Blog Archives

Roller Shade Motor Technology

1/26/2015

Roller Shades utilize a wide selection of tubular motors that are mounted and hidden from view inside the roller tube. Tubular motors were invented in 1959 and have become the standard motorized operating systems for window treatments, awnings, rolling shutters, and projection screens throughout the world.

Roller Shade motors are available as 110 V AC motors, 24 V DC motors, and Battery operated motors.

Hard-wired 110V directional (up or down) motors provide durability and reliability. The original tubular motor design is still widely used today due to its value and cost advantages. These motors were designed with a brake system to eliminate shades from slipping, internal limit switches for setting the upper limit of a shade when raised and a lower limit when shades are down, and thermal overload system to prevent the motor from failing, if they get too hot.

To install 110V AC motors requires an electrician and the ability to have electrical wire pulled to the area where the blind will be installed. This is generally done on new construction projects and can part of the plan before the walls are in place. It also works well in commercial applications with drop ceilings or easy access to conduit.

Recent advances in motor and switching technology have led to the development of radio motors with built-in switching technology. Radio Motors with a built-in radio receiver have become the most popular option, due the ease of wiring a motorized project and the array of transmitters, switch, timers, and automatic controls available.

While it may all seem very complicated, it is really just a matter of having an experienced window covering professional and electrician capable of providing great service. All you need do is enjoy a long lasting, practical, and convenient home or office motorized roller shade - they really are pretty cool!

We would love to help you with your roller shade motorization project. Also, for a rough price estimate, please check out our online roller shade cost calculator.

0 Comments

A Roller Shade with the Best of Both Worlds

1/20/2015

0 Comments

In purchasing a typical roller shade, you must generally weigh your options between - less visibility or less heat gain. Why? Because - darker fabrics provide better see through visibility during the day - this is due to their darker color which does not create a visibility reducing glow. However, the trade-off is that darker colors absorb more heat, which is not ideal during the summer months. In a like manner, as you would imagine, lighter colored fabrics provide better heat control, but less visibility.

However, thanks to a product innovation, you can now have the best of both worlds. Fabric manufacturers have developed a SilverScreen that both preserves the view and reflects the heat. No compromise necessary. This is all due to the ultra-fine, reflective layer of aluminum backing on the solar fabric, which reflects away heat and light, allowing the interior to stay cool, glare free and maintain a great view and connection to the outdoors. Of course, as you might expect, this product costs more then the typical solar fabric - so there is still an economic choice.

In the world of ever changing roller shade technology, we thought you might want to know about the latest and greatest option for maximizing see through while decreasing heat gain.

We would love to work with you on your roller shade project. Also, for a rough idea what your project might cost, visit our online roller shade cost calculator.

0 Comments

Roller Shades are Ideal for Hotels and Multifamily Housing

1/12/2015

0 Comments

The hospitality and multifamily housing industry has a unique set of needs for both the private and common areas they maintain. Addressing glare control, privacy and comfort for guests, renters and workers can be a distinguishing factor.

When people are in their rooms or apartments, they want to allow in light, and a view if there is one, without being seen from the outside. Solar Screen Shades are the clean, updated version of sheer draperies, providing privacy on the darker side of the treatment- in this case, the room interior. Light enters the room in a controlled fashion, but heat and glare are controlled and one can still see outside. In locations where a view is undesirable, translucent fabrics allow light filtering and management, but eliminate view-through.

Every hotel room and many apartment rooms need a room darkening capacity, as well as night time privacy with zero view-through. Our Blackout Shades provide complete privacy, whether day or night. For people wishing to sleep during daylight hours, Blackout Shades stop all light from passing through the fabric. In cases where complete darkness is desired, we have accessories which block light from entering at the sides and bottom of the shade.

Large windows are part of nearly every design, but can allow large open spaces to be too hot and too bright for comfort. By using solar roller shades, you can:

Control glare in lobbies and lounge areas.
Reduce glare on computer screens in use by front desk employees.
Control heat gain and cut cooling costs in large, vaulted lobbies and west-facing walls of windows but maintain the light, airy feeling.
With motorization, operation of common area window shades is possible with the touch of a button by front of house staff behind a desk.
Make lounge areas comfortable for waiting guests and those using computer screens.

We would love to work with you on your hotel or multifamily housing project by providing the best roller shades for the money. Also, check out our online cost calculator for a rough cost estimate.

0 Comments

How Easy is Your Solar Roller Shade to Use?

1/5/2015

0 Comments

When purchasing a manual clutch operated solar roller shade, have you considered how easy it’s going to be to raise it and lower it? Having an expert help you understand your options will ensure that you are getting a product that is properly configured to handle the weight of the blind.

Our brand of roller shade is very easy to lift. Why? We use the industry’s most dependable, reliable and strong clutches. Our clutch options have a proven track record spanning over 30 years. We offer 4 different clutches to match lifting capacity to to shade weight and tube size for the best shade appearance - while ensuring that our solar shades are easy to lift. Frankly, our shade size to clutch lifting capacity parameters tend to be more conservative that those of other dealers, but we believe that allows us to produce a better, more reliable product for our customers.

Key features and benefits:

Multi-spring design for easy pull makes even heavy shades feel light.
With manufacturing tolerances within .004″, clutch will never need adjusting.
Locking end plug bracket feature keeps shade secure and prevents slipping.
Fiberglass-reinforced resin PBT housing ensures trouble-free performance.
American-made clutches.

We have helped many people find the best operator solution! Sometimes, individual health limitations call for systems that are lighter. We know how to fit the proper clutch or lift system to fit the person and the space. If you choose the least expensive roller shade available, then expect that you have a blind with marginally adequate or inadequate function and components.

For instance, often we can upgrade the clutch to lighten the pull. If there are small children, then cord free or motorized options can be discussed - not to mention - the strongest most reliable cord hold down system on the market. And don't forget, we can motorize almost anything, giving you touch of a button convenience.

No matter what your needs are, we would like to help you choose a shade operating system to meet them perfectly. And for those on a budget, check out our online roller shade cost estimator. It will help give you a ballpark idea of what your project might cost.

0 Comments

Roller Shade Motor Technology

A Roller Shade with the Best of Both Worlds

Roller Shades are Ideal for Hotels and Multifamily Housing

How Easy is Your Solar Roller Shade to Use?

Author

Archives

Categories