FAQ

Outdoor motorized shades, such as the MotionScreen™ systems offered by KreatifSpaces, are retractable screens specifically designed for exterior applications. These systems typically consist of a durable screen fabric (like solar mesh or insect screen) housed in an aluminum casing and deployed along tracks or cables to cover openings. The "motorized" aspect means they are operated electronically via a remote control, wall switch, smartphone app, or integrated smart home system, allowing for effortless adjustment. These shades are custom-manufactured to fit the specific dimensions of various outdoor structures, including patios, porches, pergolas, lanais, gazebos, and even garages. While manual versions are also available, the focus is often on the convenience and advanced features of motorized options.

Installing motorized shades provided by KreatifSpaces, offers numerous advantages for enhancing outdoor living spaces:

Sun and UV Protection: The shades effectively block a significant portion of harmful UV radiation (solar mesh options can block up to 95% or more). This reduces glare, protects occupants and outdoor furniture from sun damage, and can significantly lower the temperature in the shaded area, sometimes by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit compared to unshaded areas.  

Insect Control: They create a barrier against common pests like mosquitoes, flies, bees, and wasps, allowing for more comfortable enjoyment of outdoor spaces, especially during evenings in regions like Eastern Tennessee.  

Weather Resistance: The screens offer protection against light rain and wind, extending the usability of outdoor areas during less-than-ideal weather conditions. Specific vinyl screen options provide enhanced protection against the elements.  

Privacy: Motorized shades can be lowered easily to provide privacy from neighbors or public view, ideal for areas like hot tubs, pools, or outdoor workspaces. Different mesh types offer varying degrees of outward visibility and inward privacy.  

Expanded Living Space: By controlling sun, bugs, and weather, the shades transform patios, porches, and other areas into comfortable, functional extensions of a home or business, usable for more of the year. This is particularly valuable for commercial establishments like restaurants or hotels seeking to maximize usable square footage.

Convenience and Automation: Operation occurs at the touch of a button, via app, or voice command, offering modern convenience. Integration with smart home systems and sensors allows for automated adjustments based on schedules or conditions like sunlight intensity.  

Aesthetic Integration: The systems are designed to blend seamlessly with existing architecture, featuring hidden fasteners and a variety of frame and fabric colors to complement the building's design.  

Energy Efficiency: By blocking solar heat gain before it enters the home through windows or patio doors, exterior shades can contribute to reduced indoor cooling costs during warmer months.  

Kreatif Spaces shades are constructed using high-quality, durable materials designed for longevity in outdoor environments:

Frames, Housing, and Tracks: Components are made from heavy-gauge, high-grade aluminum, ensuring strength and resistance to corrosion. The aluminum is typically finished with an electrostatic powder coating, available in several standard colors with custom options, further enhancing durability and aesthetics. The track system utilizes a zipper guide mechanism to keep the screen securely within the channels, even under tension. Recessed track options are available for a more integrated look. Cable-guided systems using stainless steel aircraft cables are an alternative for installations where tracks are not feasible.  

Screen Fabrics: Various screen mesh options are sourced from reputable vendors.

Options include:

Solar Mesh: Designed to block UV rays and reduce heat gain while maintaining outward visibility. Visiontex™, a vinyl-coated polyester mesh, is highlighted as a premium option with a 10-year warranty and GreenGuard Gold certification (indicating low chemical emissions).

Insect Mesh: Prioritizes airflow and pest prevention.  

Privacy Mesh: Offers reduced visibility for enhanced privacy.  

Vinyl with Clear Windows: Utilizes solid vinyl borders combined with clear Fenestra windows for maximum weather protection (rain, wind, temperature retention) while preserving the view. Vinyl screens typically carry a 1-year limited warranty. All fabrics are engineered to be UV-stable, resisting fading and mildew.  

The combination of robust aluminum construction and high-performance fabrics results in a durable shading system built to withstand outdoor conditions.

Kreatif Spaces offers motorized shades with extensive customization possibilities:

Sizes: Each screen is custom manufactured to the specific measurements of the opening, accommodating both standard and oversized applications up to certain limits. The standard MotionScreen™ with a zipper track can be made for openings up to 22.5 feet wide and 16 feet tall. The cable-guided version accommodates openings up to 16 feet wide and 12 feet tall. Precise measurements are typically taken by KreatifSpaces during the consultation process.  For larger openings, we have another option available; please reach out to us.

Frame Colors: There are 7 standard powder-coated aluminum colors available: Bronze, Champagne, Tan, Textured Black, Textured Grey, Textured White, and White. Custom color matching through powder coating is also available upon request to ensure a perfect blend with the existing structure.  

Fabric Options: Customers can choose from a variety of screen mesh types (solar, insect, privacy) and colors to meet their specific needs regarding UV protection, airflow, visibility, and aesthetics. Available fabric colors include options like Black, Carbon, Chestnut, Dark Bronze, Mocha, Stucco, and White-Grey. Vinyl screens also offer choices for border colors. Blackout screen options are available as well. The selection process involves balancing factors like desired light control, heat reduction, pest protection, privacy level, and outward view.  

This high degree of customization ensures that the final product not only performs as needed but also integrates seamlessly into the architectural style of the home or business. This tailored approach necessitates a consultation to determine the optimal configuration.

The versatility of Kreatif Spaces’ motorized shades allows for installation in a wide range of outdoor and transitional spaces for both residential and commercial properties. Common applications include:  

• Patios

• Porches

• Balconies

• Pergolas

• Lanais

• Gazebos

• Garage door openings

• Windows

They are suitable for enclosing spaces to create comfortable outdoor rooms, enhancing privacy around pools or hot tubs, providing ventilation for garages, or controlling sunlight for commercial venues like restaurant patios or country club terraces.

