The range of electric blinds on the market is enormous — and it can be bewildering. Roller, venetian, solar screen, blackout, tubular motors, radio protocols… how do you choose the right one for your home or office?
In this guide, we will simplify the decision-making process and show you exactly what to consider before buying and installing an electric blind.
1. Blind type: which suits your space?
Electric roller blind
The most common type in flats. The fabric rolls onto a horizontal tube at the top of the opening. It is discreet, easy to maintain, and compatible with virtually every type of window.
Ideal for: living rooms, bedrooms, offices, glazed balconies.
Motorised venetian blind
Horizontal slats (in aluminium or wood) that allow you to regulate light entry without completely blocking the view. The motor can control both raising/lowering and the tilt of the slats.
Ideal for: offices, meeting rooms, and spaces where precise light control is required.
Motorised exterior blind
Installed on the outside of the building, it blocks heat before it enters through the window. This is the most effective solution for energy efficiency, capable of reducing solar heat gain by up to 80%.
Ideal for: facades with intense sun exposure, houses, and buildings with extensive glazing.
Solar screen blind
A technical fabric that filters sunlight without blocking the view to the outside. Ideal for spaces where you want controlled natural light without losing the outlook.
Ideal for: offices, rooms with a view, workspaces.
2. Motor type: the heart of the system
Tubular motors
- Entry-level: brands without a spare-parts guarantee, noisy, uncertain service life
- Mid-range: good value for money, quiet, 2-year warranty
- High-end: very quiet, bidirectional, compatible with advanced smart home systems
Radio protocol
For advanced smart home integration (Google Home, Apple Home, Alexa), opt for a motor with a bidirectional protocol — it confirms position and integrates more fully with automation systems.
3. Smart home compatibility
| Protocol | Compatible with |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional with hub | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit |
| Direct Wi-Fi | Dedicated app, Google Home |
| Unidirectional | Simple remote control |
Important: changing the protocol after installation requires replacing the motors. Decide before you install.
4. Fabric type
- Blackout: blocks 100% of light — ideal for bedrooms
- Oscuro (99%): blocks almost all light, silhouettes visible
- Solar screen 1%/3%/5%: the lower the percentage, the less light passes through
- Translucent: diffuses light without blocking it — ideal for workspaces
5. What to ask your installer
- What is the exact brand and model of the motor?
- What warranty covers the labour and the motor?
- Is new cabling required?
- Is the motor compatible with my smart home system?
- Does it include an individual remote control?
- How are the limit switches programmed?
6. Key points to watch during installation
- Noise: cheap motors are significantly louder
- Speed: slower motors are generally quieter and more durable
- Maximum load: the motor must be sized for at least 1.5× the weight of the blind
- IP rating: for exterior blinds, insist on a motor rated IP44 or higher
Conclusion
Do not cut corners on the motor. It is the component that will work every day for 10 to 20 years. A quality motor with a guaranteed spare-parts supply is always a better investment than the cheapest option that fails within 2 years.
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