Smart Drapes (Norman SmartDrape) in Austin, TX
Smart drapes look like soft drapery but work like a vertical blind. Individual fabric vanes are held together by a sheer fabric, so you can turn the vanes open for light and view, or closed for privacy, with a simple wand.
Because the vanes are connected by sheer instead of chains, you can walk right through the shade on a sliding door without opening it first. We offer Norman SmartDrape and AB Collection's smart drape line, with wand or motorized control.
How smart drapes work
Smart drapes are made of individual fabric vanes, each one suspended in a layer of sheer fabric. Turn the vanes with the wand and they rotate just like a vertical blind: open for light and view through the sheer, or closed for privacy.
Slide the wand across and the whole shade draws to the side, stacking neatly so the door or window is fully open. With a motor, a remote or app does it for you.
Why we recommend them in Central Texas
Most Austin homes have at least one sliding glass door, and many still have the old plastic vertical blinds that clack, tangle, and yellow in the sun. Smart drapes replace them with something that looks like soft drapery and actually belongs in a finished room.
On doors you use all day, the ability to walk through without opening the shade is a real everyday convenience, especially with kids and pets going in and out.
Benefits
What you get with custom smart drapes from ATX Blinds & Draperies.
Walk-through design
Step through on a sliding door without opening the shade first.
Drapery look, blind control
Soft fabric and sheer, with vanes that tilt for precise light and privacy.
Wide openings
Built for sliding doors and window walls where other shades struggle.
Wand or motorized
Simple wand operation, or motorize it for a remote, app, or schedule.
Best for
- Sliding glass doors you use every day
- Wide windows and window walls
- Replacing old plastic vertical blinds
- Rooms where you want a softer, drapery look
Options
- Wand control or motorized
- Light filtering and room-darkening fabrics
- Norman SmartDrape and AB Collection options
- Stacks to one side or splits in the middle
- Smart hub for phone app and voice control, at home or away
Good to know
- Smart drapes come in light filtering and room-darkening fabrics. Room-darkening versions make a room quite dark, but they aren't a true blackout, so a little light can still show at the edges.
- They stack to the side when open, so plan a little wall space beside the door or window.
What affects the price
- Size of each window (wider and taller costs more)
- Fabric or material you choose
- Lift system: chain, cordless, or motorized
- Mounting hardware, cassettes, or tracks
- Number of windows (larger orders often price better per window)
- Specialty shapes and hard-to-reach installs
Every quote is free, in writing, and broken down by window. See our cost guide.
Our process
Consultations are available seven days a week.
Free consultation
We come to you with samples and look at every window, how it faces, and how the room is used.
Measure & quote
We measure every window precisely and send a written quote within 24 hours.
Professional install
We install, test, and clean up. Products are covered by manufacturer warranties.
Care & maintenance
A few minutes now and then keeps them looking new.
Vacuuming
Vacuum panels every month or two with a soft upholstery brush, working top to bottom. This keeps dust out of the folds.
Steaming
A handheld steamer refreshes wrinkles and creases in place, with no need to take the panels down.
Deep cleaning
Most custom draperies should be professionally dry cleaned rather than machine washed, especially lined panels. We'll tell you what your fabric needs.
Smart Drapes: common questions
Have another question? Call (512) 751-8408.
Can I walk through smart drapes without opening them?
Yes. The vanes are joined by sheer fabric instead of chains, so you can walk through the shade on a sliding door, then it falls back into place.
What's the difference between smart drapes and vertical blinds?
Both use vertical vanes that turn and slide. Smart drapes use soft fabric vanes held in sheer, so they look like drapery and you can walk through them. Vertical blinds use stiffer slats connected by chains.
Can smart drapes darken a room?
Yes. Choose a room-darkening fabric and the room gets quite dark. It isn't a complete blackout, but it works well for bedrooms and media rooms.
Can smart drapes be motorized?
Yes. We offer wand-operated and motorized versions.
Which brands do you carry?
We install Norman SmartDrape and AB Collection's smart drape line, and we'll bring samples of both to your consultation.
Can I control motorized shades from my phone?
Yes. Add a smart hub and you can raise, lower, group, and schedule everything from an app on your phone, at home or away, and connect to popular voice assistants.
Related products
Smart Drapes near you
Get a free quote on smart drapes
Tell us a little about your project. We'll call to set a time that works, any day of the week, and bring our mobile showroom to you.
(512) 751-8408Text us: (512) 751-8408info@austintexasblinds.comConsultations available Monday through Sunday.
What happens next
- We call you from (512) 751-8408, usually the same day. Save our number so you know it's us.
- No answer? We'll text you from the same number to find a good time.
- We bring the showroom to you: samples at your windows, and we measure everything.
- Written quote within 24 hours. No obligation, no pressure.