Motorised Blinds South Africa: Somfy and MotionBlinds Compared
Your bedroom blinds open with the sunrise. The living room dims before the film starts. Outdoor awnings retract the moment the wind picks up. Motorised blinds are not about technology for the sake of it. They are about mornings that feel easier, evenings that feel calmer, and a home that looks after itself while you get on with living.
What are the best motorised blind systems available in South Africa?
- Two professional-grade ecosystems are available in SA: Somfy and MotionBlinds (by Coulisse), both with smart home integration
- Somfy uses RTS and io-homecontrol protocols with motors for rollers, venetians, awnings and curtain tracks
- MotionBlinds uses Bluetooth and Thread with native Apple HomeKit support via Eve, strong for battery-powered retrofits
- Both systems work with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri
- Battery-powered and solar motorised blinds continue working during power outages
- Motorisation works on roller blinds, venetians, honeycomb blinds, curtain tracks, outdoor blinds and retractable awnings
- Custom Blinds supplies and installs both Somfy and MotionBlinds across the Garden Route and ships motorised-ready blinds nationally
Garden Route installation: call Duncan on 079 523 5407. National: order online.
TLDR
South Africa has two serious motorised blind ecosystems: Somfy (established, strongest for outdoor awnings and whole-home hub control) and MotionBlinds (modern, strongest for Apple households and battery retrofits). See our blinds guide for more. Custom Blinds works across both platforms, advises which suits each home, and installs throughout the Garden Route. Battery and solar motors work independently of the mains grid. This guide covers every product, power option, control method and cost consideration so you can make a confident decision.
How it feels
Motorised blinds do not announce themselves. They simply remove the small daily frictions you stopped noticing years ago. The reach, the tug, the tangled cord, the walk across the room, the worry about what happens to your patio when you are not there.
Morning
Bedroom blinds rise gently at 6:30. The room fills with light before the alarm sounds. You wake up differently.
Afternoon
The sun moves, the blinds respond. West-facing rooms stay cool without you lifting a finger. Your energy bill reflects it.
Evening
One voice command or one tap. Every blind in the house closes together. Privacy, warmth, quiet. The evening begins.
Away
On holiday, your blinds open and close on schedule. The awning retracts in the wind. The house takes care of itself.
“People think motorised blinds are a luxury item. Then they live with them for a week and realise it is just a better way to run a house. Especially here on the coast, where the weather changes three times before lunch.”
Duncan, Custom Blinds. 20 years experience across the Garden Route
Why Custom Blinds
Why choose a specialist who offers both Somfy and MotionBlinds?
Most South African blind companies work with one motorisation platform. Some sell Somfy. Some sell generic imports. Very few understand both Somfy and MotionBlinds well enough to recommend honestly which one suits your home. Custom Blinds supplies, installs and supports both ecosystems, because the right answer depends on your household, your devices and your windows, not on which brand pays a higher margin.
Installations
Across the Garden Route since 2010, including hundreds of motorised systems in coastal conditions
Ecosystems
Somfy and MotionBlinds. We advise on both and install whichever suits your home
Years
Engineering window coverings for salt air, humidity and wind that test every component
How do Somfy and MotionBlinds compare?
The South African market has two professional motorisation ecosystems worth investing in. Both are engineered by global manufacturers, both have extensive motor ranges, and both integrate with the voice assistants and smart home platforms people actually use. The difference is in their heritage, protocols and where each one is strongest.
Somfy
Founded in 1969 and installed in over 100 million homes worldwide, Somfy is the established standard in motorised window coverings and outdoor automation. Two core protocols power the range.
RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) is a one-way radio signal. You send a command and the motor responds. Reliable, affordable, proven over decades. Ideal for single rooms or straightforward setups where you control blinds with a remote or wall switch and do not need feedback in an app.
io-homecontrol is Somfy’s two-way protocol. The motor sends status back to the hub, so your app knows whether the blind is open, closed or halfway. This is the protocol behind whole-home automation, scene programming and integration with Alexa and Google Assistant via the TaHoma hub.
Key motor ranges include Sonesse (whisper-quiet indoor rollers), Glydea (motorised curtain tracks), and the WireFree range (rechargeable lithium battery motors that need no mains wiring). For outdoor applications, Somfy motors drive retractable awnings, louvred awnings and heavy outdoor blinds, with dedicated sun, wind and rain sensors that trigger automatic responses.
- TaHoma hub controls blinds, awnings, lights and sensors from one app
- RTS protocol for reliable, affordable single-room motorisation
- io-homecontrol for two-way feedback and whole-home scenes
- Sonesse motors are near-silent at 37dB, quieter than a whisper
- Strongest outdoor range: awning motors with weather sensors that auto-retract
- Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant
MotionBlinds
MotionBlinds by Coulisse represents the newer generation of blind motorisation, built around wireless-first protocols and native smart home integration. The range includes Eve MotionBlinds, which adds Apple Home support through the Eve platform.
