Somfy Home Automation
Specified and Installed Across the Garden Route
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is an accredited Somfy Expert serving Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, and Mossel Bay. We specify, install, and support Somfy motorisation for blinds, awnings, and outdoor living systems.
What is Somfy home automation and who installs it on the Garden Route?
- Somfy is the global leader in motorised window coverings, founded in 1969 and installed in over 100 million homes worldwide. The system uses io-homecontrol and RTS radio protocols for reliable, encrypted wireless control.
- Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is an accredited Somfy Expert on the Garden Route. Duncan specifies, installs, and supports every Somfy system personally.
- Somfy motors are available for roller blinds, zebra blinds, outdoor blinds, retractable awnings, louvre awnings, and curtain tracks. Battery, solar, and mains powered options.
- The TaHoma hub connects all Somfy motors to one app with scheduling, scenes, and voice control via Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
Morning light fills the bedroom on schedule. The awning extends before the patio overheats. The outdoor blinds retract when the wind picks up. Somfy makes your home respond to the day without you thinking about it.
What Somfy Does for Garden Route Homes
Somfy motorisation replaces manual chains, cords, and cranks with quiet electric motors controlled by remote, app, or voice. The motors sit inside the headrail of your blinds or the cassette of your awning. Nothing visible changes about how your window coverings look. Everything changes about how they work.
On the Garden Route, the real value of Somfy is outdoor automation. Wind sensors retract awnings automatically when conditions exceed safe thresholds. Sun sensors extend shade when UV intensity rises. Rain sensors protect fabric canopies. Your outdoor living space manages itself, even when you are not home. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has installed Somfy systems across the Garden Route since 2010.
The Somfy Ecosystem: Protocols, Controls, and Sensors
Protocols
Somfy uses two wireless protocols. RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) is one-way radio, simple and reliable for individual motors and remotes. io-homecontrol is two-way with encrypted feedback, giving you confirmation that motors have reached their target position. io is required for TaHoma hub integration and smart home scenes.
TaHoma Hub
The TaHoma hub connects all Somfy io-homecontrol motors to one app. From your phone you can control individual blinds, group them by room, create scenes (morning, evening, movie night, braai time), and set time-based schedules. TaHoma integrates with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit for voice control.
Sensors
Somfy Eolis wind sensors detect unsafe wind speeds and retract awnings automatically. Sun sensors extend shade when UV intensity rises. Combined wind and sun sensors automate outdoor blinds and awnings together. Every sensor Custom Blinds installs is calibrated to Garden Route coastal conditions.
Power Options
Mains wired motors for new builds and renovations where cabling is accessible. Battery rechargeable motors for retrofits where no wiring exists. Solar panels for hard-to-reach outdoor installations. Duncan recommends the right power source for each window during the site assessment.
Which Products Can Be Motorised with Somfy
Indoor Blinds
Roller blinds and zebra blinds are the most commonly motorised indoor products. Somfy Sonesse motors are whisper quiet with five year manufacturer warranties. Honeycomb blinds can also be motorised for automated temperature control.
Outdoor Blinds
Somfy is strongest for outdoor blind automation because of the wind and sun sensor integration. Automated outdoor blinds respond to changing conditions, protecting fabric and maintaining comfort without manual intervention. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings manufactures outdoor blinds in Knysna with Somfy motors integrated from the start.
Awnings
Retractable folding arm awnings, louvre awnings, and patio shade awnings all work with Somfy motorisation. Wind sensors are standard on most awning installations to protect the fabric and framework automatically.
“Somfy outdoor automation is where we see the biggest impact on the Garden Route. Awnings and outdoor blinds that respond to wind and sun without anyone touching a switch. The fabric lasts longer, the patio stays comfortable, and clients stop worrying about weather damage.”
Duncan Kane
Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings · 18 years experience
Not on the Garden Route? Custom Blinds South Africa ships motorised-ready roller blinds and zebra blinds nationally with battery motors pre-installed: shop blockout rollers · shop sheer rollers · shop zebra blinds. For Apple HomeKit, see MotionBlinds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Somfy Automation on the Garden Route
Can Somfy be retrofitted to existing roller blinds and awnings?
Yes. Wireless and rechargeable Somfy motors can be retrofitted into most existing roller blinds and outdoor blinds without structural changes or rewiring. Duncan assesses compatibility during a site visit and recommends the correct motor and power source.
Somfy RTS vs io-homecontrol: which should I choose?
RTS is simpler and cheaper, suitable for individual motors with dedicated remotes. io-homecontrol offers two-way feedback, encryption, and TaHoma hub integration for whole-home control. If you want app control, voice assistants, or scenes, io is the right choice. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings specifies the correct protocol for each installation.
Do Somfy motors work with solar or battery power?
Yes. Somfy offers rechargeable battery motors and solar panel accessories for installations where mains wiring is not available. Battery motors are ideal for retrofits. Solar panels work well for outdoor blinds and awnings in hard-to-reach positions on the Garden Route.
Is Somfy TaHoma compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit?
Yes. The TaHoma hub integrates with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. You can control Somfy motors by voice, include them in smart home routines, and trigger automations from any platform. Full Somfy vs MotionBlinds comparison.
Where does Custom Blinds install Somfy on the Garden Route?
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings installs Somfy home automation from Mossel Bay through George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. Duncan handles every site assessment and installation personally.
What maintenance does Somfy automation need?
Somfy systems are low maintenance. Battery motors need recharging every few months depending on usage. Sensors should be checked annually. Custom Blinds offers post-installation support and can schedule annual checks for Garden Route clients.
Automate Your Garden Route Home
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings. Accredited Somfy Expert since 2010.
Custom Blinds® is a registered South African window covering specialist and accredited Somfy Expert, established in 2010, serving Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Sedgefield, Wilderness, and Mossel Bay. We manufacture Custom Lifestyle Shutters™, Custom Lifestyle Awnings™, and outdoor shading systems locally in Knysna, and supply Somfy and MotionBlinds motorisation systems. Our Custom Fit Guarantee covers every order.
