9 minute read
FULL FRAME: Installer
5 THINGS I LEARNED AT THE INTERNATIONAL WINDOW COVERINGS EXPO
BY ROGER MAGALHAES
After two years without human interaction, the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) was back. During IWCE, I taught two classes, participated in a few panels, learned about new products and talked to window fashion professionals about their thoughts and concerns for the window treatment industry. Here are five things that I learned (or relearned) during the show. Although my findings are targeted to installers, I think everyone will find them worthy of consideration.
1Laser Device. During my Installer’s Toolbox class, I shared that most of the time I use a laser device to measure window openings. To my surprise, I learned not many people trust this device—and I am not sure why. Besides the fact that using a laser device gives a great first impression when clients see it, this device is very precise and accurate. This is especially true when you are measuring wide openings, tall windows and skylight openings without requiring a ladder. For these situations, instead of a ladder, what you’ll need is an extension pole and the correct device attachment. And the features you must have are a timer and the ability to select inches and ⅛" increments for the readings. Be sure to keep a fresh set of batteries and keep the lenses clean to ensure the most accurate dimension readings.
2Drapery Pinsetter. At my Installation Certification class, I shared that I like to use a drapery pinsetter to place drapery hooks on panels. I again found that many in the class had never heard of this tool. Aside from the fact that this tool saves your fingers from being sore after hooking several panels, it also saves time and ensures the drapery pins are placed with consistent and proper spacing.
3Best Practices. During IWCE’s Window Coverings Association of America’s (WCAA) panel discussion about the best business practices for a successful relationship among the designer, workroom and installer, I was reminded that the most successful projects are the result of teamwork. Clear communication, shared responsibilities, appreciation for colleagues and collaborative solutions are critical. Be sure to create a team that shares your similar core values and work ethic and watch your business thrive. 4 Social Media. By now, everyone knows that social media should be part of your marketing strategy to promote your business both to your existing and prospective clients. Social media is also a great way to “break the ice” before you meet face-toface. After a few online interactions, when you meet in person, the client is already familiar with you and your services. Social media is also a great tool to use to continue the development of your industry knowledge and to learn about new trends, products and services. Here are a few ways you can use social media for personal/ professional gain: join industry-related groups on Facebook that allow you to participate in both national and international conversations; follow colleagues and industry influencers on Instagram who regularly share tips, projects and solutions to project challenges you may have never come across; and watch how-to and educational videos and demonstrations on YouTube where my favorites are the ones offered by tool, fastener and building supply companies and manufacturers.
5Lack Of Installers. For those in the industry, the diminished number of installers is obvious. And if you aren’t sure if this is true, just visit some of the online forums where the request for assistance in finding an installer and getting installer referrals happens multiple times a day. I can’t count the number of times during IWCE I was asked about where good installers could be found. The window treatment industry is facing a major problem in that most of its installers are in their 60s and even 70s and are retiring. The industry also hasn’t done a good job making millennials aware of the potential to make a very good living installing window coverings. The fact is that many millennials don’t even realize that there is a window covering industry. It is our responsibility to share with friends, family, high schools and communities that we need young people to fill these good jobs. We need to offer opportunities for those who are interested in the industry to learn and get involved. The investment to become an installer is relatively low. There is no need for a college degree and someone just entering the field can start generating income in a relatively short period of time. Keep your eyes open to people who are personable, handy with tools and willing to learn. And share with them the opportunities available in the window treatment industry. V
Roger Magalhaes is the founder of Trading Up Consulting, which provides installation training for window fashion professionals. Magalhaes has over 15 years of experience as a professional window treatment installer in the Boston area. He is also the installation instructor for the Window Fashion Certified Professional FastTrack program and is the incoming president of WCAA. » TradingUpConsulting.com
EfficientCERTIFIABLY
For more than 40 years, the international company Rollease Acmeda has delivered cutting-edge window covering solutions that provide privacy and energy savings to a home’s indoor and outdoor windows and spaces.
As a leading manufacturer of roller shades, outdoor shades and automated shading products, three of Rollease Acmeda’s Texstyle fabric collections with the Skyline system have qualified for certification from the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC).
“Since 1980, Rollease Acmeda has been working to advance the shading industry and provide improved products for consumers,” said Mike Schratz, Rollese Acmeda’s general manager, Americas.
