What Motor Do I Need for Roller Blinds? (Complete Guide Australia)

Most people buy the wrong roller blind motor for one simple reason — they don’t check what it needs to fit into.

👉 The tube.

Most motor failures aren’t actually motor problems — they’re compatibility problems.

And here’s what most people don’t realise:

👉 You can motorise your existing roller blinds. You don’t need to replace them.

It’s not complicated — but it has to be done in the right order.

Start With Your Tube (This Is What Everything Depends On)

Every roller blind motor sits inside an aluminium tube.

That tube has:

• a specific diameter

• a specific internal profile

Motors themselves are universal — but they rely on a crown and drive to connect to the tube.

The drive attaches to the motor and transfers the rotation into the tube, while the crown sits at the motor head and keeps everything aligned inside the tube.

If you haven’t identified your tube yet, start here:

Find your Tube →

Real Example (What Actually Happens)

Let’s say you’ve got a standard 45mm roller blind tube — one of the most common setups in Australian homes.

With the correct crown and drive:

• the motor locks into the tube

• everything lines up properly

• the blind runs smoothly

If the crown and drive are wrong:

• the motor will still go into the tube

• it won’t engage with the profile

• it will spin inside the tube

• and the blind won’t lift

This is the exact issue we see with incorrect or generic setups.

How Motor Power (Torque) Works

Motor power is measured in Nm (Newton metres) — this is the lifting force.

The bigger and heavier the blind, the more torque it needs.

That’s it — no need to overcomplicate it.

Which Motor Do You Actually Need?

Once your tube is confirmed, choosing the right motor comes down to the size and weight of your blind.

Very small blinds

👉 Ultra low torque (around 0.7Nm)

Used for narrow, lightweight blinds

Most residential blinds

👉 Low torque (around 1–1.5Nm)

This covers the majority of roller blinds in Australian homes.

• up to around 2.2 metres wide

• up to 2.4 metres on shorter drops

Larger blinds

👉 Medium torque (around 2–4Nm)

Used when:

• the blind is wider

• the fabric is heavier

Very large or heavy blinds

👉 High torque (4Nm and above)

Used for oversized or high-use blinds.

⚠️ Important

These are real-world guidelines based on typical installs.

The key is choosing a motor that’s confirmed to fit your tube — that’s what makes everything work properly.

Rechargeable vs 240V Motors

Once you’ve chosen the right size, the next decision is power type.

Rechargeable motors

• no electrician required

• clean, wire-free install

• charge every 6–12 months

Best option for upgrading existing blinds.

240V motors

• better for larger blinds

• suited to high-use areas

• requires electrician

More common in new builds or commercial installs.

Which Brands Should You Choose?

Once your tube and motor size are sorted, the final step is choosing a system.

We supply two of the most widely used motor systems in Australia:

Automate

Simple, reliable RF system that works with a remote, and can be upgraded with app and voice control.

Somfy

Global brand offering RTS and Zigbee options, suited to both simple setups and smart home integration.

Both systems are:

• compliant with Australian standards

• proven across residential installs

• supported with remotes, hubs, and accessories

The right choice comes down to how you want to control your blinds.

What Motors Should You Avoid?

Not all motors are supplied correctly.

A lot of cheaper options come with:

• generic or incorrect crown and drive sets

• poor fit inside the tube

• no Australian compliance

This leads to:

• motors spinning inside the tube

• blinds not lifting properly

• inconsistent performance or early failure

In most cases, the issue isn’t the motor — it’s that the wrong components were supplied.

The Biggest Mistake People Make

Trying to choose a motor before knowing what they have.

The correct order is:

1. Identify your tube

2. Choose a motor that fits

3. Then select the right power

Get that right and everything works as it should.

Quick Answer (If You Just Want the Short Version)

• Small blinds → 0.7Nm

• Most blinds → 1–1.5Nm

• Larger blinds → 2–4Nm

• Large/heavy blinds → 4Nm+ or 240V

But it all starts with the tube.

Final Step

Once you know your tube, everything becomes straightforward.

The motor fits properly.

The blind runs smoothly.

And the install is simple.

Check Your Blind →