Choosing light bulbs for backlit awnings

January 1, 2010  |  Awnings & Canopies, Resources

Compiled by Juli Case What kind of fluorescent bulbs should I use for an outdoor backlit awning, and where should I get it? We did a quick survey of awning manufacturers and were cautioned that the fluorescent bulbs you need should be able to withstand outdoor conditions—particularly cold weat…
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Awning Composer updates

December 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case When will Awning Composer be updated with current fabrics? Awning Composer is the trade name of a computer software program that enables you to scan a picture of your client’s building and then show your customer how it would look with awnings. The company that originated…
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Defining ETFE

December 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case What is ETFE? ETFE is a polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene. As the name implies, it’s in the fluoropolymer family of chemical compounds. Although it has a number of applications, in the specialty fabrics industry, we’re seeing it mostly in the fabric struct…
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Defining a Rexine fabric

December 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case What’s a Rexine fabric? “Rexine” is a term that’s been around for decades and is currently used primarily outside the United States. Originally, it was a trade name for a specific fabric, but Rexine has generally come to mean a faux leather material. It …
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Identifying fabric samples

December 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’ll be making some pads that will be used to polish glass lenses. Our client gave us samples of fabrics, but we’re not sure what they are. There are three different types, which they describe as .020, .025 and .030. Can you help us identify them? Once we received …
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Jet bridge canopy fabric that meets standards

November 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re making a jet bridge canopy for a local airport and have been told we need to use fabric that meets NFPA 415 and FAR 25.853. I’ve never heard of those specifications. Can you tell me more? We’re familiar with FAR 25.853; it’s part of the Federal Avi…
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Fabric assembly helps muffle sound on noisy equipment

November 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We have the opportunity to bid on a job at a local manufacturing plant, making a sound cover for a noisy piece of equipment. What fabric should we use? You’re probably going to need a fabric assembly rather than a single fabric. Acoustical covers are often at least three …
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Where to find reproductions of antique upholstery fabric

November 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We used to buy reproductions of antique upholstery fabric from a company called Full Swing. They were located in Rhode Island, but the phone number we have doesn’t work. Are they still in business? We found them in Massachusetts; it appears that they had moved since you l…
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How to comply with European standards for hazardous materials

November 1, 2009  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I’m making a bag strap for a customer in Europe and am told that it has to be made of materials that are ROHS compliant and are certified as such. What does that mean? Most countries have a list of restricted substances. The European Union adopted the Restriction of Hazar…
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Matching shade material

October 7, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re doing a repair job on a panel of a big motorized window shade. It’s in an office and the shades on the other windows are fine, so we just need to match the material. Who makes Thermoveil? The owner of the tradename ThermoVeil is Mechoshade Systems, a manufactu…
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