Lutron drapery is the most specified motorised drapery platform in the luxury residential and hospitality market.
Near-silent operation. 3 mm stop accuracy. Customer’s Own Material. A Recessed pocket that makes the entire track disappear into the ceiling.
This guide covers every specification decision from family selection to final commissioning, written for homeowners, interior designers, and specifiers in Malaysia and Singapore.
Let’s start.
What’s inside this guide
- What is Lutron drapery?
- Choosing your drapery family
- What makes Lutron drapery credible
- Tracks, lengths, and pleats
- The Recessed mud-in pocket
- Control and integration
- Fabric and Customer’s Own Material
- Working with New Way
FAQ
Chapter 1: What is Lutron drapery?
Lutron drapery is not a motor on a track.
It is a system: track, drive, and control engineered as one.
This chapter covers how the experience feels, the two pleat styles, and the one design freedom nothing else offers.
It moves differently
Watch a Lutron drapery panel for the first time.
The fabric moves. The room changes.
And you realise: you heard nothing.
Near-silent travel. Exact stop position. Every time. When two panels pair across a wide opening, they close together and meet at center with no drift and no correction.
The silence is not a side effect. It is a design goal.
Lutron describes their motorised drapery as “smooth, quiet and exacting.” From a gentle pull-to-start to fully hands-free operation, the control range is as considered as the mechanism.
The specific performance figures are in Chapter 3. What matters here: the system disappears into the room.
Pinch Pleat or Ripple Fold?
Every Lutron drapery project starts with one aesthetic call before any specification work.
Which pleat style?
What changes: how the fabric looks open, how it looks closed, and how much wall space the stack needs.
Chapter 4 covers all specification detail. For now, one question: structured and tailored, or soft and architectural?
The design freedom no thing else offers
Most motorised drapery systems come with a proprietary fabric range.
You choose from their catalog. That is your limit.
Lutron drapery is different.
The Lutron track accepts the customer’s chosen fabric. Any textile. Any designer. This is called Customer’s Own Material, and it is one of the main features of the platform.
The designer specifies the material. The finished room looks exactly as the designer intended.
No compromise on the textile. No compromise on the performance.
Chapter 7 covers the full workflow.
One platform, four families
Sivoia QS Drapery | Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite | Alena Drapery | Palladiom Drapery
All four families share the same track engineering and the same pleat options.
What differs is capacity, integration depth, and project type.
The system fits a wide range of architectural conditions, from straightforward residential rooms to complex hospitality and commercial spaces.
Chapter 2 matches the right family to your project.
Chapter 2: Choosing your drapery family
The four-family decision is not preference.
Three things decide it: capacity, integration depth, and project type.
Here is how each family is positioned.
Sivoia QS Drapery: specification-grade
This is the full-spec family. The one architects, M&E contractors, and integrators reach for when the project demands the complete Lutron drapery platform.
Three drives are available.
| Drive | Capacity |
|---|---|
| D105 | 48 kg |
| D145 | 66 kg |
| D175 | 79 kg |
Tracks go up to 18.2 m in a tandem configuration. Full length breakdown by drive and splice in Chapter 4. Sivoia QS supports the full track shape range and integrates with the complete Lutron control stack.
Hardwired or wireless via ClearConnect RF, Lutron’s proprietary wireless standard (covered in Chapter 6).
The D105 comes in two variants: the standard D105 and the D105-P with Pull-to-Start. Full explanation in Chapter 6.
Specify Sivoia QS when: M&E is being planned, the project is a new build or full renovation, and full integration depth is required.
Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite: residential retrofit
Drapery Lite is built for one specific situation: a finished home where running new wiring is not possible.
Single drive. 47 kg capacity. Maximum single-piece track of 4.9 m. Single straight tracks only. The Electronic Drive Unit, the motor unit that drives each drapery track, is modular and field-replaceable. Wireless only.
No wiring required. No ceiling works. No disruption to a finished space.
Specify Drapery Lite when: The room is complete, wiring is not an option, and the opening fits within 4.9 m on a single straight run.
Alena Drapery: hospitality and multi-dwelling
Alena is designed for environments where simplicity of operation matters more than full integration depth.
Up to 36.3 kg capacity and 5.4 m tracks. The Electronic Drive Unit is modular and field-replaceable, which matters in hospitality where fast maintenance access is an operational requirement.
Alena supports Pull-to-Start operation. A guest pulls the fabric gently and the system drives the drapery to fully open or fully closed. No remote. No app. No training required. Full explanation is in Chapter 6.
Contact-closure or QS interfaces for integration.
Specify Alena when: The project is a hotel, serviced apartment, or multi-dwelling residential where guest simplicity is the priority.
Palladiom Drapery: heritage-spec luxury
Palladiom is Lutron’s heritage-spec luxury residential family, currently in regional launch.
It pairs with the Aviena heritage-inspired keypad, covered in Chapter 6. For the luxury homeowner who wants the full Lutron drapery experience with a design-led control aesthetic to match.
