Motorized Full Cassette Awnings: Remote Control, App, and Voice Command Guide

I remember the first time a client asked me which control method was "best" for his new motorized full cassette awning. I gave him the honest answer: it depends. Five years and forty-something installations later, that hasn't changed — but I can now explain exactly what it depends on.

Modern full cassette awnings give you three control methods: a handheld remote, a smartphone app, and voice commands. Each shines in different situations, and understanding the trade-offs changed how I recommend setups.

Method 1: Handheld Remote (Somfy Telis)
The Somfy Telis remote is the most common control method I install. It communicates with the awning motor using RTS (Radio Technology Somfy).

Range is solid — RTS works up to 65 feet through walls and about 98 feet line of sight. I tested this across a client's two-story house, and the signal reached the backyard awning from the kitchen without issue.

The Telis runs on a CR2032 battery lasting roughly 2 years. You can pick one up for 45to60. Multi-channel versions (Telis 4, Telis 5) control multiple awnings from a single remote — handy if you've got a patio awning and a separate window awning.

What I love about the remote: it's instant. Press a button, the motor responds. No app loading, no voice processing, no network dependency. It just works.

Method 2: Smartphone App (Somfy TaHoma)
The Somfy TaHoma app transforms your phone into a control center. Pair it with the TaHoma bridge (150to200), and you get features no remote can match.

The app supports scheduling — I set one client's awning to extend at 10 AM and retract at sunset daily. Geofencing lets the app detect when you leave a defined radius and retract the awning automatically. Real-time status shows whether it's extended, retracted, or in between. Push notifications alert you if the wind sensor triggers an emergency retraction while you're away.

The trade-off? Latency. When I tap "extend," the command travels from my phone to the cloud, back down to the bridge, then to the motor. That round trip takes 2 to 3 seconds. Not terrible, but noticeable when you're standing next to the awning expecting instant movement.

I've also had the app occasionally show stale status when WiFi hiccups. It self-corrects within a minute, but worth knowing before you panic.

Method 3: Voice Commands (Alexa and Google Home)

 
Voice control is the showstopper that makes clients go "wow" during demos. Setup is straightforward — enable the Somfy skill in Alexa or link Somfy in Google Home, and you're commanding the awning within minutes.

"Alexa, extend the patio awning" deploys it. "Hey Google, retract the awning" pulls it back. I configure device names carefully because voice recognition struggles with ambiguous names. One client named his awning "the thing" and Alexa couldn't figure it out. We renamed it "patio shade" and it worked flawlessly.

Voice latency is the longest — 3 to 5 seconds from spoken command to motor movement. Cloud processing adds time, and occasionally Alexa asks for confirmation if unsure what you meant.

Response Latency Comparison
I've timed all three methods repeatedly:

Handheld remote: under 1 second
Smartphone app: 2 to 3 seconds
Voice command: 3 to 5 seconds

 
If instant response matters, the remote wins every time. But speed isn't everything — context matters.

Pros and Cons at a Glance
Remote control:

Pros: Instant response, no network needed, simple, reliable, affordable
Cons: No automation, no remote access when away, easy to misplace

 
Smartphone app:

Pros: Scheduling, geofencing, push notifications, real-time status monitoring
Cons: Network dependent, 2-3 second latency, requires bridge purchase

 
Voice control:

Pros: Hands-free, integrates with routines, impressive demo factor
Cons: 3-5 second latency, requires internet, occasional misrecognition

 
Which Method Works Best?
Here's how I advise clients after walking them through all three:

Keep the remote as your primary control. Mount it on the wall by the patio door — always there, always instant. Add the app for automation and away-from-home control. Scheduling and wind alert notifications are genuinely useful. Use voice commands when your hands are full, like carrying drinks outside.

Most clients end up using all three in different situations. The remote handles about 70% of daily use. The app handles automation and monitoring. Voice is the cherry on top — nice, but not essential.

FAQ
Q: Can I use voice commands without the TaHoma bridge?

No. Voice control requires the bridge to translate cloud commands into radio signals the motor understands. The remote works independently without any bridge.

Q: What happens if the internet goes down?

The remote continues working perfectly. The app and voice control stop functioning until connectivity returns. Automations stored locally on the bridge may still execute depending on the rule type.

Q: Can I control multiple awnings from one app?

 Yes. The TaHoma app supports grouping multiple Somfy devices. I've set up systems with four awnings controlled from a single dashboard with both individual and group controls.