The AERC provides an unbiased, thirdparty certification of the energy-saving potential of window attachments such as shades, blinds or storm windows. It uses a sophisticated process of material testing and window modeling to gauge the degree to which a window will improve the performance of that window in reducing heating and cooling usage.
There is no doubt that residential homeowners can benefit from energyefficiency programs that are supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. Although ENERGY STAR—the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency—does not certify the performance of window attachments, the research conducted by the Department of Energy determined that window coverings have potential for significant energy conservation.
Thus, the U.S. Department of Energy developed the AERC to allow window attachments to benefit from its energyefficiency program. In cooler seasons, a home loses about 30% of its heating energy through its windows. And as the outside temperature rises, 76% of the sunlight that comes through the home’s windows turns into heat. Most window coverings will result in some form of energy efficiency and savings.
Although, in general, window attachments offer the benefits of energy-efficient shading solutions, it’s the selection of the fabric and the variables that make it energy efficient that are most important. It’s the fabric that blocks out light, traps heat inside or prevents heat from entering a room through a window.
And as an industry leader and innovator, Rollease Acmeda has developed roller shade fabrics and motorized/automated window treatment solutions that offer homeowners an energy-efficiency opportunity to reduce HVAC and lighting costs by leveraging natural daylight.
“Roller shades are effective and affordable alternatives to other window covering options, and through the AERC certification, consumers can rest assured that they are purchasing credible and energy-efficient roller shade products.” — Mike Schratz
» RolleaseAcmeda.com
ROLLEASE ACMEDA’S RESIDENTIAL CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
Roller shade fabrics that receive AERC certification allow homeowners to have window treatments that are energy efficient and able to reduce HVAC and lighting costs by leveraged natural daylight through manual and motorized solutions.
The AERC has given certification to three families of fabrics from Rollease Acmeda. With these certifications, Rollease Acmeda joins the list of other residential window attachment product manufacturers who have already have AERC-certified products, including Larson Manufacturing and Hunter Douglas.
“Rollease Acmeda is a leader in the residential window attachment space, and this certification ensures AERC’s continued growth and the growth of the industry,” said AERC’s Executive Director Ralph Vasami. “We are thrilled to continue to build our mission of rating and certifying products that assist consumers to save energy and improve comfort.”
The AERC-certified fabrics are from Rollease Acmeda’s popular Texstyle collection and are offered with its popular Skyline manual roller shade hardware system, as well as with its motorized Automate system.
Through the Texstyle brand, Rollease Acmeda offers a variety of over 90 fabrics that are rated by the AERC. The AERC-rated fabric collections include:
The 3000 NET offers a stylish lightweight basket weave with modern aesthetics. Its versatility and ease of fabrication has made it one of Rollease Acmeda’s most widely used collections. It’s perfect for minimizing the negative effects of the sun, while preserving outward visibility. It’s available in 15 styles and colors in 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% and offers a privacy option.
The Mesa fabric is available and AERC rated in both light filtering and blackout. Mesa blackout is ideal for commercial and residential applications that require total light blockage and privacy. It’s made from 100% polyester with an acrylic coating. Mesa is also PVC-free and offers a high-quality, soft appearance that will add beauty to a room while providing privacy. It’s offered in seven colors and has Tuxedo, a white blackout fabric with a gray back.
The Balmoral collection offers a complete styling solution with pure elegance and a premium design aesthetic. This collection is offered in 10 additional colors and is available with both blackout and light filtering options.
» Texstyle.com
HOW TO READ THE AERC RESIDENTIAL LABEL
Every solution rated by the AERC has an individual rating to determine its warm climate and cool climate ratings. Any product rating 0.0 for warm climate or cool climate means that the window is operating as if there are no coverings on the window.
There are several different factors that go into rating and certifying fabrics. A key factor for rating roller shades is visual transmittance (Tv). Tv is an optical factor that measures the portion of sunlight the eye can see; Tv relates to occupant comfort as it translates to visible sunlight in a room.
Not every product that is AERC rated is rated for both warm and cool climates. If the words “not applicable” appear on the label, then the product is not recommended for energy improvement for that climate nor is it designed to address specific energyefficiency issues related to a specific climate.
On the AERC label, the large number indicates the product’s energy rating. The smaller number indicates the maximum energy rating possible for that product category. So, the closer the product’s energy rating (the large number) is to the maximum energy rating (the smaller number), the great the energy savings.
