How Li-ion Motorised Venetian Blinds Work

Unlike motorised roller blinds, these electric Venetian blinds use an external lithium-ion battery pack rather than a motor contained entirely within the headrail.

Key points to be aware of:

• Lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs are mounted discreetly behind or near the headrail.
• No need to remove the battery for charging.
• Charging is done in position using a plug-in charger.
• Charging frequency varies depending on blind weight and usage.

Heavier Venetian blinds will naturally require charging more often than lighter ones, particularly if they include raise and lower functionality.

Aluminium Motorised Venetian Blinds

Aluminium Venetian blinds are the lightest of all Venetian blind options, making them the most versatile choice for full motorisation.

They are available with:

• Raise and lower operation.
• Tilt and turn slat control.
• Lithium-ion rechargeable or hardwired options.

Because of their lighter weight, aluminium Venetians place less strain on the motor, making them ideal for larger windows where both lifting and tilting are required.

They are often the best choice where customers want:

• Full motorised functionality
• Precise light control
• A practical solution for larger glazing

Faux Wood Motorised Venetian Blinds

Faux wood Venetian blinds can also be motorised, but tilt operation only.

With faux wood Venetians:

• Slat tilt is motorised using a remote control.
• Raising and lowering remains manual.
• A cord and child safety cleat are fitted as standard.

This approach allows the slats to be adjusted electronically while keeping the overall system reliable and safe, particularly given the additional weight of faux wood slats.

• Faux wood motorised Venetians are ideal where:
• Electronic light control is the main priority
• The blind is raised and lowered infrequently

Real Wood Motorised Venetian Blinds

Real wood Venetian blinds are the heaviest Venetian option and therefore have more specific motorisation limitations.

They are available in two formats:

• Tilt-only motorisation, similar to faux wood Venetians.
• Raise and lower with tilt and turn in selected sizes only.

Size limitations apply because of the combined weight of the wood slats and the demands placed on a battery-powered motor. Larger real wood Venetians are more likely to require frequent charging if fully motorised.

For bigger windows, aluminium Venetians are often the more practical option when full motorisation is required.

Control Options for Motorised Venetian Blinds

Electric Venetian blinds are operated using specially designed remote controls.

Features include:

• Multi-channel remote controls for operating multiple blinds.
• Thumb wheel control for smooth slat rotation.
• Grouped operation for blinds moving together.

For greater flexibility, an additional hub can be used to enable app control and smart speaker integration, allowing blinds to be operated by voice or smartphone.

Hardwired Electric Venetian Blinds

In addition to rechargeable systems, hardwired electric Venetian blinds are available.

These are supplied with a standard UK plug for testing purposes and can then be:

• Hardwired into the mains supply.
• Connected and certified by a qualified electrician.

Our installers are not qualified electricians and cannot certify electrical work, so final connection must be completed by a suitably qualified professional.

Choosing the Right Motorised Venetian Blind

Selecting the right electric Venetian blind depends on:

• Window size and overall blind weight.
• Whether raise and lower operation is required.
• Preferred slat material – aluminium, faux wood or real wood.
• How often the blind will be operated.

Understanding these factors ensures the blind performs reliably and meets expectations long term.