Bluetooth provides direct device-to-motor control without a hub. Simple, low-power, works from your phone within range. Thread is the mesh networking protocol that extends range through your home. Each Thread device strengthens the network. This is the protocol Apple Home uses natively.
For Apple households, Eve MotionBlinds connects directly to Apple Home with no bridge required when using Thread. For Android users and those wanting Alexa or Google Assistant, the MotionBlinds Wi-Fi bridge connects the motors to your home network. MotionBlinds is also Matter compatible, which means it is built for the direction smart homes are heading.
The motor range focuses on indoor battery-powered applications: rollers, honeycomb blinds and venetians. Battery motors recharge via USB-C and last 6 to 12 months between charges depending on daily use.
- Native Apple HomeKit via Eve, no bridge needed with Thread
- Matter compatible for future-proof smart home integration
- Bluetooth and Thread protocols. Wireless first, no mains wiring
- USB-C rechargeable battery motors, simple retrofit
- MotionBlinds app for Android, Apple Home for iOS
- Voice control via Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant
Honest Guidance: Which System Suits Your Home
If your household runs Apple devices and you want blinds that appear natively in the Home app alongside your lights and locks, MotionBlinds with Eve gives you the tightest integration available. If you want outdoor automation with weather sensors that auto-retract your awning when the wind picks up, Somfy with TaHoma is the proven choice. If you have a mix of indoor and outdoor needs, many of our clients use both: MotionBlinds on the bedroom rollers, Somfy on the patio awning. They do not conflict.
| Feature | Somfy | MotionBlinds |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage | Founded 1969, 100M+ homes worldwide | By Coulisse, newer generation |
| Protocols | RTS (one-way), io-homecontrol (two-way) | Bluetooth, Thread, Wi-Fi (bridge) |
| Apple HomeKit | ✗ Not native | ✓ Native via Eve + Thread |
| Alexa / Google | ✓ Via TaHoma hub | ✓ Via Wi-Fi bridge |
| Siri / Apple Home | ✗ Limited | ✓ Full native control |
| Matter support | In development | ✓ Compatible |
| Outdoor motors | ✓ Strongest range: awnings, outdoor blinds | ✗ Indoor focus |
| Weather sensors | ✓ Sun, wind, rain. Auto-retract | ✗ Not available |
| Battery motors | ✓ WireFree range | ✓ Core strength: USB-C rechargeable |
| Curtain tracks | ✓ Glydea range | ✗ Limited |
| Whole-home hub | ✓ TaHoma | Wi-Fi bridge (indoor) or Apple Home |
| Best for | Whole-home + outdoor + mixed systems | Apple homes + battery retrofits |
Which blinds and awnings can be motorised?
Almost every window covering Custom Blinds manufactures or supplies can accept a motor. The question is which motor system, which power source and whether the existing installation can be retrofitted or needs replacing. Here is the product-by-product picture.
Indoor roller blinds
The most common motorisation project. Roller blinds accept tube motors from both Somfy (Sonesse for whisper-quiet operation, WireFree for battery) and MotionBlinds (battery powered, USB-C rechargeable). Motorised rollers work in blockout and sheer fabrics, and are the go-to choice for bedrooms, living areas and home offices where cord-free operation and scheduled scenes make the biggest difference. Browse motorisation-ready roller blinds in the online shop.
Venetian blinds
Somfy tilt motors adjust slat angle by remote or app. Useful for privacy control in venetian blinds where you want to fine-tune light without raising the entire blind. Motorised tilt is available on aluminium and aluwood venetians.
Honeycomb and Duette blinds
MotionBlinds battery motors are particularly well suited to honeycomb blinds. The lightweight cellular fabric draws very little power, which means batteries last longer between charges. Ideal for bedrooms where you want scheduled blockout and no cords near children.
Curtain tracks
Somfy’s Glydea range motorises curtain tracks for large windows and sliding doors. The motor sits inside the track, drawing curtains open or closed by remote, app or schedule. A strong choice for floor-to-ceiling glass and patio doors common in Garden Route homes.
Outdoor blinds
Heavy PVC and screen fabric outdoor blinds use Somfy wired motors (220V mains) for the torque needed to raise and lower substantial fabric panels. These are the blinds that protect patios, restaurants and stoeps from rain and wind across the Garden Route.
Retractable awnings
Somfy motors in retractable folding-arm awnings extend and retract the canopy by remote. Add a wind sensor and the awning retracts automatically when gusts exceed your set threshold, essential for Garden Route coastal properties where wind conditions change rapidly.
Louvred awnings
Aluminium louvred awnings use motorised louvre blades that tilt to control sun and rain. Open the louvres for airflow, close them for rain protection, or set them to auto-respond to a rain sensor. These are permanently fixed structures with the flexibility of a movable roof.
