IN THIS LESSON

What do I need to know early on to make motorized drapery look beautiful and work properly?

In this section we cover many elements interior designers and architects need to know to specify motorized drapery, from track selection to drapery fabrication and smart home integration.

  1. Understanding Motorized Drapery Systems

  2. Specifying the Motorized Drapery Track

  3. Best Pleat for Drapery Motorization

  4. Power & Electrical Requirements

  5. Smart Home & AV Integration

  6. Project Workflow & Sequencing

Understanding Motorized Drapery Systems

Motorized drapery combines a traverse track, drapery fullness,a motor type, and a control ecosystem. Understanding how these layers interact helps you spec confidently, and avoid mid-project surprises and delays.

  • A motorized traverse track uses a belt-drive or cord-drive system powered by an inline or end motor. When the motor receives a signal — from a remote, wall switch, app, or automation system — it drives the belt or cord that carries the drapery carriers along the track.

    The motor is usually plugged into an 110v outlet, especially for heavier drapes. Motors can also be wireless and charged like a phone.

  • Somfy Motorized Track: Versatile, retrofit-friendly, and compatible with a wide range of tracks and control ecosystems.

    • BEST FIT: Retrofit projects, mid-scale residential, single-room applications

    • PROTOCOL: RTS (wireless radio); SDN and ILT for hardwired/RS-485 projects

    • MOTOR NOISE: Quiet - Sonesse line offers near-silent operation

    • INSTALLATION: Flexible — plug-in and battery options available; no proprietary programmer required for basic setups

    • INTEGRATES WITH: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and other integration platforms.

    Lutron Motorized Track: The industry benchmark for silence, precision, and seamless whole-home automation.

    • BEST FIT: New construction, high-end residential, whole-home automation

    • PROTOCOL: Clear Connect RF (proprietary); deeply reliable and interference-resistant

    • MOTOR NOISE: Industry benchmark — virtually silent operation standard across all models

    • INSTALLATION: Requires a Lutron-certified dealer and programmer; scene programming done by AV integrator

    • INTEGRATES WITH: Control4, Crestron, Savant, Josh.ai and other home automation platforms. Native systems: Caseta / RadioRA / HomeWorks

    Our recommendation: If your client has — or is planning — a full home automation system such as Control4, Crestron, Savant, or Lutron HomeWorks, specify Lutron from the start. Drapery scenes integrate directly with lighting keypads and the Lutron app, with no additional hubs. For projects without AV integration, or for retrofits, Somfy offers excellent performance and flexibility at a broader range of price points. As authorized dealers for both platforms, The Integrated Workroom can advise on the right fit for your specific project.

  • Motors are categorized by power source and load capacity:

    • One-way track— with Lutron the maximum width is 30ft, with 1 or more splices in the track. Operates up to 175 lb draperies.

    • Center opening track — with Lutron the maximum width is also 30ft, 15ft left panels and 15ft right panel, with 1 or more splices in the track. Operates up to 175 lb draperies

    • Tandem track— for wider than 30ft drapery spans, 2 one-way tracks with 2 motors are installed. They are programmed to work together or individually.

Specifying The Motorized Drapery Track

Motorized drapery combines a traverse track, drapery fullness,a motor type, and a control ecosystem. Understanding how these layers interact helps you spec confidently, and avoid mid-project surprises and delays.

  • Motorized tracks come in several configurations to suit different architectural conditions:

    • Straight track — the standard; available as single, double (layered), or tandem

    • Curved/bay track — custom-bent for bay windows, curved walls, and radius openings

    • 90° return tracks — wrap panels around a wall for a clean stack or light gap seal

    • Recessed/pocket track — installed inside a ceiling cove; requires structural coordination during framing. The pocket minimum for 1 motorized track is 5” in depth and 5” in height.

  • Both type of installations work well, but they require different rough-in planning:

    • Ceiling mount — requires solid blocking in the ceiling cavity at the bracket locations; typical 16" o.c. spacing may not align with bracket needs

    • Wall mount — requires a solid substrate (not just drywall); a horizontal 2×6 or plywood backer behind the drywall is recommended for multi-bracket runs

    • Recessed pocket — framing must be specified at design phase; consult with us on pocket dimensions before the GC frames it

    Best practice: Include a “drapery blacking” requirement in your architectural drawings wherever motorized drapery tracks are planned. At The Integrated Workroom, we like to be involved as early as possible on a project to meet with the GC early on.

