Motorized Shades vs Manual Shades: Which Is Worth the Extra Cost?
January 21, 2026
Learn how Zinga’s can turn your favorite outdoor space into your ideal oasis, regardless of the season.
Zinga’s Outdoor Solutions specializes in transforming outdoor spaces into beautiful, functional extensions of your home. From custom patios and decks to landscaping and complete backyard makeovers, we bring thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship to every project.
Our specialty is working closely with you to design and create your dream outdoor space, perfectly curated for relaxation and enjoyment no matter the season.
Explore our shading systems, designed to bring comfort, protection and style to your windows, patios & outdoor living areas.
Schedule ConsultationWe bring sample products & fabrics directly to your home so you can see and feel the products in your home.
We take precise measurements of all your windows and provide you a no pressure quote at the time of your consultation.
Installation completed by Zinga's employee who are experts in their craft. Free yourself of the stress of installing.
Great experience from Adrian's detailed consult to Misty's customer service, keeping us informed on our timeline. Install went smoothly and the plantation shutters look great. Professionalism shown all the way around.
Todd and Matt did a great job installing our plantation shutters and our power shades. We are in an older building and they did a great job of adjusting to the not so square construction. They were efficient, knowledgeable and very clean! Misty was a good connection as our customer service rep.
Zinga's installers Phil & Carl did an excellent job getting our blinds perfect in our new home. They were professional, listened and made adjustments to end up with an excellent result. Thanks very much Phil & Carl!
We ordered four motorized shades for our sliding glass doors. It is great having them open and close on schedule via the app. Zingas had to come out a second time to make adjustments. The home office worked with me and the field crew (Todd, Rob) to ensure my concerns were met. Todd and Rob were both courteous and professional during the installation and adjustments.
I will come back and update post issue resolution. Overall I would tell you to look elsewhere for your blinds. It has been a frustrating experience. The sales person was completely unrealistic with timeframe to get installed and the worst part was he sold me an automation solution that is not technically possible with product installed. I was very clear about what I wanted and now have blinds that cannot be automated. Two blinds arrived in wrong configuration and one was broken from factory. The partner they use to build blinds clearly had QC issues. Time will tell how they hold up. To be fair the installation team was great. I’d give them a 5 star as they were efficient, courteous and clean up as they went. Post sale service has also been responsive thus far to resolve product issues. This is third new build since 2020 I have installed new blinds in and sadly easily worst experience of them. As promised I want to be fair and update my review. The install and post sale resolution team have been very good. Install was done well and post sale follow up on issues has been very good. I’d give them both 5 stars separately. I do think front end sales still needs work to support the rest of team to manage expectations correctly. I will post final update once final resolution has been completed.
Phil and Todd did an excellent job with my shade installation. They arrived on time, were professional throughout the entire visit, and treated my home with care and respect. They were courteous, efficient, and clearly knew what they were doing. I really appreciated how smooth and stress-free the process was. I would absolutely recommend them to other customers looking for reliable and respectful installers.
Zingas did an excellent job for my lanai, already loving the new space this time of year in Florida. Misty was very professional and kept me informed throughout the process.
Can’t say enough of how professional the crew was that installed our blinds. The sales team and the installation team made this whole process effortless. Love the quality of the blinds would recommend this company highly.
We had an overall great experience with Zinga for the purchase of wood plantation shutters and fabric roller shades. Initially, Johnathan, Sales Manager, came out and spent a lot of time with us showing the differences in the products and types of materials. We chose Zinga over some other company's products because they have a lifetime warranty, excellent quality and selection, and the tilt bar that moves the louvers open and closed is located to the sides so it isn't visible from the street. We also liked the fact that the rollers were hidden behind a built-in valance (unlike our previous roller shades that required purchasing a separate valance and you could still see some of the shades when they were pulled up). After we placed the order, communication with Jenny (inside Sales Manager) was prompt and informative from the beginning to the end of the project. Alex, who is also with Zinga (so no "outside" hired workers) was exceptional in the installation of the products. No damaged shutters or shades (everything was wrapped up very well), and just a super experience for us. Would not hesitate to recommend them for your window needs.
