Windows Design Dilemma

Need help with Blinds and Dimmer switch recommendations

3 years ago

So I am moving into a new home in august and I am creating a list of what I need to be done. Top of my list are getting dimmer switches and adding blinds/drapes into the place.

Dimmer switches - It might be a gimmick but if it integrates with Alexa maybe its a good buy as a first install and future value? Any brand to recommend? there are quite a few out there.

Blinds/Drapes - What type is the "best"? I know there are vertical, horizontal and materials and styles but any really popular nowadays? I did see Costco have "Graber" brand where sometimes there are discounts? Not sure if that is better bet? Is motorized blinds more of a gimmick or its actually useful?

I would prefer the blind to "cover all" if i use it fully(i hate light leaking through) and maybe have it control how much light goes through (maybe not the type that you "lift up"?). My current place the blinds are really bad - its the one where you turn it and the horizontal allows some light in but maybe the material those horizontals are kinda not durable and they crack all over the place..

Any recommendation on brands/types/materials would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (4)

clt3
3 years ago
We have Lutron Caseta and love them. Also recently purchased some Graber honeycomb shades from Costco and are happy with them. Decided against motorized because these 2 windows won’t be raised and lowered much because of location. We purchased Hunter Douglas motorized for skylights and were also happy with those, but they were veryyyy expensive.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
We need to know what space the blinds are going into and what you want from the blinds . As for the dimmers you need to find ones that work with Alexa not IMO a necessary item for better resale since not everyone has Alexa. If you give us more info you will get more help. BTW not all lighting works with dimmers so IMO adress the lighting once you are in and then get the proper dimmers.
A K thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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The best is to talk to Juno to see which one of Lutron's dimmers they recommend. Just call their Tech support. As for #2, that switch will be determined once you know which Lutron primary dimmer you're using. Most probably it'll be a normal 3 way switch.
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What you refer to as "high voltage" would be properly called line voltage. The vast majority of light fixtures are line voltage, which means they use the standard 120 volt power as it comes to your house. Any fixture that takes a bulb with the familiar screw-in type base is going to be line voltage. If you had undercabinet lights with xenon bulbs, those would probably be low-voltage, meaning they use a transformer to cut the standard 120 volt current down to, perhaps, 12 volts. Also, if you have very small accent spotlights that use mr16 reflector bulbs, or track lights with modern, compact little fixtures - those could easily be low-voltage. Mini-pendants with tiny bulbs are also likely to be low-voltage. As to your #3, I don't believe it's legal to wire a dimmer to an outlet.
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I looked up the datasheet for the Lightolier dimmer you mentioned and it says it's designed to work with an Advance Mark 10 ballast (Advance is a brand name, now owed by Philips). According to Phillips, Mark 10 ballasts are compatible with controls manufactured by a host of companies (see the link). My suggestion is to confirm the ballast used in your medicine cabinet and then pick a control that works with that ballast. Installing a dimmer isn't that complicated. Most come with pretty complete directions but if you haven't done any electrical work, you might be better off hiring an electrician. Here is a link that might be useful: Mark 10 Ballast
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A K
Original Author
3 years ago
I think the windows are pretty "normal"? I do have a deck (the picture shows sample look). Here's the link: https://www.ryanhomes.com/new-homes/communities/10222120151807/products/57927/virginia/herndon/fosters-glen-townhomes/strauss

The windows are going to be positioned how they look but it should give good idea of how big they are.
A K
Original Author
3 years ago
For the Lutron Castela, how is the receiver? Does it carry well from a floor above? And do i buy the starter kit with the receiver and then buy extra switches per normal switch i guess? I don't think i need the pico remote though if i need to walk around all over to turn on/off v.s phone.

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