SHADE TYPE:

1. SCREEN / BLACKOUT

a. Screen: you are able to see thru, but it provides protection against sun and privacy. Screen comes in different aperture options 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%. The higher % aperture means more light is allowed to pass thru, therefore less privacy.

b. Blackout: it is a solid plain colored roller shade. It won't allow any sun light to pass thru. It won't let you see from the inside and outside. It is perfect for bedrooms in case you want to have a dark room.

2. NEOLUX

"The Neolux® night & day roller shades are made up of horizontal strips of alternating transparent and semi-opaque fabrics that can be overlapped on command. As a result, they ensure optimal sunlight management. These truly decorative shades with their high-quality finishes help to create an elegant and contemporary ambiance. Neolux fabrics are not fire-retardant, therefore they are not suitable for public buildings requiring this certificate." (Bandalux)

MOUNTING TYPE:

1. SIMPLE MOUTING - mounting in which the roller is exposed. It is the simplest and least expensive way of mounting a shade. It is usually used when you want recessed shades in the ceiling since it does not take too much space and the roller won't be seen.

2. Q-BOX - mounting in a box. The roller shade resides inside the box, making it look sleeker, modern and neat. It is more expensive, but it is worth the cost!

"Bandalux roller shades with box systems are made with highly resistant materials and components that guarantee their great durability. Moreover, their mechanisms and components ensure the perfect roll of the fabric, with a straight and firm drop." (Bandalux)

OPERATION

1. MANUAL - it's the simplest way to operate a roller using your hands. pull the chain and the shade will go up or down

2. MOTORIZED - it's when an electrical motor is used to move up or down a shade. You can use a remote control or control it with your smartphone using and app (it requires an interphase). Motors can be used in Simple mouting and in q-box mounting types, also in screen/blackout and neolux as well.

*We use high quality Somfy motors

COLORS AND APERTURE

1. COLORS - We offer a wide range of colors and textures for our screens/blackouts and neolux products. Those options are divided in Tiers from 1 to 5 (T1 being the essential and cost friendly type and T5 being the most sophisticated and expensive ones). In our website you can easily quote the T1 colors (for Tiers 2 - 5 please email us and we'll gladly quote them).

2. APERTURE - “The openness factor is the fabric weft yarns' separation level. This separation produces openings that can be measured in %. The lower value indicates less light passage, and the higher value indicates more light passage, therefore more or less visibility through the fabric.” The most common aperture are 1%, 3%, 5% and 10%.

Before starting a lighting project, several questions might be asked:

1. What kind of project (indoor, outdoor, house, office, parking lot, sports field, etc)? 

2. What areas are going to be illuminated? 

3. How much light is required (luxes/candles)?

4. What type of light temperature (color) is more appropriate?

5. Is energy saving a concern? 

6. How many luminaires (and right locations) and type of luminaires are most appropriate for that task? 

7. Any type of light control (sensors, photocells, timers, dimmers, and automation controls)?

LIGHTING CONCEPTS:

1. Lumen (lm):  "is the SI derived unit of luminous flux, a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per unit of time." (Wikipedia). It is basically how we measure light.

2. Lux (lx):  "is the SI derived unit of illuminance, measuring luminous flux per unit area" (Wikipedia). It is basically, 1 lumen/m2. In projects, Luxes are the units used, since customers want to know the lumens over a certain surface. Luxes depends on the lighting source (lumens produced and direction), the distance, the reflection surroundings (a room with dark walls won't reflects light as well as light colored walls).

3. Efficiency: Lumens produce over watts consumed (more lumens/watt means more efficient; think it as having a car, more mpg, means more efficient). Efficiency is one of the most important factors considered in a project.

4. Most common Certifications:  UL (UNDERWRITERS LAB; assures the safety and performance claims), DLC (Design Light Consortium; product quality specifications), ETL (Edison Testing Lab; compliance to safety standards), CSA (Canadian Standards), CE (European Commission; health, safety and environmental). Our products are UL and DLC certified.