Can You Motorise an Existing Roman Blind? A Retrofit Guide

If you already have a Roman blind that you like, you may be wondering whether it can be converted to electric operation without replacing the complete blind.

In many cases, yes, it can.

Depending on the type of Roman blind headrail you already have, it may be possible to retrofit a motor into the existing track. Alternatively, the existing fabric can often be transferred onto a new made-to-measure motorised Roman blind headrail.

Both options can allow you to keep perfectly good Roman blind fabric while upgrading to convenient electric operation.

Two Ways to Motorise an Existing Roman Blind

There are two main approaches. Which is best will depend on the type and condition of your existing Roman blind headrail.

Option 1 – Retrofit a Motor Into Your Existing Roman Blind Headrail

Many modern standard Roman blind headrails use a square drive or tilt rod running through the cord drums.

With a suitable system, a motor can be installed directly into the existing headrail. The drive rod is cut at the appropriate position and connected to each end of the motor.

The motor then turns the existing drive rod and operates the blind using the original cord drums and lifting cords.

This can mean that the headrail, cord drums, lifting cords and blind fabric all remain in place – you're simply changing how the mechanism is driven.

It can be a particularly attractive option when the existing Roman blind is in good condition and the headrail is compatible with motorisation.

Not every Roman blind track uses the same profile, drive rod or components, so compatibility should always be checked before ordering a motor.

If you're unsure what type of Roman blind track you have, photographs of the headrail, mechanism, drive rod and cord drums can help identify whether a retrofit is possible.

Option 2 – Replace the Headrail With a Made-to-Measure Motorised Track

If your existing track isn't suitable for a motor retrofit – or you would simply prefer to replace the complete mechanism – another option is to transfer the blind onto a new made-to-measure motorised Roman blind headrail.

The existing fabric is removed from its old headrail and attached to the new motorised track.

Our made-to-measure motorised headrails are supplied with the lifting cords already attached to the cord drums.

If you provide the correct measurements for the lifting-cord positions on your existing blind, we can position the cord drums along the new headrail to correspond with them.

The new track can therefore be made to the required finished width and configured to suit the lifting points of the existing blind.

This provides a completely new operating mechanism while allowing you to retain your existing Roman blind fabric.

Is My Existing Roman Blind Suitable for Motorisation?

Many modern Roman blinds can be converted, but there are a few things to consider.

If You Want to Retrofit a Motor

The existing headrail needs to be a compatible design with a suitable drive rod and sufficient space to accommodate the motor.

The condition of the existing mechanism matters too. There's little benefit in motorising a track if its cord drums or other important components are already badly worn or damaged.

Where the headrail is compatible and in good condition, however, adding a motor can be a very neat way of upgrading the blind.

If You Want to Replace the Complete Headrail

The existing blind fabric needs to be removable from its current track.

Roman blind fabric is commonly attached to the headrail using hook-and-loop tape, which generally makes transferring it to a replacement headrail relatively straightforward.

We will also need the positions of the existing blind's lifting cords.

The new headrail has lifting cords attached to its cord drums, and with the correct measurements the drums can be positioned to correspond with the lifting points on your blind.

What About the Weight of the Blind?

Blind weight is an important consideration with motorisation, particularly with larger Roman blinds or heavy furnishing fabrics.

Our Dream motorised Roman blind tracks use a 12V motor rated for a lifting capacity of up to 8kg.

Actual suitability will depend on factors including the blind's size, construction, fabric and overall weight.

If you have an unusually large or heavy Roman blind, contact us before ordering and we can help determine whether the motor is suitable.

Rechargeable or Plug-In Mains Power?

Motorising an existing Roman blind doesn't necessarily mean having electrical wiring installed at the window.

There are two main power options.

Rechargeable Battery Power

Rechargeable power is particularly useful for retrofitting because there is no need for a permanent mains supply beside the blind.

The rechargeable battery can be mounted discreetly with the motorised headrail.