Specify Palladiom when: The project is a heritage-spec luxury residence and the control aesthetic is as important as the drapery performance.
The four-family decision, simplified
Still deciding? Use this.
| Family | Best for | Capacity | Wiring | Max track |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sivoia QS Drapery | New builds, full renovations, full integration | Up to 79 kg | Hardwired or wireless | Up to 18.2 m (tandem) |
| Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite | Finished homes, retrofit | 47 kg | Wireless only | 4.9 m (single straight) |
| Alena | Hospitality, multi-dwelling | 36.3 kg | Contact-closure or QS | Up to 5.4 m |
Palladiom Drapery: regional launch in progress. Speak with New Way for current spec.
One platform. Four families. The engineering underneath is the same. What you are choosing is the right level of capacity, integration, and project fit.
The only way to feel the difference between these four is to see them in person. Book your showroom visit
Chapter 3: What makes Lutron drapery credible
Anyone can claim their drapery is quiet. Lutron publishes the number.
Four engineering pillars (quietness, accuracy, power-failure memory, warranty) prove it.
All four trace back to one component: the Electronic Drive Unit.
Quietness: the number behind the experience
In Chapter 1, we described the experience. Here is the proof.
Lutron rates their motorised drapery system at a sound level that does not exceed 50 dB, measured 1 m from the EDU. That is roughly arm’s length from the motor.
That number only means something in context. Lutron provides their own reference scale:
| Level | Reference |
|---|---|
| 10 dB | Breathing |
| 20 dB | Whisper |
| 30 dB | Quiet Room |
| 40 dB | Moderate Snoring |
| 50 dB | Conversation |
| 70 dB | Hairdryer |
At 50 dB measured 1 m away, the system operates at the level of a normal conversation. Not silence. Conversation level. And that is the maximum. Actual operating noise is expected to be lower.
That is an honest number. And it is still remarkable for a motorised drapery system traversing meters of fabric.
The scale is Lutron’s own framing. The claim is confirmed across all three drapery spec sheets (Sivoia QS, Drapery Lite, and Alena). No editorial inflation required.
Accuracy: 3 mm, every time
Quietness gets the attention. Accuracy is what makes a paired drapery installation look designed rather than approximate.
Lutron’s stop accuracy is 0.125 in, which is 3 mm.
In a single panel, that means the drapery lands at your preset position every time, regardless of how many times it has cycled. In a paired system, where two panels must meet at center across a wide opening, 3 mm accuracy is what separates a clean architectural finish from panels that drift apart or overlap inconsistently.
The drive speed is 86 RPM.
Precision at that speed, landing at 3 mm every time, is the engineering that justifies the specification.
Lifetime power-failure memory
Most motorised systems lose their preset positions when power is interrupted.
Lutron drapery does not.
The system remembers your limits and presets for the life of the product, regardless of age, electrostatic discharge, or power failure. Positions do not slip. Presets do not reset. The system comes back exactly where it was.
This is a deliberate engineering choice, not a default feature. In a home where drapery positions are tied to lighting scenes, climate schedules, and occupancy routines, a system that loses its memory after every power interruption creates real operational problems.
Lifetime power-failure memory means the system behaves the same on day one and year ten.
Warranty: 8 years with registration
Lutron backs their motorised drapery system with an 8-year warranty upon registration.
Eight years is not a standard figure in the motorised drapery category. It is a statement about the engineering confidence behind the product.
For a luxury residential or hospitality project where access for replacement or repair is disruptive and costly, the warranty length is a specification decision, not a marketing footnote.
Quietness has to be heard. Book your showroom visit
Chapter 4: Tracks, lengths, and pleats
Track length, pleat style, fullness, draw style.
These are specification constraints, not lifestyle choices.
Lock them before M&E is finalised. Change them after the ceiling is closed and you are looking at rework.
Available track shapes
Lutron drapery tracks come in four configurations.
Single: One track, one panel or one pair of panels. The standard configuration for most residential rooms.
Dual: Two tracks mounted together on the same ceiling bracket. Allows a sheer and a blackout panel to operate independently on the same window.
Single-tandem: Two drives on one track, allowing a single panel to span a very wide opening. Doubles the effective track length.
Dual-tandem: Two drives on a dual track. The full-spec configuration for wide openings requiring both sheer and blackout layers.
Sivoia QS supports all four configurations. Drapery Lite is single straight only. Alena supports a simpler subset.
Tracks are available in White, Silver, Bronze, and Black on straight configurations.
Straight vs. curved tracks
Straight tracks cover most architectural conditions. For curved walls, bay windows, and corner configurations, Lutron drapery offers two tiers of curved track.
Standard curved track: A 90-degree bend with a minimum bend radius of 300 mm.
Custom curved track: Any curve beyond the standard 90-degree bend.
One hard constraint applies to both tiers: curved tracks are White only, regardless of the project’s finish requirements. This is not a preference. It is a product limitation that must be resolved at the specification stage.
