Function meets service

SHANN

Melissa Vine, National Product Manager at Shann, references a “hall of fame” to place one of the company’s best-known fabrics in context.

“Way back in 2008, when Stephanie Rice was smashing 200 metre medley and 400 metre medley world records, when Guy Sebastian was representing Australia at the Eurovision song contest, and Bart Cummings was winning his 12^th Melbourne Cup, another local icon was launched.  More than a decade later, it is still the market leading external mesh product across Australasia, Atmosphere.”

Vine says it’s critical to choose a fabric partner that has a demonstrable warranty and dedicated expertise in the windows category, and she adds that the right material is equally important.

“Using the right mesh for your outdoor applications is not something you want to leave to chance.  Without a proven track record of performance, the risk to your product and reputation simply isn’t worth taking.”

“Our Atmosphere partners can maximise their product offer to their customers by sitting under the umbrella of our warranty, dedicated service, a superior product, a fully supportive supplier relationship, and a tangible longevity of product that performs.”

“For the past 13 years, Atmosphere has been protecting our customers in some of the harshest and most diverse climates and looking fantastic while doing it.”

She confirms Atmosphere is backed by a 10 year warranty. “It’s manufactured from only the highest quality European raw materials, and it has been formulated specifically for outdoor use.”

“It’s a testament to the market influence of Atmosphere that it is so frequently used as a template for competitors, for colour direction and as a benchmark for performance characteristics.  That’s impressive.”

Meanwhile, the  Australian Made external systems partner, Urban Track is “brilliantly easy to assemble and install, and newly introduced components mean the base parts can in turn be used to create multiple blind systems, like wire guide systems for example. That kind of versatility means one system has assorted uses, saving time, money, and space.”

“Further, that kind of smart product range offers a level of flexibility to install the most suitable blind solutions across a domestic or commercial property, while still being able to offer uniformity and visual consistency.”

“All Urban Track aluminium is produced in Australia and stocked locally, creating much faster stock turnaround times and lower freight costs.”

WEINOR

The new Vertical Roller blind from Weinor, VertiTex II is an all-rounder exterior blind, which Weinor Managing Director Simon Meyer says offers privacy and protection from the Australian weather all year round.

“It adapts unobtrusively to any facade and can span up to a massive six metres wide thanks to its tiny 75mm and 92mm cassettes. There is also a 112mm cassette which allows for longer drops on the Zip systems. The cassette and guide rails are available in square and round sleek profiles.”

“The patented Weinor Opti-Flow System ensures the fabric position is always perfect.  A floating fabric roller bearing and specially coated glide profile supports the fabric and roller tube along the entire length, ensuring that the fabric positioning is ideal and has long lasting protection – even for fabrics up to six metres wide.”

“The VertiTex ll avoids bulky cassette housings on patios, windows and balconies. The unique cantilever guide rail mounts allow blinds up to 2.5m wide to be installed without cassette brackets. For windows, VertiTex II is a suitable alternative to external shading systems or roller shutters and can be used inside and outside.” 

“The VertiTex II with Zip is perfect for more windy areas. The fabric is held captive on both sides and ensures high stability and smooth running of the blind in high winds up to 49 km/h. It also has the added benefit of no light gaps, repelling insects and minimal noise in windy conditions.” 

Meyer says combining the VertiTex ll with the Plaza Viva patio roof results in a complete system with a seamless look and twice the weather protection.

“We suspect this will be a popular combination for businesses and families looking for new ways to entertain outdoors with current Covid-19 restrictions. What this year has shown us is that the market for alfresco dining add-ons is definitely growing and people want to enjoy their outdoor spaces at home more.”

“Due to being restricted from leaving their home, things that they didn’t notice or deem a top priority such as a comfortable patio space, have moved up in their priority list.”

CHALLENGER UNITED

Luke Painter, National Sales Manager of Challenger United confirms that since its recent acquisition of shading solutions specialist Lukris Trading, Challenger United has begun distributing components for the G-Screen system.

“G-Screen was designed back in 2008 and was initially developed to be a wire guide system with some specific features in mind. Over the years, the system has been refined adding built in top bushes to the end plates, new closing clips and improved bottom bushes.”

“The cassette is designed so that the front panel is hinged to the back panel. It makes installation easier as the front panel just swings into place once the installation is complete. The design also allows for the bottom rail to retract entirely up into the box.  This design feature makes the G-Screen one of the sleekest looking awnings on the market.”

“Whilst aluminium head boxes are not new, the G-Screen design is a definite upgrade. On November 1^st the G-Max will officially be launched, the ‘bigger brother’ of the G-Screen. As the name suggests it’s a larger size to accommodate the needs for bigger widths and bigger drops.”

