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Window Shades
New manual roller shade operator combines elegance and safety
October 4, 2023
Forget everything you think you know about manually operated window shades. It’s time to meet the manual roller shade of the future – one without hanging cords, bead chains, or locking springs! Say hello to the Ascend!
Outdoor shades and windy conditions
May 11, 2023
Outdoor shades should be as resistant as possible to wind and weather. But while shades should never be deployed during damaging winds, the question remains: How wind resistant are they? And how do you prove it?
Outdoor shades doubled this restaurant’s seating capacity
January 6, 2023
If there’s one thing popular restaurants never seem to have enough of, it’s space. The Cow: An Eatery is no exception. The Cow is in beautiful Morrison, Colorado, which is home to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Red Rocks Park. The restaurant has a busy mix of tourists and local regulars. To make the most of their space, the owners enclosed the Cow’s back patio with fabric and plastic outdoor shades. This allowed them to add seating for about 30 customers.
How to shade exposures: control the sun with sunshades
November 14, 2022
The primary purpose of a sunshade is to control the amount of direct sunlight through your building's windows. The benefits can be found in so many articles that we will not go into them here. The intent of this page is to show you how it works and give you insight into designing a louvered sunshade system that is right for your building, whether it is to be located in Houston, TX or Minneapolis, MN. The explanation can be as simple or as complicated as we want to make it. We opted for simple, yet effective. We will cover these topics: Where to shade How to shade Southern exposures How to shade Southeastern/Southwestern exposures How to shade Eastern and Western exposures
Outdoor Shading System - ZIP Side Channels Create Shading/Weather/Insect Barriers
October 19, 2022
FlexShade® ZIP brings the comfort and security of the indoors outside. Enjoy the benefit of expanding usable square footage in both living and business areas without costly renovations. The ZIP offers unique side channels that ensure a sealed enclosure for existing garages, porches, patios, pool houses, and outdoor commercial food service areas. Easily create outdoor workspaces, elegant areas for dining and entertaining, or relaxing outdoor niches that are protected from the sun, wind, rain, and pesky insects. When used as an outdoor shading system, FlexShade® ZIP prevents heat from entering a building and helps to lower HVAC costs.
Did You Know? Window Shades Can Help Increase Productivity
July 1, 2022
The human body needs natural light to create enzymes and proteins for a healthy life. Without enough natural light, our circadian system gets out of sync and can no longer properly regulate sleep, alertness, and concentration. We become less productive. But too much...
Window shade solutions: what level of privacy are you seeking for your project?
May 18, 2022
Privacy, room darkening, opaque, and blackout are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably when talking about window shades. But did you know these terms refer to different shade characteristics and levels of privacy? Knowing those differences before you install shades in your home will help you select the best solution for your space.
Willard Shutter Grilles and Screens
March 28, 2022
22-1/2° Pitched Louvered screens offer maximum visual concealment while allowing for adequate ventilation. This louver configuration allows for 30% free airflow, and the louver can be inverted (flipped upside down) to provide even more concealment from line of sight if needed. This very effective design is very attractive and convenient for large projects.
Four ways Draper window shades can help you live your best sustainable life
November 22, 2021
In both commercial and residential construction sustainability is a big part of the conversation. Customers want their buildings to have a reduced environmental impact during construction and throughout their life cycle. Window shades can contribute to this effort in several ways; Here are four of them:
Fire-Rated Vision Control® Integrated Louvers
June 2, 2021
Vision Control® advanced louvered glazing technology provides unprecedented comfort and control of vision, light, temperature and sound. Its patented combination of cordless louvers between hermetically sealed glass panes ensure total privacy and optimal hygiene.
New podcast looks at window shade fabrics selection to balance aesthetics and performance
February 24, 2021
Is the selection of window shade fabrics purely about aesthetics and color? Not at all, and that’s a big misconception. Many factors influence these decisions. To discuss what those are and bring insights to listeners, host Tyler Kern talked everything fabrics with Jeff Miller, Director of Architectural Shading Solutions for Draper, and Colin Blackford, Director of Business Development for Mermet USA. Quantifying its performance, which includes many components, is key to choosing the right fabric.
Draper shade automation system wins architectural media awards
January 1, 2021
Shade automation helps improve productivity by reducing glare and solar heat gain, while still allowing natural daylight and views to the outside. When we introduced our IntelliFlex® I/O scalable, automated shade control system, we knew we were onto something good. IntelliFlex I/O is highly customizable and can grow and adapt as needs change without replacing existing hardware and wiring, providing a scalable automation solution ideal for projects no matter how big or complex.
Four ways the Flexshade® Recharge is designed for the smart life
October 30, 2020
Whether it’s appliances, personal devices, or office tools, people are demanding more from their technology. Today’s tech needs to be able to offer convenience, safety, and the ability to interface with other devices on a network. Window shades have not escaped the smart tech trend. People are seeking solutions to maximize the benefits and sustainability of window shades without breaking the budget. Things like no touch tech, automation, and flexibility are key requirements.
New class makes the case for motorized and automated shades
August 24, 2020
Modern architecture relies more on windows than ever before. Glazing advances in modern windows lower heat loss, cut air leakage, and improve comfort and minimize condensation. However, glare, solar heat gain, and direct sunlight still can diminish the comfort of interior spaces. This makes it more difficult to perform basic work functions and endangers occupant comfort.
Taking the indoors outdoors
March 6, 2020
We humans spend more than 70% of our time inside a building. Yet we have a deep connection with the natural world. This dichotomy is the root of two recent design trends. One trend is biophilic design, where an effort is made to connect the indoors and outdoors. This is done by opening up buildings to natural views while also physically bringing elements of nature inside.
Conserving resources with shades
February 5, 2020
The construction industry has a significant impact on the environment. Much of the impact is in carbon dioxide emissions and energy use. Here are a few ways we can contribute to your efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of buildings—during construction and operation:
Control the Sun with Sunshades: How to shade Southern, Southeastern/Southwestern, Eastern and Western exposures
April 26, 2019
The primary purpose of a sunshade is to control the amount of direct sunlight through your building's windows. The benefits can be found in so many articles that we will not go into them here. The intent of this page is to show you how it works and give you insight into designing a louvered sunshade system that is right for your building, whether it is to be located in Houston, TX or Minneapolis, MN. The explanation can be as simple or as complicated as we want to make it. We opted for simple, yet effective. We will cover these topics: Where to shade How to shade Southern exposures How to shade Southeastern/Southwestern exposures How to shade Eastern and Western exposures
Incorporating the metallic look into your daylighting strategy
March 25, 2019
The creative use of metal has become a modern design and construction trend. In addition to advantages such as recyclability and versatility, the aesthetic created by incorporating metal is a big reason for the increased use. Here are four ways Draper helps you incorporate the metallic look into a building, while also dealing with glare and solar heat gain as part of an overall daylighting strategy:
Privacy and daylighting in the same window
February 25, 2019
Privacy vs. daylighting: Who says you have to choose? Balancing the need for privacy with the positives of natural light doesn’t have to mean choosing one or the other. Here are four ways you can have privacy and enjoy the benefits of daylighting in the same window opening.
New safety standard for shades keeps kids safe
December 17, 2018
A new safety standard took effect on December 15 for window coverings with operable cords that are located in areas accessible by small children. The new standard, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018, was developed by the Window Coverings Manufacturer’s Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.