When charging is required, the battery can be recharged using a USB-C charging cable and a suitable USB power adaptor.

This can make rechargeable motorisation a straightforward option for windows where there isn't a conveniently located mains socket.

Plug-In Mains Power

Where a suitable mains socket is available, the motor can instead be operated using a dedicated plug-in mains power adaptor.

This provides continuous power without having a battery to recharge.

This is plug-in mains power rather than a permanently hard-wired installation.

Remote Control or Smart Control?

A compatible remote control provides a simple way of operating your motorised Roman blind.

A multi-channel remote can also control several compatible Dream motorised blinds, allowing individual blinds to be selected or several blinds to be operated together.

If you already have compatible Dream control equipment, you may not need another remote when motorising an additional blind.

Can I Control My Roman Blind From My Phone?

Compatible Dream motors can also be connected to a DreamHub smart blind controller.

This can add features including smartphone control, rooms, groups, scenes, timers and schedules, together with compatible voice and smart-home integration.

A DreamHub isn't required for normal remote operation.

This means you can start with a motor and remote and add smart-home control later if you want it.

Do I Need to Buy a Complete Motorised Roman Blind?

Not necessarily – and that's one of the main advantages of retrofitting.

If your existing blind fabric is in good condition and still suits the room, there may be no reason to replace it.

Depending on your existing headrail, you may only need the motor and appropriate power and control equipment.

Alternatively, if the existing headrail isn't suitable for motorisation, a new made-to-measure motorised headrail can allow you to reuse the existing blind fabric.

This can be particularly worthwhile with bespoke Roman blinds made from expensive or carefully chosen furnishing fabric.

What If My Existing Roman Blind Track Is Broken?

Motorisation isn't always the answer.

If your fabric is still in good condition but the existing mechanism has failed, you can also replace the headrail with a made-to-measure manual Roman blind track.

Alternatively, depending on the fault, individual replacement Roman blind parts may be all that's required.

The right solution could therefore be:

• Repair the existing headrail

• Retrofit a motor to a compatible existing headrail

• Replace it with a new manual headrail

• Replace it with a made-to-measure motorised headrail

The best choice depends on the condition and design of the existing blind and what you want it to do.

What Measurements Do I Need for a Replacement Headrail?

For a replacement headrail, we need the finished track width required.

Don't automatically assume that this is exactly the same as the width of the fabric. Measuring the existing headrail itself is usually a useful starting point.

When transferring an existing Roman blind to one of our motorised headrails, we also need the positions of the lifting cords so that the new cord drums can be positioned to correspond with the blind.

Accurate measurements are important, so if you're unsure, contact us before ordering.

Can I Motorise My Roman Blind Myself?

For someone comfortable with practical DIY work, fitting a motor to a compatible Roman headrail or replacing a complete headrail may be achievable.

A motor retrofit involves correctly positioning the motor, cutting the existing drive rod and connecting the rod to the motor.

With a replacement headrail, the track must be securely fitted, the fabric attached correctly and the lifting cords connected and adjusted so that the blind raises evenly.

The motor will also need to be paired with its control and its upper and lower stopping positions set correctly.

If you're unsure whether your existing Roman blind is suitable, it's much better to check compatibility before ordering.

Repair, Replace or Motorise?

One of the advantages of a Roman blind is that the fabric and operating mechanism don't necessarily have to be treated as one disposable product.

A blind with good fabric can often be given a new lease of life by repairing the existing mechanism, replacing the headrail or upgrading it to motorised operation.

And if your existing headrail is a suitable modern system, motorisation may be possible without replacing the track at all.

At Blind Parts Hub we supply individual Roman blind parts, Dream motors and controls, made-to-measure manual Roman blind tracks and complete made-to-measure motorised Roman blind headrails.

If you're not sure which route is right for your blind, send us a few photographs and measurements and we'll be happy to help identify the most suitable option.