Motorised Blinds in Wollongong: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Pressing one button to open every blind in the house. Setting your bedroom blinds to roll down at sunset. Closing the kitchen blinds with a voice command while your hands are full. That is what motorised blinds offer, and it is no longer a luxury reserved for high-end builds.
Motorisation is now available across almost every blind type we install at Bayside Security Doors and Blinds, from roller blinds in the bedroom to outdoor Zipscreen blinds on the patio. We partner with Somfy, Australia's leading motorisation specialists, to deliver smart blind solutions for homes across Wollongong and the Illawarra.
This guide covers everything you need to know about motorised blinds: how they work, which blinds can be motorised, the difference between hardwired and battery options, smart home integration, safety benefits for families with children and pets, and what to consider when getting a quote.
What are motorised blinds and how do they work?
Motorised blinds are window blinds fitted with a small electric motor inside the blind's roller tube or operating mechanism. Instead of pulling a chain, twisting a wand, or operating a cord, you control the blind with a remote, a wall switch, a mobile phone app, or your voice through a smart home assistant.
The motor sits hidden inside the blind, so visually the blind looks the same as a manual version. The control system handles everything: rolling the blind up or down, stopping at preset positions, and coordinating multiple blinds across the room or house.
At Bayside, our motorised blinds are powered by Somfy motors. Somfy has been the global standard for blind and awning motorisation for decades, and they manufacture motors specifically for the Australian climate and Australian-made blinds.
Why choose motorised blinds?
Safety: no cords, no wands, no hazards
Motorisation removes any risk of injury caused by cords and wands. Cords on traditional blinds are a recognised safety hazard for young children, and Australian safety standards now require child-safe cord tensioners or cordless operation on most blinds. Motorised blinds solve this by removing the cord entirely. For families with young children or pets, this is the most important reason to motorise.
Convenience for everyday use
Motorised blinds open and close at the press of a button. That sounds small, but multiply it across 10 to 15 blinds in a typical house and the time saved each day adds up. Particularly useful for large openings, sliding doors, hard-to-reach windows above stairs, and skylight applications.
Scheduling and smart home integration
With wi-fi or app-enabled motorisation, you can set your blinds to open and close on a schedule. Bedroom blinds that open at sunrise. Living room blinds that close when the western sun starts heating the room. Holiday mode that simulates occupancy while you're away. Motorised blinds can integrate with smart home systems like Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Amazon Alexa through Somfy's TaHoma hub.
Energy efficiency
Scheduled blind movement can meaningfully reduce energy costs. Close the blinds during the hottest part of summer afternoons to keep the room cool. Open them on winter mornings to let solar warmth in. For homes in the Illawarra dealing with summer heat and salt-air corrosion, automated blind management is a small but consistent contribution to comfort and energy bills.
Accessibility
For elderly residents, people with mobility challenges, or anyone who finds reaching tall blinds difficult, motorisation makes blinds genuinely usable. It is one of the most common reasons people upgrade.
How motorisation works at Bayside
We offer Somfy motorised blinds in two configurations:
Hardwired with RTS remote control
The motor is hardwired into your home's electrical system during installation. Control is via a Somfy RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) remote control, which is a small handheld remote that pairs with the blind motor. You can have separate remotes for individual blinds or group remotes that control multiple blinds at once.
Hardwired motorisation is the most reliable option and is typically used for new builds, renovations where the wall cavity is open, or installations where the blinds are in fixed positions that won't move.
Lithium battery operated
The motor runs on a rechargeable lithium battery built into the blind. There is no wiring required, which makes this option ideal for retrofitting motorisation into existing blinds, rentals, or windows where running power is impractical.
Battery life depends on usage. A typical battery lasts six months to two years between charges depending on how often the blind is operated and the size of the blind. Charging is via a standard USB-style port.
Mobile phone and tablet control via wi-fi
Both hardwired and battery motorised blinds can be controlled from your mobile phone or tablet through Somfy's app, provided you have a Somfy TaHoma hub installed. The hub connects to your home wi-fi and bridges between your phone and the blinds, awnings, and other Somfy-powered products. Once set up, you can control your blinds from anywhere with an internet connection.
Which blinds can be motorised?
Motorisation is available across almost all of our blind and awning ranges:
Roller blinds (including blockout, light filtering and sunscreen fabrics)
If you have an existing manual blind from us and want to upgrade to motorisation, we can usually retrofit a Somfy motor without replacing the whole blind. The exception is very old or non-standard blinds where the roller tube isn't compatible.
Motorised blackout blinds for bedrooms
Motorised blackout blinds are the most popular configuration we install. The combination of full room darkening with the convenience of automated operation transforms how a bedroom functions:
Schedule blinds to close automatically at bedtime
Wake up to natural light by setting blinds to open at sunrise
Pair with sheer curtains for a layered look: sheers during the day, blackout blind at night
Shift workers can fully darken the room during the day with a single button press
For Wollongong and Illawarra homes, where summer mornings start early with bright eastern light, motorised blackout blinds are particularly useful in bedrooms facing east. Our blockout roller blind fabric stops light coming through the blind completely, so paired with motorisation you get reliable, hands-free darkness whenever you want it.
