Motorized curtains have moved from a luxury extra to a standard request in Dubai villas and apartments. Floor-to-ceiling glazing, strong afternoon sun and heavy air-conditioning use all make window treatments that open and close at the touch of a button genuinely useful, not just impressive. This guide explains how automation works, what you are paying for, and what to settle before you order.

Why Motorized Curtains Make Sense in the UAE

Large windows and balcony doors are common in UAE homes, and the curtains that cover them are often wide, tall and heavy. Drawing them by hand every morning and evening is a chore, and in practice many households leave them half-open, which defeats their purpose. Motorization solves three everyday problems:

  • Heat and glare control. Closing blackout or layered curtains at the hottest part of the day reduces solar gain and protects flooring, furniture and artwork from fading.
  • Convenience on large spans. A wide living room window or a double-height wall is difficult to operate manually. A motor does it smoothly and evenly.
  • Privacy and routine. Schedules and scenes let curtains open with the morning and close at sunset without anyone touching them.

How a Motorized Curtain System Works

A motorized system has four main parts that need to be specified together, which is why the supplier matters as much as the product:

The Motor

A quiet electric motor sits inside or at the end of the track and pulls the curtain along it. Somfy is one of the most widely recognised motor brands worldwide, and choosing a genuine branded motor matters because it determines noise level, lifting capacity and long-term reliability.

The Track

Motorized tracks are built to carry the motor and the weight of the fabric. A standard manual rail is not a substitute: the track and motor must be matched to the width and weight of the curtain.

The Controls

Control can be as simple as a wall switch or handheld remote, or as connected as a smart hub that links to a phone app and to wider smart-home scenes.

The Power Supply

Every motor needs a power point at the window. In a new build this can be planned in advance; in an existing home it may require concealed wiring, which is worth confirming at the survey stage.

What a Somfy Package Typically Includes

At Bait Al Ebdaa, a Somfy motorized curtain package can include a genuine Somfy motor, a compatible motorized track, a selected fabric range, professional installation, initial programming and applicable written product and workmanship warranty. Smart hub and app integration, and additional remotes or channels, are priced as add-ons.

Choosing Fabric: Sheer, Blackout or Layered

The motor is only half the decision. The fabric you choose changes both the look of the room and the price.

  • Sheer: Light and airy, softening daylight while keeping the view. Best for living areas where you want brightness with a little privacy.
  • Blackout: Blocks light and reduces heat. The usual choice for bedrooms and media rooms.
  • Layered: A sheer and a blackout panel on separate tracks, giving flexibility through the day. This is the most versatile option and also the highest in cost.

Heavier fabrics place more load on the motor, so fabric and motor should always be confirmed together rather than chosen separately.

Wave Fold or Pinch Pleat?

Heading style affects the silhouette. Pinch pleat gives a classic, tailored fold, while wave fold produces a clean, continuous ripple that suits contemporary interiors. Both can be motorized, and both are priced slightly differently, as the starting prices below show.

Starting Prices for Manual and Somfy Curtains

Our published starting prices are for a standard window of up to approximately 2m × 3m. They are entry prices; final pricing depends on exact dimensions, fabric and finish.

  • Manual pinch-pleat sheer: from AED 650
  • Manual wave sheer: from AED 750
  • Manual pinch-pleat blackout: from AED 850
  • Somfy motorized sheer: from AED 1,850
  • Somfy motorized blackout: from AED 2,100
  • Somfy motorized layered: from AED 3,500
  • Somfy smart hub / app integration: from AED 750 additional

Prices exclude 5% VAT. Electrical points, concealed wiring, premium fabrics, specialist access and advanced smart-home integration are quoted separately. See our full pricing page for the complete list.

What to Settle Before You Order

  • Power at the window. Confirm where the motor will be powered and whether wiring can be concealed.
  • Ceiling or wall fixing. Check the fixing surface and whether a pelmet or recess is needed to hide the track.
  • Control preference. Decide between remote only, wall switch, or app and smart-home control, because it affects the hardware.
  • Fabric and motor match. Ask the supplier to confirm the motor is rated for the weight of the chosen fabric and width.
  • Warranty and aftercare. Ask what is covered, for how long, and who services the motor if it needs attention.

How the Process Works With Us

We start with a measurement visit, where we confirm dimensions, power points and fixing surfaces. You then choose fabric, heading style and controls, we confirm the specification in writing, and our team manufactures and installs the curtains, then programs the motors and walks you through using them. If you are planning curtains as part of a larger project, they can be coordinated with joinery and lighting through our design and delivery process.

Looking After Motorized Curtains

Dust and sunlight are the main enemies of any curtain. Vacuum fabric gently, keep tracks free of obstruction, and avoid pulling curtains by hand when the motor is engaged. For care of other furniture and fittings in the UAE climate, read our guide to furniture maintenance and care.

Ready to start your project?

Contact Bait Al Ebdaa to book a free measurement visit, or use the price guide on our homepage to see a rough starting budget for your windows.