Although this makes for attractive, airy modern buildings, it brings with it problems associated with solar glare and heat gain. 

These need to be addressed so that the building remains as comfortable and appealing to work in as it is to look at.

Fortunately there is a solution.  Guthrie Douglas, a  manufacturer of internal and external solar shading systems have revolutionised the industry with their new fabric based Solar shading system – the TESS 660 – a completely new product.

The TESS 660 is the perfect answer for applications where a compact, discrete shading system is required, and where light gaps at the edge of the fabric need to be eliminated. 

Using a unique tensioning system, the systems can cover horizontal, sloped, and vertical windows – even opening bottom to top or left to right: so perfect for today’s modern glass buildings.

Hydro Aluminium Extrusion provides the aluminium extrusions that make up Guthrie Douglas’s TESS 660 range.

Colin O’Neill, Hydro’s Sales Development Manager explains.   “The extrudability of aluminium means that it is easily formed into custom shapes which is why it is ideal for this type of application.  It is also light in weight which makes installation easier.”

Julian Harding, Head of Design and Development at Guthrie Douglas adds “our main customers are the contractors who are responsible for fitting the blinds in a building; we are essentially selling to the people that will be installing our products.

As a result our systems need to be reliable and aesthetically pleasing to the end user but also easy and quick to install for our immediate customers.

The extrusion process has allowed us to adapt the product shape and build function in that cuts costs, reduces finishing and simplifies assembly with no compromise on appearance or function of the product."

For example the TESS 660 features an extruded rib inside the guides which would usually be machined out at the bottom during the manufacturing process, which is difficult. 

Aluminium extrusion allows the use of a “tear out” strip which removes the need for machining as it can be just twisted off, saving time and money. 

Other innovative features designed into the new range include:

• Anodised drive bar, specifically designed to incorporate clip in plastic end caps to give a quick and easy assembly process. The Anodised finish also offers very low friction coefficient and is used as a bearing surface. 
• Clip fit aluminium front guide which simplifies assembly and avoids unsightly screw heads.
• Ultra quiet motor and full aluminium head box which make it pleasing to the ear and eye

The TESS 660 works equally well as an internal and external shade and with the SideLock fabric retention system it lends itself to both blackout and fly screen applications.

Whether systems are placed inside or outside, solar energy is reflected by the fabric reducing the heat transmitted in to the building.

For external systems, which are popular in parts of mainland Europe aluminium offers a high level of corrosion resistance; it is an ideal choice of material for use in external applications.

Hydro can also provide a wide range of fabrication services to add value and to help our customers keep costs down.

As Julian explains, “On our previous ranges we have always used sheet metal for the end plates which consisted of 3-4 pieces of sheet metal fabrications which were then riveted and welded. 

We are now using aluminium extrusions which are then CNC machined for us by Hydro – saving us lots of time and effort and also reducing our costs.

The new TESS 660 was unveiled at the Stuttgart R & T international trade fair in Germany and proved very popular with visitors to the stand.

“We were extremely pleased with the response to the new TESS 660,” said Jim Gregory, International Sales Manager at Guthrie Douglas, “If our exhibition order book is an indication of success then we are extremely positive about the future of the TESS 660 which was very well received.”

The new range will be sold into the UK and Western Europe initially and then launched worldwide in early 2013.

For more information visit www.guthriedouglas.com