Track lengths and minimum width
The minimum track width is 610 mm. Below this, the system cannot operate correctly.
Maximum lengths by configuration:
| Configuration | Maximum length |
|---|---|
| Single piece, no splice | 5.5 m |
| With up to two splices | 9.1 m |
| Pinch Pleat with D175 and splices | 12.7 m |
| Tandem configuration | 18.2 m |
A splice is a join between two track sections that extends the total run beyond what a single piece allows. Each splice adds a connection point that must be planned and installed correctly.
For openings beyond 9.1 m on a standard configuration, specify the D175 drive with Pinch Pleat, or move to a tandem configuration.
Pleat style: specification detail
Chapter 1 introduced the aesthetics. Here is the specification.
Pinch Pleat uses wheeled carriers, available in rubber or plastic wheeled variants. The pleat structure is stitched into the fabric header before installation.
Ripple Fold uses tethered plastic wheeled carriers and requires a 108 mm snap spacing on the snap tape. This spacing is fixed. It determines how the wave forms and how evenly the folds distribute across the panel width.
Both pleat styles are available across Sivoia QS and Alena families.
One detail worth knowing: EDU orientation
The EDU mounts in two orientations inside the track. The choice affects how the drapery looks when open.
Slim orientation positions the EDU with a lower profile. This is the recommended orientation for Ripple Fold, producing a smaller first ripple around the drive unit for a cleaner, more even wave across the full panel width.
Original orientation rotates the motor 90 degrees. Used when ceiling clearance is the constraint. The first ripple will be slightly larger around the EDU.
Both orientations use the same components and deliver identical performance. The decision is made during installation, not at the order stage.
Fabric fullness
Fullness is the ratio of fabric used relative to the track width.
More fullness means a richer, denser drape when closed and a larger stack when open. Less fullness means a leaner look and a smaller stack.
Pinch Pleat fullness options: 2x, 2.5x, and 3x. 3x fullness is reserved for sheer drapes only. All other fabrics specify at 2x or 2.5x.
Ripple Fold fullness options: 80%, 100%, and 120%.
The fullness decision belongs to the designer. The installer builds to it. What the architect and M&E contractor need to know is that higher fullness produces a larger stack back, and stack back must be planned into the ceiling pocket and wall return dimensions before construction begins.
Stack back planning
Stack back is the space the fabric occupies when the drapery is fully open.
Track width equals opening width plus stack back.
This is a planning constraint, not an afterthought. Fullness and pleat style both affect how much stack back a system requires. Architects and interior designers must account for stack back when sizing window alcoves, recessed pockets, and wall returns.
A system specified without stack back planning will either block part of the window when open or require the track to be shortened, which affects the opening coverage when closed.
Plan it in. It cannot be resolved after the ceiling is built.
Light leakage and draw style
Draw style affects how much light gap the closed drapery produces.
Center draw: Panels meet at center. Faster opening time and smaller stack back at each side. Introduces a center gap where the two panels meet.
Side draw: One panel draws across the full opening from one side. No center gap. Larger stack back required on the draw side.
Tandem draw: Extended master carriers allow panels to overlap at center, reducing the center light gap significantly.
For minimal light leakage at the edges, a side overlap on all sides is recommended. The specific overlap and pocket dimensions for blackout are in Chapter 5. Floor clearance: Lutron recommends 13 mm between the panel hem and the floor. Puddling on the floor causes drag and inconsistent overlap.
These trade-offs must be resolved at the specification stage. Chapter 5 covers pocket-specific light management and the full blackout conditions.
Specifying Lutron drapery for a project? Download the spec pack for track length references, pleat style guides, and installation requirements.
Chapter 5: The Recessed mud-in pocket
The Recessed mud-in pocket is the detail that makes Lutron drapery disappear into the ceiling.
Done right, you see only fabric falling from the ceiling line.
Done wrong, nothing downstream will fix it.
What the Recessed pocket is
The Recessed Drapery System is a pre-fabricated pocket module, 8 ft (2.4 m) in length, designed to be cut to size on site.
The Electronic Drive Unit and idler end caps are designed to fit within the track with a minimal 1/16 in (1.6 mm) reveal along the track length. Looking up from below, you see only fabric. The hardware sits flush with the ceiling plane.
Tape measure slots on the end caps ensure proper fit during installation. An installation tool centers the track within the pocket and protects the track paint during the process.
The Recessed pocket is designed for straight track configurations only. For corner window installations requiring a recessed finish, New Way offers a separate recessed curved track solution using flexible track that bends to a tight 300 mm radius. Ask about this during your showroom consultation.
Structural fixing requirements
The pocket module must be mounted to structural members.
Maximum spacing between fixings: 16 in (406 mm). The system is intended for 5/8 in (16 mm) double-layer drywall.
If no structural member exists at the required mounting location, blocking must be added before plaster is applied.
This is the conversation that must happen between New Way, the M&E contractor, and the ceiling team before the rough-in is closed. Once the ceiling is sealed, the blocking cannot be added without opening it again.
