LEED Certified Projects

Decorating with Fabric Contract Solar Shading Systems combine function, flexibility and a clean design aesthetic for managing sunlight in today’s commercial interiors. A broad collection of high-performance, light-filtering fabrics contribute to optimizing natural light while controlling heat and glare. State-of-the-art motorization, control systems and accessories can be configured to achieve the high level of energy efficiency required for any LEED® certified project.

Energy Reduction
LEED NC 2.2 – EA 1.0

Energy reduction through solar shading and window coverings may be quantified in two primary categories; reduction of solar energy entering a space and thereby reducing the amount energy used for cooling and reduction of thermal energy leaving the space and thereby reducing the energy required for heating.

About half of the Sun’s energy that reaches the Earth falls within the visible spectrum; the remaining half falls within the infrared – having a wavelength longer than that of visible light – and ultraviolet (UV) – having a wavelength shorter than that of visible light – part of the spectrum.  In summer, most regions need to filter out UV radiation from entering interiors due to the intense heat it creates.  While modern spectrally selective glazing can be made to allow in only visible light (filtering out UV and infrared radiation), visible light also produces heat.  Materials inside the building absorb heat from the visible light, causing the temperature of the materials – and building interior – to rise.  As the temperature rises the materials produce thermal infrared radiation, which is then prevented from leaving the interior through the windows by the UV and infrared-blocking glazing.

Thermal heat reduction is achieved through creating an isolating space along the window.  This is calculated through the R Value or measurement of the heat absorbed by the material.  R Value is the measure of apparent thermal conductivity and the higher the R Value the less heat is lost through the window or assembly.  Decorating with Fabric offers the most efficient and extensive range of solar shading and window covering products in the market, providing the highest R Values of the industry.

Using selective solar shading and window covering applications from Decorating with Fabric the reduction of solar gain can be achieved through the use of fabrics with low Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SGHC).  Decorating with Fabric offers a number of distinctive and designer friendly fabrics which can achieve very low SHGC through a variety of openness weave structure, color and even enhanced reflective coatings.

Active and operable Solar Shading systems and Window Coverings allow the building occupant the flexibility to control the indoor environment based on both the ambient solar conditions as well as personal taste.  Something simple low e or spectral glazing cannot achieve alone.  In addition in climates with distinct seasonal difference the systems can be used to both reduce the incident solar gain, and in colder seasons, allow the gain to reduce heating loads in certain circumstances.

Daylighting
LEED NC 2.2 - EA 1.0

Daylighting shading systems work through redirecting the natural light to reduce the usage of artificial lighting and thereby reduce the energy used both for powering electric lights and energy used cooling the heat generate by the electric lights.

However, using the daylight to accomplish this requires dynamic control over the solar energy entering the building for two reasons, the total solar energy transmitted to a typical window can exceed 1,300 watts per square meter and direct unfiltered sunlight is too bright for typical office interiors.  The illuminance or intensity of the incident light, is measured in lux.  Illuminance levels required for office work lie between 250 and 1,000 lux, with 500 lux being the generally preferred amount.  Direct sunlight can produce illuminance levels of over 100,000 lux, far exceeding a comfortable amount.

A common strategy for harvesting this daylight is to redirect the light into areas where illuminance levels are supported with artificial light.  For example, a passive or active light shelf can be both installed internally and/or externally along the upper portion of the glazing to catch and bounce the incident sun rays and direct them father into the space.  Using a shelf with a high reflective or albedo value allows the light to be directed further into the space.  Further enhancing this daylight harvesting can be achieved through ceiling systems which also utilize a high albedo rating thereby assisting in moving the daylight further into the space.  The common misconception is that these systems create more light and illuminance, however, these systems simply move the large light levels produced from the sun into areas not normally given exposure to the sun.

Using dynamic daylighting solutions such a light shelves or daylight enhancing louvered blinds and TechStyle Acoustical Ceilings from Hunter Douglas can assist in reducing artificial lighting by up to 50% depending on the space and location of the building.