  • It is important to specify the fullness of the drapes and the type of opening when ordering the track.

    • Ripplefold pleat — the track will be made according to 60%, 80%, 100% or 120% fullness. The higher the fullness, the wider the stacking when the drapes are open. Specify if you want a butt master (the drapery panels butt against each other when closed) or an overlap master (the panels overlap each other).

    • Pinch pleat — sheers have a fullness of 3x, and therefore the stacking when the drapes are open is wider than drapes that have a fullness of 2.5x.

Best Pleat Style For Motorized Drapery

Most pleat styles can be done with a motorized drapery track. The most common are Ripplefold pleat or pinch pleat, either pinched low (bow-tie look) or pinched on the top (clean fluted look).

  • Ripplefold 60% fullness is the pleat option that has the least amount of stacking. Somfy and Lutron have options to order tracks with a fullness of 80%, 100% or 120%. Kirsch motorized tracks can be done with a fullness of 60%.

    Click here to see our page on fullness to calculate stack back of custom drapes.

    Keep in mind that the stack back of motorized drapery is slightly more than on a manual track, because of the width of the motor (additional stack back of 4” to 6” depending on the the motor.

  • Both type of installations work well, but they require different rough-in planning:

    • Ceiling mount — requires solid blocking in the ceiling cavity at the bracket locations; typical 16" o.c. spacing may not align with bracket needs

    • Wall mount — requires a solid substrate (not just drywall); a horizontal 2×6 or plywood backer behind the drywall is recommended for multi-bracket runs

    • Recessed pocket — framing must be specified at design phase; consult with us on pocket dimensions before the GC frames it

    Best practice: Include a “drapery blacking” requirement in your architectural drawings wherever motorized drapery tracks are planned. At The Integrated Workroom, we like to be involved as early as possible on a project to meet with the GC early on.

  • It is important to specify the fullness of the drapes and the type of opening when ordering the track.

    • Ripplefold pleat — the track will be made according to 60%, 80%, 100% or 120% fullness. The higher the fullness, the wider the stacking when the drapes are open. Specify if you want a butt master (the drapery panels butt against each other when closed) or an overlap master (the panels overlap each other).

    • Pinch pleat — sheers have a fullness of 3x, and therefore the stacking when the drapes are open is wider than drapes that have a fullness of 2.5x.

Power & Electrical Requirements

Electrical coordination is the most common source of delay on motorized drapery and shades projects. Knowing what to rough in — and when — keeps your schedule on track.

  • Power location depends on the motor type and track configuration:

    • Hardwired motors — low-voltage wiring runs to the motor head location, typically at the end of the track behind the stack. Include this in your electrical drawings. This is mainly the case for low-voltage wired roller shades.The majority of motorized drapery tracks are plug-in

    • Plug-in motors — a standard 110V outlet at the motor head location, concealed behind the drapery stack or inside a ceiling pocket

    • Battery motors — no rough-in needed; plan for periodic recharging access

  • Responsibilities are divided between trades:

    • Licensed electrician — rough-in wiring, outlet installation, conduit; required by code for hardwired systems

    • AV integrator / Lutron-certified programmer — low-voltage wiring, hub installation, system programming, scene configuration

    • The Integrated Workroom — track installation, motor mounting, terminal connections, and travel-limit programming for the drapery system itself.

    Avoid the gap: oid the gap: the space between "electrician done" and "AV integrator starts" is where motorized drapery and shade projects stall. Loop us in early so we can coordinate directly with your AV team.

  • One of the greatest advantages of motorized drapery is the range of ways it can be operated — from sophisticated automation to a simple touch. Designers can specify the control method that best suits each client's lifestyle.

    • Dedicated remote: A handheld Somfy or Lutron remote operates individual tracks or groups of tracks. Compact, reliable, and works without any hub or Wi-Fi connection.

    • Wall keypad or switch: A Lutron or third-party keypad mounted at the door or beside the bed gives clients intuitive single-button control — open, close, or preset positions.

    • App control: The Somfy TaHoma or Lutron app allows control from anywhere — open the drapes before arriving home, or close them at sunset on a schedule.

