James Albert · Somfy Expert Partner · Lancashire
Motorised
Blinds
Lancashire's leading motorised blind specialists — designing, supplying and fitting intelligent blind systems across Preston, Chorley, Blackburn, Lytham and beyond.
01772 823311Why It Matters
Lancashire's Only Somfy Expert Partners
"Anyone can sell a motorised blind. Very few can design, specify, and install a system that works perfectly — and keeps working, for years."
Somfy is the world's leading manufacturer of motorised blind and shutter systems, trusted by architects, interior designers, and homeowners across more than 60 countries. James Albert holds Somfy Expert Partner status — one of only a select group in the North West — meaning every system we design and install meets the highest certified standard.
This means our team has completed Somfy's full technical training programme, has access to the complete Somfy product range, and is supported directly by Somfy for technical advice, warranty claims, and system integration.
Somfy Expert Partner
Fully accredited — one of only a select group in the North West
Full Somfy Product Access
Access to the complete range including TaHoma, io-homecontrol, and RTS systems
5-Year Motor Guarantee
All Somfy motors come with a manufacturer-backed 5-year guarantee
Smart Home Integration
Certified to integrate with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit & more
Supply, Programme & Fit
We handle everything — from design to installation to commissioning
Every Blind Type, Motorised
Choose Your System
Motorised Roller Blinds
The most popular choice for motorisation — and the most versatile. Motorised roller blinds operate silently, sit flush within the window recess, and are available in every fabric from sheer and daylight to full blackout and solar screen.
Battery-powered options require no wiring and can be installed in minutes. Hardwired systems are completely concealed within the ceiling or wall cavity for a finish with no visible motor, no visible wiring, and no visible mechanism whatsoever.
Available in single-blind or group configurations — control multiple blinds across a room simultaneously with one button, one voice command, or one app action.
Motorised Roman Blinds
Motorised Roman blinds combine the warmth and elegance of a premium fabric treatment with the effortless convenience of motorisation. A single button raises or lowers the blind to any position — the fabric folds perfectly every time, without handling or adjustment.
Particularly popular in living rooms, dining rooms, and master bedrooms where a fabric-led interior is the priority but cords and chains are unwanted. The motor sits discreetly within the headrail, completely invisible when the blind is hanging.
Available across our full premium fabric range, including collections from Romo, Osborne & Little, and Colefax & Fowler.
Motorised Venetian Blinds
Motorised Venetian blinds take the precision of a Venetian — tilting slats, variable light levels — and add the convenience of remote or app control. Adjust the slat angle to any position without leaving your seat, or schedule the blinds to tilt automatically with the changing light throughout the day.
Both wooden and aluminium Venetians are available with motorisation. Particularly effective in home offices and studies where glare management throughout the day is important, and in rooms where the blind is above a desk or sofa and difficult to reach manually.
Roof & Skylight Blinds
Skylights, roof lanterns, and gable-end windows are where motorisation moves from being a luxury to an absolute necessity. These are windows you simply cannot reach by hand — and the heat and glare they generate can make a room uncomfortable without effective shading.
We supply and install motorised roller and pleated blind systems for all roof glazing configurations — flat rooflights, pitched skylights, ridge lanterns, and gable ends. Solar-powered battery motors eliminate the need for any wiring, making installation clean, simple, and completely wireless.
Sun-tracking automation is available — the blind can be programmed to respond automatically to sunlight levels, closing when glare reaches a certain intensity and reopening when the sun moves.
Bi-fold & Door Systems
Bi-fold doors and large glazed rear extensions present a particular challenge for blinds — the openings are wide, the glazing is often floor-to-ceiling, and manual operation across multiple panels is impractical. Motorised systems solve all of this elegantly.
We design and install motorised roller and tracked blind systems specifically for bi-fold and large door glazing. Multiple panels can be controlled simultaneously, opening fully in a single action or closing for privacy and shade at the touch of a button.
Where the blinds are integrated into a Blindspace® concealed system within the ceiling, the entire installation disappears when not in use — giving you a completely unobstructed view through your glazing when you want it.
Motorised Outdoor Shading
Our motorised outdoor awnings, pergola systems, and external roller blinds bring the same intelligent automation to your garden or terrace. Deploy your awning fully in one action, retract it completely when the weather turns, or set it to respond automatically to wind and sun sensors.
The wind sensor system automatically retracts the awning when wind speeds reach a threshold — protecting the fabric and frame without any manual intervention. Sun sensors open and close the shading throughout the day to maintain comfort automatically.
All outdoor systems are weather-rated and designed for Lancashire's climate — reliable year-round, not just in summer.
How You Control Them
Every Way to Operate Your Blinds
Remote Control
A sleek Somfy handset operates your blinds from anywhere in the room. Up to 16 channels means you can control individual blinds or groups independently. No app, no hub, no setup required — just pick up the remote and press a button.
Included as standardSmartphone App
The Somfy TaHoma app gives you full control from your phone — whether you're in the room, in the garden, or away from home. Set schedules, create scenes, and monitor your blinds from anywhere with an internet connection.
Requires TaHoma hubVoice Control
Integrate with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit for complete hands-free operation. "Alexa, close the living room blinds" — and they close. Group your blinds by room and control everything with natural language.
Requires TaHoma hubWall Switch
A discreet Somfy wall switch gives you fixed-point control at the touch of a button — ideal beside the bed, at the front door, or at a main room entrance. Available wired or wireless.
Wired or wirelessAutomatic Scheduling
Programme your blinds to open and close at set times automatically. Sunrise/sunset scheduling adjusts with the seasons so you never need to update the timer.
