Hi, <!—-><!—-><!—->
I’ll be installing a large expanse of high arched windows on a southwest facing wall. I want to preserve the aesthetics of the arch on the inside so I don’t want a square valance to house the blinds messing it up. But I have to have something to block the sun. I was thinking of putting motorized shades just above the arch on the outside. I am in <!—-> <!—->Northern California<!—-> up on a hill and get a fair amount of wind from time to time. The shades come with side tracks or cables to guide the weighted hem bar but I suspect they still might flap around a bit. Anybody have any experience with these? Thanks<!—-> <!—->
Replies
By shade, do you mean awning?
I once installed a crank-out awning for a small second-story deck.
There were motor units available that could be installed with the awning or retrofitted.
The instructions for the awning were emphatic that the awning had to be retracted if there was much of a wind at all.
There was a wind sensor unit available that would turn on the motor to automatically retract the awning when things got breezy.
The awning was very pricey (like $1K for a 10 foot x 10 foot, and this was 20 years ago), but well made.
Cliff
Sounds like storm shutters is what he wants, but I don't know much about them. In Ohio the storms are unpredictable and shutters are not used.
Hi MarkH and CAP,
These are just vertical shades that roll off a tube. Like storm shutters in Florida but just fabric, not metal slats. They aren't cheap though. $1200 for a 5'wide by 11"drop. And I need a 4! Just a little hesitant to put down that kind of money on something that I've had no experience with (or anyone I know). I am thinking about also going with a motorized retractable awning as well and the same holds true with that. Don't want the thing to start clacking around or worse every time a gust of wind pops up on a sunny day. The rep tells me "no problem" but what would you expect?
The neighbor put a retractable awning up next door. It's a manual operated one, but electric is optional. Her's requires locking the supports after the awning is lowered, then they have to be unlocked to rull it up. Make sure the one you buy does not require that if it is up high! It's about 12 x 12 and cost $1200.
Oh, I forgot to mention, it's quiet. She keeps it rolled up most of the time because she doesn't want it to get destroyed by storms, but it looks sturdy.
I have never seen the motorized outside shades.
Edited 5/28/2006 8:32 am ET by MarkH
>Sounds like storm shutters is what he wantsHe's gonna need a sun block. A large expanse of SW glass with no shading is going to be a big daily problem for solar gain. Neighbor has that orientation on a bedroom window, and they can't use that room till past dark in the summer. It needs an overhang, a tree, a vine on a trellis, a sun shade or something.
The original question was about things like http://www.seesawusa.com/MotorizedExteriorShade.htm
The shade is fabric, and the lower edge is secured by cables.
I've read about them, but have no experience with them.
Thanks for your input everyone. The 2 shade companies I'm considering are Solette or Durashade. I would use the stainless cable for the side guides instead of the tracks to better camouflage the hardware. I've attached a drawing from the outside to show you what I have in mind. The motorized 19' by 10' awning is going to be either Durasol or Eastern. Everybody uses the same motors by Somfy so there's no choice there. I’m mostly concerned about sudden wind gusts and how all this will stand up. <!----><!----><!---->
I'm trying to do away with as much clutter on the inside as possible (no blinds) to better show off the wood windows and trim. I'm also trying to do all my shading from the outside since its more energy efficient. Since the summers can get into the high 90's here near <!----><!----><!---->Sacramento<!----><!---->, and this wall faces west, I just want to make sure that there won't be too many windy and sunny days when I can't use it. <!----><!---->
One more thing I'm thinking of doing....I want to set a 2x12" ledger board out from the wall on 1 1/2" or 2" blocks, attached at the ends and at the 6" wide columns that run on each side of the door. Then mount the awning to the ledger. This will leave a 2" inch gap behind the ledger at all the window openings. I can then run 3 screens down the full length and cover all the windows. I may not due anything on the door. I'll wait to see how good the awning works for that. <!----><!---->
It's a wad of $ for all this and I'm afraid my secret desire to have a "James Bond" house is clouding my vision. I’d love to hear about some real world experience. <!----><!---->
Roladens (sp?)
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Tom, those look pretty much like the ones used in Germany when I worked there. In Germany, rolladens are usually standard in all first floor dwellings (mainly because germans like to be private and don't want people peeking in haha).
But if the ones you are purchasing are like the German ones, which they seem to be, you will have no problems. They will not rattle in the wind, plus they block the sun extremely well. You can basically have a pitch black room through the day with these installed.
You can usually choose between plastic and metal material for the rolls. The metal offers better security if the customer is at all worried about break-ins. If not, go with the plastic.
Tim
or wood and if they are incorperated into the building's design from the start they can be an accent... Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
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