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Selecting window shades for commercial spaces is an exciting process for an interior designer — reviewing countless fabric samples in a variety of colors and textures to achieve a balanced look for the interior decor. But there are practical objectives that can be all-too-often overlooked.

The right shade options can help enhance productivity but only if you take into account what the building’s future occupants might need or want out of their environment — even if that changes from room to room. Product design can affect everything from heat and sound to operational efficacy. By considering end-user pain points during window shade selection, you have the opportunity to deliver a final product that’s as functional as it is inviting.

Common End-User Pain Points in Window Shade Selection

There are some common pain points that affect the majority of end users. Keep these factors in mind as you browse shading solutions and consult with vendors:

  • Inadequate light control. The fabric used for window shades will play a huge role in the amount of light allowed into a room. While interior designers are often focused on the aesthetics of a given fabric, performance is equally, if not more, important. Many people believe 5%-10% openness is integral to maintaining views. But the more open shades are, the less effective they are for glare and thermal control. Lower-openess fabrics allow for more diffusion of the light that transmits through the fabric.

  • Thermal discomfort. Improper shading can negatively impact indoor temperature and occupant comfort. Sunny days make for steamy workspaces, influencing how occupants feel and how efficiently they’re able to work. White fabric isn’t great for glare control, but it will reflect heat. Dark fabrics help with glare but can absorb and then radiate heat. New products, like Mermet KOOLBLACK, strive to split the difference.

  • Maintenance challenges. Those tasked with cleaning and repairing shading systems want products that are durable and easy to maintain. High-traffic areas are more likely to require frequent attention, while windows installed higher on the wall can be logistically difficult (especially when manually operated.)

The Pitfalls of Aesthetic-Only Shade Selection

The visual appeal of shades shouldn’t be ignored, but minimizing the importance of end-user needs for window coverings leads to even bigger mistakes:

  • Overlooking functionality. No matter how much you love the look of a certain window covering, the affection will soon wane if you discover the shades simply don’t work for the space and needs at hand. Take the time to understand design and intent and how to prioritize potentially contrasting requests.

  • Uniform solutions for diverse needs. One-size-fits-all approaches that deploy similar or identical shading across different spaces may be expedient, but they don’t answer the varying requirements of those spaces. Assess each space individually, including everything from sun exposure throughout the day to the primary purpose of the space. As architecture and design become more complex, you may need shade solutions like zipper shades, tension shades, custom shapes and guide cables to ensure proper coverage.

  • Impact on occupant satisfaction. Neglecting end-user needs as a factor of shade selection can cause ripple effects far into the future. Occupants who are uncomfortable in their space may transfer that dissatisfaction to other people or their duties. There may be reduced productivity and even sick days due to glare-induced migraines or malaise triggered by ambient heat.

  • How a color choice looks from outside the building. Designers choose shade colors based on how it will look inside the space, but how that same color looks from the outside once it interacts with the glazing on the windows. Light fabrics stand out much more, while dark colors blend in with the glazing and tend to disappear.

Aligning Shade Choices With End-User Needs

To best align shade choices with the needs of future occupants, make these three steps permanent parts of your evaluation process.

Assessing Space Usage

Analyze each space as a distinct part of the big-picture project. While the end result of a commercial build or renovation should be cohesive from end to end, individual spaces may have individualized requirements.

  • How is the space utilized? A boardroom used for client presentations may have very different needs than a large room lined with cubicles and computer screens. Privacy and security are concerns too, particularly with organizations that handle sensitive information or if there are teams working late into the night.

  • Who can see into the space? This is often a concern on the ground floor where pedestrian or street traffic can see right in. But there are similar concerns at other elevations, such as the occupants from a tall building that can see directly into your space.

  • How much impact does natural light have? A room with eastern exposure could have blinding glare in the morning. Those same low sun angles happen on the west elevation of the building during sunset, but those come with increased heat of the late afternoon. F Shades that automatically adjust for the time of day or can be controlled remotely can be valuable ways to fight glare and heat gain in these situations.

  • How often is the space occupied? Large spaces like warehouses or event rooms may have large energy requirements even though they’re used irregularly or don’t require the same climate control as offices or retail outlets. Occupancy sensors can be valuable in these applications and can keep shades down when the space is not in use.

Collaborating With Stakeholders

Instead of guessing what end users want, ask them. Involving future occupants in the design process gives you priceless insight that can be used to fine-tune designs and prevent complaints, replacements and general dissatisfaction down the road.

Ask what has worked in the past and what hasn’t. Are there obvious pain points that can be fixed with proper shading? Include end users that represent varying spaces and use cases, and note their input accordingly.

Prioritizing Performance Metrics

As significant as occupant input is when selecting user-centric designs for window treatments, there are also objective specifications and standards that can be used to inform decisions and gauge efficacy. For instance, you can quantify the natural light and glare in a room and then measure light control as provided by a specific shade system. The same concept applies to thermal regulation and durability.

Knowing these metrics can also help eliminate certain shade solutions that are unlikely to meet needs based on their specs and intended use. With large windows, it’s important to select a shade fabric and system that is going to help regulate solar heat gain.

How Contexture’s Design-Assist Services Address These Pain Points

Contexture’s considered approach to design and planning deftly meets the unique needs of each space and its occupants. Collaborating with end users early in the design phase helps prevent issues and costly change orders by incorporating functional window coverings that also honor user comfort.

Imagine the difference between features that are built into the original design versus those added as mid- or post-build changes. Knowing your options from the outset and working together to decide on optimal solutions just makes sense. This is how recessed pockets, side channels, guide cable connections, manual bead chain tensioning anchor locations and structural blocking appear seamless and intentional rather than like an afterthought.

Every step leverages Contexture’s expertise to balance aesthetics, functionality and performance. Years of hands-on work, client consultations and project assessments has imbued our team with an unbeatable appreciation for what a space can become — and what can happen when someone designs and installs without clear intent. We know what products are on the market, what a specific project needs and how tech-driven tools like climate-based daylight modeling and complex glazing analysis can help make data-driven decisions that make sense.

Enhancing Occupant Comfort Through Thoughtful Shade Selection

Balancing performance vs. aesthetics in shading systems could be your ticket to a build that ticks a bevy of boxes. It all comes back to respecting end-user pain points in window shade selection. Combine that with early collaboration with an experienced design company and you can create a space that’s comfortable and still meets your brand’s sustainability objectives.

Interested in upgrading your commercial space? Reach out to Contexture for more information on selecting shade solutions that enhance occupant comfort while meeting your project goals.

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