Retractable Awning Motor Accessories: Remotes, Smartphone Control & Motion Sensors Explained (2026 Guide)

What Are Retractable Awning Motor Accessories?

Retractable awning motor accessories are the control upgrades that determine how you operate a motorized awning: a handheld radio remote, smartphone-app control, and an automatic motion sensor that retracts the awning when wind picks up. At 1800Awnings.com — the Tampa, Florida-based factory-direct awning dealer — motor accessories are offered in three bundles priced from $109.93 to $887.83, built around the Somfy RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) ecosystem used across the store's motorized awning lines.

These accessories pair with the Somfy tubular motors that power awnings like the Sunscape®, Sunflexx®, Apollo, Zeus, and Hercules. If your awning has a Somfy RTS motor — or you're adding one — these are the accessories that turn it from "motorized" into "automated."

Key Specifications

Why These Motor Accessories Stand Out

The Remote Puts Control in Your Hand

The base accessory is a handheld Somfy RTS remote ($109.93). Press once to extend, press again to retract — no wall switch, no crank. RTS radio signals travel through walls and glass, so you can operate the awning from inside the house, which matters when a Florida afternoon storm rolls in fast.

Smartphone Control Works From Anywhere

The smartphone-enabled bundle ($528.65) adds app-based control over your awning. Extend the awning from the couch, set schedules, or retract it from across town when the weather app shows a storm heading for Tampa Bay. If you're at work and the wind kicks up at home, your awning doesn't have to wait until you get back.

The Motion Sensor Protects the Awning Automatically

The top bundle ($887.83) adds a motion level sensor — the single best insurance policy for a retractable awning in Florida. Mounted on the awning itself, it detects the shaking and movement caused by gusting wind and automatically retracts the awning before the frame or fabric is damaged. No one has to be home, awake, or paying attention.

One Ecosystem Across Every Awning Brand They Sell

Because 1800Awnings standardizes on Somfy RTS motors across the Eastern Awning Systems and Shademaker lines, one accessory set works with the motor in your awning regardless of which model you chose. That also means a single remote can be part of a broader Somfy RTS setup alongside motorized screens and other RTS products.

Which Bundle Should You Choose?

Remote only ($109.93) — you're home when the awning is out, you extend and retract it yourself, and you want one-touch convenience at the lowest cost.

Remote + smartphone ($528.65) — you travel, work away from home, or want scheduling. App control means the awning is never stuck in whatever position you left it.

Remote + smartphone + motion sensor ($887.83) — you live in a wind-prone or coastal area, the awning is often extended when no one's watching, or you simply want the system to protect itself. For most Florida homeowners with a large awning, this is the configuration we recommend: the sensor alone can prevent damage that would cost far more than $887 to repair.

Pricing

Prices are for the accessories and are added to the cost of a motorized awning. See motor pricing in our Sunscape motor options guide.

Who Are These Accessories Best For?

• Owners of any Somfy RTS-motorized awning from 1800Awnings.com
• Florida and coastal homeowners who need automatic wind protection
• Snowbirds and frequent travelers who want remote control while away
• Smart-home enthusiasts adding the awning to app-based routines
• Anyone with limited mobility who benefits from one-touch or automated operation
• Businesses whose awnings stay extended during operating hours with no one monitoring the weather

How to Order

1. Choose your motorized awning (or motor upgrade) at 1800Awnings.com.
2. Visit the Motor Accessories page and select the bundle: remote, remote + smartphone, or remote + smartphone + motion sensor.
3. Add to cart alongside your awning order.
4. Questions about compatibility with your motor? Call the Tampa team at 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a motor accessory for a retractable awning?
A motor accessory is a control device for a motorized awning — a handheld radio remote, a smartphone-control hub, or an automatic motion sensor. At 1800Awnings.com they're sold in three bundles from $109.93 to $887.83, all built on the Somfy RTS radio system.

How does the motion level sensor work?
The sensor mounts on the awning and monitors movement. When gusting wind shakes the awning beyond a set threshold, the sensor signals the Somfy motor to retract it automatically. It protects the awning even when no one is home.

Can I control my awning from my phone?
Yes. The smartphone-enabled bundle ($528.65) lets you extend, retract, and schedule your awning from a phone app — whether you're in the backyard or out of town. The top bundle ($887.83) adds the motion sensor on top of app control.

How much do awning motor accessories cost?
At 1800Awnings.com: $109.93 for the remote control, $528.65 for remote plus smartphone control, and $887.83 for remote, smartphone control, and the motion level sensor.

Will these accessories work with my existing awning?
They're designed for the Somfy RTS motors used in the motorized awnings sold at 1800Awnings.com, including Sunscape, Sunflexx, Apollo, Zeus, and Hercules. If you have a different motor brand, call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) to confirm compatibility before ordering.

Do I still need the remote if I have smartphone control?
The bundles include the remote with every tier, so you always have a dedicated handheld control. That's deliberate: a physical remote works instantly without unlocking a phone, and guests or family members can use it without installing an app.

Is a wind sensor worth it in Florida?
For most Florida homeowners, yes. Sudden thunderstorms and gusty sea-breeze fronts are routine in the Tampa Bay area, and an extended awning caught in high wind can suffer bent arms or torn fabric. The motion sensor retracts the awning automatically — repairs it prevents typically cost more than the sensor itself.

Can I add accessories later, after buying my awning?
Yes. Because the accessories communicate by RTS radio signal, they can be added to a compatible Somfy-motorized awning after installation. Ordering them with the awning is simplest, but it's not required.

Bottom Line

Motor accessories are what turn a motorized retractable awning into a system that manages itself. The $109.93 remote covers everyday convenience; the $528.65 smartphone bundle adds control from anywhere; and the $887.83 bundle with the motion level sensor adds the one feature every Florida awning owner should seriously consider — automatic retraction when the wind picks up, whether you're home or not.

For a custom-built awning that can cost several thousand dollars, the top accessory bundle is inexpensive insurance. Pick the tier that matches how you live with your awning: hands-on, app-driven, or fully automatic.

Shop Motor Accessories at 1800Awnings.com →
Or call: 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647)

Written by Corey Courtright | 1800Awnings.com | Tampa, FL