Insights

High performance blind fabrics play a crucial role when identifying strategies to prevent solar heat gain and glare, or to reduce air conditioning bills. In this blog, we pick our way through some of

In today’s era of pushing for more sustainable architecture, achieving certifications like NABERS, BREEAM, LEED, SKA and WELL is becoming increasingly important. And though they’re often o

2023 was yet another year of record high temperatures and extreme conditions across the globe. And as we’re all aware by now, drastic action is required to combat this. The construction industry

As another busy and challenging year draws to a close, we asked a few members of our team to pick their favourite project from the last 12 months. From fantastic locations to technically challenging j

Specifying blinds is seldom at the forefront of an architect or contractors mind at the start of a project. But it should be. Blinds play a huge role in improving a building’s energy efficiency and

By now, we’re all aware of the need to tackle climate change, particularly those in the construction sector. But with a 2022 report identifying how the built industry has in fact made the gap to dec

Although autumn has been unseasonably warm, the Met Office suggest the usual cold winter weather could soon be with us. And with colder temperatures comes a heavier reliance on central heating systems

We’ve seen a large increase in the use of automated systems over the last two years, with our manufacturing facility in Luton witnessing a 57% increase in the production of motorised roller blinds i

Solar gain, also referred to as solar heat gain, is the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure that results from solar radiation. The sun radiates energy in the form of short wave rad

With the UK set for a spell of hot weather in the next fortnight, typically as the schools return from summer holidays, many will be looking for ways to keep cool without relying on energy-sapping air

Room divider curtains have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Interior spaces have evolved into flexible and adaptable environments, designed to cope with varying requirements through

When people think of curtains, their first thought is usually the everyday curtain used in homes across the UK. However not all curtains are designed just to be flung across the windows for warmth on

When it comes to specifying curtain tracks, there are a host of things to consider. In this blog, we discuss this topic in greater depth by looking at fixing details and how this helps to determine wh

Floor to ceiling glass is increasingly common in offices and hospitality venues, and roller blinds that are capable of covering the entire height of long windows are therefore favoured by specifiers,

The past few years have seen a gradual merging of work and home life. Flexible working has become more popular, with people creating home offices or using a dining room as a workspace by day, before r

We’ve had one of our busiest years to date! From working in some incredible locations to creating completely bespoke systems, our projects have had it all. And with 2022 now coming to a close, w

Curtains are back in vogue. That’s true whether you design and specify for domestic interiors, hospitality or offices. In the commercial context, a host of factors are driving the popularity of fabr

Metallised blinds provide part of the solution to retrofitting office blocks to meet environmental standards in the UK. Last summer’s heatwave showed that many office buildings are not equipped to d

The rising cost of energy is affecting every UK business. More and more people are searching for energy saving tips. The FT recently quoted a hotel owner as saying “It would be ironic if we survived

“Workplace envy” is one of the most unexpected outcomes of the pandemic, as firms invest in their office environments to entice employees back following long periods of working from home. As a res

Waverley announced this week that it is partnering with QMotion UK to bring patented wireless hybrid roller blinds to the commercial market. But what are they? Ground-breaking hybrid technology Batter

If you’ve been given the task of choosing a blind fabric for commercial premises you’ve no doubt realised that there is a vast range to choose from. The best way to choose fabrics for blinds is no

When considering what is the best fabric to use for your blinds it is important to have an understanding of what the various performance data tells you about that fabric and any specific colour. This

Whether you’re managing a commercial refurbishment project or replacing blinds in a residential setting, it is important to choose high-quality, sustainable blind fabrics that are both functiona

While electric roller blinds represent some of the most efficient and durable window coverings on the market, they can negatively affect the style of a space if left uncovered and when developing beau

If your project involves sourcing shading solutions for a hotel, it is important to consider what will benefit the hotel guests the most. Hotel owners and managers will naturally want to ensure their

New research from Knight Frank and BRE, the creators of BREEAM, shows London office buildings that achieve the highest sustainability standards can achieve up to a 12.3% rent premium. As the focus on

External solar shading systems are now more tax-efficient! From this month, expenditure on such systems qualifies for a 50% tax deduction in the first year.  This is because the cost of this equipmen

Electric blinds are becoming increasingly popular, especially in offices and high-end residential projects. Within this post, we will cover where the electric motors for blinds are mounted so you can

The aesthetic and health benefits of natural daylight have been well documented over the past decade by designers and researchers alike. Daylit environments are known to boost occupant productivity an

As we enjoy (or endure?!) the longest heat wave for over 40 years, this blog looks at the issue of overheating in offices, what the common factors are that contribute to this challenge and the solutio

For the first time, this proven blind system from the USA is being fabricated in the UK by Waverley. The 25-year hardware warranty makes these blinds a ‘fit and forget’ solution which means no mor

