Smart Home Build — Week 31

September 9, 2025

More interior work this week and decisions made to keep the house build on track. It’s pretty exciting with all of the different things going on right now. Casings, baseboards and windowsills continued to be installed. Decisions are finalized on the master closet build-out for shelving and clothes hanging. We need to finalize paint and stain decisions as the painters will be in next week to prime the walls and cabinetry.

Another one of the things I’m looking into right now as well is motorized smart shades for the windows where I have Cat6 run. Those windows are in the office, dining room, master bedroom and the two guest bedrooms.

There are a small handful of brands that will work with Cat6 so that’s actually helped with the planning. Of those brands, they are either powered by a separate unit where the cabling terminates or via a POE network switch. As I just purchased a very robust 48 port POE switch to support the network, going with the POE version will save me a significant amount of money. This has me very focused on the smart shades offered by Smart Wings.

Smart Wings motorized POE smart shades are a remarkable innovation that bring both elegance and functionality to any space. Unlike traditional window coverings that rely on bulky wiring or frequent battery changes, these shades are powered directly through Cat6 cabling concealed in the window frames. By connecting to the Alta Labs S48-APOE POE switch, the shades receive both power and data through a single streamlined connection. This design not only makes installation effortless and clutter-free but also ensures long-term reliability with continuous, low-voltage power. The cord-free look adds a touch of modern minimalism while also enhancing safety for households with children or pets.

The performance of these shades is equally impressive. The POE motors operate with whisper-quiet precision, moving smoothly and reliably even on larger or heavier windows where consistent power is essential. With no batteries to recharge or outlets to wire, there’s a peace of mind that comes with knowing the shades will always be ready to respond. Whether in a residential bedroom or a professional office setting, the Smart Wings system provides dependable performance while maintaining a refined, unobtrusive presence. Users consistently praise their premium build quality and quiet operation, noting that the overall experience elevates both style and functionality in any room.

Smart integration is where these shades truly shine. Built on Matter over Ethernet, they work seamlessly with today’s leading smart home ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. In my case, the Alexa integration has been a standout feature — allowing me to open or close the shades with a simple voice command, adjust them to specific levels, or automate them into routines that complement my daily schedule. The responsiveness is fast and consistent, making the shades feel like a natural extension of the smart home environment. While installation and programming can carry a bit of a learning curve, most users find the effort worthwhile for the long-term convenience and reliability.

Functionally, the blackout capabilities of these shades add another layer of value. In the bedrooms, they’ll create the perfect environment for deep, restful sleep by effectively blocking unwanted light. In the office, they’ll transform the TV viewing experience by eliminating glare and setting the ideal atmosphere for watching sports and movies. Additionally, thermostat integration will allow automating closing the shades if the temperature reaches a certain threshold due to the equipment rack and sunlight in the room.

Combined with their smooth, silent operation and smart integrations, these blackout shades deliver both comfort and control. Excellent customer support and thoughtful design details — such as clearly placed Matter QR codes for setup and even a USB-C backup power option — further bolster their reputation. Feedback for Smart Wings motorized POE shades is largely positive, and it’s easy to see why — they bring together innovation, practicality, and modern design in one impressive package.

The Smart Wings shades and blinds look to be the ideal solution for our house. So, Debbie and I are doing a deeper dive on the fabrics, blackout levels and sizing. Debbie will get her shade types and fabric options she wants and I get the smart home integrations for automation and voice control (as well as leveraging the POE with the network switch I’ve already purchased). Win — win!

What are your thoughts on automated window coverings? Definitely a little more expensive than the traditional solutions but worth the investment? Would you install shades/blinds like these? If you already have smart blinds, how do you like them?

Let Debbie and I know what you think about our plans and progress in the comments, DMs or email. Thanks again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process of our new smart home build. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’

SmartHomeOnTheRange.com

SmartHomeOnTheRange.com