We’re not dealing with your grandparents’ window shades anymore. New processes, new materials, and new ideas have given Draper access to fabrics that have the ability to change the way you think about shades. And here are four examples of fabrics that will change the way you think about shades:
- A bio-based plasticizer for a phthalate-free shading option.
- A PVC-free shade made from recycled water bottles.
- A new technology that makes dark fabric colors as reflective as lighter options.
- A metalized backing that eliminates glare, while enhancing natural lighting.
SheerWeave Ecolibrium
Phifer SheerWeave fabrics made with Ecolibrium are an answer to concerns over the presence in shade fabrics of chemicals known as phthalates. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “”EPA is concerned about phthalates because of their toxicity and the evidence of pervasive human and environmental exposure to these chemicals.” DOW ECOLIBRIUM™—a bio-based plasticizer—is a renewable, phthalate-free alternative, offering a more sustainable option, while having the same great performance and feel of current materials. Using this bio-based plasticizer in shade material cuts greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 40% versus existing PVC compounds. Since it’s mostly from non-fossil fuel-based feed stock, there’s a much lower carbon footprint, as well.
Click here for more about Phifer SheerWeave fabrics with Ecolibrium.
GreenScreen Evolve
Mermet’s GreenScreen® Evolve™ is more than just a PVC-free window shade fabric. It’s also an eco-warrior and conservation champion.
Evolve is made primarily of REPREVE polyester, a US-manufactured recycled and recyclable fiber made from used water bottles. This fabric helps keep a lot of plastic out of the landfill. Repreve is fiber made with 100% recycled content and is made responsibly to make a difference. The Repreve process not only diverts post-consumer waste; it also includes collecting and using pre-consumer waste from manufacturing. Evolve is Cradle-to-Cradle Certified™ Bronze, meaning it meets minimum standards for material health, material reutilization, renewable energy/carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.
Click here to learn more about Mermet’s GreenScreen Evolve.
KoolBlack by Mermet
A basic ground rule for choosing fabric colors has always been that lighter colors reflect heat from the sun better than darker colors.
Not anymore.
KOOLBLACK® Technology from Mermet incorporates reflective properties into dark color screen fabrics, creating up to 23% improvement in solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) / G Value versus standard dark screen fabrics. Now you can have the superior view through of dark colors with the heat and glare control of light colors without the need for duplex fabrics.
This feature, coupled with the other benefits of dark colored fabrics, provides excellent contrast for a clear and sharp view through, color coordinated exterior building design, comfortable work environments, and maximized energy savings through lower cooling costs.
Click here for more information about KoolBlack.
Metalized Backed Fabrics
Technically, this is about three fabrics, but they are all in the same category: Ferrari Soltis 99, Phifer Performance Plus, and Mermet Chroma all have a metalized backing. This backing is designed to eliminate disagreeable glare, control atmosphere luminosity, and preserve natural light for the benefit of work area comfort. The metalized backing allows dark colors to perform similar to light colors in solar heat reduction.
To find out more about fabrics with a metalized backing, click here to get to our fabric descriptions page. Select the fabric manufacturer, then the name of the fabric.
