Smart home aluminium windows 2026 — intelligent windows and doors with Somfy, KNX and Apple HomeKit

Why aluminium is the ideal material for a smart home

When we talk about smart homes, the window material does not seem relevant at first sight. In practice, though, aluminium has a decisive structural advantage over PVC: the rigidity of the profile allows electric motors to be fitted directly into the frame or the hardware system, without distortion over time.

A PVC profile deforms thermally by 2–3 mm across a 40 °C swing — enough to jam a 24 V motor fitted in the window frame. Aluminium expands six times less, holding the tolerances that automated mechanisms need for 20–30 years.

The practical conclusion: if you are building or renovating a house with a smart home in mind, aluminium joinery is not an option — it is the only material that guarantees automated systems will keep working in the long run.

Which automation systems work with Alumil aluminium joinery

Somfy — the de facto standard for residential

Somfy is the most widely used automation system for residential joinery in Europe. Native compatibility with every Alumil Supreme and Smartia system.

Somfy motors compatible with aluminium joinery:

• Somfy Yslo Extend io — tubular motor for sliding and lift-and-slide doors. 160 N force, adjustable travel, compatible with TaHoma Switch.
• Somfy Chronis io — motor with a built-in astronomical timer. Automatic opening and closing at sunrise and sunset, with no external hub.
• Somfy Connexoon — entry-level WiFi hub, controls up to 30 motors from the mobile app. Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
• Somfy TaHoma Switch — premium KNX/io/RTS hub, full integration with BMS systems.

The io-homecontrol protocol — Somfy’s proprietary encrypted protocol, 20 m range with meshing between devices. All io motors work with each other and with the Somfy apps.

Nice — the competitive European alternative

Nice (Italy) is the second option by volume on the Romanian market. Slightly better value than Somfy on entry-level motors.

• Nice Era One — motor for sliding doors, 100 N force, built-in WiFi
• Nice Home — mobile app and hub for up to 100 devices
• Nice IFTTT — integration with third-party platforms via webhook

KNX — the standard for premium projects and smart buildings

KNX is the open European protocol for building automation (EN 50090). Unlike Somfy and Nice, which are proprietary systems, KNX is an open standard — any KNX device works with any other KNX device, whatever the manufacturer.

When to choose KNX over Somfy:

• A new-build house with full automation (lighting, climate control and joinery)
• A project budget above 15,000–20,000 EUR for automation
• An architect or systems integrator who has specified KNX
• You want a system with guaranteed technical support for 20+ years

Alumil compatibility with KNX: the Supreme SF85 and Smartia S67 systems with Geze or Winkhaus motorisation can be integrated directly into a KNX network through compatible actuators. Neofort BIZ works with certified KNX integrators in Bucharest on complete projects.

Integration with the major smart home ecosystems

Apple HomeKit

Apple HomeKit needs either a homebridge or natively compatible devices. Somfy TaHoma Switch and Nice Home have been HomeKit native since 2024 — the windows appear as accessories in the Home app on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

What you can do with HomeKit and aluminium windows:

• Automatic opening at a set time or at a set room temperature
• Scenes: “Leaving home” → close every window
• Notifications if a window is left open when you leave
• Siri voice control: “Hey Siri, close the bedroom windows”

Google Home and Amazon Alexa

Native compatibility through Somfy Connexoon or Nice Home. Set up in five minutes from the Google Home or Alexa apps.

Voice control: “Ok Google, open the terrace door” → the lift-and-slide motor activates instantly.

KNX with Control4 / Crestron / Loxone (premium projects)

For villas and houses over 500 sqm, integrators use centralised control platforms such as Control4, Crestron or Loxone. These run every system in the house — climate, lighting, security, joinery — from a single interface.

Loxone is the most popular in Romania for premium residential projects. A complete Loxone project for a 200 sqm house costs 8,000–20,000 EUR including hardware, programming and commissioning.

