Awning with wind sensor: automatic protection with Shelly 

Strong gusts on the way? No problem! Protect your awning by retrofitting a wind sensor and Shelly relay - safe, smart and app-controlled. Here you’ll find the step-by-step installation guide.

Terrace with extended awning; automatic awning control protects against wind and gusts.

Why an awning with a wind sensor makes sense

An awning with a wind sensor thinks for you, especially when you’re not at home. Imagine enjoying a sunny day out while a strong breeze starts sweeping across your terrace. 

The wind guard registers the first gusts, reacts instantly and retracts your awning automatically. The fabric stays taut, the articulated arms are protected, and you save yourself costly repairs. 

An awning with a wind sensor therefore makes perfect sense: it also protects against wear and weather. A smart wind shield for your sun shade – before any damage can occur. 

Awning motor extends; wind guard closes the awning at high wind speed

Shelly + Wind Sensor: the smart way to greater safety

You have a motorised awning, but it doesn’t yet react automatically to wind and weather? With Shelly 2PM Gen4 and the Shelly Ecowitt WS90 weather station you can retrofit your awning with a wind sensor – creating a complete smart-home awning control. 

The WS90 reliably measures wind speed and gusts, and it sends the data to your home network. If wind exceeds a set threshold, the system signals the Shelly relay and the awning retracts automatically. 

With the Premium App feature you can also include the weather report so the awning closes preventively before storms or rain arrive. 

Threatening cloud front; wind sensor detects wind speed and retracts the awning in time

Which wind speeds are problematic for an awning?

A gentle breeze is no issue. But as wind picks up, forces on the frame and fabric increase quickly. 

  • Beaufort 4 (20–28 km/h): fabric starts to flutter; first strain on arms and fixings. 
  • Beaufort 5 (29–38 km/h): visible sway; screws and joints under tension – retract recommended. 
  • Beaufort 6 (39–49 km/h): strong gusts can tear fabric or loosen brackets – high risk of damage. 

In short: from Beaufort 5 onward you should retract the awning to protect it long-term. 

With the Premium App feature you can also include the weather report so the awning closes preventively before storms or rain arrive. 

windsock measures wind strength; wind sensor monitors gusts and protects the awning automatically

Requirements: motorised awning & 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

For automatic control you need a motorised awning and stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Shelly Gen3/Gen4 devices connect directly to the Shelly app or web interface. 

The Shelly relay – e.g., Shelly 2PM Gen4 – is installed between the power and the awning motor, usually behind the existing switch or in a protected junction box.* It controls extend/retract and simultaneously measures motor power use. 

The Ecowitt WS90 wind sensor sends weather data into the same network, where Shelly processes it, so your awning can be controlled automatically with Shelly. 

 * Connection to 230 V may only be carried out by a qualified electrician!

motorised awning on a house wall; smart-home awning control can be retrofitted with a Shelly relay

Which Shelly devices can be used for an awning with wind sensor?

For an automated awning with windsensor you need a Shelly relay for motor control plus a wind sensor. Which Shelly fits depends on the specific control setup–best checked by a professional.

  • Shelly 2PM Gen4 / 2PM Gen3: first choice for motorised awnings. Controls both directions (open/close), measures power and–thanks to Cover mode - knows the exact position.

  • Shelly 1PM Gen3 / 1PM Gen4: suitable if direction reversal is handled externally or the motor only runs one way. Also lets you monitor power use.

  • Shelly Shutter: designed for roller shutters, blindsand awnings with two directions. Supports up/down control and power metering.

  • Shelly Pro Dual Cover / Shutter PM: DIN-rail pro variants for awnings,shuttersand screens–ideal for fixed installations and more complex systems.

  • Ecowitt WS90: supplies wind speed and gusts, plus rain, UV and temperature. For integration into the Shelly App a gateway isrequired(BLU Gateway, or a Plus, Gen3, Gen4 or Pro device).

Installation: connect Shelly Relais with the wind sensor

  1. Wire the Shelly device: install the Shelly relay (e.g., 2PM Gen4) behind the awning switch or in a junction box; connect phase, neutral and motor leads as per the manual*
  2. Set up: add the device in the Shelly app, connect to Wi-Fi, check firmware
  3. Activate Cover mode (2PM Gen3/Gen4): select “Cover/Awning” in the app and calibrate
  4. Pair the wind sensor: add the Ecowitt WS90 to the Shelly app via a Shelly gateway
  5. Automation: create scenes such as “Wind > 30 km/h → retract awning” or “Rain detected → close awning”. In the Shelly app wind is shown in m/s; 30 km/h ≙ 8.33 m/s. 

* Wiring only by a qualified electrician.

woman with smartphone and Shelly app; control the awning by app and set up automations

Set up wind measurement: here’s how

Once your Shelly relay (e.g., 2PM Gen4) is installed and set up in the App, open the web interface and go to Settings → Operating mode → Cover (Awning). 

Start calibration so Shelly learns the motor runtime and can control the exact awning position.  Add the Ecowitt weather station (powered by Shelly) via a Shelly gateway in the app. Then create a when/then scene, e.g.: 

“Wind above 30 km/h / 8.33 m/s → retract awning.” 

 Your system now reacts automatically to wind or rain, and with the weather-forecast feature even preventively. 

Ecowitt weather station measures wind, rain and gusts for Shelly smart awning control

FAQs:

How can I retrofit an awning for smart home?

Install a Shelly relay (e.g.,2PM Gen4) on a motorised awning. Via Wi-Fi, app andWS90wind sensor (powered by Shelly) + gateway you control extend/retract reliably.

Can I control the awning by app?

Yes. With theShelly appyou control the awning manually, set schedules and scenes - provided a compatible Shelly relay (e.g.,2PM Gen4) is installed.

Which awning retracts automatically in wind?

Awnings with an integrated wind sensor–or a Shelly retrofit (e.g.,WS90 + Shelly relay)–retract automatically in strong wind thanks to sensor control.

What do wind classes mean for awnings?

Wind classesindicatehow stable an awningremainsin wind. The higher the class, the stronger the wind it can withstand before frame or fabric are at risk.