Automation
LEED NC 2.2 – EA 1.0

Maximum indoor comfort can be achieved through building and automation systems which regulate and allow users discrete management over thermal control and light levels to suit individual needs or those of groups in shared spaces.  Control strategies can be developed to expand on the comfort criteria to allow adjustments to suit individual needs and preferences. These may involve system designs incorporating operable windows, hybrid systems integrating operable windows and mechanical automated systems, or automated systems alone.

Automated control systems for solar shading and window coverings can also maximize the energy reduction and light control options.  Sun control systems which dynamically adjust to the angle of the sun dependant on the location and orientation of the building allows for optimal placement of the shading system.  Systems which can automatically adjust to changing weather conditions and schedule multiple levels of activity; such as regular window cleaning, or evening privacy adjustments are possible.

Decorating with Fabric offers the most extensive collection of automation and intelligent control systems to suit any budget.  Within the network of Decorating with Fabric Contract’s resources automation and control options are available for any window covering or solar control system.

Indoor Environmental Quality
LEED NC 2.2 – EQ 4.2

Indoor environmental contaminants can originate within the building or be drawn in from outdoors.  IEQ problems are often caused by ventilation system deficiencies, overcrowding, off gassing from materials in the office and mechanical equipment, tobacco smoke, microbiological contamination, and outside air pollutants.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are air pollutants produced from off gassing of materials that can cause respiratory and other health problems.  In an indoor environment VOCs may be produced by many office components, including window coverings, air conditioners, wood and laminated furniture, ceiling systems, wall coverings, and carpets.  In addition to being indoor air pollutants, VOCs escape into the atmosphere and contribute to outdoor air pollution and global warming.

Decorating with Fabric has a full line of low VOC products that pass the GreenGuard® Air Quality Certified® and GreenGuard® for Children and Schools ^SM standards.  All GreenGuard Certified Products have been tested for their chemical emissions performance including for formaldehyde, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), respirable particles, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide.

Recycled Content
LEED NC 2.2 – MR 4.1, 4.2

Recycled content can be defined as materials used in the production of products that have been directed from the waste stream.  Usually these materials are associated into two categories, pre-consumer and post-consumer.  Pre-consumer recyclable materials are items directed from the waste stream during the manufacturing process.  These materials do not include rework items or materials which would have gone back into the standard work flow, but rather materials which would have been strictly wasted.  Post consumer recycled materials are those which are generated by households, institutions or commercial facilities which can no longer be used for their intended purpose.

Using products which are produced wholly or partially from recycled content reduces the environmental impact of harvesting and processing of virgin materials.  It also lessens the impact on landfills and other waste containment systems.

Decorating with Fabric strives to resource products from as many recycled or rapidly renewable materials as possible.  Utilizing both pre-consumer and post-consumer materials Decorating with Fabric is able to offer a number of shading systems using recycled steel and aluminum components as well as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastics.  Hunter Douglas Aluminum is produced from both pre and post-consumer recycled materials.

Green Building & The Green Window

The “Green Building” movement aims to improve occupant well being, environmental performance and economic returns of residential and commercial buildings.
 
The contribution of Radiance Solar Screen and Audio-Visual Shades to “Green Building” projects and as requirement reference items in the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is evaluated based on:
 
Performance Considerations & Material Content Considerations 
  
Performance
Building designs featuring large window areas maximize the availability of natural light and create pleasant, productive work and study environments. The introduction of natural light also decreases the need for fluorescent lighting and invites solar heat gain to assist with winter heating.
 
Solar Screen Shades control glare and assist in balancing the heat gain / heat loss to optimize occupant comfort and energy efficiency. 
 
Decorating with Fabric’s SilverScreen Fabric features a fine layer of aluminum vacuum formed to the window side of a high quality woven shade fabric. SilverScreen is superior to all other shading fabric solutions in its ability to reduce heat and glare while maintaining excellent view and connectivity to the outside world.  
  
