SNAPSHOT: SCREEN AWNING FABRICS

SHANN GROUP
Melissa Vine, National Product Manager – Industrial Fabrics confirms an extension of the colour palette for Atmosphere is a recent innovation for Shann Group.

“Colour is a premier consideration for most consumers when choosing external screen fabrics for their awnings. It has to match their décor and express their design and style. Atmosphere has always featured a curated and on-trend colour palette to work with the majority of colour schemes and external finishes and Shann has now added two new colours to the palette, Polar and Icon. Taking cues from Hamptons beach style, Polar is a brilliant white, featuring the latest in UV resistant fibre for even better performance. Icon is at the other end of the colour spectrum, a statement dark grey with charcoal notes, a perfect complement to inky-black and dark coated aluminium and steel.”

“Performance is equally important to us and our customers,” she adds. “Atmosphere external screen mesh fabric has always been a market leader in terms of quality and performance. It is dimensionally stable, and its overall weight and thickness means that it hangs, fabricates and rolls beautifully, without excess bulk. Additionally, the introduction of superior UV resistant fibre in the whites and lights means Atmosphere will look good and perform for years to come.”

“Atmosphere has been designed for optimal outdoor living, with a 1% openness option creating more privacy and 5% openness providing great views. As a popular fabric choice for straight drop awnings, it provides protection from the elements by creating shade or making the most of the winter sun.”

LUXAFLEX
Maximising living space through the creation of seamless indoor-outdoor transitions is a key trend for Australians. The open plan flow allows for optimal use of space, with yearround enjoyment of living and entertainment areas. The use of outdoor awnings offers the ultimate in comfort and lifestyle, providing air flow control and sun protection for more enjoyable entertaining. Luxaflex Window Fashions introduces Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen; a premium fibreglass range across its external fabric collection.

With unpredictable climates throughout the year, it is important to factor in both strength and stability with external awnings. Australia is renowned for its extreme weather conditions, meaning outdoor fabrics need to withstand the heat and sun, whilst also fending off the rain and wind. The combination of superior quality coatings, Enduris Glass Core Technology and innovative weaving techniques make the allnew Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen unparalleled in strength and durability.

The use of a quality awning screens, such as Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen, can eliminate up to 95% of solar heat penetration whilst allowing diffused light to pass through. It is exceptionally fade resistant, inherently flame resistant, rot resilient and offers excellent UV protection from the harsh and Australian sun for many years to come.

Aesthetically pleasing and suited to every home, the Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen features a sophisticated twill weave with subtle elegant diagonal patters, and is available in a range of contemporary colours. For an added touch of style, homeowners can opt for a melange mixed colour weave to make their home stand out from the crowd.

With its unique production process and the inherent characteristics of fibreglass fabrics, Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen hangs beautifully straight and unrolls smooth and flat even after being left up for an extended amount of time.

“As homeowners move towards sustainable products to lessen their contribution towards global warming, Luxaflex Window Fashions acknowledges the need for natural and renewable mineral elements for its fabrics. As such, Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen is a recyclable product and is not only the best choice for the home but the best choice for the environment as well.”

RICKY RICHARDS
“Today there are so many fabrics to choose from for blinds and awnings, that deciding which fabric to use for your project becomes a little overwhelming. The team at Ricky suggests that understanding exactly what the customer is looking to achieve, then educating yourself on the key features and benefits of each option, is the key.”

Ricky Richards has supplied an overview of why choosing a sun control fabric from its range provides a clear point of difference:

Ricky Richards
Sun Control Fabrics The Outlook mesh collection, the Docril fabric range and the Australian Made canvas, Barrington, are the heroes of the Ricky Sun Control division. These fabrics are specifically designed to minimise unwanted heat gain and improve energy efficiency in the home or office. As an added bonus they are supported by a full 10-year warranty, providing confidence in the integrity and longevity of these fabrics.