No structural member at the fixing point means the pocket cannot be mounted correctly. Plan it in before plaster.
Cut-length and sizing
The pocket module ships at 8 ft (2.4 m) and is cut to the required finished length on site.
The installation tool ensures the track is centered within the pocket module and protects the track finish during cutting and fitting.
Pocket sizing translates the finished panel width into the pocket dimensions, with tolerances at each end. New Way handles this calculation as part of the specification document produced after the showroom consultation and site measurement.
Light management: the conditions for blackout
The Recessed pocket delivers the cleanest light management of any Lutron drapery installation. But blackout is a system condition, not a fabric condition.
Three dimensions determine whether the installation achieves blackout:
Pocket depth: Minimum 305 mm required for blackout applications.
Side overlap: Minimum 305 mm recommended on all sides and at the top.
Dual track pocket width: 292 mm (11.5 in) for installations requiring both a sheer and a blackout layer.
These are not soft recommendations. They are the conditions for achieving full blackout. Miss any one of them and light will find a path through.
For total blackout, Lutron recommends considering a blackout roller shade behind the drapery. Drapery alone does not guarantee total blackout in all conditions, regardless of fabric weight. Chapter 7 covers how fabric choice interacts with the system’s light performance.
Cross-reference Chapter 4 for draw style light gap trade-offs at the panel level.
The inside-corner miter cut
For L-shaped rooms, bay configurations, and any installation where the track meets an inside corner, the 45-degree miter cut is what makes the pocket disappear at the joint.
A miter cut is an angled cut that allows two sections of track to meet cleanly at a corner without a visible joint or gap.
Without it, the corner shows a step or overlap in the ceiling line. With it, the pocket reads as a continuous architectural element around the room perimeter.
For any project with an inside corner, specify the miter cut at the design stage. It cannot be resolved on site after the pocket is installed.
The pocket must be specified before plaster goes up. The earlier New Way is involved, the more options remain on the table. Talk to us early
Specifying for a project? Download the spec pack for pocket dimensions, cut-length formulas, and structural fixing requirements.
Chapter 6: Control and integration
The smart-home story with Lutron drapery is not which app you use.
It is how the drapery integrates with the same control platform running the home’s lighting, shading, and climate.
That is what separates a Lutron drapery system from a motorised track with a remote.
The Lutron control platform
Lutron drapery operates within the Lutron control ecosystem. Every project starts by selecting a control platform, which determines what keypads, remotes, and integration depth are available.
For residential projects:
| Platform | Level | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Caséta PRO | Entry-level smart system | DIY installation, app-based control, entry-level pricing |
| RA2 Select | Mid-range wireless control | Mid-sized homes, wireless installation, installer-required |
| RadioRA 3 | Mid-range whole-home wireless | Mid-sized homes, wireless installation, greater device count and scene complexity |
| HomeWorks QS / QSX | Premium specification-grade | Luxury residential, full integration depth, lighting + drapery + HVAC + third-party systems |
For commercial and hospitality projects:
| Platform | Best for |
|---|---|
| Athena | Commercial buildings, large hospitality, mixed-use developments |
| myRoom XC | Hotel guest room management (lighting + shading + drapery + temperature control) |
The platform you choose determines which keypads and remotes are available, and how deeply the drapery integrates with the rest of the building’s control systems.
Keypads and remotes: how you control the drapery
Once the platform is selected, the next decision is how occupants will interact with the drapery. Lutron offers a range of keypads and remotes, each compatible with specific platforms.
Pico Remote — the simplest control option. Table-top or wall-mounted wireless remote. No hub required for basic operation. Compatible with Caséta, RA2 Select, RadioRA 3, HomeWorks, Athena, and myRoom XC.
For Sivoia QS Drapery, the most commonly specified keypads include:
- seeTouch QS Keypad — the most popular choice for combined drapery and lighting control from a single wall-mounted keypad. Available across RA2 Select, RadioRA 3, HomeWorks, Athena, and myRoom XC.
- Palladiom QS Keypad — premium finish keypad with clean design. Often specified alongside Palladiom Shades in luxury residential projects. Compatible with RA2 Select, RadioRA 3, HomeWorks, Athena, and myRoom XC.
- Alisse Keypad — solid brass construction with round buttons and illuminated halos. Available through HomeWorks, Athena, and myRoom XC for specification-grade residential and hospitality projects.
- Aviena Keypad — heritage-inspired design with mechanical toggles and solid brass construction. Available through HomeWorks only. (Covered in detail below.)
- GrafikEye QS — scene controller for projects requiring complex lighting and drapery scene management. Compatible with HomeWorks, Athena, and myRoom XC.
For Alena Drapery (hospitality and multi-dwelling projects), Lutron explicitly specifies two keypads as the primary control options:
- Palladiom QS Keypad — the most commonly specified keypad for Alena installations. Clean design, intuitive operation, suited to guest room environments.