The shades utilize quiet and reliable electric motors for smooth operation. Kreatif Spaces partners with a recognized vendor in motorization and automation for window coverings and exterior products. Motors frequently used are engineered for exterior vertical screens, including those with zipper tracks. A key feature of these motors is obstacle detection capability; they can sense obstructions when lowering or raising, stopping the motor to protect the screen fabric, the object, and outdoor furniture from potential damage. This use of established motorization technology underscores the system's reliability and advanced functionality.

Users have several convenient options for controlling their motorized shades:

• Remote Controls: Handheld remotes (multi-channel options available) and wall-mounted wireless keypads (like the Sidekick remote) allow for simple push-button operation.  

• Smartphone/Tablet Apps: Dedicated apps, potentially including the Bond Home app (when using the Bond Bridge), provide control from mobile devices, enabling operation from anywhere with an internet connection. These apps often include features for creating custom 'scenes' (pre-set shade positions) and setting automated schedules (e.g., lowering shades at sunset).  

• Smart Home Integration: The shades can be integrated into larger smart home ecosystems.  

• Voice Commands: When integrated with compatible smart home systems (like Amazon Alexa or Google Home), shades can often be controlled using voice commands.  

• Sensors: Integration with sensors, such as sun or wind sensors, can allow for automatic shade adjustments based on real-time weather conditions, although availability should be confirmed during consultation.  

The variety of control methods offers flexibility to suit different user preferences and technological setups.  

Yes, integration with various smart home systems is a key feature of the motorized shades offered by KreatifSpaces. The motorization technology, including radio frequency protocols and potentially Zigbee® via a compatible hub, is designed for compatibility.  

Integration with popular platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT (If This Then That) is typically facilitated through a compatible smart home hub and app. Compatibility with high-end automation systems such as Control4, Savant, and Crestron is also suggested. However, direct integration with these systems might require a specific hub or potentially other third-party integration devices or specific programming.  

Another potential integration pathway is the Bond Bridge Pro, which adds Wi-Fi capability to radio frequency motors (among others) and explicitly supports integration with Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. It is unclear from the available information if Bond Bridge directly supports Control4, Savant, or Crestron.  

Given the potential complexities and variations between different smart home setups, customers should discuss their specific system and integration goals with KreatifSpaces during the expert consultation to ensure compatibility and determine the necessary hardware or configuration. This consultation step is crucial for a seamless smart home experience.

The process for ordering custom motorized shades from KreatifSpaces begins with direct contact to initiate a personalized consultation. Customers should reach out to request a free quote and expert assessment of their space. This can be done via:  

• Phone: +1 (423) 716-2244  

• Email: Support@KreatifSpaces.com  

• Online Quote Request Form: Available on the KreatifSpaces website.  

During the consultation, a KreatifSpaces expert will evaluate the specific environment (patio, pergola, etc.), discuss the customer's needs and goals (e.g., sun protection, bug prevention, privacy), and help tailor the ideal shade solution by selecting appropriate materials, features, colors, and motorization options. This consultative approach is necessary because the shades are custom-made, not off-the-shelf products.  

Customers do not typically need to provide precise measurements when first contacting KreatifSpaces. As part of the custom service and installation process, Kreatif Spaces will perform professional, precise on-site measurements (accurate to 1/16 of an inch) to ensure a perfect fit for the custom-manufactured shades.  

However, customers should be prepared to discuss details about the installation location, the primary reasons for wanting the shades (e.g., blocking afternoon sun, creating a bug-free dining area, enhancing privacy), any specific aesthetic preferences, and how they envision using the space. This information helps the Kreatif Spaces expert recommend the most suitable product configuration during the consultation.

Yes, KreatifSpaces provides expert, professional installation services for the motorized shades they sell. This is crucial for ensuring the custom shades are fitted correctly and operate smoothly. While the product design might allow for self-installation , it is strongly discouraged. Professional installation by certified installers is highly recommended, as proper installation is critical for optimal performance and, importantly, for maintaining full warranty coverage. Attempting a DIY installation will void the manufacturer's product warranty and potentially affect any installation warranty offered by KreatifSpaces. Installation warranties are provided by KreatifSpaces, separate from the manufacturer's product warranty. Therefore, professional installation by KreatifSpaces is the standard and highly recommended approach to ensure the system works correctly and all warranties are honored.

Daily operation of the motorized shades is designed to be simple and convenient, using the control method selected during the ordering process. This typically involves using a handheld remote control, a wall-mounted switch or keypad, or a dedicated smartphone app (potentially including the Bond Home app). If integrated into a smart home system, operation via the main smart home interface or through voice commands (e.g., "Alexa, lower the patio shades") may also be possible. Apps often allow for setting preferred positions ('scenes') or automated schedules for raising and lowering the shades at specific times or in response to conditions like sunrise or sunset.

While the shades are designed for durability and low maintenance , periodic care is generally recommended for outdoor products to ensure optimal appearance and longevity.  

General guidance for similar products often includes:

• Gently wiping down aluminum components (housing, tracks) with a soft cloth and mild soap and water solution, then rinsing.

• Cleaning screen fabrics with mild soap and water using a soft brush or cloth, avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, and rinsing thoroughly. Allow fabric to dry completely before retracting.

• Keeping tracks clear of debris.

However, users should rely on the specific care instructions provided by Kreatif Spaces, likely given at the time of installation or available upon request. It is advisable to contact Kreatif Spaces directly for their recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures tailored to the specific fabrics and components installed.