Can you add electric blinds without rewiring?
Often, yes. Many motorised blinds can be fitted to an existing home without any cabling, because they use a rechargeable battery and are controlled by radio signal. If you're about to start building work, though, it can be worth planning cables, because a fixed supply is neater and needs less attention afterwards. Which is right depends on the window, the blind and how much you'll use it.
What people mean by wired and wireless
The words are used loosely, so it helps to separate two things.
- How the motor is powered: a battery, a plug-in supply, or a fixed cable connected to the electrics.
- How you control it: a radio remote, a wall switch, a phone app or a timer. Radio controls are usually described as wireless, even when the motor itself is on a fixed supply.
So a blind can be wired for power and still be operated by a remote, which is quite common.
Retrofit: adding blinds to a finished home
Where walls are decorated and floors are down, battery motors are the easy route. Nothing needs to be chased into plaster. Consider the following.
- Charging. The battery needs recharging now and then. Some designs use a small cable, others a solar panel. How often depends on the blind and your use.
- Access. If the blind is high or behind furniture, charging can be a nuisance. This is worth thinking about at the start.
- Plug-in options. Some motors run from a low-voltage supply plugged into a nearby socket. A visible lead may be acceptable if you can tuck it away, but tidy routing depends on the room.
Motors by Somfy are an example of the kind of system on offer, and you can find out more on our Somfy motorised blinds page. The range of options is covered at motorised blinds.
New build, extension or renovation
When walls are open, you have a chance to add cables for the blinds at a small extra effort. It is far cheaper in time and mess to do it then than afterwards. Reasons to consider it:
- No charging. A fixed supply means the blind just works.
- A tidy finish. There are no visible leads and no solar panels on the glass.
- Suits heavy or frequently used blinds. Large windows, bi-fold doors and glazed roofs benefit from a dependable supply.
- Central wall controls. A switch can be placed where you would naturally reach for it.
Planning is more important than the choice of motor itself. Your electrician is the right person to decide where cables and switches go, and any fixed wiring is best done by a qualified person. We can tell you where a blind is likely to sit and what clearances a motor needs, and your electrician takes it from there.
A quick comparison
- Battery: easy to add later, needs periodic charging, no cable.
- Plug-in supply: no charging, needs a socket and a neat route for the lead.
- Fixed cable: tidy and dependable, ideally planned during building work.
Questions to ask yourself
- Can I reach the blind comfortably to charge it?
- Is there a socket close to the window?
- Are any building or rewiring jobs planned in the next year or so?
- How often will the blind move each day?
- Does the control system I want work with the motor I choose?
Roof windows and conservatories
Some roof windows have their own compatible motorised blind systems, and the power supply is part of the kit. Compatibility depends on the model of window, so look at our Velux roof window blinds page and the maker's product details. In a conservatory, think about where power can reach a glazed roof before deciding.
What to do next
If you're not planning building work, a battery blind is a sensible place to begin. If you're, speak to your electrician early so the blind positions and switch locations are known. Either way, a visit helps. Book a free measure and we can look at the window, the nearest power and the way you want to control your blinds.