Material Content 
Specifiers consider the material content of interior furnishings regarding their impact on indoor air quality and sustainability.
 
Solar screen fabrics featuring vinyl-coated polyester or fiberglass yarns continue to be dominant in the market. They are time proven, provide excellent shading performance and are recognized for being durable and washable.
 
Concerns regarding the negative impact of PVC emissions on indoor air quality have been alleviated by the GreenGuard Certification that ensures the highest industry standards are being applied to maintain indoor air quality for the health and safety of building occupants.
 
For projects demanding PVC-Free shading fabrics Decorating with Fabric provides a variety of solar screen, opaque and decorative options.
 
When recycling is a point of emphasis Decorating with Fabric offers a selection of fabrics that are 100 %  recyclable. 

The Green Workroom – Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
February 21, 2009                                                       Neil Gordon 845-304-0520

New York’s First Green Workroom
Decorating with Fabric is extremely proud to announce its conversion to a Green Workroom. As a full service drapery and upholstery workroom in the New York Metro area, Decorating with Fabric has successfully employed sustainable supplies, products and practices into its workroom and installation business.

Thorough research has produced suitable and sustainable alternative supplies for the workroom. We have sourced: Organic Cotton Threads, Organic Cotton Linings, Natural Latex Rubber, and Organic Cotton Batting & Stuffing. Our Installers deliver products in Reusable Canvas Bags instead of disposable plastic bags.

We do not use Monofilament Thread, Adhesive Spray Glue, Polyurethane Foam, Dacron Polyester, and Plastic Bags. All of which contribute negatively to the environment.

As an alternative to the everyday choices of fabrics, we now offer a growing selection of sustainable and green products. Included are such items as: Sustainable Silks, Cradle to Cradle Fabrics, Recycled Polyester Fabrics, Organic Cotton Fabrics, Natural Pillow Fill, PVC Free Fabrics, and Fabrics Manufactured in an ISO 14001 Certified Facility.

Recycling concerns are addressed through a careful analysis of the workroom processes. All remnants and cutoffs are donated to local schools. Client’s old treatments (that are replaced with new treatments) will be donated or recycled. All polyurethane foam and waste from fabrication and installation is recycled within state laws.

Mission Statement:
Decorating with Fabric is dedicated toward the efforts of creating a living & working environment that is energy efficient, healthy and productive. We are also aware of our own footprint in the design, creation and installation of our treatments and strive to provide sustainable solutions that protect the environment.

 

Contact Information:

Neil Gordon

845-304-0520

Organic Silk Fabrics

We are now creating fabulous window fashions with Sustainable silk fabrics with USA grown organic cotton linings.  145 handwoven Sustainable silk colors combined with certified organic  cotton sateen lining and Flannel interlining.

SUSTAINABLE SILK FABRIC
Our fabric is hand woven in India using individual family weavers that we are directly supporting.
Mulberry leaves that are fed to the silkworms, are organically fertilized with compost from Neem trees that are grown among the Mulberry trees.
Fabrics are made on hand made wooden looms – some of which are at least 100 years old.
No electrical energy is used in the spinning, weaving or dyeing process, leaving a zero carbon foot print.
Painstaking weaving by hand – only 4 yards of silk is produced per day per loom.

CERTIFIED ORGANIC COTTON
We use only organic cotton that is purchased directly from the mill. Our suppliers are Certified Organic Cotton Fabric Producers and a Members of the Organic Trade Association.
“Certified Organic” means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations.
Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

DRAPERY INFO
5 styles, French, Euro, Inverted Box Pleats. Rod Pocket and Grommet Styles.
Lined and Interlined.
Custom made to your size specification.
Beautifully stitched and finished

SUSTAINABLE Silk Dupioni Fabrics and

ORGANIC Cotton Linings

145 Silk Dupioni Colors
The largest color selection of SUSTAINABLE and HAND WOVEN SILK DUPIONI on the web.

Custom made in the USA
Drapes and Organic Cottons MADE IN THE USA.
Silk hand woven in INDIA

 

 

 

 

Lined and Interlined
Double Lined using USA grown ORGANIC cotton – Drapes are lined with ORGANIC Cotton SATEEN and INTERLINED with Organic cotton FLANNEL

 

__________

 

Here is some in-depth information about the processes that go into making the raw yarns.

