How to choose the best roller shutter motor

The motorization of roller shutters is one of the most popular and constantly spreading domestic automations. This is thanks to the undeniable advantages such as convenience, savings and increased safety.

In other words, total control over the natural light in your home.

But how to choose the best electric roller shutter motor? What factors to consider before purchasing? What features do the best roller shutter motors on the market have?

In this article we try to answer these questions by offering you the right tools for a purchase tailored to your needs.

1. Motorized roller shutters: why you won't be able to do without them

2. How to motorize a roller shutter 

3. How to choose the roller shutter motor

 3.1 Roller shutter motorization: the importance of weight

  3.1.1 How to calculate the weight of the roller shutter

   3.2 Choose a roller shutter motor with remote control

4. The best roller shutter motors: what features to look for

 4.1 Motorizing a roller shutter with Somfy: simplicity and smart features

Motorized roller shutters: why you won't be able to do without them

The motorization of roller shutters has indisputable advantages. Above all, of course, ease of use and comfort. In fact, manually moving a shutter using the classic belt is a tedious and, for some subjects, very tiring operation.

Let's think, for example, of those who suffer from back pain, or simply those who are a little older. An activity, that of raising/lowering the shutters, very simple for some, but expensive (and even painful) for many others. 

However, the advantages of electric shutters are not "only" reduced to less physical effort, but affect different aspects of our daily lives. Especially:

• Security: equipping yourself with systems such as the anti-intrusion lock or the rigid strap allows you to considerably increase protection against criminals. For example, it is possible to connect the motor to motion sensors which, once triggered, will block the shutter, preventing any type of intrusion.
• Savings: thanks to the possibility of connecting the roller shutter motor to sun and temperature sensors, the shutter will automatically rise and lower to optimize the climate in the various rooms (also depending on the season).
• Time: thanks to the centralized control, it will no longer be necessary to open/close each roller shutter individually. With a simple click it is in fact possible to control all the motorized shutters in our home (or even just a part of them) at the same time.
• Remote control and voice management: if connected to a home automation hub, the motor can be managed remotely via smartphone, or controlled by voice if you have a smart speaker with Alexa or Google Assistant. In addition, it is possible to make the roller shutter work in synergy with other smart devices, for a fully automated and intelligent home.
   

How to motorize a roller shutter 

If you are wondering how to motorize a roller shutter, you should know that it is a simpler operation than you might think. In fact, you will only need to install an electric motor inside the roller. Equipped with the right tools (drill, hammer, screwdriver, etc.) you simply have to follow the instructions in the manual provided by the manufacturer of the motor you have purchased. For the success of the operation, however, it is necessary to choose the most suitable roller shutter motor. 

How to choose the roller shutter motor

The roller shutter motors available on the market have different characteristics and are suitable for different needs. In other words, there is no such thing as a "universal" roller shutter motor.

Therefore, to avoid buying the wrong product, the choice of these devices must necessarily go through careful and thorough research.

Roller shutter motorization: the importance of weight

The weight of the roller shutter to be operated is the main factor influencing the selection process. In fact, the greater the weight of the roller shutter, the higher the power required (in this case the term "power", in physics, is not entirely appropriate but we use it here for simplicity). The latter is expressed in Nm (Newton meter, unit of measurement of driving torque). This data, provided by the manufacturer in the technical data sheet, corresponds to a maximum supported weight value.

For example, a 20 Nm motor can maneuver a weight of up to 40 kg, a 30 Nm motor up to 60 kg, and so on. 

At this point a question arises. How do you calculate the weight of the roller shutter? 

Of course, you won't have to disassemble it and weigh it on some kind of scale, also because it would be quite complicated!

More simply, a small and simple formula is used, which we will explore in the next paragraph.

How to calculate the weight of the roller shutter

The formula to be used to calculate the weight of the roller shutter is as follows: 

Weight [kg] = Width [m] x Height [m] x Weight per m² [kg/m²]

To the result obtained we will then add an additional percentage of 40-45%, in order to also take into consideration the part of the shutter that is not visible (the recessed one, to be clear) and the friction factor.

To find out the data relating to the weight per square meter we will have to consult specific tables (usually available on the manufacturer's website). In these we will find the most common construction materials and their weight in kilograms for an area of one square meter.

For example, 1 m² of PVC shutter weighs about 5 kg, insulated aluminum about 6 kg, extruded aluminum 9-10 kg, steel 10 kg, etc.

Choose a roller shutter motor with remote control

Obviously, the size and material of the roller shutter are not the only discriminating factors. Another key criterion in the choice is radio connectivity.

This gives the possibility of controlling the shutter with a remote control, rather than with the classic switch.

The best roller shutter motors: what features to look for

Well, now you know what the advantages of electric shutters are and how best to choose them. But what are the inevitable features in the best electric roller shutter motors on the market? 

The advice is to go for a device with radio frequency. In fact, this allows the "remote" management of the shutters via a remote control, as well as the actual home automation of the shutter, through the use of a smart universal remote control or a compatible hub. 

Not only that. The best roller shutter motors have wide compatibility with other smart devices and allow for different integrations and the creation of an interconnected smart ecosystem: sensors, hubs, voice assistants, etc. 

Finally, it is always good to prefer devices that are simple to install and do not require masonry work.

Motorizing a roller shutter with Somfy: simplicity and smart features

All these features are integrated into Somfy electric roller shutter motors. In particular, the MRR 3000 roller shutter radio kit represents one of the most popular choices in its category and one of the best electric roller shutter motors on the market.

This particular model offers a torque of 30 Nm and is therefore able to move roller shutters with a weight of up to 60 kg. Some concrete examples:

• PVC roller shutters up to 11 m²
• Insulated aluminium up to 13.75 m²
• Extruded aluminium up to 4.58 m²

While the roller shutter is lighter in weight, Somfy also offers less powerful solutions, namely the MRR 1000 and MRR 2000 models.

Very easy to install (it does not require any masonry work), the kit for motorizing Somfy electric roller shutters works on the 433.42 Mhz radio frequency and can be programmed in a timely manner to meet your needs.

In addition, if connected with the TaHoma Switch home automation system, the kit allows smart management of your shutters. It will therefore be possible to control them via smartphone from anywhere in the world. In addition, thanks to compatibility with Alexa and Google Home voice assistants, you can control the roller shutters with your voice and insert it into real scenarios/routines in which different devices interact.

For example, simply by saying the phrase "Good morning world" you can make all the connected shutters go up, turn on the coffee machine and have your smart speaker tell you (or show you, if you have a smart display) the latest news of the day. Of course, this is just an example, but the customization possibilities are really many.

Take a look at the MRR 3000 roller shutter motorization kit product page for more information!

Find out more about the Somfy 30 Nm roller shutter motor

Andrea Giorgi is content creator and co-founder of Smartdomotica.it, the portal dedicated to the world of home automation, smart home, technology, home and smart life. Smartdomotica's mission is to help users by answering the most common doubts and questions and providing information content of concrete value. Andrea has always worked in the world of consumer electronics and has held important roles in digital marketing for brands such as Electrolux, Russell Hobs and Remington.