Motorised blinds and curtains: wired, battery and what to plan
Mains-powered motors are the most reliable choice when walls are open. Battery motors make retrofit simple. Automation is what makes either worth having.
Mains-powered motors are the most reliable choice when walls are open. Battery motors make retrofit simple. Automation is what makes either worth having.
Wired or battery?
| Mains-powered | Battery | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | New builds and renovations | Finished homes and retrofit |
| Installation | Needs a power feed at the window, ideally before plastering | No new wiring |
| Maintenance | None day to day | Periodic recharging or battery changes |
| Large or heavy blinds | Well suited | Can be limited by motor size |
What automation makes possible
- Sunrise and sunset schedules for privacy and a natural wake-up.
- Heat management. Close south-facing blinds on hot afternoons and open them in winter to capture sun.
- Scenes. A Film scene that dims lights and closes blinds together.
- Away mode that varies blinds so the house looks lived in.
- Hard-to-reach windows such as rooflights, lanterns and tall glazing.
Plan before plastering
- Agree blind type and recess depth with your supplier.
- Run a power feed to each window head for wired motors.
- Consider wall switch or keypad positions for each room.
Our wiring checklist covers this alongside everything else.
Child safety
Looped cords and chains on blinds are a known strangulation risk for young children. Motorised blinds remove the cord entirely, which is one reason families choose them for children's rooms.
Brands and integration
Several established motor manufacturers, Somfy among them, have products that integrate with smart platforms. Matter 1.5 added a unified closures category covering window coverings, gates and garage doors (CSA), so cross-brand support should keep improving. We choose motors that integrate reliably with Home Assistant.
Real projects
Our seven-bedroom Chalfont rebuild included automated shading alongside lighting, climate, security and audio.
Common questions
Can existing blinds be motorised?
Sometimes. Some roller blinds and curtain tracks can take a retrofit motor. Often a new motorised blind is simpler and more reliable.
How long do batteries last?
It varies by product, size and use. Most systems warn you before the battery runs low.
What happens in a power cut?
Mains-powered blinds stay where they are until power returns. Battery blinds keep working.
Related services
Sources
Last reviewed 1 November 2026. Prices ex. VAT unless stated.
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