Why Motorise?

The practical case for motorisation has never been stronger. Floor-to-ceiling glazing, double-height windows and bifold walls — the hallmarks of contemporary residential architecture — create window treatments that are physically difficult or impossible to operate manually. A curtain track spanning five metres, or an external roller screen four metres off the ground, needs a motor.

Beyond practicality, motorisation enables behaviours that are genuinely transformative: closing all the blinds at dusk with a single voice command, programming external screens to retract before a forecast storm, or triggering a “cinema mode” that dims the lights and lowers the blackout blind simultaneously. These are not gimmicks — they are the logical extension of good design.

For commercial buildings, motorisation is frequently a code requirement. BREEAM credits for daylighting control, Part O compliance strategies that rely on automatic shading response to solar intensity, and BMS (Building Management System) integration in hotels, schools and offices all depend on motorised systems.

Motor Types

Tubular DC Motors

The industry standard for roller blinds, roller shutters and external screens. The motor sits inside the roller tube, invisible from outside. DC motors (as opposed to older AC motors) are quieter, more precise, have longer service lives, and support soft-start/soft-stop for smooth, silent operation. Brands we work with include Somfy, Elero, and Gaposa — all with extensive UK support networks.

Track Motors for Curtains

Motorised curtain tracks use a toothed belt or cord drive to move the leading carrier. The motor can be end-mounted (visible at the track end) or inline (concealed within a ceiling recess). For wide spans or heavy fabrics, dual-motor systems with a central join are standard. Track systems from Silent Gliss and Niko are our preferred specification.

Wand and Worm-Drive Motors for Venetians and Louvres

Venetian blinds — whether internal or external — require a different motor type that both raises and tilts the slats. Wand-drive motors give precise tilt control; worm-drive systems are used for large commercial louvre façades.

Control Systems

Wall Switch

The simplest and most reliable option. Hardwired or wireless wall switch for each motor or group. Ideal for straightforward domestic installations.

Remote Handset

Somfy RTS or io-homecontrol remotes allow individual or group control from anywhere in the room. No hub required. Most common starting point for residential projects.

App and Smart Hub

Somfy TaHoma, Gira, or Lutron hubs enable smartphone control, scheduling and scenes. Can combine blinds, lighting and HVAC in a single interface.

Smart Home Integration

Protocols including KNX, Lutron, Control4, Crestron and Apple HomeKit. For full smart home projects, we work with your AV or smart home integrator to ensure seamless coordination.

Sun and Wind Sensors

Automatic operation based on solar intensity, wind speed or rain. Particularly important for external shading, where unattended operation in storms would cause damage.

BMS Integration

For commercial projects — hotels, schools, offices. Motors connect via BACnet, Modbus or DALI protocols to the building’s management system for centralised control and energy logging.

Power Options

Mains-Powered

The preferred option for most installations. Requires a 240V spur at each motor position — this should be planned at the architectural design stage, not retrofitted. Mains motors are typically rated for continuous duty, making them ideal for commercial environments.

Battery-Powered

Increasingly capable battery motors (Somfy Glydea Ultra, for example) now handle curtain tracks up to 6m on a single charge. Ideal for retrofit and listed building projects where cabling is not possible. Solar charging cradles are available for south-facing external applications.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

Emerging technology for commercial projects. Low-voltage DC power delivered via Cat6 cable alongside the data signal. Simplifies wiring infrastructure for large floor-plate buildings.

What to Specify When

For a new-build residential project, the ideal sequence is: confirm motor type and control protocol at RIBA Stage 3, install conduit and spur positions at first-fix (Stage 4), install motors and tracks at second-fix (Stage 5), programme and commission as part of snagging. Adding motorisation at snagging is possible but significantly more expensive.

For retrofit projects, battery motors remove the electrical constraint but introduce a maintenance routine. Wireless control systems (Somfy io-homecontrol) allow grouping and automation without additional cabling. We survey every retrofit project before quotation.

Specifying motorisation? We provide full motor specifications, wiring diagrams, and coordination with your smart home integrator or M&E consultant. Start a conversation or visit our Trade Portal.

Smart Home Integration: A Practical Note

We are often asked which smart home platform to use. Our honest answer: use the one your client already has, or the one their AV integrator recommends. Somfy’s io-homecontrol protocol is compatible with the widest range of platforms (Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Control4, and others). Lutron shading is the default specification in the US luxury residential market and is gaining ground in the UK. KNX remains the specification language of choice for high-specification European projects.

What matters most is that the motor protocol is decided before purchase — changing protocol after installation is generally not possible without replacing motors.