Window Treatments for Commercial Buildings, Mini Blinds, Roller Shades, and Honeycomb Shades.

Office spaces should be areas of innovation, efficiency, and organization. The environment in an office space has a significant effect on the workers in it. Dull, cold and dark spaces dampen the moral of employees and suffocate bright ideas that would have bolstered your business. An inexpensive way to invigorate your workspace is through window coverings. Sunlight releases natural endorphins that improve emotional balance and mood, allowing creative juices to flow and ideas to expand. The number and position of windows in an office space dictate the type of window treatments needed to breathe life into an area. Some spaces have too many windows, some have too few, or are placed in a manner that cause glare issues. Each situation calls for a different approach.

Horizontal aluminum blinds (mini blinds) – By far the most cost effective product on the market, mini blind have been around for decades. They offer great light control as well as longevity when operated daily. Still a mainstream product for multi-floor office buildings, they continue to be a hard product to beat. Keep in mind they are susceptible to damage by their delicate nature and may need often replacement. As a modern alternative, solar screen shades (see below) are gaining tremendous momentum due to increased service life.

Cellular or Honeycomb Shades - An area that has too many windows will suffer from a barrage of heat during the summer and piercing glare during the winter. Choosing light filtering coverings can filter the light during the summer and cut glare during the winter. Cellular shades are a great option for office spaces with an abundance of windows. Their honeycomb shape is designed for energy efficiency. During the summer they provide a substantial barrier between the scorching heat of the sun and your office space, which will lower your electric bill. Cellular shades are available in many different opacity ratings. A semi-opaque fabric blocks harmful UV rays as well as heat coming through your windows, yet allows soft light through to brighten the space. The winter sun sits lower on the horizon. This causes sunlight to shine more horizontally than during summer months, meaning more directly into the eyes and onto computer screens. A semi-opaque cellular shade eliminates this glare while insulating the window against the cold. For areas with an abundance of windows, cellular shades are a great option.

Solar Screen Shades - Office spaces that have few windows present a different quandary. The light coming through the windows needs to be maximized to brighten the space, but glare and heat still need to be controlled. Also, it is a good idea to preserve the view to the outside to make a smaller space feel bigger, more open, and less isolated. Solar screen shades are the perfect solution for this setup. With varying levels of openness ranging from 1% to 14%, a level of coverage that suits that particular area can be chosen. Solar screen shades cut glare and filter light. While allowing a view to the outside during regular office hours, employees on the inside retain their privacy. Solar shades, however, may not be ideal for offices that keep late hours, as viewing abilities reverse when darkness sets in. Another plus for solar shades is that they retract fully and can disappear under fascia when desired, leaving uncluttered window openings. Solar shades are a perfect solution for smaller office spaces. In addition, they can be motorized for a first class presentation to clients.

While specific setups may call for either cellular shades or solar shades, both offer sharp looking style for an office space. Cellular shades are a nice fit for cozy office spaces to create an inviting atmosphere. Whereas solar shades command a modern and cutting edge look. Whatever your decor, window treatments can either improve or create the look and atmosphere in your office space.

Are your window treatments outdated or not adding to the glamour of your home? Call our Hunter Douglas Gallery® Certified Design Team today! (919) 380-0898 or Sales@Tripleablind.com.