- seeTouch QS Keypad — the alternative standard keypad for Alena. Wall-mounted, supports drapery scenes alongside room lighting.
For larger hospitality deployments requiring centralized building management, Alena also integrates with Alisse keypads via Athena or myRoom XC.
The choice of keypad depends on the control platform, the project type, and whether the drapery operates standalone or as part of whole-room or whole-building scenes. New Way specifies the correct keypad configuration as part of the showroom consultation and specification document.
What each family connects to
Not every drapery family connects to the full stack.
Sivoia QS Drapery: Full stack. Hardwired or wireless via ClearConnect RF. Compatible with all keypad and remote options listed in the control stack table above.
Drapery Lite: ClearConnect RF wireless only. No hardwiring, no contact-closure. Pico Remote is the most common control.
Alena Drapery: Contact-closure or QS interfaces. Connects to myRoom Plus, myRoom XC, or building management systems via simple contact signals. Palladiom QS Keypad and seeTouch QS Keypad are the two primary control options Lutron explicitly specifies for Alena installations in hospitality and multi-dwelling projects.
Palladiom Drapery: Pairs with the Aviena keypad (covered below). Compatible across the Lutron control stack. Currently in regional launch: confirm integration depth with New Way.
ClearConnect RF: the dedicated frequency
Most home automation shares your Wi-Fi. Lutron does not.
ClearConnect RF is Lutron’s proprietary wireless standard. Drapery commands travel on a dedicated frequency, separate from your home’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth traffic.
Drapery commands do not slow down when Wi-Fi is congested, and they are not affected by router restarts or network outages.
A drapery system tied to Wi-Fi stops responding when the router reboots. ClearConnect RF removes that dependency.
Pull-to-Start: how it works
Pull-to-Start is a motorised drapery feature where movement begins with a gentle manual tug on the fabric.
You pull the panel slightly. The drive detects the motion. The drapery travels to fully open or fully closed on its own.
No remote. No app. No training.
This is the defining feature of the Alena family in hotel and serviced apartment contexts. A guest who has never encountered motorised drapery figures it out in seconds.
Pull-to-Start is also available on the Sivoia QS D105-P drive for residential projects where the same intuitive operation is wanted.
D105 vs D105-P drives
Sivoia QS D105 comes in two distinct drive variants. The choice is made at the specification stage and cannot be changed after order.
D105 is the standard drive. The drapery moves by motor command only, via keypad, app, or scene.
D105-P is a separate drive variant with Pull-to-Start built into the track mechanism. A gentle tug on the fabric triggers the drive to complete the full traverse automatically. D105-P also supports Manual Open, which allows the fabric to be drawn open by hand during a power outage. The Master Carrier disengages when pulled toward the open position and re-engages automatically when power returns.
Neither variant is available on D145 or D175 drives. The right choice depends on how the room will be used. Confirm which variant suits the project before the order is placed.
Pull-to-Start availability
Available on:
- Alena Drapery (all configurations within Alena’s spec range)
- Sivoia QS D105-P drive only
Not available on:
- Sivoia QS D145 or D175 drives
- Curved tracks
- Drapery Lite
The splice constraint catches projects late. Pull-to-Start drapes are limited to a maximum of 1 splice. Center draw only. Non-Pull-to-Start configurations have additional splicing options.
If your opening requires more than one splice, Pull-to-Start is not the right specification. Resolve this at the design stage, not on site.
The Aviena keypad
Aviena is Lutron’s heritage-inspired keypad, designed alongside Palladiom Drapery.
Where most Lutron keypads read as precision technology, Aviena reads as a designed object. The toggle format is a deliberate nod to heritage electrical fittings, scaled for a modern luxury interior.
Aviena is compatible across the Lutron control stack, not exclusive to Palladiom. But the two are designed as a pair: same design language, same premium residential intent.
For current regional availability, confirm with your Lutron dealer.
Voice and app integration
Every Lutron system with a Smart Hub PRO connects to the three major platforms.
Apple HomeKit: Lutron drapery appears as a native accessory in the Home app. Control individually, in rooms, or as part of scenes and automations.
Amazon Alexa and Google Home: Voice commands for individual panels, rooms, or whole-home scenes.
The Lutron app: Setup, scene programming, scheduling, and manual control. Scenes tie drapery to sunrise, sunset, occupancy, or time-of-day triggers.
The app is the setup layer. The experience layer is that you stop thinking about it.
Specifying Lutron drapery with smart home or hospitality integration? Become a Lutron dealer partner or speak with New Way about the right control configuration for your build.
Chapter 7: Fabric and Customer’s Own Material
Every other Lutron shading product ships with Lutron-specified fabric.
Drapery does not.
Your designer’s textile, Lutron’s engineering, no compromise on either.
Why drapery’s fabric flexibility is genuinely different
The motorised track accepts the customer’s chosen fabric. Any textile. Any designer. Any weave, weight, or finish that meets the system’s mechanical requirements.
This is called Customer’s Own Material, and it is one of the main features of the Lutron drapery platform.