When installing blinds into residential or public buildings, including schools and hospitals, the law now specifically addresses the importance of child safety. BS EN 13120 legislates that any new bli

From 1st March 2021, HMRC is introducing Domestic Reverse Charge VAT for supplies of construction services which fall within the scope of the CIS Scheme. We would like to state that Waverley

Anti-microbial fabric is treated in a way that permanently kills and inhibits the growth of microbes and bacteria.  This helps to keep your fabric smelling fresh and reducing the risk of potentially

A roller blind in screen fabric has long been the window shading solution choice of architects and interior designers when designing office interiors. However, the increased use of large expanses of

Buildings in recent times are rightly being designed with natural light in mind. Large scale glazing and curtain wall facades maximise the amount of daylight received by a space which as we know has a

In Part 1 of How can Blinds help achieve a Ska Rating, we looked at the benefits to businesses and the criteria of Daylight Glare Control.  In Part 2 we look at the assessment of window coverings and

The Ska Rating is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) environmental assessment method and sustainability award body.  Launched in 2009, it helps landlords and tenants evaluate, rat

The modern architectural design of commercial and residential buildings continues to feature large expanses of glass, in order to maximise daylight to the interior and provide the best connection for

Designed to Disappear – Shading when Needed  Blinds appearing only when needed and then magically disappearing when not in use?  This is not just a dream but now reality, thanks to BL’NDSPAC

If you search online for safety in swimming pools, there are numerous guidelines and health and safety pointers that owners need to know and follow, from chlorine levels to permitted temperatures, but

We all know too much noise in the office can have an effect on staff productivity: creating issues with increased stress levels, discomfort and finally decreasing efficiency. All these can be side eff

If you are having blinds or curtains installed at your school, college or workplace this summer, the following pictures are a timely reminder to make sure they are fire retardant to BS5867. Our surv

It is entirely possible that blinds are sometimes seen as a minor item along with a whole lot of other fixtures and fittings that can be taken care of by a ‘use-what-we-did-on-the-last-project’ ap

Roller blinds with screen fabric have long been the window blind of choice for architects and interior designers working on office projects. Screen fabrics are PVC coated fibreglass or polyester yarns

The above picture says it all and we come across it often in schools – budgets are stretched so why not buy blinds at low prices from a domestic blinds e-commerce website and get the site manager to

Advances in printing mean that almost anything can be printed on – including blinds. Printed blinds are an excellent way to promote corporate messages for businesses and create inspiring environment

Because of their relatively low value, blinds are typically not high on the priority list of buying decisions. The following real-life example highlights some of the consequences of putting price as t

Although winter is the darkest and coldest season, glare through an office window can be more of a nuisance than in summer. Glare problems persist all year round, but during the winter it’s particul

In our daily visits to architects and interior designers we’re noticing that white screen fabric is a really popular choice when selecting blind fabrics. This blog explains the pros and cons of usin

Roller blinds are the most popular type of window blind especially in schools, offices and high-end residential projects. Modern building design often includes large glazed areas to maximise natural d

Roof light glazing is being used increasingly in offices as well as residential buildings in order to maximise natural daylight. As a result roof light blinds are being used more frequently as occupan

Whether you are an architect, interior designer or facilities manager it is easy to overlook the huge impact that blinds in offices have on staff productivity and well-being. As companies invest in im

However neat, fabric joins in roller blind fabrics will always be visible to the discerning eye. As glazing in offices and high-end residential apartments gets bigger in width and height, fabric joins

A popular choice for school or office spaces, a ‘blackout blind’ refers to a blind designed to ‘cut out the light’ and is a term used by architects and facilities managers alike. Within this p

Whilst all blackout blinds look similar at first glance, there is one important feature to look for if you want to ensure your blackout blinds for schools and offices provide adequate room darkening a

Roller blinds are the most frequently specified type of window blind on commercial, education and hospitality projects. Their simple construction with minimal moving parts and the plethora of fabric c

BS EN 13120 legislation relating to looped blind cords in publicly accessible areas came into effect in February 2014. Blinds installed in areas where children under the age of 42 months are likely to

Blinds that are operated by cords or chains which could form a hazardous loop and place a child in danger. Therefore existing blinds that installed after February 2014 into areas where children under

The short answer is – roller blinds are the best school blinds. This post will provide a slightly longer answer by exploring the most important considerations when choosing blinds for schools and ex

Student accommodation provides its own set of unique challenges when it comes to choosing the best window furnishing solution. Blinds or curtains need to be robust, easy to use, low maintenance at the

Buildings that include visual comfort in the design brief ensure a high degree of health, wellbeing and productivity for its’ occupants.  A wide range of research studies shows that factors such as