What power options are available for motorised blinds?
Power source is one of the first decisions in any motorisation project, and in South Africa it carries a practical question: what happens when the power goes out?
Mains (220V)
Hard-wired motors draw power from a standard electrical outlet or a dedicated feed behind the pelmet. This is the most reliable option for large, heavy blinds and outdoor awnings where the motor needs consistent torque. The trade-off is that mains wiring must be planned, ideally before building or during renovation. Retrofitting mains wiring into existing walls adds cost and disruption.
Battery (rechargeable lithium)
No wiring required. Battery motors fit inside the blind tube or mount behind the headrail, and recharge via USB-C every 6 to 12 months depending on daily use and blind size. This is the fastest path to motorisation for existing homes. Remove the old blind, install the new motorised one, pair it with your phone. Battery motors operate independently of the mains grid, so they work through any power interruption.
Solar
A small solar panel, typically mounted on the window frame or nearby wall, continuously charges the battery motor. Good for hard-to-reach outdoor blinds or windows where you do not want to think about recharging. Solar-powered motors work through any power interruption as long as the battery has charge.
What happens during a power outage?
Battery and solar motors are unaffected. They operate independently of the grid. Mains motors stop during the outage but hold their position and resume normal operation when power returns. The TaHoma hub and MotionBlinds Wi-Fi bridge both need power, so a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) on your internet router and hub keeps app and voice control working through any interruption. Alternatively, battery motors with Bluetooth control (no hub needed) continue working even without Wi-Fi.
| Power source | Best for | Power outage | Retrofit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mains 220V | Large outdoor blinds, heavy awnings | Motor stops, resumes after | Needs electrical work |
| Battery (lithium) | Indoor rollers, honeycomb, venetians | ✓ Unaffected | ✓ Easy, no wiring |
| Solar panel | Hard-to-reach outdoor, remote locations | ✓ Unaffected | ✓ Panel mount only |
Planning a new build or renovation? Ask your architect or builder to run electrical conduit to each window head before the walls close up. Even if you do not motorise immediately, the wiring is there when you are ready, and it costs almost nothing during construction.
“The first thing I ask a client is: new build or existing house? If it is new build, we wire every window head. If it is existing, we go battery. Simple decision, and both work beautifully. The technology has reached the point where there is no wrong answer.”
Duncan, Custom Blinds. 20 years experience across the Garden Route
How do you control motorised blinds?
How you interact with motorised blinds day to day depends on what you install and how far you want to go. Every option below works independently. You do not need all of them.
Remotes and wall switches
The simplest control. A handheld remote or a wall-mounted switch sends a signal to the motor. No Wi-Fi needed, no app, no setup. Press up, press down, press the favourite position. Many clients with a single motorised blind in the bedroom use nothing more than this.
App control
Somfy’s TaHoma app lets you control every Somfy device in the house from your phone. Set schedules, create scenes, check blind positions. MotionBlinds app does the same for MotionBlinds motors. Apple users with Eve MotionBlinds control everything through the Apple Home app alongside their lights, locks and thermostat.
Voice control
“Alexa, close the living room blinds.” “Hey Google, open bedroom blinds to fifty percent.” “Hey Siri, good night.” All three voice assistants work with motorised blinds. Alexa and Google through Somfy TaHoma or MotionBlinds bridge, Siri through Eve MotionBlinds natively via Apple Home.
Sensors
Somfy’s sensor range is where outdoor automation becomes hands-free. A sun sensor extends the awning or closes blinds when UV reaches your set threshold. A wind sensor retracts the awning automatically when gusts exceed safe limits, critical on the Garden Route where a southeaster can arrive in minutes. A rain sensor closes outdoor blinds or retracts awnings at the first drops. These sensors protect your investment without you needing to be home.
Scenes and schedules
This is where motorisation becomes genuinely useful beyond convenience. Set a “Morning” scene that opens bedroom blinds at 6:30 and raises the kitchen roller to half. Set “Movie Night” to close the living room and dim the lights. Set “Away” to randomise blind movements through the day so the house looks occupied. Scenes run automatically, on schedule, every day.
Retrofit vs New Blinds: Can You Motorise What You Have?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is: sometimes, but not always cost-effectively.
Some existing roller blinds can accept a retrofit motor if the tube diameter matches the motor shaft, typically 38mm or 45mm tubes. The existing fabric stays, the manual mechanism comes out, the motor goes in. This works well when the blind is in good condition and the fabric is worth keeping.
Most venetian blinds cannot be economically retrofitted. The lifting and tilting mechanisms in manual venetians are not designed for motor integration, and the cost of adaptation often exceeds the cost of a new motorised venetian built to purpose.
Honeycomb blinds with MotionBlinds motors are almost always supplied as complete new units. The motor, battery and fabric are engineered as one integrated system.
