IoT Shading with KNX: A Real-World Test of 3 Smart Blinds
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Welcome back to the 1Home Lab: where we turn “shady business” into something good.

In this article, we’re diving into the growing world of smart shading: how it improves energy efficiency, helps with temperature control, and adds a layer of privacy to your smart home.

But we’re not just talking about traditional KNX shading. We’re going beyond - into the world of IoT shading solutions and how they integrate with KNX through Matter and 1Home.

Let’s unpack why this is important, what devices are worth your time, and how to set it all up.

Why IoT Shading?

You might be thinking:

“Why bother with IoT? I’ve got KNX shading. It works.”

Sure - but here’s the reality:

  1. Many KNX projects ship without internal or external shades.
    Some clients skip them altogether due to cost or lack of necessity (especially in cooler climates).
  2. KNX shading can get expensive.
    Between motors, actuators, fabrics, mounting, and scaling across multiple windows — the price adds up fast.
  3. IoT shading is cheaper and easier to retrofit.
    Many solutions are wireless, battery-powered, and cost a fraction of KNX setups. They’re perfect for upgrades or projects with tighter budgets.
For KNX integrators, this is also a new upsell opportunity - smart shading made easy through the 1Home IoT Gateway or 1Home Server KNX Pro.

The Setup: KNX + IoT + 1Home

To demonstrate, we built a test environment combining KNX devices and three Matter-enabled smart blinds:

  • KNX hardware: MDT push buttons, a KNX actuator, Gira X1, and a Steinel True Presence sensor
  • KNX weather station: Elsner Windancer GPS
  • 1Home system: 1Home Server KNX Pro + 1Home IoT Gateway
  • Smart blinds tested: IKEA FYRTUR, Eve MotionBlinds, and Somfy TaHoma

Let’s take a closer look at each.

1. IKEA FYRTUR – Budget-Friendly & Surprisingly Fast

Price: ~€79 (60 cm width, discounted)
Pros:

  • Excellent value
  • Clean design
  • Near-instant response
  • Easy Matter integration via the DIRIGERA Hub

Cons:

  • Plasticky feel
  • Separate hub required

Integration steps:

  • Connect FYRTUR to DIRIGERA Hub
  • Calibrate using IKEA Home app
  • Add to 1Home
  • Map to KNX group addresses in ETS
  • Control via MDT push button or KNX apps

This is a great entry-level smart blind that performs well and integrates smoothly.

2. Eve MotionBlinds – Premium Look with Smart Manual Control

Price: Starting at €199 (motor only)
Pros:

  • Stylish with manual pull-string control
  • Wired model is faster than battery version
  • Easy Matter integration via Thread (HomePod/Apple TV needed)

Cons:

  • Higher price point
  • Slower response than IKEA blind

We loved the hybrid control - both manual and app-based. And the setup is straightforward via the Eve app and Gira X1.

3. Somfy TaHoma – The Pro-Grade Powerhouse (Work in Progress)

Pros:

  • Trusted by professionals
  • Highly customizable
  • Powerful motors

Cons:

  • Complex setup
  • Requires a professional account
  • Current Matter integration is limited

We tried integrating Somfy via a DIRIGERA Hub and ZigBee, but ran into calibration issues. It seems the official TaHoma Hub is still required for proper setup.

Update: We’re working with Somfy to streamline this - stay tuned for a follow-up guide once it’s ready.

Automation Use Cases

Once integrated, smart blinds can do a lot more than go up and down. Here are a few powerful use cases we set up in 1Home:

1. Auto-Privacy at Night

Trigger: KNX light turns on
Condition: After sunset + presence detected
Action: Lower blinds to protect privacy

Add a second condition: if it’s cloudy and dark outside, close blinds even earlier.

2. Wind Protection for External Shades

Trigger: Wind speed > 20 m/s
Condition: Wind sustained for 5+ seconds
Action: Raise external blinds to prevent damage

This is a lifesaver in storm-prone areas. Automated prevention means fewer broken blinds (and happier clients).

3. Temperature Control with Smart Shading

Trigger: High brightness + rising temperature
Condition: Presence in room OR AC setpoint not yet reached
Action: Lower blinds to reduce cooling load

You can also reverse the logic in winter: open blinds when it’s sunny to naturally warm up the space.

All of this is done through 1Home Automations + 1Home Scenes, which makes multi-device logic much more manageable.

Final Thoughts

Gone are the days when IoT shading felt flaky or underpowered.
Today’s smart blinds are reliable, responsive, and work hand-in-hand with KNX when integrated properly.

With 1Home’s tools, integrators can treat these devices like native KNX components — the workflow stays the same, but the possibilities grow.

Whether you’re building from scratch or retrofitting an older setup, IoT shading is a real option now.

More flexibility for integrators.
More options for clients.
More comfort and control at home.

Want to go deeper? Watch the full 1Home Lab video below: