Patio awning motorisation in Paris and Île-de-France: say goodbye to the crank handle

Motorising an existing awning: comfort and safety in one upgrade

Winding a crank handle for a full minute to extend four metres of fabric, then again to bring it back in every evening — that is exactly what stops most owners using their awning day to day. Awning motorisation changes everything. One press of the remote and the fabric glides out; a gust rises while you are at the office and the wind sensor tucks everything safely away before the arms suffer. The motor does more than add comfort: it actively protects your investment and spares you more than a few calls to our emergency repair team.

The good news: in the vast majority of cases there is no need to replace the awning itself. Our technicians remove the crank gear, slide a tubular motor of the correct torque inside the existing roller tube and reprogram the whole assembly. The operation works on every brand and generally takes half a day. If your awning is too old or its arms too tired, we will tell you frankly and suggest a new, already-motorised installation instead — often the more economical route than persisting with a worn-out frame.

Hard-wired or radio motor: which should you choose?

The hard-wired motor

Operated from a wall switch connected by cable, the hard-wired motor is simple, robust and slightly cheaper. It does, however, require chasing a cable run or fitting trunking between the switch and the awning, and the control point stays fixed. It makes sense in a new build or during a façade renovation, when routing cables is straightforward.

The radio motor

A radio motor needs only a power supply: commands travel wirelessly, with no cabling into your home. It is the solution we fit most often in Parisian renovations, where drilling through a Haussmann façade or an insulation layer is rarely desirable — a detail that matters in co-owned buildings, where the façade is common property. It also opens the door to every modern automation: multi-channel remotes, timers, sensors and smart-home hubs.

Automation and smart control

• Radio remote control: single or multi-channel, to drive several awnings and shutters from one handset, with a memorised favourite position.
• Wind sensor (anemometer): retracts the awning automatically the moment the set wind threshold is exceeded — the essential safety accessory, and one several manufacturers require to keep the fabric and arm guarantee valid.
• Sun sensor: the awning extends as the light intensifies and retracts at dusk — ideal for keeping a living room cool while you are out.
• Smartphone and smart-home control: via a hub compatible with io-homecontrol, RTS, Zigbee or Wi-Fi, drive your awning from your phone anywhere in the world, build scenes ("evening terrace", "away on holiday") and link it to your roller shutters and lighting, with voice-assistant support.

The real-world benefits of motorisation

• Everyday comfort: opening and closing in seconds, effortlessly — which means you actually use the awning far more often.
• Longer life: the motor rolls the fabric at a constant speed and perfectly aligned, where a crank handle causes jerks and crooked rolling that wear out seams and arms.
• Safety in all weathers: paired with a wind sensor, the awning shelters itself, even while you are at work or on holiday.
• Accessibility: a real benefit for older users and anyone with reduced mobility, as well as for large commercial awnings too heavy to operate by hand.
• Added property value: automated equipment is a genuine selling point when a flat or house goes on the market — something international buyers in particular look for.

How the visit unfolds

• 1. Feasibility study: we check the diameter of the roller tube, the condition of the arms and the presence of a nearby power supply.
• 2. Motor selection: we calculate the torque required (25 to 120 Nm) from the width, projection and fabric weight, then choose hard-wired or radio with you.
• 3. Crank gear out, motor in: the tube is removed, the tubular motor inserted and seated, and the fabric re-rolled perfectly straight.
• 4. Wiring and programming: safe connection, precise limit-switch adjustment, pairing of the remotes, and set-up of the wind sensor and the mobile app.
• 5. Demonstration and guarantee: full tests with you, a walkthrough of the app in English or French, and a parts and labour guarantee on both motor and fitting.

What does awning motorisation cost?

As a guide, supply and fitting included: hard-wired motorisation of a balcony awning starts at around €350; radio motorisation with a remote control most often falls between €450 and €700; and a complete package with wind and sun sensors plus a smart-home gateway ranges from €700 to €1,100. Replacing an existing failed motor starts at €250. Every project gets a free, precise, no-obligation quote.

Fast service across the Greater Paris region

We motorise awnings in every Paris arrondissement and throughout Île-de-France: Montreuil, Créteil, Clamart, Suresnes, Évry-Courcouronnes, Pontoise, Poissy, Savigny-sur-Orge and Champigny-sur-Marne, among many others — for private homes, embassies, hotels and shopfronts alike. Make the most of the technician's visit to have your other equipment checked: we also motorise roller shutters, commercial metal shutters and roller garage doors. And to keep your new motor in top condition for years, consider one of our awning maintenance plans.

Frequently asked questions about awning motorisation

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