“As people continue to look for alternatives to traditional awnings, the market for G-Screen style awnings continues to grow. Used in conjunction with mesh fabric in grey / charcoal tones, demand will continue to increase.”

“Unfortunately Covid restrictions have hampered our ability to physically show people the product but with the country beginning to open up again we are looking forward to catching up with our customers and showing them what’s new.”

WIDESCREEN

Tony Hopkins Director and Product Designer of Widescreen Indoor and Outdoor Blinds

From inception, the company’s system has been able to span from 1000mmm up to 6500mm using a 150mm headbox and 105mm tube, and it has now released its new 115mm Headbox with 80mm tube to cater for smaller blinds up to 4000mm.

Hopkins says the design uses the same hardware as its 150mm “big brother” which includes idlers, mountings, cable tensioning hardware and zip channel components. “This enables manufacturers to run both systems with same set of components, dramatically reducing stock holding of parts.”

A key feature of the new product for manufacturers is Widescreen’s low component stock holding, and ease of ordering. “We have set packs of multiple parts needed to build a blind, if 20 zip blinds go into production 20 packs for zip blinds are required, the parts are universal to both the 80mm and 105mm systems, It couldn’t be easier. No need to order everything individually.”

“The Widescreen in its own right is a premium product; it also offers an alternative to a market currently saturated with the same few products. Its clean design and superior function is appealing to the end user, its ease to fabricate and simplified stock holdings offers cost savings for manufacturers and its attention to detail and flexibility of customization offers unique selling points for resellers, resellers that currently compete with the business next door selling the same product now have a superior alternative.”

Overall, he describes the external blind market as “very strong” with more people working and spending more time at home, outdoor comfort has gone to the top of the list for homeowners.

“I think motorisation of external product is where the trends are going. With more options now available for motorisation, it’s understandable consumers steer away from manual systems. The reality is a high percentage of people just don’t use their blinds if they are manual. Motorisation is more affordable than ever and offers features that leave springs behind. Widescreen is compatible with most motor brands, offering flexibility for manufacturers to choose a system that suits their needs.”

“All in all, the external blind sector is firing on all cylinders. Widescreen has enjoyed phenomenal growth in the last few years. Our research and development team continuously explore the best possible improvements in design and materials; we are a dedicated team with years of front-line experience.”

“The explosion of interest in indoor/ outdoor living has shown in the latest sales trends. Lockdowns and travel restrictions have many Australians spending their holidays in their own homes. There is a big focus on outdoor living, home entertaining has become the new normal, and when extending their outdoor living space, Widescreen is becoming a preferred solution to create the perfect outdoor space.”

AUSTRALIAN AWNINGS GROUP

Daniel Gollan, Sales Director, Australian Awnings Group, tells WFA the company’s eZIP track blinds are attracting demand due to their advantages including heavier weight aluminium extrusion profiles for robust flex strength  and a multi-direction tension adjusting side channel profile with 35mm adjustment each side to optimise blind alignment and smooth rolling motion.  

Other benefits include a floating side channel designed to fully conceal the side retention system and protect it from the elements; self-lubricating polymer zip design for lay-flat blind rolling that eliminates fabric distortion and skewing of blinds in operation and a 135mm square headbox design in both colorbond and extruded Aluminium options, ideally suited to current slim and sleek design trends.

Meanwhile a standardised range of component parts irrespective of width or drop reduces the stock holding capital required to support the program, while three operating systems with interchangeable components for crank, spring and motorised options.

As a consequence of these benefits, eZIP track blinds do not suffer from bowing, flexing or fabric billowing common to most side retention systems. It does not require upsizing of top tube or bottom rail for larger spans and has high wind load tolerances.

Designed to be a “fit and forget” product, eZIP offers unique advantages not found elsewhere.

“Alfresco living and expanding the outdoor living space are trends that have accelerated significantly. The surge in demand for external side retention blind systems shows no signs of abating any time soon.”

“With everyone more home bound than ever before , the data over the last 18 months supports the assumption that external shading solutions are attracting a greater share of the household budget. This coincides with extensive industry promotion of external blinds and awnings and is driving ever greater awareness and demand back thru the sector.”

SOMFY

With the weather heating up and travel still relatively limited, Somfy Oceania National Key Account Manager Jodie Featherstone predicts investment in the home will continue to rise.

“As interest rates remain low, the home improvement surge will continue for a little while longer yet, with the holiday at home still looking like the safest option,” she says.

“Right now, people are still investing in their home and adding space to increase value,” adds Somfy Oceania’s National Retail Manager, Mohamed Ourdjini.