ORGANIC COTTON

Drapery Lining Textiles
We use only ORGANIC COTTON that is purchased directly from the mill. Our suppliers are Certified Organic Cotton Fabric Producers and a Members of the Organic Trade Association.

What is Organic Cotton?
Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances bio diversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.

What does “Certified Organic” mean?
“Certified Organic” means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

How will purchasing organic products
help keep our water clean?
Conventional agricultural methods can cause water contamination. Beginning in May 1995, a network of environmental organizations, including the Environmental Working Group, began testing tap water for herbicides in cities across the United States’ Corn Belt, and in Louisiana and Maryland. The results revealed widespread contamination of tap water with many different pesticides at levels that present serious health risks. In some cities, herbicides in tap water exceed federal lifetime health standards for weeks or months at a time. The organic farmer’s elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, in combination with soil building, works to prevent contamination, and protects and conserves water resources.

How Else Does Organic Protect Our Environment?
Organic agriculture protects the health of people and the planet by reducing the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences, from asthma to cancer. Because organic agriculture doesn’t use toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic products is an easy way to help protect yourself

Will the Organic Market Continue to Grow, or is it Just a Fad?
The U.S. organic market is projected to reach a value of $30.7 billion by 2007, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 21.4 percent between 2002 and 2007, compared to a 21.2 percent rate between 1997 and 2002.
—Datamonitor analysis, Datamonitor.

SUSTAINABLE SILK

Hand woven pure Silk
Our SOLID SILK DUPIONI is made on HAND LOOMS at a rate of 4 yards per day!

Organic NEEM fertilizer and pest prevention
We use ORGANIC NEEM as a fertilizer and manufacture SUSTAINABLE Silk Dupioni. Hand reared silkworms, hand spun and woven in the traditional method for millenniums.

It was discovered that the NEEM TREE was the only living plant not devastated by the Sudanese Locust Plague, in 1957.
We use the seeds and organic compost made from the Neem Tree to fertilize the Mulberry trees that are used to hand rear the Bombyx Morii silk worms. Also by using mostly natural dyes, we create a SUSTAINABLE silk product. Our fabrics are woven in cottage industry and we directly support the families that weave our cloth.

Double Nested Cocoons
Sometimes known as dupion or douppioni, silk dupioni is a shimmering silk that is created by weaving silk threads of two different colors into a weave that seems to change colors as the silk is moved around in different lights. Constructed with threads made from rough silk fibers that are harvested from double cocoons or single cocoons that are spun side by side and interlocked, silk dupioni generally employs a set of vibrant colors in the weave. Along with creating the shimmering effect, the choice of two different colors of rough silk fiber help to create a crisp drape quality to the finished fabric.

Silk dupioni has an advantage over some other types of silks, in that dupioni tends to resist wrinkles, which helps to enhance the usability of the finished fabric. In addition, silk dupioni also has a tendency to take creases very well, which can give the final product a crisp and formal appearance. As an added bonus, silk dupioni is totally reversible, so it is perfectly acceptable for both sides of the material to be visible.

Our Silk Dupioni is made ONLY from double nested cocoons.

At this stage we can only offer our Silk Dupioni Solid fabric the Organic linings due to the fact that only this silk is hand dyed using organic compounds. Our other more complicated stripes and plaids are dyed in commercial labs and do not qualify.

It is hard to beat our QUALITY and we think we have one of the biggest selections of COLOR on line, offering 145 unique colors.

Organic Cotton Farming

Reeling Silk Yarns

 

Neem Trees used to fertilize Mulberry trees that are fed to the silk worms

 

 

Silk Worm Moths

 

Silk Cocoons

 

Green Building in a Troubled Economy?