The room looks exactly as designed. The motorised track is invisible. The fabric is the hero.
This is not a workaround. It is how the system is designed to be specified.
The Customer’s Own Material workflow
The workflow runs through New Way, not through the fabric supplier or the installer independently.
Step 1: The designer specifies the fabric. Weight, drape, opacity, and texture are the designer’s call.
Step 2: New Way sources the snap tape. Snap tape connects the fabric to the Lutron track carriers. New Way supplies the correct snap tape matched to the specified family and carrier type. This is not a generic component.
Step 3: Fabric is prepared. Cut, hemmed, and fitted with snap tape according to the pleat style and fullness specified in Chapter 4.
Step 4: Installation and commissioning. New Way installs the track, hangs the prepared fabric, programs drive limits and presets, and tests the system across its full travel.
Lead times depend on the fabric supplier’s delivery schedule and installation complexity. New Way provides a timeline as part of the specification document.
Light performance: system, not fabric
This is the point most often misunderstood.
Heavier fabric reduces light transmission through the panel. But total light control is determined by the system, not the fabric alone.
Light finds every gap the system leaves open.
The conditions for blackout are covered in Chapter 5: Recessed pocket depth, side overlap, draw style selection, and floor clearance. Miss any one and light leaks through, regardless of how opaque the fabric is.
For total blackout, Lutron recommends a blackout roller shade behind the drapery. The roller shade handles the light seal. The drapery handles the design.
The fabric contributes to light performance. The pocket, overlap, draw style, and floor clearance determine it.
Customer’s Own Material means the designer’s textile moves on Lutron’s engineering. Book your showroom visit to see the system with your own fabric in mind.
Chapter 8: Working with New Way
The earlier New Way is involved in your build, the better the outcome.
The Recessed pocket, the control stack, and the fabric lead time all depend on decisions made before plaster goes up.
New Way’s role is to be in the room when those decisions happen.
Who New Way is
New Way is Malaysia and Singapore’s authorised Lutron drapery specialist.
The team specifies, delivers, and installs Lutron drapery across luxury residential and hospitality projects in the region. From the first showroom consultation through site measurement, specification, installation, and commissioning.
Lutron is the platform. New Way is how it gets into your home or project.
New Way’s regional Lutron drapery track record
New Way has specified and installed Lutron drapery across luxury residential projects in Malaysia and Singapore. These are not listed by name out of respect for client privacy.
The commercial track record is public.
| Project | Scope | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Westin Kuala Lumpur | Curve tracks and Lutron drapery | 2020 / 2023 |
| Aman Nai Lert, Bangkok | Lutron motorised shading and drapery | 2025 |
| Sonos Concept Store (TC Acoustic) | Lutron drapery | 2025 |
| Kampar Lake Campus Condo (Gadang Berhad) | Shading and drapery | 2021 / 2022 |
The privacy line is deliberate. Premium clients will recognise the discretion. The commercial table speaks for itself.
Global Lutron hospitality context
Lutron drapery is specified across global luxury hospitality groups including Mandarin Oriental, Sofitel, Banyan Tree, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Bulgari.
That is the company New Way’s regional work sits alongside. Same platform. Same engineering. Specified and installed locally.
Why timing in the build matters
Three things have hard deadlines in a Lutron drapery project. Miss any one and the options narrow.
The Recessed pocket must be coordinated before plaster goes up. Pocket depth, structural fixing, and blocking are covered in Chapter 5. Once the ceiling is closed, the pocket cannot be added without rework.
The control stack must be mapped before wiring is closed. Hardwired or wireless, the decision affects conduit runs and switch plate locations. Chapter 6 covers the full integration range.
Fabric lead times vary by supplier and textile. The earlier the designer specifies the fabric, the more schedule flexibility remains. Chapter 7 covers the Customer’s Own Material workflow.
The common thread: every one of these conversations happens before installation, not during it.
The consultation and showroom experience
The showroom visit is where the specification begins.
What the showroom covers:
- Window survey and opening assessment
- Family selection (Sivoia QS, Drapery Lite, Alena, or Palladiom)
- Track shape, pleat style, and fullness recommendation
- Control stack recommendation
- Timeline alignment with the build schedule
What happens after:
- Site measurement
- Specification document
- Order and lead time confirmation
- Installation coordination with M&E and ceiling teams
- Commissioning and programming
The specification document is the deliverable. It captures every decision from the showroom visit and site measurement in one reference that the architect, interior designer, M&E contractor, and ceiling team can all work from.
If you have read this far, you are serious. Book your showroom visit and let’s plan your Lutron drapery.
Or call us on [phone] to speak with a Lutron drapery specialist directly.
Interested in becoming a Lutron dealer partner in Malaysia or Singapore? Speak with New Way about the partnership.
Not ready for a showroom visit yet? Request a project quote and we will start the conversation from there.
Conclusion
The specification picture is complete.