    • Home automation: Integrate with Control4, Crestron, Savant, Lutron HomeWorks, or Apple HomeKit. Drapery becomes part of whole-home scenes — morning, movie, goodnight — triggered by time, occupancy, or other events.

    • Voice activation: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Siri, and Josh.ai. Clients can simply say "close the living room drapes" — no app, no remote needed.

    • Jog-to-close (hand tug): Give the leading edge of the drapery panel a gentle tug and the motor senses the movement and takes over — smoothly closing the track the rest of the way on its own. No remote needed, and no fumbling in the dark. Particularly popular in bedrooms.

Smart Home & AV Integration

Motorized drapery reaches its full potential when it's integrated with the broader home environment — responding to time of day, occupancy, lighting scenes, and voice commands.

  • As authorized Lutron and Somfy dealers, we can integrate motorized drapery with virtually any major platform:

    • Lutron HomeWorks

    • Lutron RadioRA 3

    • Lutron Caseta

    • Control4

    • Crestron

    • Savant

    • Apple HomeKit

    • Amazon Alexa

    • Google Home

    • IFTTT

    • Josh.ai

    • and more

    Lutron advantage: For projects with Lutron lighting control already specified, adding drapery to the same Lutron ecosystem is seamless — no additional hubs, and drapery scenes integrate directly with lighting keypads and the Lutron app.

  • Yes — this is one of the most requested features on high-end projects. A single keypad button or voice command can simultaneously dim the lights to 40%, close the drapery, lower the shades to 60%, and switch the TV input. This is called a scene or a preset.

    Typical scenes we program on residential projects:

    • Morning — drapery opens, shades rise, lights fade up gradually

    • Movie — drapery closes, blackout shades descend, lights dim to 10%

    • Goodnight — all drapery and shades close throughout the house

    • Away — scheduled random drapery movement for security/privacy

    Who programs scenes? On Lutron projects, scene programming is handled by the Lutron-certified programmer (typically the AV integrator). We coordinate with them on drapery open/close limits and group IDs during the project and installation.

  • We do — and we recommend introducing us to the AV team as early as possible, ideally at the design development phase. The key coordination items between our team and the AV integrator are:

    • Motor protocol selection (RTS vs. SDN for Somfy; RS-485 vs. Clear Connect for Lutron)

    • Motor addressing and group IDs for scene programming

    • Power location confirmation and low-voltage conduit routing

    • Commissioning schedule alignment — we program travel limits first, then the AV team programs scenes

Project Workflow & Sequencing

Motorized drapery touches more trades than conventional window treatments. A clear sequence prevents the most common project delays.

    1. Design Development: Confirm track type, mount method, draw direction, and motor platform. Coordinate ceiling pocket or blocking requirements with GC. Engage AV integrator.

    2. Electrical Rough-In: Electrician installs conduit and boxes to motor head locations. AV integrator runs low-voltage wiring. GC creates pocket if required. Must be complete before drywall.

    3. Fabric & Hardware Order: Submit final fabric and specs to our workroom. We order the track and confirm motor duty. Typical lead time: 4 to 6 weeks for custom fabricated drapery with motorized track.

    4. Track Installation: Our team installs and levels the track, mounts the motor, and confirms electrical connections. Power must be live for motor testing.

    5. Drapery Installation & Travel Limits: Panels are hung, dressed, and travel limits are programmed to the finished open and closed positions. This step requires the final floor covering to be in place.

    6. AV Commissioning: AV integrator programs scenes, schedules, and integrations. We are available on-site during commissioning for any travel limit adjustments.

    • Custom drapery fabrication: 3 to 4 weeks from when we receive your fabric. We have also a line of in-stock fabrics for a faster turnaround.

    • Hardware fabrication: 3 to 5 weeks for Lutron and Somfy. Curved motorized tracks that require a template take 6 to 8 weeks

    • Installation: 1 to 2 days

  • We do — At The Integratedd Workroom, we handle track procurement as part of the drapery package — you submit one consolidated order and we coordinate the hardware side, as well as the shades. This eliminates the risk of a workroom fabricating for one track system while the designer orders a different one.

    For projects where an AV integrator has a preferred Lutron hardware supplier, we are happy to coordinate spec alignment with their team. What matters is that motor platform, protocol, and addressing are agreed upon before any orders are placed.