The current financial crisis has arrived in full force and is making its presence felt. One of the sectors that have been hit the hardest by these economic woes is the commercial real estate sector. In times like these, people will rarely deviate from the norm, but sometimes, deviation is exactly what is needed. This article will evaluate the continuing health and viability of the green building movement against the backdrop of the financial crisis.

Many businesses are recognizing green building as a unique opportunity to thrive during economic hard times. In a recent article, National Real Estate Investor Online spoke with Al Skodowski and Rick Walker of the Transwestern Commercial Real Estate Company about how green building will be impacted by a down economy. The general sentiment expressed by Skodowski and Walker is clear: Not only is a down economy not likely to hurt green buildings, but chances are that it will actually help the growth of the movement. Their reasoning? In this time of economic uncertainty, the increased efficiencies and lower operating costs yielded by green buildings help to save money in the long run as well as provide a product capable of attracting and retaining tenants.

USGBC had a candid dialogue with Randy Gaines, Vice President of Engineering for Host Hotels and Resorts, and a Q&A session with Jessica Halvorsen and Lisa Shpritz, from Bank of America’s Corporate Workplace department, who direct Bank of America’s real estate sustainability efforts.

USGBC spoke with Mr. Gaines in an effort to gauge how the organizations that have shown a commitment to sustainability in the hospitality sector are responding to the financial downturn. When asked about whether or not the current economic climate was affecting Host’s commitment to sustainability generally and LEED specifically, Gaines said, “Host still sees value in LEED and is sticking to their commitment to having hotels pursue LEED-EB (LEED for Existing Buildings) certification. We are not backing out of those plans in response to the economic situation. We are still committed to the goal of being a greener company and still committed to green as part of our social responsibility.” Gaines further went on to discuss how Host Hotels has been able to capture a significant ROI through certain green initiatives, something that is of great benefit to the company during financially constricting times. Specifically, Gaines gave an example of how the rising cost of water and sewer treatment in Atlanta pushed them to replace 3.5-gallon toilets with 1.28-gallon toilets, a move that produced a two-year ROI.

The volatility of energy prices is another factor that has pushed Host to maintain its sustainability efforts, prompting Gaines to say, “Tight budgets have encouraged Host to pursue energy savings more aggressively: In today’s environment, Host is going to do a lot more retro-commissioning and we are going to keep fine-tuning our buildings. That’s straight shareholder value – they need every penny we can get out of these hotels. We want to do more retro-commissioning, and focus on operational efficiencies. We need to squeeze more efficiency out of those buildings.”

While generally positive, Gaines was also realistic about green initiatives and how Host decides which ones to pursue. “We are cutting back on some green initiatives. We are doing the ones that are cost-neutral but have to evaluate the ones that have a cost premium associated with them.” That evaluation consists of what kind of ROI they will be able to capture from any given initiative. While not elaborating on which initiatives might get left by the wayside, Gaines did point out that Host is taking a hard look at things like the cost of recycling carpet and vinyl.

Corporate Real Estate’s take on sustainability in these uncertain times

When asked how the current economic climate is affecting Bank of America’s green building initiatives, Lisa Shpritz had this to say: “Our commitment to LEED and sustainability remains strong. All of our commitments have been made with an eye to financial stability, so a lot of what we’ve done has been integrated into business as usual.” Both Shpritz and Halvorsen mentioned how the USGBC’s volume certification pilot process has come along at just the right time and that it “makes a lot of economic sense.” Along the same lines, when asked if Bank of America still sees value in LEED, Halvorsen replied: “Green building and sustainability make sense for Bank of America’s business. LEED contributes to the health of the overall community. If our communities and customers aren’t doing well then we aren’t going to be able to do well either.”