The single highest-leverage action from here is to book a showroom visit before the M&E contractor finalises the ceiling rough-in. The Recessed pocket, the control stack, and the fabric lead time all depend on early coordination.
If your project involves Lutron roller shading alongside drapery, the sibling guide covers the full Sivoia QS roller shade specification: [INSERT URL WHEN PUBLISHED].
What stage is your home or project at right now? Whether you are at concept, design development, or construction documentation, the conversation starts the same way.
Ready to get started? Talk to New Way for a showroom consultation tailored to your project. No obligation, just good specification advice.
Frequently asked questions
Cluster 1: Decision and comparison
What is the difference between Sivoia QS Drapery, Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite, Alena, and Palladiom?
Lutron offers four motorised drapery families on the same track platform, each matched to a specific project type and integration depth. Sivoia QS Drapery is the specification-grade family with three drives (D105 at 48 kg, D145 at 66 kg, D175 at 79 kg), tracks up to 18.2 m in tandem configuration, and full Lutron control stack compatibility from Caséta to HomeWorks QSX. Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite is designed for retrofit into finished homes: single wireless drive at 47 kg, maximum 4.9 m single straight track, no wiring required. Alena Drapery targets hospitality and multi-dwelling projects with Pull-to-Start operation, a 36.3 kg modular field-replaceable drive, and contact-closure or QS integration. Palladiom Drapery is the heritage-spec luxury residential family paired with the Aviena keypad. Launched globally at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026, the system is currently making its way into the Malaysia and Singapore market. Speak with New Way for current availability. All four families share the same track engineering and pleat options. The selection is determined by project type, fabric weight, wiring availability, and integration depth required.
Can Lutron drapery be retrofitted into a completed home without ceiling works?
Lutron Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite is designed specifically for retrofit into finished homes without ceiling works or new wiring. As of 2026, the system uses ClearConnect RF wireless communication on a dedicated frequency separate from household Wi-Fi, a single drive rated at 47 kg, and supports a single straight track up to 4.9 m (16 ft). The Electronic Drive Unit is modular and field-replaceable, which means maintenance does not require ceiling access or structural work. For openings wider than 4.9 m, curved configurations, or full smart-home integration requiring hardwired connection, Sivoia QS Drapery is the appropriate specification, typically requiring wiring to be planned during construction or renovation. New Way assesses retrofit feasibility as part of the showroom consultation, including opening size, ceiling condition, and control requirements.
Why does Lutron drapery cost more than other motorised drapery systems?
Lutron motorised drapery is priced at a premium because the track, drive, and control are precision-engineered as a single integrated system rather than assembled from separate components. Three specific engineering commitments distinguish the platform: a maximum operating noise of 50 dB measured 1 m from the drive unit, a 0.125 in (3 mm) stop accuracy maintained across the full drive lifetime, and lifetime power-failure memory that retains all limits and presets regardless of power interruptions, electrostatic discharge, or system age. The platform carries an 8-year warranty with registration, which is longer than most motorised drapery systems in the luxury residential and hospitality category. For projects using the Recessed mud-in pocket, Lutron’s track fits within a 1.6 mm reveal, producing a finish where no hardware is visible from below. The specification and installation process is delivered by New Way, Lutron’s authorised drapery specialist for Malaysia and Singapore.
What pleat style should I choose for a Lutron drapery project?
Lutron drapery is available in two pleat styles: Pinch Pleat and Ripple Fold. Pinch Pleat gathers fabric into structured, stitched pleats at regular intervals using wheeled rubber or plastic carriers. It reads as tailored and formal, and works in both heritage interiors and contemporary spaces. Ripple Fold runs fabric in a continuous even wave using tethered plastic wheeled carriers with a fixed 108 mm snap tape spacing. It reads as softer and more architectural, and has become the default for high-end residential projects in Malaysia and Singapore as of 2026. Both pleat styles are available across Sivoia QS and Alena families and run on the same track engineering. The key specification difference is fabric fullness: Pinch Pleat is specified at 2x, 2.5x, or 3x fullness; Ripple Fold at 80%, 100%, or 120%. 3x Pinch Pleat fullness is reserved for sheer drapes only: all other fabrics must specify 2x or 2.5x. Higher fullness produces a larger stack back, which must be planned into the ceiling pocket and wall return dimensions before construction begins.
Cluster 2: Technical and specification
How quiet is Lutron motorised drapery?
Lutron motorised drapery is rated at a maximum of 50 dB measured 1 m (arm’s length) from the Electronic Drive Unit. Using Lutron’s own acoustic reference scale, 50 dB corresponds to the level of a normal conversation, quieter than a hairdryer at 70 dB. This figure is the specified maximum across all three current drapery families: Sivoia QS Drapery, Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite, and Alena Drapery, confirmed across all three spec sheets. Actual operating noise is expected to be lower than the specified maximum. The near-silent operation is a design goal of the Lutron drapery platform, not a by-product of the mechanism, and is the reason the system is specified across luxury residential and hospitality properties globally, including Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton.
