Audio Visual Solutions

June 03, 2011 | by Lisa Montgomery

After a couple of 80-degree days, it’s safe to say that summer has hit the northern part of the country. Owners of homes with lots of windows are likely taking advantage of the sunshine by opening the drapes. Soon, though, as the mercury climbs higher and the rays get stronger, you may want to keep those curtains closed—and install protection on the outside of the windows as well.

“The best place and time to stop heat and glare is outside,” says Jeff Miller, solar control products manager for Draper. The company recently added a new line of solar control products, called FlexShades. The shades install on the exterior side of windows. Heavy-duty cable guides or side channel secure the shade fabric against wind and weather, with a weather- and insect-resistant solid aluminum headbox. The can be motorized so that they can be controlled via a remote or automated to roll up and down based on the time of day or certain conditions. The FlexShades are available in a wide range of fabric colors and weaves.

One particularly interesting fabric in the FlexShades line is GreenScreen Revive. It’s made of 100 percent recycled materials and is RoHS compliant (free of heavy metals. It’s finely knitted weave offers a clear view to the outside.