Outlook
For sun control, cool breezes and uninterrupted views, Outlook fabrics are “the perfect choice when it comes to blinds and awnings.” Not only lead and phthalate free, Outlook uses Dow Ecolibrium in its plasticiser formulation, meaning it’s a cleaner mesh option. Colours include a selection inspired by Colorbond which will match any outdoor theme.

Docril
100% solution dyed acrylic, Docril fabrics can be used for awnings, umbrellas, marine projects and outdoor upholstery. The solution dyed process ensures long lasting colour. Docril fabrics are coated with Dupont Teflon and have exceptional resistance to water, high temperatures, chemical reaction, corrosion and stress cracking.

Barrington
The Barrington Collection is a stylish set of fabrics that offers a modern flair whilst still incorporating traditional aesthetics. This Australian made poly/cotton painted canvas uses a Bio-UltraShield protective fabric coating system that incorporates a double antimicrobial treatment, ensuring the canvas will maintain colour vibrancy and provide protection against the elements for the life of an awning.

Worth noting is that Ricky Richards supports a number of charitable causes, including the Melanoma Institute of Australia (MIA). A percentage of every Outlook, Docril and Barrington sale is donated to support vital research and help MIA reach their goal of zero deaths from melanoma.

SHAW
Shaw Marketing Manager Sarah Harris confirms Dayscreen is the first awning and external screen fabric released by the company.

“We’re releasing this collection in a colour range that has been customised specifically by Shaw for the Australian market,” she says. “Suitable for external screens and awnings, Dayscreen is a five per cent basketweave and is available in three widths.”

She adds that the screen, which is flame retardant, has environmental accreditations and is tested for durability and fade resistance, welcome benefits given Australia’s climatic conditions.

This recent addition to Shaw’s Australian offering is designed to complement the company’s existing offer, she confirms. “Shaw has an established reputation for product quality and customer support in the internal fabrics market; Dayscreen extends this to the exterior fabrics market.”

Shaw launched Dayscreen at the BMAA Super Expo, “perfect timing to capture the summer season in 2019,” she says. “Going forward, we will expand the External Collection. Dayscreen 5% is just the beginning. Shaw plans to add to this range and increase market share in the external fabric market.”

“This is a growth market. Designers are extending interior design concepts to the exterior, as home owners increasingly extend their homes to the outside to create extra living space. And of course, climatic changes are a contributing factor. Hotter summers mean an increased need to control heat and light to improve the interior environment; exterior shading systems are a highly effective solution to these demands.”

BLINDWARE
Emerging from voluntary administration stronger than ever after being acquired by Hunter Douglas, Blindware continues to press ahead in the exterior screen fabric market, says Managing Director Grant Norton, who confirms that the “previous close relationship between Blindware and Copaco N.V. (based in Belgium) continues after recent disruptions.”

“Copaco is one of the marketleading producers of exterior sunscreen fabrics in Europe and Blindware has been working hard to establish local distribution for its premium screen products. Copaco was also recently acquired by Hunter Douglas in May 2019, giving both Blindware and Copaco an even closer relationship and all the benefits of the Hunter Douglas network and expertise.”

Norton says given the Australian market’s fragmented nature and the domination of cheaper imports, Blindware has identified a gap in the market where supply is limited for wide width, high quality, premium exterior screen fabric. Serge 600 Screen Fabric (5% openness), manufactured in Belgium by Copaco and stocked locally in Sydney by My Sun Shades, responds to this need.

“Serge 600 has been designed to be an extremely durable and effective exterior screen fabric. Durability is key in the often-harsh Australian climate, where high temperatures are the norm across much of the country. Extended exposure to heat coupled with tension loads can make cheaper external screens stretch and lose functionality and appearance over time. Serge 600 uses a fibreglass yarn core, giving it greater thermal stability than polyester core, and the performance edge over other cheaper external awning screens.”

“Serge 600 is available in a range of different colours and its versatility and durability make it ideal for high quality vertical drop awnings. Available in 3200mm wide rolls, ideal for exterior applications, it can be rail-roaded for extra wide awnings, while still achieving a full 2700mm drop.”