“External blinds give you the opportunity to create an extra room in your current backyard, which is probably why we are seeing more external screens in retrofit or new construction projects, whether they are commercial or residential.”

“The external screens also tend to be bigger, some with a span of up to eight metres wide, which explains the increase we are seeing in motorisation.”

“Connected external screens will also increase in popularity, with the ability to operate them through an app or on an automated schedule.”

“Somfy’s Maestria 50 RTS is the perfect solution for all types of external screens, including zip systems, and as it is available in different torques, starting from 6Nm, ensuring its innovative obstacle detection feature can work on even small screens.”

Meanwhile Somfy’s external blind motor, Maestria 50 RTS, provides a flexible solution for the growing external segment. The motor can be linked to a range of RTS automation controls including Connexoon Window RTS and Somfy’s sun and wind sensors.

“As things start to open up, consumer confidence on travel will remain low for a little while, which is a big win for the home improvement sector,” says Featherstone.

“External screens are still very popular, given the fact that you can essentially close an alfresco area, keep the flies out and enjoy a BBQ in summer.

“With no need for council permits and a quick installation, consumers can swiftly and confidently expand their living space in time for the warmer weather.

“Additionally, with all the new restrictions on hospitality, we will see an increase in outdoor dining, and therefore a surge in demand for opening roof systems as well as external screens.”

The original and still the best! Side channel blinds have proven themselves over many years and while side retained blinds are currently the “in thing” it is beneficial to the bottom line to keep the side channel blinds as an option in your range.

ICL (SA)

ICL (SA) National Sales Manager Amy Evitts says the company is promoting Channel-IT or Channel- X side channel blinds.

“Probably the number one reason is the allowances on install. With 100mm and 80mm side channels respectively the installers can be a little “off square” or the skin can be slightly undersized, and installation can still be done with no detrimental effect on the operation of the blind.”

Following closely on from that is the need to avoid loss of profit from the job because of an after-install service call, particularly when the job is several hours from the factory, she says.

“How many times have you had to send the installers back to a side retained job because the blind has jammed, and the customer cannot raise or lower the blind? It could have been as simple as the fabric adjusting to its environment (shrinkage) but time is money and going back can reduce or maybe even eliminate your profit.”

“Channel-It and Channel X blinds don’t get jammed in the side channels and if the fabric does blow out because of strong winds the client can easily run their hand down each edge, reinserting the fabric and everything is operational again.”

Channel-It side channels are 100mm wide x 40mm deep, with a smooth face and an internal boxed profile that allows both face fix and reveal fit installations. The channel is sturdy enough so that it can be used as a standalone, fixed or removable post.

The wide profile is ideal for big blinds. Channel X side channels are 80mm wide x 38mm deep, with fluted face. Other than the narrower profile, which suits smaller blinds, the channel can be used in the same way as the wider Channel-It. Both blind types can be installed as either spring assisted, crank operated or motorised.

To complement a side channel installation, ICL (SA) also offers the EZE Head-box or EZE Flashing which both incorporate standard componentry, reducing inventory and giving the blind a professional framed appearance.

Garth Jacobs – Director, Ultracut Industries, confirms that the Ultracut Duoweld welder for externals is turning one year old.  Many machines have been shipped in the first year and well received. 

“Feedback now sets the Duoweld as the new benchmark for Impulse welders particularly for the Externals and Side Retentions systems market.”

“The Duoweld fills the gap as a purpose built welder for the externals / side retention systems market with its unique patented features.”

“The product was launched because there was a need for a welder that could switch between a 10mm weld and a 20mm weld at the push of a button so as to easily weld different kedars / zipper sizes and the ability to securely hold all the kedars/zips for existing systems without the need to change manual jigs and timely setups. “

“Our system is able to be programmed, Australian made and easily adjusts for all the different external systems at the push of a button.  This ensures consistent quality and faster output.”

Jacobs says the externals market continues to gain significant growth with more people looking to start manufacturing external products due to their higher profit margins.  “Ultracut is uniquely positioned to be able to offer fabric cutting tables of all budgets and the largest and most feature-packed Impulse Welder in the market worldwide.”

He adds that side retention external products are gaining market share as customers become aware of their benefits. “They are a relatively cheap solution to enclose a deck area to make it usable over winter, without the need for council permits and at a significantly lower price than a fixed construction.”

“I think due to people working for home, they are looking for as much usable space as possible in their homes.  Closing in a deck area facilitates a cheap extension for the house allowing kids to play in an area otherwise possibly un-usable over winter.”

Jacobs adds that the Duoweld has been gaining international attention also with the first few overseas units to ship early next year. “Lead times are longer than planned at the moment due to high demand so anyone looking to order is recommended to start planning now.”