Requires TaHoma hubSun & Wind Sensors
Somfy's Sunis sun sensor adjusts your blinds automatically based on light intensity. The Eolis wind sensor protects outdoor awnings by retracting them when wind speeds exceed a safe threshold.
Essential for outdoors & rooflightsPerfect For Every Room
Where Motorised Blinds Work Best
Living Rooms
Control light and privacy without interrupting conversation or leaving your seat. Group control means all living room blinds open or close simultaneously. Smart scheduling keeps the room at its best automatically.
Bedrooms
Wake up gently as your blinds open with your alarm. Blackout blinds close completely for total darkness. No more reaching across furniture or stumbling in the dark — everything controlled from the bedside.
Home Offices
Manage screen glare throughout the day without breaking your workflow. Venetian blinds adjust slat angle precisely. Scheduling maintains ideal light levels automatically as the sun moves.
Kitchens & Dining
Hands full? Control everything by voice or schedule. Moisture-resistant motorised blinds for kitchen windows, motorised café-style solutions for dining rooms. No chains, no cords, no mess.
Skylights & Rooflights
The most practical application for motorisation. Skylights are impossible to reach manually — motorised blinds are the only solution. Solar-powered options need no wiring.
Extensions & Bi-folds
Open-plan extensions with bi-fold doors suit motorised blinds perfectly. One action covers the entire wall of glass. Integrated with a Blindspace® ceiling system, the blinds disappear completely when not in use.
Why Motorised
More Than Convenience
Motorised blinds are increasingly chosen not just for the convenience, but for the genuine practical benefits they bring to everyday home life. Here are the reasons our customers most often give for choosing motorisation.
Complete Child & Pet Safety
Motorised blinds are completely cord-free and chain-free — eliminating the safety risk that looped cords present to young children and pets. One of the most important practical reasons families choose motorisation.
Energy Efficiency & Insulation
Scheduled and sensor-controlled blinds can meaningfully reduce energy costs. Blinds that close automatically on south-facing windows during hot afternoons reduce solar gain. Blinds that close at dusk in winter trap heat and reduce heat loss through glazing.
Protecting Furniture & Flooring
UV-blocking solar screen fabrics, combined with automated scheduling that closes blinds during peak sun hours, protect sofas, rugs, and wooden floors from fading — particularly relevant in south and west-facing rooms.
Security When Away From Home
Blinds that open and close on a schedule — or that you can control remotely — give the impression of an occupied home when you're away. A simple but effective addition to home security that costs nothing extra once installed.
Accessibility & Ease of Use
For anyone with limited mobility, arthritis, or difficulty reaching windows, motorised blinds are transformative. Control any window in the home from a single remote, wall button, or voice command.
A Quieter, Cleaner Interior
No cords. No chains. No pull rods. Motorised blinds remove every visible operating mechanism from your windows — leaving a completely clean, considered installation. Combined with Blindspace®, the entire installation vanishes when not in use.
How It Works
From Survey to Smart Home
Free Home Survey
We visit your home, assess your windows and glazing, and discuss your requirements. We bring working motorised samples so you can see and feel how the systems operate before committing. No charge, no obligation.
System Design
We design a system around your home — specifying the right motor type, power source, control method, and smart home integration for each window. A full written quotation covering every blind, every motor, and all installation work.
Supply & Installation
Our own team installs every blind and motor, runs all wiring where needed, and fits all control systems. Battery and solar systems require no wiring at all. Every installation is clean, precise, and finished to the highest standard.
Programming & Handover
We programme every motor, pair all remotes, configure the app and smart home integration, and set up any schedules you want. We walk you through everything before we leave — you're never left to figure it out yourself.
Your Questions Answered
Motorised Blinds FAQs
Not necessarily. The majority of Somfy motors we install are battery-powered or solar-powered, requiring no mains wiring whatsoever. Battery motors are recharged via USB every 9–15 months depending on use. Solar-powered motors recharge automatically from a small panel — effectively maintenance-free. Hardwired motors are available for new-builds and renovations where wiring can be incorporated into the build.
Somfy battery motors typically last between 9 and 15 months between charges, depending on usage frequency and blind size. When the battery is low, the motor sends a notification to the app and the blind moves slightly differently to alert you. Charging takes a few hours via the included USB cable.
Yes — Somfy's TaHoma hub connects to your home WiFi and integrates with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and other major platforms. Once connected, your blinds become part of your existing smart home routines and scenes.
Your Somfy remote control always works independently of the internet — if WiFi drops or the power is out, your remote still operates the blinds normally via direct radio frequency signal. App and voice control require internet connectivity, but the remote is always available as a reliable fallback.
Yes — and this is genuinely one of the best applications for motorisation. Skylights are impossible to reach manually. Solar-powered Somfy motors are ideal as they require no wiring — the small solar panel keeps the motor charged automatically. Sun sensors can be added to close the blind automatically when light intensity reaches a set level.
Somfy motors are whisper-quiet — designed specifically for residential use where silent operation is important. You'll hear the blind moving, but the motor itself produces very little sound. This is one area where choosing a quality motor from a reputable manufacturer makes a significant difference.
Somfy Expert Partner is an accreditation awarded to companies who have completed Somfy's full technical training, maintain a certified installation standard, and have direct access to Somfy's technical support and warranty systems. James Albert is one of only a select group of accredited Somfy Expert Partners in the North West.
Where We Install Motorised Blinds
Across Lancashire & Beyond
Ready to make your
home smarter?
Book a free, no-obligation survey. We'll bring working motorised samples, assess every window, and design a system that fits your home and your life.
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