Has Bank of America changed the way it operates its building portfolio, and what, if any, low- or no-cost strategies have been implemented? Shpritz said, “For example, in our portfolio, we have continued to implement green cleaning, since it is a cost-neutral initiative. In this economic climate, the focus on LEED for Existing Buildings is that much more important. We have found that LEED-EB is a useful tool for improving the environmental performance of our existing portfolio. When looking at low- and no-cost pursuits, collaboration with vendors is essential. It’s vital to engage in dialogue with vendors and suppliers when trying to manage costs while integrating sustainability.”

Bank of America is following a common theme among corporations actively pursuing sustainable building initiatives. The more efficiently a building is run, the higher a return on investment one is likely to capture while lowering the environmental impact. According to Shpritz, green design and construction continue to serve as vital components of the company’s environmental commitment: “Our standard new construction prototype for banking centers has been pre-certified. Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park in New York will be fully complete in 2009, and we’re pursuing LEED Core and Shell at the Platinum level. We have also recently received Platinum certification of a banking center in Southern California.”

So far, the sentiment seems to be consistent: Going green in this economic climate creates money-saving (and moneymaking) opportunities – and not the other way around – and is something that will be revisited in further editions of the Commercial Markets Update Newsletter.

The Green Window

When Dorothy reaches Oz for the first time, I remember seeing the residents of the Emerald City wearing green sunglasses. This, I assume was to enhance the “emerald” effect of the great green city.

Oz, of course was an illusion as was their dubious leader: The Wizard of Oz. Today, we are about to put on our own pair of Green Shades and look out upon a new movement that is about to sweep the globe. The Wizard of Oz has been replaced by a man of substance in President Barack Obama who, with the hopes of millions, will lead us to a new beginning, a new awakening.

This new beginning I am referring to is the move toward Sustainable Design and Green Building. The objective of Sustainable Design is to create places, products, and services in a way that reduces use of nonrenewable resources, minimizes environmental impact, and relates people with the natural environment.

Green Building is the implementation of design, construction, and operational strategies that reduce a buildings environmental impact during both construction and operation, and that improves its occupants’ health, comfort, and productivity throughout the building’s life cycle.

As a Window Covering Professional, I look out my window at my desk and wonder what would happen if I put on The Green Sunglasses? What would I see? How can I join in this revolution that is about to get underway?

We build homes, offices, schools, hospitals and Nursing Homes with windows. We have a strong need for connecting with the natural environment. It has been documented that worker productivity increases with natural daylight. School children learn better, patients feel better.

But what is the trade off for creating glass covered holes in the walls of our buildings? Of course it is the energy inefficiencies and glare issues that occur. If an office faces south, the low winter sun bakes the occupants even in the cold winter months. Homes lose precious heat from leaky windows and see their utility bills sky rocket. Our window, our connection to the outdoors is a critical area to focus upon.

In this article, I will address various areas I see as important to the contribution of window coverings in Sustainable Design. I will start with the concept of Daylighting. Most simply, daylighting is the practice of using natural light to illuminate building spaces. Rather than relying solely on electric lighting during the day, daylighting brings indirect natural light into the building. Daylighting reduces the need for electric lighting and connects people to the outdoors, and it provides pleasing illumination at a fraction of the cost of the most efficient electric lights.

The downside to Daylighting is the problem of exposing naked windows to the elements. To address this, the use of Solar shades provides an excellent solution. Considerable energy can be saved by the correct specification and use of effective solar shading. These savings result from significantly reducing the heat entering the building in the hotter months and by reducing heat loss by acting as an insulator when external temperatures start to fall. By helping to control the internal environment less artificial cooling and heating is required thereby reducing energy costs.

Effective solar shading can reduce the heat gain from the sun’s radiation by between 50% and 70% and also prevents the creation of heat peaks and heat radiation. As a result often lower cooling capacity is needed. In addition high performance solar shading offers constant control over thermal comfort which is important as large fluctuations in interior climate are regarded as extremely unpleasant to building users.

The ability to look through a fabric, through the tiny holes in the weave of the cloth is determined by the openness of this weave and the quantity of light which permeates through the actual thread used in the fabric. Light entering through the thread itself is known as “diffuse light.” For good vision through the fabric the amount of diffuse light must be minimized. This is because the eyes adapt to the total amount of light and too much diffuse light severely restricts the ability to see through the fabric to the outside.

