Motorised Shading

When it is genuinely worth it

There are three cases where the answer is almost always yes.

• High or hard-to-reach openings — if you need a ladder, in practice you will never move it
• Very large, heavy openings, where pulling by hand strains the mechanism
• Accessibility — for people with limited mobility this is not convenience, it is independence

Mains or battery

A wired mechanism needs power near the opening, ideally a socket inside the recessed curtain box. Allow for it during first fix and the cost is trivial. Think of it after the walls are painted and it means chasing and making good.

A battery mechanism avoids the wiring entirely, at the cost of a charge every few months — depending on how often the shading moves.

What to allow for if you are building or renovating

The most commonly missed opportunity is the recessed curtain box: a channel in the ceiling that hides the track and the mechanism. It needs a decision before the plasterboard, not after.

Tell us early which openings you are considering wiring. Even if you decide against it in the end, allowing for it costs almost nothing; not allowing for it costs a great deal.

Smart control

Beyond the handset, most modern mechanisms connect to a phone app or a smart home system, so the shading moves at a scheduled time.

In a Cypriot summer that has practical value, not just novelty: closing automatically through the peak hours keeps the room cooler and the air conditioning works less.

Can a motor be added to an existing curtain?

Often yes, if the track is compatible or can be replaced. We judge it on site — it depends on the type of track and on whether there is a route for power.

What happens in a power cut?

Most mechanisms have a manual release or run on a battery. You are not left with the shading locked in place.

Are they noisy?

Modern mechanisms are noticeably quieter than earlier generations. In a bedroom it is worth mentioning, so we can specify a motor to match.