Torn canvases give way to wind-resistant alternative: Fixscreen cloth awning for Desselgem urban elementary school

The cloth awning in the urban elementary school in Desselgem, Belgium, dated back to the early 1990s. Back then, windproof screens were out of the question and it showed after all these years. The awnings were therefore recently replaced by new Fixscreen fabric awnings from Renson. A case study. 

Not only was the old cloth awning at the end of its useful life, the new one was a must for keeping the temperature in the classrooms under control as well as for good viewing of the digital blackboards. And with cloths that zipper into the side guides, the new screens are also expected to last longer. 

Windproof screens: the choice for sleek and durable

The wind clearly had free rein with the previous generation of cloth awnings for the windows of the urban elementary school in Desselgem. At that time, the cloths did not zipper into the side guides, which damaged them over time. The torn and flapping cloths were therefore in urgent need of replacement, not least because the exterior blinds have an important function in keeping out the sun and controlling the interior temperature. 

But the new cloth awning didn't just have to be functional. Considering past experience, it also had to be able to withstand rough handling. "With the choice of Fixscreens from Renson with cloths that zipper into the side guides, we think we have fulfilled that condition," believes director Eline Allegaert of the elementary school in Desselgem. "We have made a sustainable choice for a wind-resistant cloth awning, which, according to specifications, is always tightly stretched in front of the windows up to 130 km per hour!" 

"We have already received a lot of positive feedback from teachers, students and parents alike, not only because the new blinds look nice, but also because it still stays pleasantly cool in the classrooms on hot days," said the principal.

Fresh and alert in the classroom, even in 'change classes'

"It was really high time to replace the old cloth awnings," Eline Allegaert reiterates. "Because outdoor blinds are really a necessity in a lot of our classrooms because they keep out not only the heat, but also direct sunlight. When the blinds are lowered as early as the morning on warm days, you definitely notice the difference in indoor temperature in the classroom!" 

Two classrooms with a porch attached to the classroom particularly begged for additional shading. "On hot days, it easily reached 30° inside, so we had additional fabric awnings installed on the sloping veranda roofs and in front of the windows. Fortunately, we no longer have the 'sauna feeling' of before, because with the new exterior blinds we can better control the indoor temperature there as well. In these premises, even more than elsewhere, it was very important to keep the sun out before it could reach the glass, because as soon as the heat had penetrated it, the damage was done!" 

Thanks to the new outdoor blinds, teacher Nathalie notices that the children are noticeably fresher and more alert in the classroom. "As soon as you enter, you also feel that it is cooler there. Before that, the screens stay down from the morning on warm days. That's really a big advantage that I'm very happy about. Especially since I can choose to operate the blinds individually per window. I am also very satisfied with the angled cloths on the veranda roof, because they also clearly help keep the heat out." 

No reflection in digital blackboards

"Lowered screens are first of all super efficient in keeping the heat out, but equally important, it also makes the digital blackboards more readable because the screens filter sunlight," said Eline Allegaert. 

"For us as a client, this was an absolute must in the requirements package for the renovated cloth sunshade," adds alderman (alderman, ed.) of Education of Waregem Jo Neirynck. "Based on that wish, Demaeght Zonwering consulted with supplier Renson on which type of cloth was most suitable for this renovation project. Based on samples of different fabrics, the choice finally fell on a fabric with lower transparency, but which does not completely darken. A nice bonus is that students are now less distracted by the more limited view to the outside, while there is still plenty of daylight continuing to enter the classroom."