Palladiom shades making noise during operation
by PalladiomOwner• 7 replies• 17343 views
Hey everyone, I recently had a full Palladiom shade installation completed in my living room and master bedroom - 6 shades total across both rooms. The system looks absolutely stunning and the integration with my Lutron system is flawless. However, I've noticed something that's starting to bother me.
During operation, especially when raising the shades, there's a noticeable humming/buzzing noise coming from what I assume is the motor. It's not extremely loud, but in a quiet room it's definitely audible from about 15 feet away. My wife has mentioned it a few times and it's becoming a bit of an annoyance, especially in the bedroom when we're trying to have a peaceful morning.
Is this normal for Palladiom shades? I was under the impression these were supposed to be whisper-quiet given the premium price point. The noise seems consistent across all 6 shades, so I don't think it's a defective unit. My installer says this is within spec, but I wanted to get some real-world feedback from other owners.
The shades are the roller style with blackout fabric, installed about 3 months ago. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there anything that can be done to reduce the noise, or should I push back on my dealer? Any input would be appreciated.
Replies
ShadeControlExpert24410 hours ago
This is actually a common issue I've seen with Palladiom installations, and 9 times out of 10 it comes down to one of three things: improper bracket mounting, fabric tension issues, or the shades not being properly calibrated after installation.
First, check that all mounting brackets are torqued properly and that there's no gap between the bracket and the mounting surface. Even a small gap can create a resonance chamber that amplifies motor noise. Second, have your installer verify the fabric tension - if it's too tight, the motor works harder and makes more noise. Finally, make sure the installer ran the full calibration routine. Palladiom shades have a specific break-in calibration that optimizes motor performance. If this was skipped, you'll get more noise.
I'd push back on your dealer and have them come out to verify all three of these items. Given what you paid for these shades, you deserve proper performance.
✓ Accepted Answer
HighEndIntegrator25034 hours ago
Palladiom shades are definitely quieter than most motorized shades on the market, but they're not completely silent. Some operational noise is expected, especially with heavier blackout fabrics which put more load on the motor. That said, if it's noticeable from 15 feet away, that seems a bit excessive. Have you checked if the mounting brackets are properly secured? Loose brackets can amplify motor vibration significantly.
LutronFanatic24722 hours ago
I have 4 Palladiom shades and mine are nearly silent. You can barely hear them from 5 feet away. Something doesn't sound right with your installation.
Control4Enthusiast24026 hours ago
Agree with the above. My Palladiom shades were noisy at first but after recalibration they're whisper quiet now. Definitely have them come back out.
TechSavvyHomeowner23498 hours ago
Quick question - are the shades installed in a pocket or surface mounted? Pocket installations can sometimes create acoustic issues if the pocket isn't properly insulated.
PalladiomOwner23066 hours ago
Thanks for all the responses! To answer the question - they're surface mounted, no pocket. I'm going to contact my dealer tomorrow and specifically ask them to check the bracket mounting and run the calibration routine again. Didn't realize there was a specific break-in process. Will report back!
SmartShadeMaster23066 hours ago
Good luck! Also worth mentioning - make sure they check the tube alignment inside the fascia. If the roller tube isn't perfectly level, it can cause the motor to strain and create noise. It's a subtle thing but makes a big difference. These shades should be nearly inaudible when properly installed.
