Motorized Roman Shades vs. Manual: Which Is Right for You?

Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025

As a homeowner, investing in new window shades to improve your Georgia home’s value is always a wise decision. However, the question remains: are motorized or manual Roman shades the best option for you?

Modern floating staircase with dark wood treads and a metal support structure, interior.

Roman Shades are known for their soft and structured fabric folds, which dramatically change the look and feel of your windows.


At Classic Blinds & Shutters Design Center in Alpharetta, we offer Hunter Douglas Roman shades in several styles, including different opacities, full and flat folds, various fabrics, and a top/down, bottom/up option so that you can enjoy the sun from the top down and privacy at eye level.


But did you know that you can also enjoy the features you love with hands-free control?


Today, our team discusses the pros and cons how motorized Roman shades can add style and function to your windows.

The Big Window Treatment Debate: Motorized or Manual?

When you add PowerView® Automation to your Hunter Douglas window treatments, you get the ultimate in convenience and style.


PowerView® Automation is a motorized window treatment control system that can be added to your home with batteries, solar power, or a variety of other different power supplies. This system allows you to manage your light and privacy with a simple button push from your phone with the PowerView® App or when you use the Pebble® remote.


The more knowledge you have about any major home investment, the better off you are. Here we have assembled a simple comparison between motorized and manual shades to make your final decision well-informed. With this information, you will know that you have selected the type that best fits your lifestyle and family needs.


  • Convenience
  • Cost
  • Technology
  • Aesthetics
  • Safety
  • Variety

Shop Our Store for Shades and Blinds Near Alpharetta, GA

Classic Blinds & Shutters Design Center is your go-to destination for custom Hunter Douglas window treatments in Alpharetta.


Our team of designers are eager to make your dream home a reality. We can’t wait to listen to your ideas and offer you advice along the way.


When you are ready to learn more about motorized and manual window treatments perfect for your space, visit our showroom in Alpharetta, GA, or request a consultation, and one of our friendly staff will reach out.


We are honored to serve the Metro Atlanta area including Alpharetta, Milton, and Johns Creek, GA.

Living room with patterned curtains, sofa, gold lamp, and a succulent arrangement.

Best Alternatives to Vertical Blinds

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Sliding glass doors make an excellent transition from the inside of your home to an outdoor living space. Vertical blinds are the standard choice for covering sliding glass and patio doors, but if they aren’t your thing, we think you’ll enjoy these alternatives to vertical blinds. 
Sunlit living room with gray shuttered windows, blue rug, and seating.

Are Painted Shutters or Stained Wood Shutters Right for Your Home?

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Whether you live in a coastal cottage, a Southern Victorian, or a modern Georgian home, wooden window shutters can add distinction, charm, and elegance to any window setting. These beautiful window treatments come in a wide array of styles, colors, and designs, but one of the biggest choices that can make a huge difference in the look and performance of these shutters is whether or not they are stained or painted. Both options work, but each comes with its own unique set of visuals and benefits. 
Bay window with built-in shelves displaying blue and white vases. The window has shutters and overlooks a green landscape.

What Is a Plantation Shutter?

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
No window treatment is more reminiscent of the American South than interior plantation shutters. Plantation shutters are a classic window treatment that will add instant sophistication and charm to your overall home’s design. Their durable construction and versatility makes them a great fit for a variety of uses. 
White wooden blinds with beige fabric tape and pull cords.

Try These Solutions for Porch Enclosures

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Enclosed porches, patios, or sunrooms are perfect places to enjoy the gorgeous Georgia sun. These flexible spaces allow homeowners to enjoy the best of both worlds while remaining out of the heat and humidity. If you’re looking for a quiet, shaded spot to sit back and enjoy the view, you can add light control, charm, and comfort to your porch or patio with new window treatments from Hunter Douglas. 
Three white roller shades covering windows; two patterned armchairs face a small table.

Protect Your Home from Excessive Sun with Screen Shades

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
No matter what time of year it is, as a proud homeowner in the Alpharetta area, you want to ensure your belongings stay protected from the sun. While bright light enhances your home with its glow, the sun’s harsh UV rays can damage your floors, furnishings, and art. It can also produce annoying glares that make it challenging to complete computer work or view a movie on your TV screens. No matter what time of year it is, as a proud homeowner in the Alpharetta area, you want to ensure your belongings stay protected from the sun. While bright light enhances your home with its glow, the sun’s harsh UV rays can damage your floors, furnishings, and art. It can also produce annoying glares that make it challenging to complete computer work or view a movie on your TV screens. 
Two wicker chairs facing each other in front of a window with white shutters, beneath a wood beam.

Window Treatment Ideas for Your Sliding Doors

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Now that the beautiful Georgia spring is here and summer is on its way, your sliding doors are primed to take center stage as your home's central portal to the great outdoors. Since your patio doors can be such a busy exit and entrance, their window treatments can often take a lot of the wear and tear during this busy. That's when we can step in to assist with durable and stylish window treatments. Our team of design experts at Classic Blinds & Shutters Design Center is delighted to discuss some sliding door blind ideas from Hunter Douglas for a pop of summer aesthetic, including plantation shutters for a long-standing classic look that will turn your sliding doors into an architectural feature.
A modern living room with large panel blinds, a sofa, coffee table, and floor lamp.

Modernize Your Home Hunter Douglas Motorized Shades

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Some interior design trends stand the test of time, while others come and go throughout the years. Modern motorized window treatments from Hunter Douglas are one lasting choice that offers both style and the latest in technological advancements. These modern shade, blinds, and shutters are an aesthetic upgrade for any Georgia home regardless of its interior design while at the same time featuring classic styles any homeowner will love. 
Craft room with craft table, storage, and windows with blinds; orange chair.

Classic Blind, Shade, and Shutter Choices from Hunter Douglas

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
The new year is a good time to reflect and take some steps to refresh, recharge, and set yourself up for a great new year. One surefire way to breathe fresh air into your home during a Georgia winter is by outfitting your home with new window treatments. Here at Classic Blinds & Shutters Design, we are proud to carry Hunter Douglas blinds, shades, and shutters that will offer aesthetic appeal and functionality to your interior décor. Here, we have carefully curated some of our favorites from each style to help you find the perfect choice to freshen up your home. 
White vertical blinds on large windows, interior with ottoman, artwork, and decorative items.

Lasting Drapery Solutions For Your Modern Home

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Selecting window treatments for your modern home can be daunting with the many options available. But one option that can accent all kinds of modern interiors is drapery. Drapery has long been a classic choice for adding dimension and drama to your windows. Our Classic Blinds & Shutters team is eager to share a few Hunter Douglas drapery solutions to combine with your modern home to create a cohesive design that exudes elegance. 
Living room with large windows, light-colored blinds, beige rug, and modern furniture.

3 Reasons Why Cellular Shades are a Great Investment

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Maybe you've been thinking about giving your windows a new style by updating your window dressings. The world of window treatments is vast and wide, making deciding what style is best for your home is difficult. Shutters, curtains, blinds, shades, what have you. One thing to think about is Georgia's fluctuating weather patterns. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cool and rainy. Selecting a window treatment with excellent insulating properties, aesthetic style, and functionality is your best choice. Here at Classic Blinds & Shutters, we proudly carry Hunter Douglas Duette® Honeycomb Shades, which meet all these criteria and more.