Outdoor Living Guides & Tips

Note: This article covers the factory motor options for the Sunscape® retractable awning. Read our full Sunflexx® review or Sunflexx vs. Sunscape comparison if you're still choosing your awning.

What Are the Sunscape® Motor Options?

The Sunscape® motor options are factory motorization upgrades for the Sunscape® retractable awning by Eastern Awning Systems. The Sunscape ships with a manual hand crank as standard; adding a motor converts it to one-touch remote operation. 1800Awnings — the national master dealer for Eastern Awning Systems, headquartered in Tampa, Florida — offers three Somfy tubular motors for the Sunscape: the 535A2 RTS CMO, the 550R2 RTS CMO, and the 660 RTS CMO.

All three are Somfy RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) motors with CMO — Compact Manual Override. That combination matters: RTS gives you handheld remote control from inside your home or across the patio, and the CMO override means you can still crank the awning open or closed by hand if the power goes out — a meaningful feature during Florida storm season. The difference between the three options is torque: how much rotational force the motor delivers, which determines how large and heavy an awning it can drive smoothly.

Sunscape® Motor Options: Key Specifications

Why Motorizing Your Sunscape® Stands Out

One-Touch Operation Instead of 20–30 Seconds of Cranking

Manually extending or retracting a Sunscape takes roughly 20–30 seconds of steady cranking. With a Somfy RTS motor, a single button press does the same job while you stay seated. On wider awnings — 16 to 24 feet — the effort difference is substantial, and that convenience is the main reason most Tampa homeowners who use their awning daily choose motorized operation.

Manual Override Included on Every Option

Each of the three motors is a CMO (Compact Manual Override) model. If a storm knocks out power, you can still retract the awning by hand with the override crank. For Florida homeowners, this removes the single biggest objection to motorized awnings — being unable to stow the fabric before high winds arrive during an outage.

Three Torque Levels to Match Your Awning Size

The 535A2 delivers 35 Nm (about 308 in-lb) of torque at 20 rpm; the 550R2 delivers 50 Nm (about 440 in-lb) at 14 rpm; and the 660 delivers 60 Nm (about 528 in-lb) at 14 rpm. Higher-torque motors turn the roller tube with more force, which suits wider, heavier awnings with more fabric to lift. Matching torque to awning size protects the motor from strain and gives smooth, consistent travel for the life of the system.

RTS Ecosystem: Remotes, Sensors, and Automation

Because all three motors use Somfy's RTS radio protocol, they work with the broader RTS accessory family — handheld and wall-mount remotes, timers, and wind sensors that retract the awning automatically when gusts pick up. Browse compatible controls on the Motor Accessories page or call 1-800-AWNINGS for pairing advice.

Factory Installation on an American-Made Awning

Ordering the motor with your Sunscape means it arrives built into the roller assembly, tested, and ready to mount — no retrofit labor, no third-party installer figuring out the tube crown and drive. The Sunscape itself is 100% American made by Eastern Awning Systems and ships factory-direct with free shipping to the 48 contiguous states, typically in 2–3 weeks.

Which Motor for Which Awning? (35 Nm vs. 50 Nm vs. 60 Nm)

As a general rule, torque should scale with awning width and projection. The 35 Nm 535A2 is the value choice for smaller Sunscapes; the 50 Nm 550R2 is the mid-range workhorse for typical patio widths; and the 60 Nm 660 is built for the widest, deepest configurations, where the rolled fabric and front bar are heaviest. Because the right pairing also depends on your projection and fabric selection, 1800Awnings confirms the correct motor for your exact width × projection combination at the time of order — call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) if you're unsure which tier your configuration needs.

Sunscape® Motor Options Pricing (2026)

Prices are current 2026 factory-direct pricing at 1800Awnings.com and are in addition to the Sunscape awning itself (from $3,064). For comparison, a full breakdown of awning pricing is in our Sunflexx vs. Sunscape guide.

Who Should Motorize Their Sunscape®?

