INTERNAL SUNSCREENS REPORT

THE SHANN GROUP
Melissa Vine, National Product Manager – Industrial Fabrics, The Shann Group, says the saturated nature of the internal sunscreen market means a focus on promoting quality, differentiated product is a priority for the company.

“The market is incredibly competitive and there has been an increase in the number of poor quality, cheap mesh products entering the market recently. It’s important our customers know that not all meshes are created equal and therefore at The Shann Group we have really been concentrating on quality of late. Our N-Vision and S-View internal sunscreen mesh ranges have an amazing reputation for quality and we are keen to maintain that mantle, and to continue to look for ways to improve.”

“All Shann mesh ranges are created under measured, quality controlled conditions that create consistent, stable fabrics. Inferior fabrics can have low warp and weft thread counts, which results in unstable products that railroad poorly and display low or blurry visibility. N-Vision and S-View have the perfect drape and stiffness for internal sunscreen fabric and use only quality constituents in their construction to extend the lifetime of the fabric. They don’t contain cheap filler materials, which can create an unnatural stiffness, they won’t yellow, have exceptional visibility and they have superior UV stability.”

“We have also implemented a zero defect policy, designed to save our customers time and money, and we are proud of the compliance rate of this initiative. There is always room for improvement and we’ll continue to increase that compliance rate and to find new ways to enhance our fabrics and our service proposition.”

HUNTER DOUGLAS – MERMET
“Experts predict the average temperature in Australia will continue to rise, with hotter and drier seasons expected in years to come. Environmental trends like this leave consumers and retailers alike searching for the right internal sunscreen product for long-lasting performance and style.”

Patricia Seoudi, Senior Product Manager for Fabrics sheds light on the category’s response:

“There has been a debate in the textile industry over fibreglass or polyester core for sunscreens as each yarn has its own unique properties. Working with our global team, we’ve identified some key considerations for selecting the right sunscreen for internal blinds.”

“Fibreglass comes in many forms and is inherently strong and lightweight. It can withstand substantially high temperatures whilst maintaining its shape and strength. For this reason, fibreglass is used globally in applications such as building, technology, manufacturing and even minerals processing” says Seoudi. “It’s these recognised traits of inner-core strength, which leads fibreglass to form the core of the yarn used for the Mermet E-Screen and M-Screen performance sunscreen ranges. Our global and local teams have continued to invest in research and development testing to ensure that our sunscreens offer long-term performance and aesthetics while providing viewthrough daylighting to offer the best of both worlds.”

“The Mermet range of fibreglass performance sunscreens has been specifically developed to withstand regular solar heating as well as provide a superior level of UV protection, boasting excellent thermal and visual comfort properties. E-Screen is also available with metallised backing or with the proprietary trademarked Koolblack Technology.”

“E-Screen with Koolblack Technology increases the energy efficiency of dark solar shade fabrics to levels comparable with light colours. E-Screen with Koolblack Technology is a 2×2 basket weave fabric that offers exceptional glare control, comfortable view-through and elegant streetside aesthetics of a dark screen fabric while reducing the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient by up to 22 per cent. This means improved heat control and increased energy savings,” says Seoudi.

BLINDWARE
Grant Norton, Managing Director of Blindware, says responding directly to end-users needs has helped the company create a successful offering in the internal sunscreens category.

“Homeowners want comfort, style, and energy efficiency, so we have developed a range that meets all these needs at a competitive price point.”

Energy Efficiency: When building a new home, home and business owners need to meet minimum state and territory building energy efficiency requirements. The dwelling is rated (with stars) on energy efficiency based on the energy requirements a property will require to stay at a comfortable temperature year-round.

“Sunscreen fabrics are an easy, cost-effective way for energy to be saved. Blindware’s Picturesque+ range is a PVCcoated polyester screen fabric range that is high quality, energy efficient and price competitive.”

“Blindware also sells a wide range of PVC free energy efficient commercial fabrics, ranging from 1% to 20% openness. This broad range creates a unique ability for the home owner, architect or interior designer to match the specific needs of the room with the best choice screen fabric available from a vast collection. One of the most popular commercial fabrics used in Australia is Signum. Signum is an energy efficient fabric, available in plain backed and metallic backed versions, plus there is a matching blockout. Metallic backing provides maximum energy efficiency. Signum is also fully fire retardant and available in a range of 15 stylish colours.”

Style: “When furnishing a room, colour is all-important. Internal sunscreen fabrics need to complement a room’s décor as well as function well,” says Norton. “Blindware’s Deco N203 comes in 20 contemporary colours that are divided into four colour palettes (from cool to warm), as well as offering energy efficiency and the quality Copaco fabrics are known for.”