Our recommendation: if you are motorising one or two existing rollers in good condition, retrofit makes sense. If you are motorising a room or a whole house, start fresh with motorised-ready blinds built to the correct specifications. The result is more reliable, the finish is cleaner, and the per-window cost difference is smaller than you expect.
Custom Blinds assesses on site throughout the Garden Route, or advises remotely with photos and measurements for national delivery to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and everywhere in between. If you are starting fresh with new blinds that accept motorisation, the online shop lets you configure and order roller blinds, honeycomb and venetians made to your measurements.
What Does Motorised Blinds Cost in South Africa?
Exact pricing depends on the motor system, blind type, size and power source, and changes with supplier costs, so we give guidance ranges rather than fixed numbers. For a detailed breakdown of blind pricing (before motorisation), see our blinds pricing guide. For non-motorised roller and honeycomb blinds, you can get instant pricing in the Blind Builder.
Entry level
A single battery-powered motorised roller blind with a remote control. This is the starting point for most homeowners: one bedroom, one blind, no hub or app required. The motor adds a moderate premium to the base blind cost.
Mid range
Three to five motorised blinds connected to a hub (TaHoma or MotionBlinds bridge) with app control, voice integration and basic scene programming. This is where motorisation starts to feel like a system rather than individual gadgets.
Whole home
A full Somfy TaHoma installation with indoor blinds, outdoor awnings, weather sensors, scene programming and integration with your broader smart home. Or a full MotionBlinds setup through Apple Home with automated schedules across every room. The per-window premium for motorisation has dropped significantly in recent years, making whole-home automation more accessible than most people expect.
The best way to get an accurate price is to WhatsApp us your requirements. We respond with a detailed quote based on your specific windows, preferred system and power source.
What should Garden Route homeowners know about motorised blinds?
Motorised blinds on the coast face conditions that inland installations never encounter. After 20 years experience in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Sedgefield and Wilderness, Custom Blinds has learned exactly which components last and which do not.
Salt air and humidity. Motor housing material matters. Somfy motors designed for outdoor use are sealed against moisture ingress, but bracket and mounting hardware must be marine-grade stainless or powder-coated aluminium. Standard zinc-plated brackets corrode within months at the coast. We specify corrosion-resistant hardware on every coastal installation.
Wind exposure. Outdoor awning sensors must be calibrated to local conditions. A wind threshold that works in Johannesburg is too high for Garden Route gusts that accelerate through valleys and over headlands. We set sensor thresholds based on the specific exposure of each property. North-facing waterfront differs from a sheltered garden position three streets back.
Holiday homes. Remote monitoring and control via the TaHoma app or Apple Home means you can check and adjust blinds from anywhere. Close blinds for security, open them for airflow, retract awnings before a storm, all from your phone in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria or Cape Town. For properties managed by rental agencies, scene schedules handle guest arrival and departure automatically.
Large glass facades. Homes along the Knysna lagoon and Plett coastline often have floor-to-ceiling glass across entire walls. Multiple blinds on these facades need grouping so that one command moves them all together, or a scene staggers them for effect. This requires proper system planning during the quotation stage, not improvisation during installation.
How does Custom Blinds handle motorised blind installation?
Motorisation adds a layer of planning that standard blind installations do not require. Power access, protocol choice, hub placement, sensor positioning and scene programming all need to be considered before manufacturing begins. Here is how Custom Blinds handles it.
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Site visit (Garden Route) or remote consultation (national). We look at each window: orientation, size, daily use, sun exposure and power access. We ask how you live: which rooms matter most, what annoys you about your current setup, what devices you already use.
System recommendation. Based on the assessment, we recommend Somfy, MotionBlinds or a combination. We specify the motor for each window, the power source, the control method and whether a hub or bridge is needed. You get a written quote with every component listed.
Manufacture or source. Custom Blinds manufactures shutters and awnings in-house and sources motorised roller blinds from Somfy, Hunter Douglas and Coulisse to exact specifications. Everything is built to your window measurements.
Install and programme. We install the blinds, mount the motors, position sensors, connect the hub, programme limits (so each blind knows exactly where fully open and fully closed are), set up scenes and hand you a system that works from day one. We show you how to use it before we leave.
Ongoing support. Battery replacements, reprogramming, troubleshooting, adding new blinds to an existing system. We handle it. Contact us any time.
The practical case
Why does blind motorisation make sense for South African homes?
Child Safety
No hanging cords or chains. Motorised blinds eliminate the most common window covering hazard in homes with young children.
Energy Savings
Scheduled blinds respond to the sun automatically. West-facing rooms stay cool in summer, north-facing rooms retain warmth in winter.
Longevity
Motor-driven blinds move evenly every time. No yanking, no uneven tension, no broken cords. The fabric and mechanism last longer.
Property Value
Whole-home automation is a selling point. Estate agents increasingly list motorised blinds and awnings as a property feature.
Buying Guide
How Much Do Motorised Blinds Cost in South Africa?