• Daily users — if you extend and retract the awning every day, one-touch operation pays for itself in convenience.
• Owners of wide awnings (16'–24') — manual cranking a large Sunscape is a workout; higher-torque motors handle it effortlessly.
• Households with limited mobility — a remote removes the physical effort of crank operation entirely.
• Florida and coastal homeowners — pairing the motor with an RTS wind sensor lets the awning retract itself automatically when storms blow in, even when nobody is home.
• Anyone planning automation — timers and sensors in the RTS family only work with a motorized awning.

How to Order Sunscape® Motor Options

1. Configure your Sunscape. Choose width, projection, frame finish, and fabric at the Sunscape product page.
2. Select your motor on the Sunscape Motor Options page — 535A2 (35 Nm), 550R2 (50 Nm), or 660 (60 Nm).
3. Add RTS accessories such as remotes or a wind sensor from the Motor Accessories page if desired.
4. Confirm sizing with the Tampa team. Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) to verify the motor matches your width × projection before checkout — all orders are custom-built and final.
5. Place your order. Your motorized Sunscape ships factory-direct, typically in 2–3 weeks, with free shipping to the 48 contiguous states.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sunscape motor option?
It is a factory upgrade that replaces the Sunscape retractable awning's standard manual crank with a Somfy tubular motor and RTS remote control. Three torque levels are offered — 35 Nm, 50 Nm, and 60 Nm — priced from $665.24 to $806.35 at 1800Awnings.com.

How does the RTS remote control work?
RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) is a 433.42 MHz radio protocol built into the motor. A paired handheld or wall-mount remote extends, stops, or retracts the awning with one button press, and the same protocol supports timers and wind sensors for automatic operation.

Can I still open the awning if the power goes out?
Yes. All three Sunscape motor options are CMO (Compact Manual Override) models, which include a hand-crank override. During an outage you can extend or retract the awning manually — important in Florida, where you'll want the fabric stowed before a storm even if the electricity is already down.

How much does it cost to motorize a Sunscape awning?
The motor upgrade costs $665.24 for the Somfy 535A2 (35 Nm), $735.78 for the 550R2 (50 Nm), or $806.35 for the 660 (60 Nm), added to the price of the awning itself, which starts at $3,064.

Which motor do I need for my awning size?
Torque should scale with awning width and weight: the 35 Nm motor suits smaller Sunscapes, the 50 Nm mid-size widths, and the 60 Nm the largest configurations up to 24 feet. 1800Awnings confirms the correct pairing for your exact width and projection at the time of order.

Can I add a motor to a Sunscape I already own?
The most economical path is ordering the motor with the awning, since it arrives factory-installed in the roller assembly. If you already own a manual Sunscape, call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) to discuss retrofit options for your unit.

Can I add a wind sensor to a motorized Sunscape?
Yes. Because the motors use Somfy's RTS protocol, an RTS wind sensor can be paired to retract the awning automatically when wind speeds rise. Sensors and remotes are available through the Motor Accessories page at 1800Awnings.com.

What power supply does the motor need?
The Somfy RTS CMO motors run on standard 120 V household current. No special wiring service is required for a typical residential installation, though placement of the outlet or hardwire connection should be planned before mounting.

Bottom Line

Motorizing a Sunscape® is the single most popular upgrade for the awning, and for good reason: it turns a 20–30 second cranking chore into a one-touch action, opens the door to wind sensors and timers, and — because every option 1800Awnings offers is a Somfy CMO model — it never takes away your ability to operate the awning by hand in an outage. At $665.24–$806.35 on top of the awning, it is a modest share of the total project cost for a convenience you will use every day.

Choose the 35 Nm 535A2 for smaller awnings, the 50 Nm 550R2 for typical patios, and the 60 Nm 660 for the widest Sunscapes — and let the Tampa team confirm the pairing for your exact configuration before you order.

Configure your Sunscape® motor at 1800Awnings.com →
Or call: 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647)

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