Recommended Alumil systems for a smart home

Alumil S700 Supreme — smart lift-and-slide

The ideal system for smart home terraces. The electric motor is integrated into the lower track profile — visually invisible, quiet (< 45 dB), with 500 N of force, enough for panels weighing 400 kg.

• Compatibility: Somfy, Nice, Geze, Winkhaus
• Maximum automated opening: 5,000 mm
• Opening speed: 12–18 mm/s (a 3 m panel opens in about 4 minutes)
• Obstacle sensor: automatic stop on unexpected resistance

Alumil S350 Smartia — automated slider

The economical system for terraces and bedrooms. It needs less motor force than the S700 — compatible with entry-level Nice Era One motors as well.

• Compatibility: Nice, Somfy Yslo
• Motorisation cost: 800–1,500 EUR per complete system

Alumil SF85 Supreme — motorised tilt-and-turn windows

Standard windows with full automation. The chain actuator mounts inside the frame, invisible from the room. Ideal for windows at height or for automatic ventilation controlled by CO2.

• Compatibility: Somfy, Nice, Geze
• Optional CO2 sensor: automatic opening when CO2 exceeds 1,000 ppm
• Rain sensor: automatic closing within 30 seconds of the first drops

Essential sensors for smart aluminium joinery

Wind sensor — mandatory for motorised sliding doors. Automatic closing at 45–60 km/h. Without a wind sensor, a 300 kg panel moving in gusts can damage the tracks.

Rain sensor — integrates with motorised windows and with the shading system (Zipscreen or Raffstore). When it rains, the windows close and the blinds retract automatically.

Presence sensor — automatic opening as you approach the entrance door or the terrace. Standard in KNX projects.

CO2 and air quality sensor — opens the windows automatically when CO2 passes the set threshold. Important in bedrooms and home offices.

Automation costs for aluminium joinery — 2026

> ⚠️ Important note: the prices below are indicative and may change with the market. Always ask for an up-to-date quotation.

Motorisation cost for a lift-and-slide terrace (S700, 3 m): 1,200–2,500 EUR including motor, Somfy hub and configuration.

How to order aluminium joinery prepared for a smart home

At Neofort BIZ we supply Alumil systems pre-configured for motorisation — with the motor housings prepared in the profile, the electrical wiring routed through the frame and the sensor connections integrated at the factory. You will not have to break anything open after installation in order to add automation.

Our recommendation: even if you do not want automation straight away, order the joinery with motor preparation. The extra cost is 50–150 EUR per sliding system — against 500–1,000 EUR if you add motorisation later through modifications.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is aluminium better suited than PVC for a smart home?

The rigidity of the aluminium profile allows electric motors to be fitted directly into the frame without distortion over time. A PVC profile deforms thermally by 2–3 mm across a 40 °C swing — enough to jam a 24 V motor. Aluminium expands six times less, holding the tolerances for 20–30 years.

Which automation systems are compatible with Alumil aluminium joinery?

Somfy is the de facto standard, with native compatibility across all Alumil Supreme and Smartia systems through the encrypted io-homecontrol protocol. Nice (Italy) is the competitive alternative, while KNX (the open EN 50090 standard) is recommended for premium projects and smart buildings.

Which Somfy hub controls automated windows and doors?

Somfy Connexoon, the entry-level WiFi hub, controls up to 30 motors from the mobile app and is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa. For premium projects, Somfy TaHoma Switch offers full KNX/io/RTS integration with BMS systems.

What is the difference between Somfy, Nice and KNX for automated joinery?

Somfy and Nice are proprietary systems — the devices work within their own ecosystem. KNX is an open European standard (EN 50090): any KNX device works with any other KNX device, whatever the manufacturer, which makes it ideal for complex smart buildings.

Neofort BIZ designs and installs Alumil aluminium joinery in Bucharest and Ilfov, with thermal break and its own installation teams. See the aluminium joinery we offer or request a quote. All the details in the complete guide to aluminium systems.