Motorised Curtains in the UAE: Track Kits, Sizing, Setup

Motorised curtains in Dubai and the rest of the UAE come down to three hardware choices: a track long enough for your window, a motor that can move your curtain's weight, and a power source at the right end of the track. If you choose a complete track kit such as the Luxion Wi-Fi range, the motor, metal track, remote and accessories arrive together. You can then control the curtains from the Smart Life app, the remote or a switch, without a separate hub.

Hardware for one window in our Motorised Curtains range costs from AED 448 (Orvibo 2 m centre-opening kit) up to AED 1542 (Somfy Movelite 35 RTS battery kit). The rest of this guide explains how to choose, so the hardware fits first time.

Track kit or motor only?

Choose a full kit if you have no track yet, or your current track is a manual one. A kit means the motor and track are designed to work together. Options include:

• Luxion Wi-Fi track kits: motor, metal track, remote and accessories, controlled through Tuya / Smart Life with no hub needed. Examples are the 2.2 m kit for single windows and the 7.2 m kit for wide living-room glazing.
• Orvibo: the 2 m centre-opening kit includes the motor and remote and uses Zigbee. Orvibo's own Zigbee hub works with Orvibo products only, so check what app control requires before you buy.
• Somfy: the Movelite 35 RTS kit has an adjustable 2.2–4 m track and a rechargeable battery. It is rated for curtains up to 20 kg and includes a remote and fixings.

Choose a motor only if you already have a compatible Luxion track or are replacing a motor. The Luxion LX-CM01 (80 W, from AED 337) supports app control, scheduling and the Luxion curtain switch. The LX-CM02 (80 W, from AED 320) is intended for curtains mounted on an inclined plane. Do not assume a motor will fit another brand's track. Check compatibility on the product page or ask us before ordering.

How to measure for a curtain track

1. Measure the full width of the window or glazed wall in several places. Use the widest figure.
2. Add overlap on each side so the curtain fully covers the glass when closed. Also allow space for the gathered fabric to stack when open. This matters on south- and west-facing glass in summer.
3. Pick the next kit length up. If your total is 3.6 m, look at 4.2 m rather than 3.2 m. Somfy's adjustable 2.2–4 m track gives more flexibility within that span. Our product data does not say whether the Luxion tracks can be cut to length, so check before you plan to shorten one.
4. Decide on ceiling or wall fixing. Many UAE apartments have gypsum false ceilings. Find out what is above the board before drilling, as you may need solid fixing points. If ceiling fixing is not possible, Luxion sells single and double wall brackets (from AED 8 each).
5. Choose side or centre opening. A centre-opening (theatre style) curtain parts in the middle, like the Orvibo kit. A side-opening curtain draws to one end. Check the opening style on each product page, because it affects how you order fabric and where the motor sits.

Tenants: drilling into ceilings or walls is a modification. Under the standard Ejari tenancy contract, that needs the landlord's written approval. Get it before you order.

Curtain weight and motor choice

The motor has to pull the curtain smoothly along the full track length. Heavy blackout or lined curtains, common in the UAE for heat and glare, weigh far more than sheers. Wider tracks also mean more fabric.

• Weigh or estimate your curtain. Check the fabric weight per metre with your curtain maker and multiply by the fabric width.
• Compare it with the stated limit. The Somfy Movelite 35 kit states up to 20 kg. Where a product page does not list a maximum load, ask us before buying rather than guessing.
• Leave a margin. A motor working at its limit is more likely to stall or wear. If you are close to a limit, use lighter fabric or split a very wide window into two tracks.
• Match the motor to the mounting. For a sloped or inclined installation, the Luxion LX-CM02 is the variant described for that use.

Power: where the socket or cable must be

Plan power before you fix the track, because the motor sits at one end.

• Battery option: the Somfy Movelite 35 RTS runs on a rechargeable battery. That avoids new wiring, which suits tenants and finished rooms.
• Mains motors: the Luxion motors are 80 W mains units. You need a power point close to the motor end of the track, or a cable run to it, often hidden in the curtain pelmet or false ceiling.
• Check the connection type: see whether the motor has a plug or a cable for a fixed connection. UAE wall sockets are mostly Type G (BS 1363 style), and our products are generally EU-type, not UK-type. Do not force or modify plugs. Ask your electrician to provide a suitable connection.
• Safety: any fixed wiring, new outlets or spurs must be done by a qualified electrician. The work must follow your local authority's rules, such as DEWA in Dubai, ADDC/AADC in Abu Dhabi or SEWA in Sharjah. Mains voltage in the UAE is nominally 230 V, 50 Hz.

Schedules, remotes and voice control

Scheduling is where motorised curtains earn their keep in the UAE. Set them to close before the strongest afternoon sun hits your glazing and to open again in the evening. The Luxion kits and motors support scheduling in the Smart Life app.

• Remotes: each Luxion kit includes a remote. A spare or replacement Luxion LX-RM63 remote (from AED 68) works with the LX-CM01 and LX-CM02. Other options are in our Remote Controls category.
• Hubs: Luxion Wi-Fi kits need no hub. For Somfy, the Somfy Connectivity Kit (from AED 311) controls io and RTS devices through the TaHoma app, Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit. The TaHoma Switch (from AED 668) adds Zigbee 3.0 and scenario buttons. See more in Smart Hubs.
• Voice: Alexa officially launched in the UAE in December 2021, with English and Khaleeji Arabic. If voice control matters to you, confirm on the product page that your system supports Alexa or Google before you buy.

Typical hardware cost in AED (our range)

These are hardware prices only. Add any electrician's work, curtain fabric and, if you rent, the landlord approval process to your budget. Orders ship from the EU by DHL Express to all seven emirates.