Automation in the home is becoming more and more popular and blinds are no exception to this. The trend is being driven by the increasing demand for home cinema coupled with an awareness of the practicalities of an electronic home.

Developers are building houses which incorporate computer systems which enable the home to be controlled electronically, including lighting, heating and entertainment systems, as well as curtains and blinds. It can be a chore to go round every morning and night switching lights on and off, turning the heating up or down and opening and closing curtains and blinds; especially when you can now have this happen automatically either at the touch of a single button, or programmed on a central controller.

There are other practical advantages to motorisation. As we spend increasing amounts of time away from home on holidays and short breaks, having the blinds open and close automatically while you're away is an added security feature as it will create the impression that someone is at home. It will also be of considerable help to those with physical limitations who find it difficult to open and close curtains or raise and lower blinds.

Ballauff Pinoleum Blinds has recently researched in depth and launched motorisation with encoders through East Anglia Blinds.‚‚Simple systems from Ballauff involve a‚track or roller blind, a motor and a switch, and by using the switch the‚blind will open and close. Enhancements to this will involve the ability to programme the opening and closing using a timer facility and possibly a remote control. Systems are even available to allow you to control blinds or curtains in different rooms, opening and closing at different times, but these obviously require a more sophisticated programme to function. Individual override switches can usually be added into such a system to give complete versatility.

All types of conventional blind styles are available in a motorised form including roller, roman, venetian and blackout and dim-out blinds from Ballauff. Motors can be either mains or low volt powered according to the size and weight of the blind in question, and, in some cases, the motors are integral, especially in the case of roller blinds.

For other applications, the availability of small motors, only 25mm in diameter, allows them to be concealed within the blind head rail.

One of the greatest advances in recent years is the move from infra red to radio signalling. This allows the power supplies and radio receivers to be concealed in cupboards or roof spaces without affecting the operation of the blinds. Recent developments in encoding technology can also be applied to allow for accurate positioning of the blinds and once the blind is installed all calibration and adjustments can be carried out from the handset.

Currently the majority of motorised blinds require a power supply at the window to hardwire the motor but recent developments undertaken by the major motor manufacturers will soon see battery operated motors, with a significant lifespan, coming onto the market at affordable prices. When that does happen, in the next year or so, we can expect a massive increase in demand for this type of product.

• Ballauff Pinoleum/Arding Marketing Tel: 01342 713923
• East Anglia Blinds ,  Tel: 01603 404040