The smart home has revolutionised the way that we live, making life at home more comfortable and convenient. And today, many homeowners use automation for most aspects of their interior – lights, security cameras, thermostats and locks. But have you ever considered automatic curtains? By adding a touch of connectivity to this area of décor, not only can you improve your home’s security but its energy efficiency too. In this article, we’ll take you through all the need-to-knows regarding the innovative automatic curtain opener, and why it’s a smart investment.
Automatic curtain openers, also known as electric curtains or motorised curtains are exactly as their name suggests – curtains that open and close automatically instead of by hand. Typically, a motor is used to power up these nifty designs, and because the motor is hidden behind the curtains/curtain rod, nobody except you will know it’s there – neat and tidy.
A touch of automation means there’s virtually no manual labour involved – the dream, right? And on top of this, a smart curtain opener also means you have several different ways to control your electric curtains, whether it be an app, smart home hub or voice activation.
The most obvious benefit of an electric curtain opener is the convenience it brings your life. Instead of having to manually open and close your curtains, you can let an electric motor do all the work for you. If you’ve just got cosy in bed and forgot to close the curtains – don’t worry! You can do it from the comfort of your bed. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also set them to automatically open and close at certain times of the day. And with Somfy automatic curtain openers, you also get a Smoove Origin Wall Switch for wireless control with the touch of a button – what more could you want?
Being able to open and close your curtains remotely takes home security to the next level. Knowing you can control your curtains from wherever you are helps in multiple scenarios you may face in your day-to-day life. For example, maybe you need to stay back at work late, it’s already dark and you’re getting worried that your curtains are still open. Just one tap on your smartphone and your home is safe from anyone looking in!
Being able to open and close your electric curtains automatically can in some instances increase your home’s energy efficiency. By controlling your curtains via an app or by setting timers, you can make schedules based on the behaviours of your smart curtain opener. For instance, when those chilly days come around, you can set your curtains to open during times of sunlight exposure for natural heating. And when summer approaches, you just do the opposite – close your curtains to stop the sun from heating up your home.
Thanks to smart technology you can always have peace of mind with your electric curtain opener. All you need to do is connect your smart curtains with smoke sensors/other safety systems in the house. By doing this, your curtains will open automatically should the smoke alarm go off. Not only does this let the smoke leave the room but it allows emergency services to look inside the house for rescue assessment.
Whatever time of day, your electric curtain opener will adjust itself and close automatically in complete silence. This means you have all the visual comfort to do your day-to-day activities. Plus, electric curtains also act as a form of interior sun protection, so your furniture and wallpaper are safe from the effects of sunlight!
If you’re ready to take your home up a notch and add automation, you’ll be pleased to know that you can in fact motorise your existing curtains. However, if you’re looking for a more precise fit, it’s wiser to replace your curtains completely with an automatic curtain opener.
If you know all the ins and outs of your curtains, keep in mind that I-rails, U-rails and rods are normally much easier to motorise than rod pocket or grommet style.
If you want to know more about how to choose the best smart motors for your curtains, look no further than our guide that will answer all your burning questions.
By now, the sound of having electric curtains in your home will be appealing to you a lot, and so you’re probably wondering how much they cost. Motorised curtains are no longer limited to luxury homes as prices have become much more affordable. Of course, price will depend on factors such as brand and width. Go wireless with the Somfy Movelite 35 Wirefree RTS Electric Curtain Track from £282. Or if you’re after something that’s mains powered, the Somfy Movelite 35 RTS Electric Curtain Track starts from £329.99. And best of all – simple, one-click mountings make Somfy motorised curtain openers easy to install to both walls and ceilings.
The motor has a removable battery, 6-month battery life, which recharges directly via a USB charger. It operates silently and the battery is concealed in the motor. Thanks to its streamlined design, the absence of external wires and the white colourway, it blends in with your interior perfectly.
Wirefree, plug-and-play curtain motorisation, using Somfy Radio Technology system. This motor is discreet and cable can be easily hidden.
The Glydea Ultra motor, suitable for electric curtains/voile curtains, is the most high performance in the range. It supports up to 60 kg and 12 metres in length. It is super quiet for very discreet use. The advanced features include a switch located under the motor so you adjust the standard mode with four speeds or opt for Silent. It also starts and stops softly.
It’s without doubt that an automatic curtain opener is guaranteed to take life at home to the next level with enhanced comfort and convenience. As well as having the choice of several ways to control these window dressings, you can enjoy numerous benefits from potentially lower energy bills to maximised security. Welcome home automation and take advantage of these clever gadgets, so you can have interior décor that adapts to your lifestyle.
Poweredblinds.co.uk is a webshop for electric blinds and curtain rails, standard equipped with Somfy controls. Delivered to your home, plug and play.