Author: Doug Hunt, published July 30th, 10:00 am
Why Window Treatments
When considering Window Treatments there are many products available. Among the most popular are Roller Shades, 1” Horizontal Aluminum Mini Blinds, 2” Faux Wood Blinds, and Vertical Blinds.
In the 1950s & ’60s drapery was very popular as were 2” aluminum blinds. These gave way to 1” mini blinds & vertical blinds in the ’70s to ’80s and are still popular today. 2” Faux Wood blinds became popular in the ’90s through the present time.
Roller shades started gaining popularity as an energy-saving product during the 1970’s energy crisis, and one of the first commercial buildings to install manual roller shades was the Trust Company of Georgia; later known as SunTrust Bank and now Truist, which is headquartered in Atlanta. Roller Shades are rapidly becoming the most widely used window treatment in all construction categories.
Now that you have a basic idea of why roller shades are so valuable, what are the advantages of using them on your project?
5 Reasons You Should Add Roller Shades to Your Next Project.
Roller shades have multiple qualities such as durability, flexibility, and design that are considered the best choices for any window. Roller shades are available in both light-filtering and blackout features. They provide moderate to total privacy, as well as UV protection. Shades are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures, making them the perfect choice for any room from casual to elegant. Shades are easy to raise and lower, allowing you to control the amount of light you want in a room. Compared to other window coverings such as drapery, roman shade, and other fabric products, roller shades are an inexpensive option with much more versatility.
1) Flexibility- Shades have numerous options for control, from continuous loop clutch, cordless, smart pull, and motorized. The cordless feature is safe for “residential applications” with children, the elderly, and pets. Mold and mildew-resistant fabrics allow for installation in medical facilities, elderly housing, and other areas where mold and mildew are a concern.
2) Durability – Roller shades are available in light filtering and blackout fabrics and can easily be combined to have both types of fabric on any window so that the room can have filtered light during the day and blackout at night. In the past, we have been in office buildings that required new shades because of a renovation that moved a wall. The existing shades that have been there for over 25 years are still working with no issues. Talk about durability!
3) Motorization – Motorized Roller Shades are the perfect option for Healthcare, Multi-Family, Senior Living, K-12 & Higher Education, Corporate, Government, and more! With motorization, you can operate the shades with the push of a remote-control button, smartphone, and building automation. Motorized shades are available using 120ac line voltage, low voltage dc, battery, and solar-powered options to fit new construction and tenant fit-out for ease of access and accessibility.
Today’s motors are quiet and give precise control to stop at any location on the window while keeping large banks of shades aligned to preserve design and aesthetic intent. Motorized shades are scalable, and can be in a single room, or an entire building. Motorized shades are also cost-effective, by using daisy-chained wiring, built-in network capabilities, and dry contract control options, that give seamless communication between building automation, lighting, and control systems. Motors are individually addressable to support virtually any group control scenario without rewiring, and in many cases can be programmed not only in the field but also remotely. Roller Shades can help you achieve third-party building standards, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED and WELL Rating Systems.
4) Automation – Automation manages & controls daylight, glare, heat gain & loss, all while ensuring occupant comfort and maintaining building aesthetics by ensuring the shades are at uniform heights. Automation can integrate seamlessly with the building’s dimmable lighting systems, fire & security systems A/V, and HVAC control systems to take advantage of natural daylight to reduce the need and cost of indoor lighting, all while lowering the load on HVAC systems, which increases the building efficiency.
Automation systems are available with GPS positioning, radiometers, zone controls, wireless daylight sensors, timers, and more, allowing control of a single window to an entire complex of buildings using an on-site computer system. This also allows for individual manual override control.
Automated daylight control has been proven to increase employee performance, reduce sick leave, and increase staff morale in corporate settings. Automated daylight control also assists in the speed of patient recovery and staff performance in healthcare settings. Automation satisfies the functional and aesthetic needs of conference centers, hotels, restaurants, religious facilities, and other venues by offering a clean, contemporary, and elegant look while controlling daylight, solar heat gain, and glare.
5) Maintenance –Traditionally, horizontal blinds will gather dust, pet hair, and dirt over time, and each slat is hard to clean without bending or breaking the blinds. This is where roller shades provide a clear advantage. Roller shades do not gather dust like horizontal blinds and can be vacuum cleaned with a soft brush attachment to a handheld duster or wiped with a clean damp cloth without fear of bending or breaking the fabric.
Conclusion- Overall, roller shades provide comfort, versatility, durability, and flexibility to any environment, while still providing versatility of lighting and UV protection. Roller shades enhance the longevity of the space, whether it is a commercial office or a multifamily unit. When it comes to elevating the aesthetic of a space, optimizing costs, and prioritizing the longevity of space, roller shades are the clear advantage for an environment that shifts with all your commercial needs.
Feel free to reach out to Doug Hunt for more information on how we can assist you with your window treatment and roller shade solutions.
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About the author: Doug has a BS in Interior Design from Florida State University. Doug began his career in the window treatment industry as a product representative for a manufacturer. He then moved into sales with two different window treatment contractors prior to joining DCO Commercial Window Treatments in February of 2014. In total, Doug has been in the window treatment industry for more than 35 years. Doug’s window treatment experience is an added benefit to the DCO Commercial team. email: dhunt@dcocf.com
About the firm: DCO Commercial Floors is a nationwide flooring dealer that is committed to being a flooring solutions leader for all finishes bridging the gap between traditional floor covering and modern access flooring solutions. Whether you are a designer needing help specifying access floors, a general contractor looking for a total flooring package solution that includes access flooring, or an end-user needing to find a solution for your existing facility, DCO can provide and deliver on all facets to become the partner of choice for your project.