Motorized Blinds: How They Work

Motorized blinds raise, lower and tilt at the press of a button, with no cord or bead chain to handle. They earn their place on large windows, hard-to-reach windows, sliding glass doors and any room where you want to adjust the light without crossing the floor. This guide explains how the motors work, what to plan before you order, and the trade-offs worth weighing.

How a motorized blind works

A small motor, housed in the blind’s headrail or tube, does the job your hand would otherwise do. It receives a signal from a transmitter (a remote, a switch or an app) and moves the fabric up or down. At Stores d’Aujourd’hui, we offer Somfy motors, a well-known name in window covering motorization.

Wired or radio motor

There are two main ways to power the motor.

• Wired (120 V): the motor connects to your home’s electrical supply. It never needs charging, but a wire has to reach the window. This is the easiest option to plan while building or renovating, when the walls are open.
• Radio, on a rechargeable battery: the motor runs without a wire and is recharged from time to time. It is generally the choice for finished homes where running a wire would be a project. A solar panel can also serve as the power source.

Both types are controlled wirelessly. Radio range can reach about 20 m (roughly 65 ft) through standard walls, depending on construction.

How you control them

A remote is included with the motorization. Depending on how you live, you can add:

• a wall switch, as natural to use as a light switch;
• a phone app, including when you are away from home;
• voice control through Google Home, Alexa or Apple HomeKit.

Scenes, timers and sensors

Once blinds are connected, they can be grouped: “living room,” “bedroom” or “everything.” One touch then opens or closes several blinds at once. You can also set a timer (open in the morning, close in the evening) and, with sun, wind or temperature sensors, let the blinds respond to outdoor conditions. These extras are optional: a motorized blind works perfectly well with just its remote.

Which blinds can be motorized?

Somfy motorization is available on several products made in our Gatineau workshop:

• solar, opaque and translucent roller shades;
• vertical blinds;
• day-night (duo) blinds;
• Roman shades, in roller fabric or drapery fabric;
• curtains and drapes on a motorized track.

For product-by-product details, see our page on motorization and home automation.

What to plan

Power at the window

This is the first question to settle. Is there an outlet or a wire close to the window? If not, a battery-powered radio motor is generally the answer. If you are building or renovating, it is the ideal moment to ask your electrician to leave a wire where the blinds will go.

New build or retrofit

In new construction, wired motors are easy to build into the walls. In an existing home, radio motors avoid opening them up. In everyday use, the two feel much the same.

Blinds you already own

Motorizing existing blinds is often possible, as long as the mechanism is compatible. We assess each case on site. Depending on the condition of the mechanism, adding a motor may be enough, or replacing the mechanism may be the better option.

Accurate measurements

A motorized blind needs to fit well so it travels straight. On request, an advisor comes to measure each window to the 1/8 inch, and that is included in the quote. You can also read our guide to measuring windows for blinds.

Questions to ask yourself first

• Which windows are the most effort to operate? They are often the best candidates: wide glass, sliding doors, high windows.
• Do you want to control everything from one place? A single remote or an app can group several blinds.
• Would a timer help? Opening blinds in the morning or closing them in the evening can be programmed, and adjusted with the seasons.
• Will you use a home automation hub? Voice control and the app generally go through a hub; we will tell you what is needed.
• Who will use the blinds? A wall switch is often appreciated by guests and by anyone who would rather skip the app.

Everyday use and care

A motorized blind is used like any other, with a control added. A battery motor needs an occasional recharge; a wired motor does not. The fabric or slats are cared for according to the material: regular dusting is generally enough. If something goes wrong with a blind, see our blind repair page.

Pros and things to consider

Pros

• Comfort: one touch, even on large windows.
• Easy operation of high or awkward windows.
• No hanging cord or chain.
• Timers and scenes across the whole home.

Things to consider

• A higher investment than a manual mechanism, since a motor and controls are added.
• A power source to plan: wire, rechargeable battery or solar panel.
• A little time to set up the controls and scenes.

It comes down to how you use the room. For a small window you rarely open, a manual mechanism may be plenty. For a sliding door or a room with a lot of glass, motorization changes the daily routine.

Getting a quote

The easiest way to start is to tell us about your windows and how you would like to use them. We will recommend the right type of motor and the controls to add. The cost depends on several factors, which our guide to what affects the price of custom blinds explains.

Request your free quote, or stop by our showroom at 865 boulevard Maloney Est in Gatineau to try the controls in person.