The honest answer is that motorised blinds sit across a wide range. The cost depends on which system you choose, whether you need mains wiring or can use battery motors, the size of your windows, the fabric, and how many blinds you are automating. What you can count on is that professional grade motorisation from Somfy or MotionBlinds represents an investment that adds daily value to how a home operates, not simply a premium on a product that would otherwise hang there and do nothing.
The two main cost factors are the motor system and the installation type. Battery motors are the most accessible entry point. They require no new wiring, no electrician, and can be fitted into most roller blind and zebra double roller headrails during installation. They cost more than a manual mechanism but significantly less than a hardwired motor with a dedicated electrical feed. Mains powered motors are more expensive to install because they require an electrician to run cabling to the blind location, but they deliver consistent torque for heavier fabrics and outdoor applications where a battery motor would not have sufficient power.
For whole home control via the Somfy TaHoma hub or MotionBlinds Matter bridge, there is a one time hub cost that enables app control, voice integration, and scene automation across every blind in the house. This hub investment spreads across the number of blinds it controls. Two blinds versus twelve blinds changes the per blind cost of the system significantly.
What drives your price: The number of blinds being automated. Window width and fabric weight. Battery vs mains power. Remote only control vs full smart home integration with hub. Indoor roller vs heavy outdoor PVC blind, which requires a higher torque mains motor. Garden Route installation by Custom Blinds vs national online order for self install.
The best way to understand what motorisation will cost for your specific home is to speak to Duncan directly. Custom Blinds provides no obligation consultations across the Garden Route, and our national online customers can order motorised ready roller blinds and zebra blinds through the shop for delivery anywhere in South Africa. For Garden Route projects involving outdoor blinds, awnings or multi room automation, a site visit gives Duncan the information needed to specify the right motor for each application and provide an accurate quote.
Contact Duncan on 079 523 5407 for a Garden Route consultation, or shop motorised blinds online for national delivery.
Room by Room
Which motorised system works best for each application?
The right motorised blind for a nursery is not the same as the right system for a patio. The question is not simply which looks best, but which motor type, power source, and control method matches how that room is used and what consequences a wrong choice creates. Here is the room by room picture for South African homes.
The Nursery: Where Getting It Right Matters Most
No room in a home benefits more from motorised blinds than a nursery. Dangling cords are classified as a strangulation hazard for children under five by every major blinds industry safety body, including the WCMA in the United States, the BBSA in the United Kingdom, and the Window Coverings Safety Council. A motorised blind eliminates the cord entirely. There is no chain, no pull tape, no looped mechanism within reach.
Beyond safety, the sleep science is straightforward. Infants and toddlers produce melatonin more effectively in full darkness, and the blackout performance of a well fitted motorised roller blind is substantially better than a manually operated blind with a cord gap at the side. The ability to raise the blind completely without entering the room, silently, without light from a corridor, without disturbing a sleeping child, is not a convenience feature. For parents managing nap schedules and early mornings, it changes the quality of every day.
For a nursery, the recommended configuration is a MotionBlinds battery motor on a blockout roller blind. The motor sits inside the headrail tube, completely out of reach. It recharges via USB-C every six to twelve months depending on use. No wiring, no electrician, no mains power near a child’s sleeping space. The MotionBlinds app allows schedules: the blind closes automatically at the start of nap time and rises when sleep is due to end. For Apple households, Eve MotionBlinds connects directly to Apple Home via Thread. You can set a “Nap Time” scene that closes the nursery blind along with dimming the hallway lights, triggered by a single tap or a Siri voice command from the other side of the house.
Nursery specification: Blockout roller blind with MotionBlinds battery motor. USB-C rechargeable, no mains wiring. No cords, no chains. Control via MotionBlinds app, Apple Home, or schedule. Fits existing roller headrails in most cases. Ask about retrofit compatibility when ordering.
The Main Bedroom
The bedroom is where most people first experience the difference motorised blinds make, and where they immediately understand why they should have done it years earlier. The value is not about technology. It is about how a morning begins. Bedroom blinds on a MotionBlinds battery motor or Somfy WireFree motor can be set to rise gradually at your preferred time, filling the room with natural light before an alarm sounds, or closing the moment you get into bed without needing to get back up.
For bedrooms, either system works well. MotionBlinds battery motors on roller or honeycomb blinds offer the simplest installation and native Apple HomeKit support for iOS households. Somfy WireFree motors suit households already using Somfy TaHoma for whole home scenes or those who prefer the established Somfy remote ecosystem. Honeycomb (Duette) blinds with MotionBlinds motors are particularly effective in bedrooms because the cellular structure provides both blackout capability and thermal insulation, maintaining a consistent sleeping temperature as well as blocking light.
