Collection:
Somfy Awning & Exterior Motors
Somfy motors built for outdoor work — Sunea, Altus, Maestria, Orea and Oximo — for cassette awnings, retractable awnings, exterior zip screens and rolling shutters.
Higher torque, weather sealing, and CMO versions with a hand-crank manual override for power cuts. Size by awning projection and fabric weight: 25 Nm for smaller cassettes, 50 Nm and up for large projections.
Model-by-model pricing is in our Somfy awning motor price guide.
Somfy LT60 6100R2 Altus RTS 120V 3-Wire Motor (1166289)
Somfy LT60 680R2 Altus RTS 120V 3-Wire Motor (1164261)
Somfy LT50 550R2 Orea RTS Cassette Awning Motor (1038174)
Somfy Sunea 525A2 CMO RTS 120V 3-Wire Motor (cassette awning) (1114304)
Somfy LT60 6100R2 Standard 120V 4-Wire Motor (1166290)
Somfy LT50 RA CMO 550R2 Motor with 6' 4-Wire Pigtail Cable (1051014)
Somfy LT50 535A2 Orea RTS 120V 3-Wire Cassette Awning Motor (legacy 1037522) (1038173)
Sizing a Somfy awning or exterior motor
Torque comes from projection and fabric
An awning motor fights the weight of the fabric plus the arms plus whatever wind loads it. Small cassette awnings usually land around 25 Nm. A wide retractable with a long projection wants 50 Nm and up, and large rolling shutters or exterior screens climb to 80 or 100 Nm.
Somfy prints the rating in the model code. A 525A2 is 25 Nm, a 550R2 is 50 Nm, a 660R2 is 60 Nm, a 680R2 is 80 Nm and a 6100R2 is 100 Nm. All the R2 motors run at 14 rpm, so moving up the range costs nothing in speed.
Tube size splits the range in two
The LT50 platform needs a minimum internal tube diameter of 1.85 in and stops at 50 Nm. LT60 needs 2.37 in and reaches 100 Nm. There is no overlap in the Altus RTS line, so crossing that boundary means new crowns, drives and brackets alongside the motor. Only parts named for both platforms interchange.
CMO if the power might fail
CMO stands for crank manual override: a hand crank retracts the awning when the power is out, which protects the fabric in a storm. It is the reason most exterior motors specify CMO rather than a plain radio motor.
A CMO motor takes a different head from its RTS sibling of the same torque. Check the head type on the listing before ordering a bracket. A star bracket will not hold a CMO head, and that mistake gets found on the ladder.
Wind and sun sensors are not optional outdoors
An Eolis 3D wind sensor retracts the awning automatically when it starts moving, and most awning fabric warranties assume one is fitted. Soliris adds sun tracking so the awning extends on a bright afternoon and retracts when the sun goes. Both pair straight to an RTS motor with no hub.
Exterior motors carry weather sealing, typically IP 44 across the Altus RTS range. Interior WireFree motors are IP 20 and belong indoors, whatever the torque looks like on paper.
Related guides:Sunea 535A2 CMO RTS awning motor sizingLT50 vs LT60 tube and torqueOximo RTS 525A2 rolling shutter fit guideReplacing a Somfy awning motor
Common questions
Can I use a battery motor outside?
No. Every Somfy WireFree motor is rated IP 20, which provides no water protection at all. Exterior awnings, rolling shutters and zip screens need a wired exterior motor. The exterior families are rated IP 44.
How much torque does an awning need?
More than most people expect. Cassette awnings commonly land between 25 and 50 Nm, and large or security rolling shutters run past that into the LT60 range at 60 to 100 Nm. Size from the assembly weight and roll radius rather than the width alone.
What is the difference between LT50 and LT60?
Tube size and ceiling. LT50 needs a minimum 1.85 in tube inside diameter and tops out at 50 Nm. LT60 needs 2.37 in and reaches 100 Nm. Crowns and brackets do not cross between them, so the whole parts list changes when you step up.
Do exterior motors include a wind sensor?
No, it is a separate part. The Eolis 3D WireFree RTS wind sensor mounts on the awning itself and retracts it automatically when it detects movement from wind, which is what actually protects the fabric and the arms. It is worth treating as standard on any folding-arm awning.
Is Sunea, Orea, Altus or Maestria right for my job?
They are application families on shared platforms. Sunea and Orea are built around cassette awnings, Altus is the general-purpose exterior motor, and Maestria suits zip screens and larger exterior assemblies. Torque and tube size still decide the actual part number.
Shade Direct. Install Faster.
At Shade Motors Direct, we understand what installers need because we are installers. As a trusted distributor of Somfy motors, remotes, and controls, we provide high-quality automation solutions with fast shipping and expert support. We keep products in stock, offer competitive pricing, and make ordering simple, so you can focus on getting the job done. Whether you're outfitting a single shade or automating an entire home, we’re here to ensure you get the right products, on time, every time.
