Somfy Motorisation & Smart Home

Automation made simple

Motorisation takes the effort out of opening and closing blinds and curtains, and it makes awkward windows easy to manage. We use Somfy motors and controls because they cover almost every product we fit — inside and out — and they're designed to work together, so you don't end up with a drawer full of different remotes.

How you can control it

• A remote or wall switch — the simplest set-up, and where most people start. Control one blind, a group, or a whole room.
• Timers — open the bedroom blinds in the morning and close the living room at dusk, automatically.
• Sensors — lower blinds or screens in strong sun, or retract an awning when the wind picks up.
• TaHoma app — control compatible products from your phone, set schedules and create scenes such as "Good morning" or "Movie night".
• Voice — link TaHoma to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and ask for the blinds to open or close.

Battery or mains?

Many interior blinds can use rechargeable battery motors, so there's no need for new wiring. Larger blinds, curtain tracks, awnings and external screens are usually mains powered. Don't worry if that sounds complicated — we'll explain what each product needs at your appointment and plan any wiring with you.

RTS and io-homecontrol

Somfy has two radio systems. RTS is one-way radio, which is ideal for remotes and switches. io-homecontrol is two-way, so the system confirms that a command has been completed — useful for smart-home control and for checking everything is closed when you're away. You don't need to choose this yourself; we'll recommend the right one for how you want to use your blinds.

Somfy Zigbee blinds

Somfy also makes motors for interior blinds and curtain tracks that use Zigbee, a wireless system that's widely used in smart homes. Here's what they offer:

• Two-way communication: the TaHoma app shows each blind's position and battery level.
• WireFree battery motors: rechargeable by USB-C or a magnetic charger, so there's no drilling or new wiring. Mains-powered versions are available too.
• Quiet operation: motors such as the Sonesse2 ULTRA 30 WF Zigbee are designed to be very quiet, which is ideal for bedrooms.
• Tilting blinds too: the Tilt & Lift and Tilt Zigbee motors can tilt as well as raise and lower, which suits Venetian-style blinds.
• Works with your smart home: through the TaHoma switch, Zigbee blinds work with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Control4.
• Simple controls: use the Somfy Zigbee remote, the TaHoma app or your voice, and add a Somfy smart plug to extend the range in larger homes.

Like all Somfy products, they come with a five-year warranty. We'll check which motor suits each blind at your appointment.

Works with your smart home or lighting system

If you already have, or are planning, a home automation or lighting control system, Somfy can usually be part of it. Using the appropriate Somfy interface, motorised blinds, curtains and awnings can be linked to systems such as Lutron, Control4, Crestron and Savant, so a single keypad, touchscreen or scene can dim the lights and close the blinds together.

What's possible depends on the motors, the Somfy radio or wired system, and the version of your home automation setup. We'll check compatibility with you, or with your AV or lighting installer, before you order.

Inside and outside, working together

Because we fit blinds, curtains, awnings and external screens, we can plan a scheme where everything responds together — for example, external screens and conservatory blinds that lower when the sun comes out.

Safety and convenience

Motorised products have no cords or chains, which makes them a reassuring choice for child safety. They're also well suited to high and hard-to-reach windows, heavy curtains and large glazing.

See it working

It's much easier to decide once you've tried it. Ask for a demonstration at our Stockton-on-Tees showroom, or book a free home appointment.