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Window Treatments

Motorised curtains

Curtains on powered tracks, opened by remote, switch or schedule. What to plan, which motor to choose and what it costs.

Character
Hard-wired or battery motor on ceiling or pelmet track
Applications
Tall glazing, bedrooms, hotels, smart homes

Motorised curtains in Singapore are becoming a standard request in condos, penthouses and landed homes with tall or wide glazing. A small motor at one end of the track draws the curtain open and closed, by remote, wall switch, phone or schedule. The benefits are practical: heavy curtains move smoothly, fabric lasts longer because nobody tugs at the leading edge, and a room can close itself against the afternoon sun while you are out. The work is mostly in planning, because power has to reach the track.

Where motorisation is worth it

  • Tall or wide windows, where pulling a curtain by hand means walking a long track or reaching high.
  • Heavy curtains, such as lined blackout or interlined fabrics, which strain by hand.
  • Layered windows, where a day and night curtain set has two tracks to operate.
  • Rooms behind furniture, where a sofa or bed blocks the way to the window.
  • Hotels and offices, where scheduled or central control saves staff time.

Motor and power options

Hard-wired motors

Run on mains power from a point near the head of the track. They are the most reliable choice for new work and renovations. The power point must be placed before the ceiling or pelmet is closed, and the electrical work should be carried out by a licensed electrical worker.

Rechargeable battery motors

Suit retrofits where running a cable is not practical. They need periodic charging, so check how easily the motor can be reached once the curtain is up.

Controls

Options include handheld remotes, wall switches, timers and links to a home automation system or voice assistant. Choose a motor that works with the system you already use, and keep blinds and curtains on the same platform where possible. Many motors also open the curtain with a light tug, which helps if the remote goes missing.

Tracks and headings for motorised curtains

The track must suit the motor and the weight of the fabric. Ripple-fold or S-fold headings are common with motorised tracks because the carriers are spaced evenly and the curtain stacks neatly. Pinch pleats work too. Recessed ceiling tracks give the cleanest finish but must be designed with the ceiling. For a curved bay or very long run, confirm the motor’s limits with the supplier before committing.

Motorised curtains prices in Singapore

Item Indicative range (SGD) Source
Motorised track with remote, added per window S$350 to S$900 The Money Bees

Motor brand and grade, track length, fabric weight, smart-home integration and ceiling work all move the figure. Prices vary with size, specification and site conditions, and they are not a Keneki quote. Our journal piece on motorised curtain costs breaks the budget down further.

Planning a motorised curtain project

  1. Decide early. Ideally before electrical and ceiling works, so power points and recesses are in the right place.
  2. List every window. Note which layers need motors and which can stay manual.
  3. Choose the control system. Remote only, wall switches or full home automation.
  4. Specify fabric and heading. Weight and fullness affect the motor size.
  5. Commission and test. Set the open and closed limits, schedules and groups at handover.

Keneki coordinates the electrical, ceiling and curtain work so each trade knows what the next one needs. Our partner workroom makes the curtains, and our partner installers fit and commission the tracks. The same principles apply to motorised roller blinds. For other options, see the curtains and blinds guide, or arrange a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I motorise my existing curtains?

Often, yes, if the curtain can be rehung on a motor-compatible track. A battery motor avoids new wiring. The heading may need altering to suit the new carriers.

What happens in a power cut?

Many motorised tracks can be drawn by hand when the power is off. Ask for this feature, and check it at handover.

Are motorised curtains noisy?

Modern motors are quiet but not silent. If noise matters in a bedroom, ask to hear the motor running before you choose.

Motorised or motorized curtains: is there a difference?

No. Motorised is the British and Singapore spelling; motorized is American. They describe the same product.

Curtains frame a window in a bright room
Brown and black stripe textile

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