What are the track length limits for Lutron drapery?
Lutron drapery track lengths vary by family and configuration. The minimum track width across all families is 610 mm; below this the system cannot operate correctly. For Sivoia QS Drapery, maximum lengths are: 5.5 m as a single unspliced piece, 9.1 m with up to two splices, 12.7 m for Pinch Pleat with the D175 drive and splices, and 18.2 m in a tandem configuration. Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite supports a maximum 4.9 m single straight track with no splice. Alena Drapery supports tracks up to 5.4 m. Pull-to-Start configurations on Sivoia QS D105-P are limited to a maximum of one splice, center draw only. Curved tracks are available in a standard 90-degree bend at a minimum 300 mm bend radius, or as custom curves requiring a real-size template submitted to Lutron at the order stage. All curved tracks are White finish only, regardless of the project’s requirements.
What are the Recessed mud-in pocket dimensions for blackout?
The Lutron Recessed Drapery System is a pre-fabricated pocket module, 8 ft (2.4 m) in length, cut to finished size on site. The Electronic Drive Unit and idler end caps fit within the track with a 1/16 in (1.6 mm) reveal, making the hardware invisible from below when installed correctly. Three dimensions determine whether the installation achieves blackout conditions: pocket depth must be a minimum of 305 mm; side overlap must be a minimum of 305 mm on all sides and at the top; and for dual-track pocket installations, the pocket width is 292 mm (11.5 in). The pocket module must be fixed to structural members at a maximum spacing of 16 in (406 mm), designed for 5/8 in (16 mm) double-layer drywall. If no structural member exists at the mounting location, blocking must be added before plaster is applied. For total blackout, Lutron recommends a blackout roller shade behind the drapery: the roller shade handles the light seal, the drapery handles the design.
Cluster 3: Trust and risk
What does the Lutron drapery warranty cover and how long does it last?
Lutron motorised drapery systems carry an 8-year warranty upon registration, covering the Electronic Drive Unit, the track, and associated Lutron-supplied hardware. Registration is required to activate the full 8-year term. Eight years is significantly longer than the category average for motorised drapery systems, and reflects Lutron’s engineering confidence in the platform’s long-term performance. The lifetime power-failure memory feature ensures preset positions are retained for the product’s full life regardless of power interruptions, at no additional warranty risk. For projects in Malaysia and Singapore installed by New Way, Lutron’s authorised regional drapery specialist, warranty registration is handled as part of the commissioning process. Full warranty terms and registration details are published at lutron.com/warranty.
What happens to drapery positions if there is a power failure?
Lutron drapery systems retain all drive limits and preset positions for the lifetime of the product, regardless of power interruptions, electrostatic discharge, or system age. This feature is called lifetime power-failure memory. It is built into the Electronic Drive Unit’s non-volatile memory architecture and does not depend on a backup battery. When power is restored, the system returns to its last known state with no recalibration, reprogramming, or manual intervention required. This applies across Sivoia QS Drapery, Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite, and Alena Drapery families. In homes where drapery positions are tied to lighting scenes, climate schedules, and occupancy routines, a system that loses memory after each power interruption creates real operational problems. Lifetime power-failure memory means the system behaves consistently from day one to year ten.
Cluster 4: Usage and fabric
Can I use my own fabric on Lutron drapery?
Lutron drapery is designed for Customer’s Own Material: any designer-specified textile that meets the system’s weight and mechanical attachment requirements can be used, with no restriction to a proprietary fabric catalog. This is one of the core features of the Lutron drapery platform, available across Sivoia QS Drapery, Sivoia QS Wireless Drapery Lite, and Alena Drapery families. The workflow runs through New Way. The interior designer specifies the fabric. New Way sources the correct snap tape, a component specific to each drapery family and carrier type. The fabric is then cut, hemmed, and fitted to the specified pleat style and fullness before installation. Lead times depend on the fabric supplier’s delivery schedule and project complexity. New Way provides a timeline as part of the specification document produced after the showroom consultation and site measurement. The fabric choice has no effect on the track engineering: Lutron’s mechanism performs identically regardless of the textile.
What is Pull-to-Start drapery and when should I specify it?
Pull-to-Start is a Lutron motorised drapery feature where a brief manual tug on the fabric panel triggers the Electronic Drive Unit to complete the full traverse automatically to fully open or fully closed. No remote, app, or training is required. The feature is available on Alena Drapery in all configurations and on the Sivoia QS D105-P drive. It is not available on Sivoia QS D145 or D175 drives, Drapery Lite, or any curved track configuration. One specification constraint applies: Pull-to-Start configurations are limited to a maximum of one splice and center draw only. Specify Pull-to-Start for hotel guest rooms, serviced apartments, or any residential space where intuitive drapery operation without a control interface is the priority. For hospitality, Alena Drapery with Pull-to-Start is the standard specification. For residential with Pull-to-Start, specify Sivoia QS D105-P and confirm the opening fits within the single-splice constraint at the design stage.
End of compiled guide.
