Inside vs. Outside Mount Motorized Shades: A Complete Guide

Motorized shades are a stylish and convenient upgrade for any home, offering effortless control of light and privacy. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when choosing motorized shades is how they’re mounted—inside the window frame or outside it. Your choice affects not only the look and functionality of your shades, but also factors like light control, window size appearance, and installation ease.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about inside and outside mount motorized shades so you can make the best choice for your space.

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🪟 What Is Mounting?

Before diving into differences, let’s define the two mounting styles:

• Inside Mount: The shade is installed inside the window frame, creating a sleek, built-in look.
• Outside Mount: The shade is mounted on the wall or window trim above the window opening, often covering more of the wall and the window itself.

Both options work well with motorized shades—but they serve different needs and aesthetics.

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📏 Inside Mount Motorized Shades

👉 What They Are

Inside mount shades fit within the window frame. This creates a clean, architectural look that showcases your windows.

✔️ Pros

• Modern, streamlined appearance — shades sit inside the frame for a minimalist look.
• Preserves visible glass area — you see more of the actual window when shades are open.
• Great for windows with deep frames — ideal if your window recess is deep enough to house the shade.

❌ Cons

• Requires sufficient frame depth — if your window frame is too shallow, the shade or motor may not fit properly.
• Potential light gaps — light can peek around the edges if not fitted precisely.
• Limited coverage — won’t mask trim or make windows appear larger.

🧠 Best For

✔ Spaces where a clean, built-in look matters
✔ Windows with deep frames
✔ Rooms where visible glass area should be maximized

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🧱 Outside Mount Motorized Shades

👉 What They Are

Outside mount shades are installed on the wall or window trim, covering the top of the window and extending beyond the frame.

✔️ Pros

• Maximizes shade coverage — helps block more light and increases privacy.
• Works with shallow windows — perfect if inside depth is limited or obstructed by trim
• Makes windows look larger — visually expands height and width.

❌ Cons

• More visible hardware — the shade hardware is exposed above the window.
• May require more wall space — especially above tall windows or doors.
• Less minimal look — can be more traditional than recessed inside mounts.

🧠 Best For

✔ Rooms where blackout or full coverage is important
✔ Shallow window frames
✔ Large windows, sliding doors, or panoramic views

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⚡ How Motorization Affects Mounting

Whether you choose inside or outside mount, motorization adds extra factors to consider:

🔋 Power & Wiring

• Battery-powered motors work well with both inside and outside mounts, ideal if wiring is difficult.
• Hardwired motors may need space for wiring channels—usually easier with outside mounts.

📱 Controls

Choose how you want to control your shades:

• Remote control
• Wall switch
• App control (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)
• Smart home integration (Alexa, Google Home, etc.)

Make sure the installation layout supports the control system you prefer.

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🪄 Aesthetic & Functional Comparison