Glare is determined to a large extent by the total light transmission through glazing and blinds and if this is too high this leads to eye strain and glare on monitors. If this is not done then the eyes must continually adjust to the changing light level which is a key contributor to eye strain. Controlling light transmission is often achieved by working with dark or thickly-coated shading materials.

Decorating with Fabric Contract offers the ideal solution with all its solar shade fabrics designed to neutralize glare discomfort while still preserving visual contact with the outside world. To learn more, visit www.dwfcontract.com

Solar Shade Fabrics

Decorating with Fabric Contract has a tremendous selection of Solar Shade Fabrics. In fact it’s the largest in the New York Metropolitan area. “We have hundreds of choices!” says Neil Gordon owner of Decorating with Fabric Contract.

Solar Shade Fabrics are divided by what is known as its “Openess Percentage”. 0% being the tightest weave and least open, to 25% being the most open weave. The best way to select a solar shade fabric is to understand what issue needs to be addressed. Is it too much heat entering the room, or is it too much glare that the computer screens can’t be seen well?

The tighter the weave, or lower the percentage number, the fabric will perform better. There is also the issue of color. Lighter colors reflect more heat and darker colors reduce more glare.

Which ever problem there may be in a office, or a home, there is a solar shade fabric that will come to the rescue. To see the complete selection of Solar Shade Fabrics contact Decorating with Fabric Contract for an appointment. 845-352-5064

 

Eco-Smart Shades

In these times when energy costs are going through the ceiling AND literally out the windows, I just HAVE TO TELL YOU about wonderful new EcoSmart Cellular ShadingsTM. These are not your everyday single-cell cellular SHADINGS that you’ve seen around for years… these amazing energy-savers are full DOUBLE CELL constructed, adding a full additional layer of air cushion between you and your windows that helps keep cool rooms cooler, and warm rooms warmer, just when you want them to.

Made from special sealed fabrics for additional thermal advantage, EcoSmart Cellular Shades come in a vast array of colors, fabrics and styles, and offer a compliment of options to make just about any window a money-saver, too. You can choose from translucent or room-darkening shades as well, so light control is still in your control. Add the Side Track option for even better savings and temperature control. Make them child safe, too, with a cordless option!

Based on where you live, EcoSmart Cellular Shades can pay for themselves in energy savings in less than five years. And with energy costs soaring, that’s no small savings! Check the chart to find a city near you, and see how the proven thermal qualities of EcoSmart’s double cellular technology can actually put you ahead of the energy curve. Then you’ll see why even expert window fashions professionals are installing them in THEIR OWN HOMES… beauty, energy-savings and comfort, all in an affordable double-cellular shade made by hand specifically for your windows.

Besides being able to fix just about any design or decor problem that comes up, there are some timely issues you can avoid just by calling me. I bring with me a wealth of ideas, products and experience no single store can match: and I bring it all right to you, in YOUR home, where you’ll be able to envision everything together, where it will be seen after professional installation. And since I come to you, you’ll save gallons of gas by just staying home and enjoying the ultimate in convenience-in-home shopping. I also always know what’s available at special prices, and will be glad to tell you about only the best values within your budget. Call me today and let’s start saving money right away: and be sure to ask me about EcoSmart Energy-Saving Cellular Shadings!

Why Daylight?

To create beautiful spaces, save energy and operating costs and reduce our impact on our planet.

It’s natural. Daylighting taps into the five-billion-year-old fusion reactor called the sun. Using natural light from the sun costs nothing to the environment but pays big dividends to building occupants. The result is a compelling, efficient lighting solution that also protects the environment. By consuming less energy, daylit buildings reduce fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions associated with global warming and climate change.