The Living Room
Living room blinds typically do three things across a day: open fully in the morning, close partially against afternoon sun, and close fully in the evening. On large windows or multiple panels, managing this manually becomes an inconvenience people learn to simply stop doing. They leave the blind at one position and accept the compromise. Motorisation restores full use of every position because operating the blind costs nothing more than a tap.
For living rooms with multiple windows, Somfy TaHoma’s scene function is particularly effective. A single tap on the remote or a voice command to Alexa or Google Assistant sets every blind in the room to the afternoon position simultaneously. The same tap at sunset closes them all. For vertical blinds on wide windows, motorised tilt control adjusts slat angle by remote. Somfy io-homecontrol motors provide two way feedback so the TaHoma app shows exactly where each blind is positioned at any moment.
The Home Office
Glare management is the defining challenge of a home office with a south or west facing window. The sun moves while you work, and what was comfortable at 9am becomes unwatchable at 2pm. Manual adjustment interrupts concentration. Leaving the blind fixed means accepting either glare or a closed room. Motorised blinds with a Somfy sun sensor solve this automatically. The sensor detects when direct sunlight hits the window and lowers the blind to a preset position, then raises it when the sun moves off.
For home offices where a clean, distraction free environment matters, MotionBlinds battery motors on roller blinds offer the simplest solution. No wiring visible, no remote to lose, blind position controlled from a phone or laptop without leaving the chair. The Somfy RTS remote with the “MY” favourite position function is also excellent for offices: one button press moves the blind to exactly the same glare blocking position every time.
The Kitchen and Bathroom
Both spaces benefit from motorisation primarily because of the access problem. A kitchen window above a sink or splashback and a high bathroom window are exactly the windows people stop using properly because operating them requires effort. Battery motors eliminate this. In kitchens, the ability to adjust a window covering without wet or dirty hands touching a mechanism is a daily improvement. Wipe clean fabrics on motorised rollers, plain PVC backed blockout or sheer openweave, pair well in both spaces.
Large Windows, Stacker Doors and Curtain Tracks
South African homes with large glass stacker doors or floor to ceiling windows present the case where motorisation moves from luxury to practical necessity. Heavy curtain tracks over a four metre opening require real effort to operate manually, and the cord or chain required is long, visible, and in homes with children, a hazard. Somfy’s Glydea motorised curtain track range handles these openings with a motor housed inside the track itself, drawing curtains open or closed silently by remote, app or voice command. This is the application where people most consistently report that they did not appreciate how much the manual operation was bothering them until they stopped doing it.
Outdoor Automation
What do South African conditions require from motorised outdoor blinds?
Outdoor motorised blinds operate in a fundamentally different environment to indoor systems. They face UV exposure, rain, coastal salt air, heat, and on the Garden Route, rapid changes in wind conditions that no manual operation can respond to quickly enough. The case for motorisation on outdoor blinds is not primarily about convenience. It is about protecting a substantial investment in fabric and mechanism from weather conditions that, left unattended, will cause damage.
Why Wind Sensors Are Not Optional on the Garden Route
A retractable awning or drop down outdoor blind left extended in a sudden wind event can suffer serious fabric and frame damage. On the Garden Route coast where weather conditions routinely change within minutes, particularly in spring and summer, the only reliable protection is a system that responds automatically, whether you are home or not.
Somfy’s Eolis 3D WireFree wind sensor is a wireless, battery powered device that mounts directly to the awning or outdoor blind frame. It uses patented three dimensional detection technology, sensing horizontal, vertical, and lateral movement simultaneously, so it identifies wind generated vibration from any direction, not just direct gusts. When the detected movement exceeds your preset threshold, the motor retracts the awning or raises the blind automatically. The system monitors conditions continuously and holds the blind retracted until the wind has dropped sufficiently and stabilised. A built in battery indicator alerts you when replacement is needed.
Somfy also offers the Sunis wireless sun sensor, which lowers outdoor blinds automatically when solar intensity exceeds a set level, protecting interiors from heat and UV damage. The rain sensor completes the weather response trio, raising outdoor blinds before water saturation becomes an issue. All three sensors integrate with the Somfy TaHoma hub, so you can monitor the current state of every outdoor screen and awning from the TaHoma app, anywhere in the world.
Garden Route recommendation: Every motorised outdoor blind and retractable awning we install on the coast is specified with at minimum a wind sensor. The cost of the sensor is a fraction of the cost of replacing awning fabric damaged in a single coastal squall. We do not consider a motorised outdoor blind properly installed without weather sensor protection.
Power for Outdoor Motorised Blinds
Outdoor blinds use heavier fabrics, PVC, openweave screen, blockout canvas, and operate over larger spans than indoor blinds. This weight and span requires a higher torque motor than a bedroom roller, which means mains powered (220V) motors are standard for outdoor applications. The motor connects to a dedicated electrical feed, ideally planned at the building or renovation stage when cabling can be run cleanly through the structure. Retrofitting mains wiring to an existing patio is still practical but adds cost and typically requires a qualified electrician.
