After the dust of the renovation is cleaned, thoughts turn to move-in and pleasing the occupants. Managing glare and controlling the heat of the sun (solar radiation) greatly affect the productivity and comfort of occupants of a newly configured space.
Where does one begin when tasked with selecting a roller shade system? Here are some thoughts:
It may sound trite, but stating the goals of the shade system is a great place to begin to sort out characteristics or goals that may be complementary or in conflict.
For instance, manual, motorized or automated shades is a question to be answered. What are the functional requirements of the roller shade system? An automated system assures that shades are adjusted to help the occupant in the office by glare management and control of heat gain while fostering daylight usage and minimizing use of electric lighting. A facility manager or project architect first needs to review different automation systems available and review system architecture and intelligence within, sensing methods used and the quantity required, frequency of movements, zoning, reporting, commissioning and ease of use.
Motorized shades are part of an automated system but some projects may only need a local switch control of a motorized shade. Or some may want to interface the shade to an integration system for single remote control of lighting, projection, room temperature, sound and the shades for daylight control. A point to consider is that motorized shades require power and—usually, but not always—a data line for control. Planning for motorized shades is best done before or during the renovation, as these require coordination with other trades. Wireless control of shades is another option, but amongst the factors to consider are lack of channels/frequencies, expense and their unsuitability for health-care environments.
Manual shades are the utility approach to shading and are operated by the occupants themselves. However, it has been frequently observed that those closest to the window frequently control the shade and this may be detrimental to plans to foster daylight integration within a space. Reliability suffers when the user is tasked with manipulating shades for effectiveness. Large windows will require shades that may be unwieldy and difficult to raise by certain populations, such as older adults, mobility-impaired clients or children. A chain may be unsightly, too.
Shades add value to a space and can greatly improve the aesthetics of the environment.
While the shade drive system and automation question is being considered, the issue of façade appearance and interior appearance needs review. An automated shade system maintains a building’s uniform look. A light-colored shade may be great as a concept but may clash with the exterior façade. A white-colored shade may be viewed as a glare object or an overly bright light during times the sun is intense on a façade of the building. It is counter-intuitive, but a darker tinted shade enables a better view to the outside. If a building is working to earn certain environmental certifications, maintenance of a view to the outside may be more important than the shades matching the color of the interior walls. Arranging for samples of a lighter- and darker-tinted shadecloth and placing them in windows facing east, south and west will enable those responsible to immediately see the difference.
Related to the tint of the shadecloth is the openness. Much has been written about openness, however it is selected in tandem with understanding the glazing properties, the façade orientation, the program of the space and the composition of the yarn in the shadecloth. Shadecloths are commonly available in opaque (no light transmission) 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 percent and greater. Some textiles are offered with an openness range. Arrange for samples. Seek opinions of those providing shades. One caveat that is frequently missed is a shade that is open in the daytime permits a view to the outside and at night those outside the building have a view to the inside.
Related to the composition is the material makeup of the yarn. Environmental certifications are only part of the answer. Also, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies may place more emphasis on one certification than another. For instance, is minimal offgassing the only requirement or is an all-encompassing certification, like Cradle to Cradle, a better match to the CSR policy? Policies change, and technical traits may not be wholly compatible with certifications or your budget. Budget matters.
What is the policy on installation? Who will do the measurements? The cabling? Is a single person responsible? How will the shade system be attached to the wall? What type of anchors will hold the bracket? Did someone plan for blocking to be installed prior to wallboard installation? If opaque shades are being installed, how will you deal with the gap between the edge of the shade and the window jamb? Does it matter? For those curious, usually side channels are used for opaque shades to eliminate light leakage as this may be a concern in auditoria, conference rooms, laboratories, etc.
It also may be appropriate to consider installing double shades, which would consist of an opaque and a solar sunscreen set of shadecloth on two tubes, housed within one bracket. Fascia (valence) may be an option desirable for some spaces. The specifier needs to remember that every facet of a shade system has options and installation of these may result in additional costs. It is also recommended that the entity installing shades take the measurements or participate in gathering the details so that the ordering is directly linked to the measurements submitted.
Much has been written about comparing goods and services and asking for RFPs or a bid price. The facility manager or project architect should note that shades from different vendors are not all equal. Some items to review: the shadecloth composition and its Fire Retardency rating, the quality and type of bracket system being furnished, if a manual shade is the chain metal or plastic and what type of metal? When motorized or automated shades are installed, are all switches provided? Are service contracts available? And what is the length of warranty? The list is extensive so, in summary, request details and compare.
Selecting the right shading system for your space is all about compromises. Get that list, review options from a reputable manufacturer and its authorized local dealer, arrange to view samples in the new space and involve a few occupants in the decision. Enjoy your new shade systems!
Do you have any questions about shades? If so, ask in the comment area below and we’ll do our best to address your concerns in a future blog post.