Had a great experience with Adrian. He was prompt, on time, efficient, and came prepared to answer our questions and concerns, tailoring the products to our needs. Would highly recommend across the Tampa Bay area.
Zinga's is a total class act from start to finish. The entire process was smooth, professional, and well-organized. Amber C and the warranty team were responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful - not rushed, not dismissive, just solid customer service done right. The cordless option is fantastic, the install was clean, and everything works exactly as promised. You can tell this company cares about doing things correctly and standing behind their work. Highly recommend Zinga's if you want quality products, clear communication, and a team that actually follows through. Wendy M.
Outstanding experience with Zinga and sales representative **Garrett** Dotson. From start to finish, the entire process of selecting window treatments for our home in Beachwalk by Manasota Key was thorough, professional, and genuinely customer-focused. Garrett came to our house, carefully reviewed every window, and made thoughtful recommendations tailored to each room’s size, location, and purpose. He walked us through a wide variety of roller shade materials, clearly explaining how each option would look and perform in different lighting conditions. His advice on motorized shades for added convenience was especially helpful, and he presented it as a smart upgrade rather than a pushy upsell. Pricing was competitive and reasonable, and Garrett took the time to explain all aspects of the warranty so there were no surprises. He also suggested promotional financing options that made the overall project more manageable for our budget. Throughout the entire appointment, he was patient, friendly, and extremely helpful, answering all of our questions in detail. Garrett also clearly explained the advantages of Zinga’s products and service over the competition, which gave us a lot of confidence in our decision. Thanks to his expertise and professionalism, we felt fully informed and very comfortable moving forward. Highly recommend Zinga and especially Garrett Dotson for anyone looking for high-quality window treatments and a top-tier in-home consultation experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am writing to share my appreciation for the excellent work done by your installation team, specifically, Phil, Todd, and Rob. Although, the amount of time that it took from the initial order, to install, seemed a bit excessive (3.5 months), I am very pleased with the blinds installation and the professional service provided. The team was efficient, detail-oriented, and ensured everything was perfect before finishing the job. Thank you for the great experience and for the high-quality work. Troy
We recently had a home consultation with Zinga Blinds and Shades, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. Scheduling the appointment was incredibly easy, which was a great first impression. Our consultant, Alyssa, arrived right on time and was a pleasure to work with. She was professional, highly attentive, and truly listened to our specific needs for the space. Rather than just showing us samples, she helped us brainstorm the most optimal design ideas. We especially appreciated that she focused on finding options that were both suitable for our home and affordable for our budget. The visit was quick and efficient without feeling rushed. We were so impressed with the service and the products Alyssa presented that we signed up with them on the same day. We are very excited to see the finished product and can’t wait for the installation!
Great job and faster. Our back yard look great. Thank you Happy 😊 family
Adrian came out to show me options for my back sliders. He was extremely professional, and knowledgeable. I really appreciate his expertise and very excited to get my new shades for the back sliders! Thank you to Adrian & Zingas!
Adrian came over and went through the process and what all is entailed with their products. He knew everything about his craft and could answer any question. An expert at navigation what is best for the customer and helped us come to the best option for our needs. We had his competitors out to give us quotes and they were inferior products, knowledge and pricing. I would highly recommend them to friends and family.
Tyler and Peyton just completed the installation of our automated shades. They both were professional and efficient at their job. They arrived on time, did a great job with the installation, cleaned up after they were finished, and ensured we understood how to use and maintain the shades. Excellent customer service. Highly recommend Zingas!
Highly recommend this awning and company!! We have been in the awning business for 40 plus years and know quality… Zinga’s product is over the top and better than we expected. Great experience from beginning to end: Kiersten, in the office, Adam, sales contact, and Drew and Tyler, installation..all professional and knowledgeable of the product they represent. Thank you for an amazing awning and experience! Todd & Rachel Lengle
My installer Andrew was wonderful. Couldn’t believe how fast he got everything done. Polite and knowledgeable I certainly recommend this company Zinga’s for your window treatments EXCELLENT
Enter your zip code to find a Zinga's location near you. Together, we can create your dream space!