It works. People thrive in naturally lit environments. Studies (as well as our own common sense) show that shoppers linger longer and buy more; students do better on tests; office workers are more productive and absent less often. And that’s not all. Daylighting can also:

• Reduce lighting costs
• Reduce cooling costs (in almost all climates almost year round)
• Be accomplished without increasing construction costs (in new construction)

It’s just plain smart. Daylit buildings are just plain more cool—see cool daylighting—temperature wise and aesthetically. Daylit buildings make a statement about their owners and occupants: they are socially and fiscally responsible.

Whether you are seeking a signature piece of architecture or simply trying to meet a budget, daylighting is a key design strategy.

Energy savings from daylighting: a controlled experiment

It’s one thing to theorize that daylighting can help reduce cooling loads and cooling energy, it’s another to document it.

In an effort to see if in fact cooling energy could be saved using daylighting design, the Energy Center of Wisconsin conducted an experiment at the Energy Resource Station in Ankeny, Iowa, just north of Des Moines. Associated with the Iowa Energy Center, this highly instrumented facility is specifically designed for multiple, full-scale tests and demonstrations involving commercial building lighting and HVAC systems.

This research was conducted under a U.S. DOE grant to NASEO (National Association of State Energy Offices) in cooperation with ASERTTI (Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions).

The research measured lighting and HVAC energy use in two sets of rooms. Different window configurations, glazing, lighting systems and automatic lighting controls were tested against a set of control rooms. The HVAC system remained the same for all tests. Three rounds of testing to capture seasonal variation were conducted for the project:

• Summer (July 11 to August 7)
• Fall (September 23 to October 26)
• Winter (December 9 to January

Reducing Heat Flow Through Windows

Windows are the weak link, thermally speaking, in most building envelopes. Modern windows are much better than old single-pane windows and store-fronts, but they still represent a compromise—we accept their mediocre thermal performance because we want the daylight, views, and ventilation they offer. It’s true that south-facing windows in a good passive-solar design can heat a space in winter, but even these have to be managed carefully to avoid losing more heat at night than they provide during the day or introducing too much solar gain when it isn’t wanted.

Windows and glazing systems allow unwanted heat flow in several ways. They tend to have cracks and gaps around their edges that allow air to leak in or out. They allow heat transfer via conduction across the glass and frames. And they allow heat to radiate through, both as visible light and as invisible, infrared radiation. This solar gain is the biggest source of cooling loads in buildings with large areas of glass.

In the 1950s and 1960s, designers began using tinted glass to reduce solar gain, but that approach reduces visible light transmittance, affects the appearance of the glass, and impairs views. The introduction of low-emissivity (low-e) coatings on glass in the 1980s was a big breakthrough because these “spectrally selective” coatings are more transparent to visible light than they are to invisible radiation, so they cut down on heat flow without affecting visibility as much. Low-e coatings work in two ways: they reflect certain wavelengths of radiation back towards the source and they prevent heat absorbed by glazing from re-radiating on the other side of the window. Newer generations of low-e coatings have gotten even better at distinguishing light from heat, and they can be specified to optimize their performance in relation to solar gain, visible light transmittance, and heat loss from indoors.

These coatings are especially effective when used in insulated glazing units (IGUs) with a low-conductivity gas such as argon or krypton instead of air between two, three, or more layers of glazing. Those with more than two panes often use one or more polyester films suspended between two panes of glass to provide the additional layers. Double-pane, low-e, argon-filled windows are commonly used in the U.S. today. These achieve a U-factor of about 0.3 (R-3), and reduce solar heat gain by 30% to 50%. Windows with U-factors as low as 0.2 (R-5) and solar heat gain reductions of 70% are readily available.

As the glazing systems themselves improve, heat gained or lost from conduction through the edges and frames and from air leakage become relatively more important. Special “warm-edge spacers” (in place of conventional, highly conductive, aluminum spacers) can help to reduce heat loss and prevent condensation around the edges of the windows. Insulated window frames significantly reduce heat flow compared with standard frames. And good gaskets, sealants, and weatherstripping are important in reducing air leakage, which is often a huge problem in older buildings.