Automated Blinds Eliminate Chains and Save You Time

Subject: Chainless and motorised blinds
Reviewed by: The Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team
Updated: 5 September 2026
Reading time: 3 minutes

Why are automated blinds the best choice for a modern home?

Cordless and chainless blinds remove the hanging cord that international safety standards such as EN 13120 treat as a strangulation hazard for children and pets
Motorised blinds on Somfy or MotionBlinds motors raise and lower from a remote, an app, a voice assistant or a schedule
Battery motors need no wiring, so existing blinds can be retrofitted cleanly
Scheduled blinds cut summer heat and hold winter warmth, which saves electricity
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings installs automation across the Garden Route: Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and Wilderness

0Cords or chains

5 yearsSomfy manufacturer warranty

2010Established

Chainless automated blinds: safety meets design

One of the most serious hazards for small children and pets is a looped cord at a window. Remove it.

Nurseries

No cord to reach. Recommended wherever children play, and required by safety standards in many regions.

Rentals and guest houses

Nothing for a guest to tangle, nothing to explain. A clean, modern look.

Every blind type

Blockout, sheer, dual roller, honeycomb and outdoor blinds can all be chainless.

How you control automated blinds

Tap, speak, or let the schedule do it.

Remote

Simple, immediate

Control: Handheld remote or wall switch
Setup: Paired at handover
Suits: One room, high windows, everyday use
Power: Battery or wired

App

Scenes and schedules

Control: Phone app or voice assistant, via Somfy TaHoma or MotionBlinds
Setup: Scenes built at handover: nap time, movie night, cool the house before you arrive
Suits: Whole-home, holiday homes, away days
Power: Battery or wired

Which blinds can be automated

Roller blinds, outdoor blinds, dual rollers, sheerweave and blockout can all take a motor. Existing blinds too.

Existing blinds: Roller and outdoor blinds can be retrofitted with a motorised system, a clean install with no messy wires
Battery motors: No electrician, quick to fit, one window or the whole house
Outdoor blinds: Motorised Sunworker and outdoor blinds shield sun, rain and wind; roll them up when strong wind is expected

04 Batteries and warranty

Charge the automated blind. Forget it.

Maintenance is minimal: recharge or swap the battery occasionally. Somfy motors, controls and sensors carry a five-year manufacturer warranty, and Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings provides local aftercare, battery guides and support for Garden Route clients.

Getting startedWhatsApp Duncan on 079 523 5407. The team assesses the home, proposes the system and sets up your scenes at handover.

Questions buyers ask about automated blinds

What are the best automated blinds for a family home?

Chainless motorised roller blinds on a Somfy or MotionBlinds battery motor. No cord for a child to reach, no wiring, and control from a remote, app or schedule. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings installs them across the Garden Route.

What is a chainless blind?

A blind with no exposed cord or chain. It uses a spring, a wand, or a motor for up and down.

Can automated blinds work with smart homes?

Yes. Somfy TaHoma and MotionBlinds integrate with voice assistants and smart-home apps.

Is it expensive to automate blinds?

Battery motors need no electrician and fit quickly, so entry is accessible, for one window or the whole house.

Can I automate my existing blinds?

Yes. Roller and outdoor blinds can be retrofitted with a motorised system, a clean install with no messy wires.

Do automated outdoor blinds protect from Knysna weather?

Yes. Motorised Sunworker and outdoor blinds shield from sun, rain and wind. Roll them up when strong wind is expected.

Automated Blinds Eliminate Chains