Motorized Window & Skylight Openers

We have safe, low voltage electric actuators for many different types of windows: awning, hopper, clerestory, double hung, single hung sliders, horizontal sliders, etc.

If you are planning to use actuators for lifting heavy skylights, you can offset the weight of the skylight with gas shocks, torsion springs, or external counterweights. You can also double up on the actuators to provide the extra lift, or you can purchase our heavy duty actuators that can lift 60+ lbs (with automatic rain sensor).

We have customers that have used gas shocks very successfully (the type used for the rear door of a minivan), reducing the amount of lifting force required to just a push of a finger. The stroke is also adjustable: 4" (100mm), 8" (200mm), 10" (250mm), 12" (300mm).

This picture shows how dual actuators can be used to open a skylight to the vertical position.

We also have remote controls for these actuators that use the same system as our skylight and roller shade motors (with z-wave and relay interfacing for automation systems). Our systems work with Vera^®, Wink^®, Homeseer^®, SmartThings^®, etc.

External counterweights are another simple way to greatly reduce the force required for opening and closing a motorized skylight.

One of our customers kindly provided the picture at right, demonstrating the use of external counterweights. This method is easy to implement, especially on a flat roof, provided you have access to the roof.

For other applications, here's our standard chain series 12 volt electric window opener for controlling vents, windows, skylights, shutters and any other item you would like to move with a motorized actuator.

It can be controlled by a simple switch, or with our optional remote controls, and you can also add our home automation interfaces at any later time.

The unit can exert a push/pull force of approximately 20 lbs (9 kg) before the obstruction sensor will stop it.

The linear chain actuator pushes straight out from the fixed housing which lines up unobtrusively with your window frame, fastened in place with mounting screws. Attach the end of the chain actuator to the window with two screws and you're done!

Here's a set of pictures of motorized awning windows kindly provided by one of our customers, showing some details of his installation:

motorized awning window opener installation detail pictures

Here's another example of these actuators used to replace worn out Velux^® skylight motors:

Velux^® skylight motor replacement

The flex link direct push drive has a 300mm stroke (~12"), the opening/closing force is approximately 20 lb (9 kg), current consumption is ~1.5 A.

Use it to control the motion of anything you want, including windows, greenhouse vents, skylights, etc.

Horizontal and Vertical Sliding Windows

This type of electric actuator will open and close horizontal and single hung (or double hung) vertical sliders, but our regular chain actuators will also work.

You can also use these units to activate counter-top sliding glass partitions, cupboard doors, or anything else.

These are custom made for you at our manufacturing facility, with a stroke length up to 30 inches (800 mm).

To determine the actual physical length of the housing, add 9 inches (230 mm) to the stroke length. For example, a 24 inch stroke would require a housing that is 24 + 9 = 33 inches long (~840 mm). If you are opening windows, they can be made ADA compliant at 4 inches (100 mm).

Here are two mirrored actuators on either side of this particularily stickey window; this is a very good solution for very old vertical slider windows that do not open easily.

Very Adaptable Actuators

These actuators can be adapted to work with most types of windows: single hung, double hung, hinged casement, skylights, etc. The internal electronics provide motor overload cutoff and travel limit stops.

It should also be noted that the window, skylight or whatever object you want to move should be able to move freely. In the case of windows, for instance, you may have to remove the existing manual mechanism in order to allow the window to move freely.

Here are some horizontal and vertical slider window examples, using our standard chain actuators:

motorized horizontal and vertical slider windows.

Remote Control and Automation

Please see below for details and photographs showing how to install these units. The installation is quite simple and you can use these with our remote controls for window openers, which gives you the ability to control these units with the same multi-channel remotes that control blind and shade motors and LED lighting.

Please keep in mind you can also use them with our interfacing modules, which further extends control to your phone, tablet, laptop or any other web enabled device (whether at home or away).

This article contains more information about our remote controls:

Skylight and window motorized automation

Care should be exercised when these units are installed where adults or children could get fingers caught in a closing window - serious injury could result. Use of insect screens can help eliminate this possibility.

These units do use safe low voltage (12v DC), with no high voltage shock hazard present.

Please note that we do not supply the adapter brackets shown in the pictures of the hopper and casement windows below; you may need to fabricate an adapter bracket out of stainless steel or flat-bar aluminum.

If you would prefer a custom made plastic part for a specific application, please enquire about our 3D CAD and printing services; you can use our contact form to do this.

If you're interested, you can buy starter kits and individual window/skylight openers in our online store.

We sincerely hope you enjoy using these advanced motors; if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!