For smaller outdoor blinds and screens where the fabric weight is modest, Somfy’s WireFree battery motors can be used, eliminating the need for mains wiring. This makes motorisation possible on existing installations without structural disruption. A solar panel option is available for hard to reach outdoor locations where regular charging would be impractical. The panel mounts to the blind frame or nearby wall and trickle charges the motor continuously, making it effectively self sustaining with no maintenance required.
Retractable Awnings
Somfy motors in retractable folding arm awnings extend and retract the full canopy by remote, app, or voice command. The motor sits inside the sealed cassette housing where it is protected from weather. The Eolis wind sensor pairs directly with the RTS motor without requiring a hub, so the awning retracts automatically when wind is detected even if the TaHoma system is offline. Add the TaHoma hub and the awning joins your whole home automation: extend it automatically at a set time each morning, create a sun scene that deploys it when solar intensity reaches your threshold, or build a “leaving home” routine that retracts it along with closing every indoor blind.
Louvred Awnings
Aluminium louvred awnings represent the highest level of motorised outdoor control. The louvre blades tilt by remote to any angle, controlling exactly how much sun and rain penetrates the covered area. Open for airflow, close for full rain protection, or set to a partially open position that lets warm winter sun in while blocking direct glare. Add a rain sensor and the louvres close automatically when precipitation is detected. These are permanently fixed structures that provide year round outdoor living. Motorised control makes them genuinely usable in every weather condition the Garden Route produces.
Restaurant and Commercial Outdoor Blinds
For restaurant and commercial applications, motorised outdoor blinds with weather sensors provide operational continuity that manual systems cannot. A restaurant cannot have staff manually raising and lowering heavy PVC screens between tables during service every time the wind picks up. Motorised systems with wind and rain sensors handle this automatically, protecting guests, equipment, and furniture without interrupting service. Somfy’s heavy duty outdoor motors are rated for commercial cycling frequencies significantly higher than residential use, and the specification reflects that.
“On the coast, a wind sensor on an awning is not a luxury add on. It is the component that means the awning is still there when you come home. I have seen folding arm awnings badly damaged in twenty minutes of coastal wind. The sensor costs a fraction of what a new canopy costs.”
Duncan Kane, Custom Blinds. Garden Route installation specialist since 2010. Over 8,000 installations across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and Mossel Bay.
Buying Guide
What six questions should you ask before buying motorised blinds?
Motorised blinds are a considered purchase. The questions below are the ones that separate a system you are still using and enjoying in five years from one that has been quietly frustrating you for three. Ask them before you commit to any installer or supplier.
1. Does the installer work with one platform or multiple?
Most blind companies in South Africa supply either Somfy or MotionBlinds but not both. If your installer only works with one system, their recommendation will always be that system, regardless of whether it suits your home. The correct answer depends on your device ecosystem, your window types, and whether your project includes outdoor applications. Custom Blinds supplies and installs both Somfy and MotionBlinds because the right choice is genuinely different depending on the household. Apple heavy homes often benefit most from Eve MotionBlinds with native HomeKit. Outdoor automation and whole home control typically favours Somfy with TaHoma.
2. What happens during a power outage?
Battery and solar powered motors are completely unaffected by power outages. They operate independently of the mains grid. Mains powered motors stop during an outage but hold their current position and resume normal operation when power returns. For app and voice control to continue working through any interruption, a small UPS on your home router and any Somfy TaHoma hub or MotionBlinds bridge maintains connectivity. If mains independence is a priority, battery motors are the recommended choice for indoor applications.
3. Can existing blinds be retrofitted with motors?
In many cases, yes. Battery powered tube motors from both Somfy (WireFree range) and MotionBlinds can be retrofitted into existing roller blind and zebra double roller headrails by replacing the manual mechanism with a motorised tube. The key variable is tube diameter compatibility. Not all manufacturers use the same tube specifications, so your installer needs to confirm that the existing headrail accepts a retrofit motor. For outdoor blinds and awnings the motor is typically integrated at the point of manufacture, so a new installation is usually required.
4. Which control methods work with your existing smart home setup?
Eve MotionBlinds connects natively to Apple HomeKit via Thread with no bridge needed if you have a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K acting as a Thread border router. For Google Home and Amazon Alexa, MotionBlinds requires the Wi-Fi bridge, or you can upgrade Eve MotionBlinds motors to Matter via a free firmware update, which enables direct integration with Google Home, Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings simultaneously. Somfy integrates with Alexa and Google Home via the TaHoma hub. Apple HomeKit is not natively supported in the Somfy ecosystem. If your household uses both Apple and Google or Amazon devices, clarify this with your installer before specifying a system.
