Draper, Inc.

Feb. 24, 2021 - Would it surprise you that the window shade market is a very innovative space? Increasingly sophisticated yet simple control solutions and a crop of high-performance fabric shading solutions have brought shades out of the exclusive territory of interior design considerations and into the realm of selection based on many factors.

Draper is continuing to mark out our space as a peak innovator with several recent developments for 2021.

New UL Listed Products

Draper recently achieved UL Listing for several models of our Motorized FlexShade®. UL Listing is for the entire unit, and not just for some UL Recognized components.

The following Motorized FlexShade products are now UL Listed as complete units:

• Motorized FlexShade AC
• Motorized FlexShade I/O AC
• Motorized FlexShade 485 AC
• Motorized FlexShade RTS AC

UL Listing covers both single and dual roller units, as well as coupled shades, up to the largest sizes available.

These products will now carry the UL label, which immediately answers any questions about fire and shock hazard safety that an inspector might ask.

Meanwhile, Draper M12 Connector Cables also now meet the UL325 requirements and labeling, so again you will be ready for the strictest inspectors.

Expanded Hardware Options for Clutch-Operated FlexShade® NEXD

The NEXD clutch has been one of our best received innovations in manual shading, and now it's available in even more configurations. NEXD is now available in large and small dual roller units.

The dual roller version offers the same advantages you expect from the NEXD—including improved tube fit and installation, a safety mechanism to make it impossible to operate units that are installed incorrectly, 1/8" up or down shade roller adjustment for a perfectly level installation, and easier to install fascia.

FlexShade Recharge 5V Motors

There are now both 5V and 12V motors available for the battery powered FlexShade Recharge.

The new 5V motor features easy charging thanks to a Micro-USB charging port; no proprietary charger is needed. The 5V motor head is also the same size as a clutch operator, so it is easier to upgrade to a motorized unit. There is also an updated Hub V2 for easier Wi-Fi communication.

Improved IntelliFlex® I/O Functionality

It's easier than ever to join standard motorized shades, Venetian blinds, and louver systems into an IntelliFlex I/O network thanks to the new single 1MC and 4MC motor controllers.

They can be used as stand-alone controllers or as part of a network, which means that you can also use all of the peripherals that are available in the I/O line.

Fabric Additions

We continue adding to our already industry-leading collection of fabrics from U.S. weavers Phifer and Mermet USA.

The new 9803™ 3% by Mermet provides enhanced glare control and energy efficiency. This PVC coated fiberglass fabric features a dual-sided weave diamond pattern that offers a decorative appearance. This fabric is energy efficient and has superior dimensional stability. The offset twill pattern creates two distinct sides, making it a truly reversible fabric and allowing for versatility in design.

Phifer SheerWeave® 7800 and 7850 are new decorative blackout and light filtering fabrics that emulate the look of linen. Style 7800 is an opaque fabric with an acrylic foamed backing. Style 7850 provides the same texture in complimenting colors but without a backing, allowing natural light to filter into the space.

By Terry Coffey