Specify the treatment before choosing the drive.
Curtain weight includes lining and heading construction; a Roman load includes face fabric, lining, bottom weight and the lifting arrangement. The selected motor and hardware must be checked against that complete load and the span, not only the nominal window width.
High or awkward openings are strong candidates for automation, but a battery-powered system still needs a practical charging or replacement route. Hiding a motor behind joinery without leaving service access moves the inconvenience rather than removing it.
Power decisions belong early in the plan.
| Direction | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|
| Mains powered | Supply position and safe access agreed with the relevant trades before ceilings or pelmets are closed. |
| Rechargeable battery | Charging frequency depends on load and use; confirm where the charging connection can be reached. |
| Solar-assisted charging | Panel position, exposure and compatibility need assessment at the actual window. |
- Direction
- Mains powered
- Confirm before ordering
- Supply position and safe access agreed with the relevant trades before ceilings or pelmets are closed.
- Direction
- Rechargeable battery
- Confirm before ordering
- Charging frequency depends on load and use; confirm where the charging connection can be reached.
- Direction
- Solar-assisted charging
- Confirm before ordering
- Panel position, exposure and compatibility need assessment at the actual window.
Make daily operation simple.
Start with a straightforward local control for each room. Then decide whether groups, schedules or smart-home integration solve a real need. A gateway or hub may be required, and app compatibility should be confirmed for the specific system rather than assumed from the word “smart”.
Consider a guest using the room without your phone. Keep control labels understandable and decide what should happen after a power interruption. At handover, check directions, upper and lower limits and group membership for every window.
Each product has different moving parts.
Before you decide
Questions & answers
Will every system work with my smart home?
Compatibility depends on the motor, control protocol, gateway and existing platform. Provide the platform details before ordering so the exact integration and any additional components can be confirmed.
Does motorisation remove the need for a safety assessment?
No. Removing a manual operating chain can reduce one hazard, but the whole product, including any accessible cords and the installation, still needs to be assessed and used according to its instructions.