Large windows, sliding glass doors and French doors can cause quite a bit of heat gain in a home. Your traditional vertical blind can help a little, but there are much better solutions on the market today. Several companies now provide an energy efficient vertical cellular shade for large openings. Hunter Douglas’ Vertiglide can be purchased with the Architella fabric for the most energy efficiency or the Applause fabric for a more economical price. Other manufacturers such as Comfortex and Alta have similar vertical cellular shades that provide heat gain reduction. We work with clients in the Central Indiana Area. Contact us today to get started on your project. 317-273-8343

Clear Birch Wood cabinetry with oil rubbed bronze hardware, this office is contemporary and ergonomic at the same time. The space is designed for both personal adjustment and comfort, with a pop of orange to keep it all alive. Craftsman Four Square, Seattle, WA - Master Bedroom & Office - Custom Cabinetry, by Belltown Design LLC, Photography by Julie Mannell

Rollscreens paired with roll down storm shutters on a beach front application. Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens or Rolling Shutters, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

Patio - mid-sized traditional backyard stone patio idea in Toronto with a roof extension

We opted for a matte finish subway tile from Waterworks to complement the honed Frosty Carrina countertop from Caesarstone. Photo Credit: Shera Nuss
Trendy kitchen photo in New York

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The architect specified two butting/side by side 173.93 inch wide x 240.0 inch projection retractable canopy systems to be inserted in to a new steel frame structure. Each of the areas to be covered used one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides specified are made entirely of aluminum which is powder coated using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Custom color chosen for the guides by the Architect was RAL 9006 known as White Aluminum. The stainless steel components used were Inox (470LI and 316) which are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance. In fact, the components passed the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy. Fabric is Ferrari 86 Color 2044 White, a fabric that is self-extinguishing (fire retardant). These retracting canopy systems has a Beaufort wind load rating Scale 10 (up to 63 mph) with the fabric fully extended and in use. A grey hood with end caps was requested for each end to prevent rain water (location is Alexandria, Virginia) from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. A running profile which runs from end to end in the rear of each section was necessary to attach the Somfy RTS motor which is installed inside a motor safety box. The client chose to control the system with two remote controls, two white wall switches and two Somfy wind sensors. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Our original contact was from the architect who requested two retractable systems that would attach to a new steel structure and that would meet local wind load requirements since the units are installed on the top of the building known as Metro Park VI. The architect wanted a contemporary, modern and very clean appearance and a product that would also meet International Building Code Requirements. The purpose of the project was to provide an area for shade, heat, sun, glare and UV protection but not rain protection thus the use of Soltis 86 sheer mesh fabric. The client stated to the Architect that the area was to be used for entertainment purposes in good weather conditions. UNIQUENESS AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT This project was a challenge since the steel structure was being built at the same time (simultaneously) as the retractable patio cover systems were being manufactured to meet a deadline therefore there was no room for error. In addition, removing all the extrusions, fabric etc. from the crate and hoisting them to the top of the building was indeed difficult but accomplished. PROJECT RESULTS The client is elated with the results of both retractable canopy cover systems. Along with landscaping, the exterior top floor of the Metro Park VI building was transformed and is truly a stunning example of design, function and aesthetics as can be seen in the pictures. Goal accomplished – All customer requirements were met including a contemporary, modern, stylish and very clean appearance along with providing shade, sun, UV, glare and heat reduction.

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

This 3 BR, 3 1/2 bath home allows the owners to live on one level most of the time. The Master Suite is on the main level along with the Living Room, Kitchen, Dining, pantries, Sun Room and service areas. The upper level houses two ample bedrooms while the lower level supports a rec center, media room, wine cellar, shop and full wet bar. Conceived as a Great Room house, the main level is designed as one seamless space that flows onto an ample deck overlooking the rear yard. We also incorporated a variety of green building techniques - photo-voltaic shingles on the roof of the garage to generate a portion of the home's energy, a super insulated building envelope, rain water harvesting, high performance windows and doors, a high efficiency heat pump, low flow bath & kitchen fixtures, Energy Star appliances and LED lighting - that greatly reduced this structure's carbon footprint. All of the strategies amounted to a 30% reduction in the energy consumption in this home relative to comparable structures.

This 3 BR, 3 1/2 bath home allows the owners to live on one level most of the time. The Master Suite is on the main level along with the Living Room, Kitchen, Dining, pantries, Sun Room and service areas. The upper level houses two ample bedrooms while the lower level supports a rec center, media room, wine cellar, shop and full wet bar. Conceived as a Great Room house, the main level is designed as one seamless space that flows onto an ample deck overlooking the rear yard. We also incorporated a variety of green building techniques - photo-voltaic shingles on the roof of the garage to generate a portion of the home's energy, a super insulated building envelope, rain water harvesting, high performance windows and doors, a high efficiency heat pump, low flow bath & kitchen fixtures, Energy Star appliances and LED lighting - that greatly reduced this structure's carbon footprint. All of the strategies amounted to a 30% reduction in the energy consumption in this home relative to comparable structures.

Architecture, Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design & Art Curation by Chango & Co.
Large elegant light wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room photo in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Spring Colors! With the stress of California's drought, the water-wise hill can tolerate the reduction in water.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard mulch landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Luxury vinyl plank floor. This floor looks so much like a real wood floor. This particular floor is water proof with a attached rubber noise reduction system. No adhesive required since it is a "click" together floor.

This pool waterfall in Miami, Florida is made out of North Carolina boulders. The rock waterfall into the swimming pool is installed by Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc.

Contemporary home built on an infill lot in downtown Harrisonburg. The goal of saving as many trees as possible led to the creation of a bridge to the front door. This not only allowed for saving trees, but also created a reduction is site development costs.

This part of the house is a new addition with a full apartment for grandparents, a second floor "man-cave," a roof top deck, and a full basement.
Large mid-century modern gray two-story wood exterior home idea in Raleigh

Jackie Meiring
Inspiration for a small contemporary bedroom remodel in Auckland