5. Are there children in the home and is every blind in their reach cordless?
A motorised blind is inherently cordless. But if you are mixing motorised and manual blinds in the same home, ensure that every manual blind accessible to children uses a wand control or cordless mechanism rather than a looped chain or pull cord. South African child safety standards align with international guidance: looped cords should be fixed to the wall using a cord cleat at a height inaccessible to children. For rooms where children sleep or play, a motorised blockout blind with no cord whatsoever is the only specification we recommend.
6. What is the warranty and what does local support look like?
Somfy motors carry a five year manufacturer warranty. MotionBlinds battery motors carry a two year warranty. The more important question is what happens when something needs attention: can your installer diagnose and resolve a motor or pairing issue, or do you need to return the product to a distant service centre? Custom Blinds is an accredited Somfy Expert and supplies MotionBlinds through Coulisse. We provide ongoing support for every system we install across the Garden Route, and our national online customers have direct access to our team for troubleshooting. Ask any installer where the nearest service support is before committing.
Common Questions
Motorised Blinds: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Somfy and MotionBlinds?
Somfy is the established global standard for motorised window coverings, founded in 1969 and installed in over 100 million homes worldwide. It uses RTS (one way radio) and io-homecontrol (two way) protocols, with the strongest outdoor motor range and weather sensor integration via the TaHoma hub. MotionBlinds by Coulisse is the newer generation, built on Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter protocols. Its Eve MotionBlinds line provides native Apple HomeKit support without a bridge. Both systems integrate with Alexa and Google Assistant. Custom Blinds supplies and installs both.
Do motorised blinds work during a power outage?
Battery and solar powered motorised blinds are completely unaffected by power outages. They operate independently of the mains grid and continue to function normally through any interruption. Mains powered (220V) motors stop during an outage but hold their position and resume when power returns. For app and voice control to remain active during an outage, place a small UPS on your Wi-Fi router and any Somfy TaHoma hub or MotionBlinds bridge.
Can I retrofit a motor into my existing roller blinds?
In most cases, yes. Somfy WireFree and MotionBlinds battery motors can be retrofitted into existing roller blind and zebra double roller headrails by replacing the manual mechanism with a motorised tube. Compatibility depends on the tube diameter of your existing installation. A Custom Blinds installer can confirm retrofit compatibility during a consultation, or contact our team with your headrail tube dimensions for national online orders.
Are motorised blinds safe for a nursery?
Motorised blinds are the safest window covering option for a nursery because they eliminate all cords and chains. Dangling pull cords are classified as a strangulation hazard for children under five by international safety bodies including the WCMA and BBSA. A motorised roller blind with a battery motor has no accessible cord at any point: the motor sits inside the headrail tube and is operated by remote, app, or voice command. For nurseries, Custom Blinds recommends a MotionBlinds battery motor on a blockout roller blind.
Does MotionBlinds work with Apple HomeKit and Siri?
Yes. Eve MotionBlinds connects directly to Apple HomeKit via Thread with no bridge required when a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K is present as a Thread border router. Control blinds through the Apple Home app, set schedules and scenes, and use Siri voice commands. All data is processed locally on the motor with no cloud dependency. Eve MotionBlinds motors are also Matter compatible and can be upgraded via a free firmware update to work with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings simultaneously.
Do I need a wind sensor on my outdoor motorised blind or awning?
On the Garden Route, a wind sensor is strongly recommended for any motorised outdoor blind or retractable awning. The Somfy Eolis 3D WireFree wind sensor uses patented three dimensional detection to identify wind generated vibration from any direction and automatically retracts the awning or raises the blind before damage occurs, even when you are not home. The sensor pairs directly with the Somfy RTS motor without requiring a hub. Coastal conditions on the Garden Route can change rapidly. Automatic weather response is the only protection that is always active.
What smart home platforms do motorised blinds work with?
Somfy motorised blinds integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via the TaHoma hub. MotionBlinds works with Apple HomeKit natively via Eve and Thread, and with Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings via the Wi-Fi bridge or Matter upgrade. MotionBlinds also supports Home Assistant integration. Both systems support scheduled automation and scene control. Custom Blinds advises on the right platform match for your household before installation.
Does Custom Blinds supply motorised blinds nationally or only on the Garden Route?
Custom Blinds installs motorised systems for Garden Route clients across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and Mossel Bay, including full consultation, specification, and installation. Nationally, motorised ready roller blinds and zebra blinds are available through our online shop at shop.customblinds.co.za for delivery anywhere in South Africa. Battery motors ship fully assembled. Pairing with the MotionBlinds or Somfy app follows a simple QR code scan process without requiring professional installation. For outdoor blinds, awnings and whole home systems, a Garden Route site visit is required.
Care guide: How to clean every type of blind in South Africa
Ready to Motorise Your Home?
Garden Route consultations with Duncan. Motorised blinds delivered nationally from our online shop.
Last reviewed: March 2026. Motorisation specifications and smart home compatibility subject to change. All products quoted individually. Contact Custom Blinds for current pricing.
