Somfy Glydea vs Irismo
Wired or battery? The honest comparison from the team that installs both every week.
The decision comes down to power, weight and silence
Both are premium Somfy drapery motors and both will run for years. The choice is rarely about quality - it is about whether electrical power can reach the track, how heavy your drapery is, and how quiet the room has to be. Here is how we actually decide, in the order we decide it.
Can power reach the track without damage? If yes - new construction, a renovation with open ceilings, or an outlet within reach - we specify Glydea. If no, and opening the ceiling is out of the question, Irismo is the answer and a very good one. Then we check weight and length against the limits below, and finally we ask what the room is for.
Head to head
Power
Glydea: 120V - RTS and DCT models ship with a 10 ft cord and plug; wired versions are hardwired. Irismo: rechargeable battery, no electrical work at all.
Maximum Weight
Glydea ULTRA 60: 132 lbs (60 kg), or 264 lbs paired. Glydea ULTRA 35: 77 lbs. Irismo 45: 99 lbs (45 kg), 198 lbs paired.
Maximum Track Length
Glydea: 32 ft (ULTRA 35) to 36 ft (ULTRA 60); up to 72 ft with paired motors. Irismo 45: 33 ft.
Noise
Glydea: under 38 dBA in silent mode - the quietest option we install. Irismo: under 44 dBA. Both are quiet; only one disappears during a film.
Control & Integration
Glydea: RTS, wired dry contact, SDN RS485 two-way, and Zigbee on DCT models - the deepest integration path. Irismo: RTS only, plus TaHoma for app, schedule and voice. Both reach Control4, Crestron and Savant through TaHoma at the scene level.
Maintenance
Glydea: none - it is powered. Irismo: recharge roughly every nine months; Somfy advises charging at least annually even if unused, since a fully discharged pack left for months can be damaged permanently.
Frequently asked
Which is better?
Neither - they solve different problems. Wired Glydea is the stronger, quieter, more deeply integrated system. Irismo is the reason a finished condo can have automated drapery at all. We install both weekly.
Which do you recommend for new construction?
Glydea, nearly always. If walls are open, run the power - you gain silent mode, higher capacity, longer runs and better integration, and you never think about a battery again.
Which for an existing condo?
Usually Irismo, unless an outlet happens to sit near the track. No wiring means no ceiling work, no patching and no HOA construction approval in most buildings.
What about a media room?
Glydea, for the silent mode below 38 dBA. In a room built around sound, a drape that moves during a scene should not be audible - see media room treatments.
Can I mix both in one house?
Frequently - Glydea where power exists or walls are open, Irismo in the finished rooms. Both live on the same Somfy remote and the same TaHoma scenes, so the client never knows the difference.
What about a more accessible option?
Our Essential motorized track covers straightforward projects that do not need premium automation features - same fabrication and installation standard.
Discerning homeowners, designers, and developers across South Florida trust Exotic with their most important spaces.
"I'm really happy with my new curtains! The team came to my place, helped me choose the right fabric, and guided me through the whole process. Great service and beautiful results. Highly recommend, A+."
"We were referred to Exotic Shades by our contractor. They understood exactly what we had in mind and delivered it. The whole process was simple, and the pricing was very good."
"I needed help adjusting the existing Lutron shades in my new home. Most companies would not touch a system installed by someone else, but Exotic sent a technician the same week."
We will specify the right one for your opening
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