Motorization & Retrofit

Upgrade your window treatments with seamless motorization for enhanced convenience, functionality, and modern appeal. We specialize in in-house motorization and retrofitting for both new and existing window treatments, ensuring effortless control at the touch of a button.

All shades retrofitted use Somfy and Lutron, delivering reliability and smooth operation. We can motorize:

  • Roman Shades – Effortless elegance with automated lifting
  • Roller Shades – Sleek and modern motorized functionality
  • Honeycomb Shades – Energy-efficient automation for optimal light control
  • Wood & Faux Wood Blinds – Available in tilt-only or lift-and-tilt motorization options
  • Drapery Tracks – Custom motorized tracks for smooth and silent operation

Is the treatment to large for a fabricator to
motorize…Is it a struggle to operate the
drapes…Or did your customer say no to
motorization and now regrets it?
We can motorize it!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you motorize my existing blinds or shades without replacing them?

In many cases, yes. MWT offers motorization retrofit services that add Somfy or compatible motors to existing manual blinds and shades — no need to replace the entire treatment. We assess compatibility during a site visit.

2. Can a blind that is 5 or 10 years old be motorized?

Yes. An existing 5 or 10 year old blind can be motorized for tilt only using Somfy motors. MWT evaluates each blind to confirm motor compatibility before retrofitting.

3. Can a real wood blind be motorized?

Yes. MWT motorizes real wood blinds for tilt only or for lift and tilt using Somfy RTS and Somfy Zigbee motors. For lift and tilt motorization, the blind must be ordered 10 inches longer than the required finished length.

4. Can a roller shade be motorized?

Yes. A roller shade can be motorized as a new build or retrofitted with a motor after it has been fabricated as a manual shade. MWT motorizes new and existing roller shades of all sizes using Somfy motors.

5. Will MWT motorize a roller shade that a fabricator will not?

Yes. Some manufacturers decline to motorize roller shades because their motors do not fit in small headrails or cannot lift heavy shade material. MWT uses a range of Somfy motor sizes to fit small, standard, and oversized roller shades that other companies cannot accommodate.

6. Can a cellular or honeycomb shade be motorized?

Yes. MWT motorizes cellular and honeycomb shades for bottom-up only, top-down only, or top-down bottom-up configurations using Somfy ST30 WireFree, ST30 24V, ST30 RS485, R28, ST28 WireFree, ST40 AC, and ST40 WireFree motors.

7. Can a banded or zebra shade be motorized?

Yes. MWT motorizes banded and zebra shades using Somfy battery powered, internal rechargeable, and DC low voltage motors including the Somfy ST30 WireFree, ST30 24V, ST30 RS485, R28, ST28 WireFree, and ST28 battery powered.

8. Can a Roman shade be motorized?

Yes. MWT motorizes Roman shades using Somfy ST30 WireFree, ST30 24V, ST30 RS485, R28, ST28 WireFree, ST40 AC, and ST40 WireFree motors. Motor type is determined by shade size, material weight, requested power option, and control preference.

9. Can a sheer shade be motorized?

Yes. MWT motorizes sheer shades using Somfy ST30 WireFree, ST30 24V, ST30 RS485, R28, and ST28 WireFree motors. MWT will motorize sheer shades that other companies decline.

10. Can a woven wood shade be motorized?

Yes. MWT motorizes woven wood shades using Somfy ST30 WireFree, ST30 24V, ST30 RS485, R28, ST28 WireFree, ST40 AC, and ST40 WireFree motors with battery, rechargeable, DC low voltage, or AC line voltage power.

11. What smart home systems do your motorized shades integrate with?

MWT installs motorized shades compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Control4, Crestron, and Savant. Integration depends on the motorization brand — Somfy, Lutron, and Hunter Douglas PowerView each have different native integrations.

12. What power options does MWT offer for motorized window treatments?

MWT works with Somfy battery powered motors, Somfy internal rechargeable motors, Somfy DC low voltage plug-in motors, and Somfy AC line voltage motors. The correct power option depends on the type of window treatment, its size, the manufacturer, and the weight of the material.

13. What control options does MWT provide?

MWT provides Somfy Situo single channel and 5-channel RTS remote controls, Ysia single channel and 5-channel Zigbee remote controls, wireless wall switches, wired wall switches, Somfy TaHoma Switch app control, and integration with Control4, Crestron, and Savant.

14. Are you a Somfy authorized installer near Chicago?

Yes. MWT is a Somfy authorized installer serving all of Chicagoland. We install and program Somfy RTS and io motorization systems for roller shades, drapery tracks, and honeycomb shades for both residential and commercial projects.

15. Do you install Hunter Douglas PowerView motorized shades?

Yes. MWT is an authorized Hunter Douglas PowerView installer serving Chicagoland. We install, configure, and integrate PowerView systems with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home.