Motorised blinds installation process
Once you have approved your quote, the process is:
Your blinds are custom fabricated to your exact window measurements
For hardwired motorisation, we coordinate with your electrician or our recommended sparky to run power to the window cavity ahead of installation
Our installer fits the blind, connects the motor to the power or battery, programs the limits (the up and down stop positions), and pairs the remote or hub
We walk you through how to use the remote, app, and any voice control integration
Typical turnaround from approved quote to installation is two to three weeks
Every installation is covered by our workmanship guarantee
If you want full smart home integration with a TaHoma hub, we can recommend a setup or you can engage a smart home specialist after installation.
How much do motorised blinds cost?
Motorised blinds cost more than manual blinds because of the motor, the control system, and the additional installation work. The price difference depends on the configuration:
Hardwired RTS motorisation: lower per-blind motor cost but adds electrical work
Lithium battery motorisation: higher per-blind motor cost but no electrical work required
Wi-fi and app control: requires a Somfy TaHoma hub (one hub per home, controls multiple blinds)
Group remotes vs individual remotes: group control is more efficient if motorising multiple blinds in the same room
The other factors that affect price are the same as any custom blind: fabric type (blockout, sunscreen, light filtering), size, the type of blind (roller, vertical, Roman, etc.), and how many blinds you are doing at once.
The most accurate way to get a price is to book a free in-home measure and quote. We assess your windows, talk through your priorities, recommend the right configuration, and leave you with a written quote on the spot.
Are motorised blinds worth it?
Whether motorised blinds are worth the investment comes down to how you live in your home:
If you have young children or pets and want to remove cord hazards completely: yes, the safety benefit alone justifies it
If you have hard-to-reach windows above stairs, near skylights, or in vaulted ceilings: yes, motorisation makes those blinds usable
If you want smart home integration and scheduling: yes, this is the only way to do it properly
If you have one or two blinds in standard accessible positions and operate them rarely: probably not necessary
For most Illawarra homeowners, the sweet spot is partial motorisation: hardwired or battery on the most-used windows (typically bedrooms, large living spaces, hard-to-reach windows) and manual on the rest. That balances cost and convenience.
Why choose Bayside for motorised blinds in Wollongong?
Serving the Illawarra since 1989
Master Security Licence 410068622, registered NSSA and ASIAL member
4.7 stars across 83 Google reviews
Partnered with Somfy, Australia's leading motorisation specialists
Motorisation available across all our major blind and awning ranges
Free in-home measure and quote across Wollongong, Unanderra, Dapto, Shellharbour, Kiama, Gerringong, and every Illawarra suburb in between
Professional installation with workmanship guarantee
Book a free motorised blinds quote
Call (02) 4271 1955 or book through our contact form. We will visit your home, walk you through the motorisation options for each window, and leave you with a written quote on the spot. No obligation, no charge.
Motorised Blinds Frequently Asked Questions
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Motorised blinds have a small electric motor inside the roller tube or operating mechanism. Instead of pulling a cord or twisting a wand, you control the blind with a remote, wall switch, mobile phone app or voice command through a smart home assistant. At Bayside we use Somfy motors, available in hardwired RTS remote control or lithium battery configurations.
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In most cases, yes. We can retrofit a Somfy motor to existing manual roller blinds, vertical blinds and several other blind types, as long as the roller tube or mechanism is compatible. Very old or non-standard blinds may not be retrofittable. The easiest way to find out is to book a free measure and quote and have us assess your existing blinds.
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Yes. Motorised blinds remove the safety hazard of cords and wands completely, which is the most important reason many families with young children choose to motorise. Australian safety standards require child-safe cord systems on manual blinds, and motorisation is the most reliable way to eliminate the risk entirely.
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Yes. Both hardwired and battery motorised blinds can be controlled from your mobile phone or tablet through the Somfy app, provided you have a Somfy TaHoma hub installed. The hub connects to your home wi-fi and lets you control blinds from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also integrate with Google Home, Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa for voice control.
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Hardwired motorisation runs power to the blind through your home's electrical system. It is the most reliable option and is typically used in new builds or renovations where the wall cavity is open. Battery motorisation uses a rechargeable lithium battery built into the blind. It requires no electrical work, which makes it ideal for retrofitting motorisation to existing blinds or for windows where running power is impractical.
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Battery life depends on usage and blind size. A typical battery lasts six months to two years between charges. Larger blinds and frequent operation will shorten battery life. Charging is via a standard USB-style port and takes a few hours.
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Motorised blinds cost more than manual blinds because of the motor and control system. The exact price depends on the type of blind, the fabric, the size, the motorisation configuration (hardwired or battery), and whether you add wi-fi and app control. The most accurate way to get a price is to book a free in-home measure and quote. We assess your windows, recommend the right configuration and leave you with a written quote on the spot.
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Yes. We install motorised blinds across Wollongong, Unanderra, Dapto, Port Kembla, Figtree, Fairy Meadow, Corrimal, Bulli, Thirroul, Shellharbour, Albion Park, Kiama, Gerringong and every suburb in between. We are based in Unanderra at 3/5 Luso Drive and can usually book a free measure and quote within the same week.
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Every installation is covered by our workmanship guarantee. The Somfy motor and the blind fabric and hardware are covered by the relevant manufacturer's warranty, which varies by product. We walk you through the exact warranty terms during your free quote.